{"id":84220,"date":"2010-01-21T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2010-01-21T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.sunset.com\/home-garden"},"modified":"2025-08-01T16:21:55","modified_gmt":"2025-08-01T23:21:55","slug":"home-garden","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.sunset.com\/home-garden","title":{"rendered":"Home & Garden"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Great home and garden design ideas, from decorating and DIY projects to landscaping and edible gardening tips from Sunset magazine.","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":52380,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"landing-page.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"_should_modify_publish_date":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[43207],"tags":[],"layout":[67],"class_list":["post-84220","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-home-garden","layout-article"],"acf":{"display_row_fields":"yes","page_subheadline":"Great home and garden design ideas, from decorating and DIY projects to landscaping and edible gardening tips","display_row_1":"yes","stories_row_1_top":[{"ID":187256,"post_author":"98","post_date":"2025-07-23 03:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-07-23 10:00:00","post_content":"\n

When physician Cynthia Chua decided she wanted to relocate from Cincinnati to Seattle<\/a> to retire, she enlisted the help of her two daughters in the city, Julia and Sarah, with the housing search. This was during the pandemic, so Cynthia wasn\u2019t able to travel much, but luckily she had spent a lot of time in Seattle previously and had an idea of which neighborhoods she was interested in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Garden
\"The Mt. Baker neighborhood she eventually settled in was always high on the list because of its access to Lake Washington, walkability, friendly people, and its quiet setting, while still being connected to transit and the rest of what the city has to offer,\" says Sarah.<\/figcaption>

Rafael Soldi<\/p><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen it came to the house itself, she had a few important wishlist items: an accessible garage that was connected to main level of the structure, an open and informal kitchen and living space, the ability to host family and friends when they visit, outdoor space for all to enjoy, not too many stairs, and nothing too big,\u201d says daughter Sarah Smith, who is a principal at Best Practice Architecture<\/a> and who oversaw the project along with her team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cynthia\u2019s old home in Ohio was a traditional two-story brick house with traditional furnishings, but since it was on the older side, it had too many doors; a difficult-to-maneuver driveway and garage; and awkward, dark, and cramped rooms. For her new space, she wanted cozy spaces with a natural flow, light and bright colors, a streamlined look with no visual clutter, natural light, smart storage<\/a>, and a connection to the outdoors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Dining
A stained glass window created by daughter Julia brings beautiful light into the dining room.<\/figcaption>

Rafael Soldi<\/p><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

They found a two-story, three-bedroom, and two-and-a-half bathroom home in the Mt. Baker neighborhood that fit the bill. The home had been a rental property for over a decade; its main level and lower level were rented as separate units, which actually was ideal for Cynthia\u2019s wish to have some separate spaces for herself and for any visitors. But since the home had been a rental<\/a> for quite some time, it was well-worn, neglected, and in need of an update.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe main inspirational starting points for the project were both big and small: a California bungalow the family had rented on a vacation\u2014the perfect blend of cozy, airy, modern, and functional; Cynthia\u2019s love of blown glass from a trip to Northern Italy; a fireplace she had seen with floor-to-ceiling green tile; and a watery blue 6\u201d x 6\u201d square tile,\u201d Sarah says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Fireplace
Blue-green tiles cover the chimney from floor to ceiling.<\/figcaption>

Rafael Soldi<\/p><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The whole renovation was truly a family affair with Cynthia\u2019s three daughters having a hand in the project. Middle daughter Sarah oversaw the architecture and interior design services; youngest daughter Julia designed and fabricated two stained glass windows for the house; and oldest daughter Lauren, who lives in Los Angeles, curated art, which included her own photography.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sarah and team started with the home\u2019s floor plan, making some tweaks to make it a more functional space<\/a>. One priority was to change up the staircase, which was originally an enclosed narrow shaft that divided the entire house. They rotated the staircase and moved it to the perimeter of the living room, which freed up the floor plan on both levels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Entry
The new entry has plenty of storage for shoes and coats.<\/figcaption>

Rafael Soldi<\/p><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRather than enclosure walls, we connected the upper and lower floors with a white oak slat wall,\u201d Sarah explains. \u201cWe designed shelving at both lower and upper levels that replaced the need for guardrails at the floor opening. And at the lower level, under the treads, is a full-height closet for auxiliary storage.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Best Practice team added a 50-square-foot addition to the front of the house, which became the new front entry<\/a> with plenty of storage, like a closet, bench, cubbies, and hooks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Kitchen
\"A muted palette of taupes and whites creates the backdrop for the terrazzo floor tile, fir windows, and colorful furnishings and fixtures,\" explains Sarah.<\/figcaption>

Rafael Soldi<\/p><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The entry leads into the dining room and kitchen, which were expanded and connected thanks to the removal of a dividing wall. Cynthia requested an efficient and simple galley kitchen, so the new design features wall ovens, a refrigerator, and full-height cabinets on one side, and a sink and peninsula with stools on the other side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Living
A multi-slide opening door leads to the deck.<\/figcaption>

Rafael Soldi<\/p><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The original living room had low ceilings and a giant square skylight in the middle of the room. The design team decided to vault the ceilings along the east side of the house and add skylights<\/a>. To provide access to the deck adjacent to the living room, they swapped out the living room\u2019s windows with a large glass multi-slide opening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Upper
The deck outside the living room.<\/figcaption>

Rafael Soldi<\/p><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe maintained the existing fireplace location, but to emphasize it as the central focal point of the main floor, we aligned it with a series of large skylights,\u201d Sarah says. \u201cClad in light blue-green glazed tile that spans from floor to ceiling, the chimney slots into the skylight opening and reads as a vertical light shaft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Powder
Another stained glass window in the powder room.<\/figcaption>

Rafael Soldi<\/p><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Behind the chimney wall was the main floor\u2019s only bathroom, which the Sarah and team reimagined to create a storage room with custom cabinetry and a powder room that features a stained glass window designed by Cynthia\u2019s daughter Julia and her company, Unique Art Glass<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Primary
The light-filled primary bedroom.<\/figcaption>

Rafael Soldi<\/p><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The north end of the house that faces an empty street housed two bedrooms which were transformed into the main level primary suite with a spa-like bathroom, cozy bedroom, and large closet with laundry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Primary
The laundry area and bathroom in the primary suite.<\/figcaption>

Rafael Soldi<\/p><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA bank of wall-to-wall ribbon windows acts as the headboard, while the vaulted ceiling gives the modestly sized room a lofty feel,\u201d Sarah says. \u201cRather than a traditional walk-in closet, we designed a connector space between bedroom and bathroom, with custom oak closet cabinets and a built-in laundry station. The very first room designed was the bathroom, as the light blue tile was one of the earliest inspirations for Cynthia. We planned the space around the two existing window openings and the 6\u201d x 6\u201d tile module. The added skylight aligns with the vanity window and the shower opening, bathing the entire room in gentle diffuse light.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Kitchenette
The kitchenette on the lower level was relocated.<\/figcaption>

Rafael Soldi<\/p><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the lower level of the home, the Best Practice team moved the kitchenette from underneath the garage to a more central spot in the den. The space underneath the garage is now a storage and utility room. The lower den has a similar footprint to the living room upstairs, with a multi-slide glass door which opens to the patio and garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Den
The den opens to the patio and garden.<\/figcaption>

Rafael Soldi<\/p><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe hulking gas furnace and the old basement fireplace used to occupy a large portion of the lower level den and bathroom,\u201d explains Sarah. \u201cOnce removed, it instantly gave much more breathing room to both spaces. The bathroom was completely reworked\u2014the tiny pedestal sink was replaced with a new larger vanity and the tiny dark shower became a family-friendly tub.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Backyard
\"Cynthia has a fondness for cedar shingles from her college years spent in New England, so we used that as a starting point,\" says Sarah. \"The scallop shape is traditionally used only at the top triangle of gable-end walls, but we liked the idea of using it on the entire house. By using an old material in an unexpected way, something conventional can feel new and fresh, while still giving a nod to the past.\"<\/figcaption>

Rafael Soldi<\/p><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For the outdoor space<\/a>, Best Practice worked with Cambium Landscape<\/a> to enhance the natural elements of the site. Instead of a grass front lawn, there are layers of paving, fencing, and plantings. And the front garden features a small sitting area and water feature. The back deck kept its original footprint, but was updated with a new structure, decking and railings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe added a deck stair to connect the upper and lower levels, with the lower level patio and lawn designed to be a grandkid and grand-dog friendly gathering space,\u201d Sarah adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Decks
\"I think what makes her the absolute happiest is that her family loves to spend time together at her new home,\" Sarah says of her mom. \"The Seattle wing of the family congregates every weekend for Sunday night dinner. After a recent visit, one of her grandkids wrote in class that Seattle was her favorite place to travel.\"<\/figcaption>

Rafael Soldi<\/p><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Designing for your family can be challenging, but Sarah says her mom was a dream client, completely trusting the team to bring her vision to life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe biggest challenge for me was making sure that I was a responsible steward of my mom\u2019s trust,\u201d Sarah explains. \u201cThis was a very ambitious project for my mom, who had never embarked on a big extensive home renovation, and I wanted to make it as painless as possible for her. She worked incredibly hard to provide for her kids, so being a good architect for her was a way of saying thank you for paying for many years of higher education. I know my mom very well, so I knew from the beginning that I could help create a space for her that not only functioned well, but that could contribute to her happiness. I labored over little details like slightly lower countertops and light switches (she\u2019s not a tall person), and things like bench nooks and shoe storage in specific locations because I know her patterns and routines. I probably created undue stress for myself in the process, but I wanted to get it right for her!\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"How Three Design-Savvy Daughters Created the Ultimate Retreat for Their Retired Mom","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"seattle-retirement-retreat","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-07-31 13:44:38","post_modified_gmt":"2025-07-31 20:44:38","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.sunset.com\/?p=187256","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"stories_row_1_bottom":[{"ID":190731,"post_author":"16","post_date":"2025-07-23 03:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-07-23 10:00:00","post_content":"\n

You can thank Dinah Shore for the newest Sunset Idea House<\/a>. In the mid-1960s, the singer and actress commissioned famed desert modern architect Donald Wexler to build her a desert getaway in Palm Springs<\/a>. The 7,000-square-foot estate, a masterpiece of open plan design, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing generous views of the San Jacinto Mountains from nearly every room, poured concrete floors, and extensive use of steel so impressed New Yorker Marnie McBryde on a tour of the home that she decided to commission Wexler to design a house for her to build back in East Hampton. Wexler is known for pioneering the use of steel in residential architecture and for his striking buildings, such as the Palm Springs International Airport, the Alexander houses, and other public and private buildings in the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Lance
Lance O\u2019Donnell (of o2 Architecture), Marnie McBryde, and Marc Sanders.<\/figcaption>

Photo by Thomas J. Story. Artwork by Sebastiaan Knot (left) and Glen Wexler (right).<\/p><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI just fell in love with Wexler\u2019s vision of desert modernism, and it just spoke much more closely to my aesthetic and the way I like living,\u201d says McBryde. \u201cI love the simplicity and elegance of it.\u201d Working with Palm Springs architect Lance O\u2019Donnell<\/a>, of o2 Architecture, Wexler designed a low-slung glass and steel house for a site in the country with sweeping meadow views. That house was never built. Wexler passed away in 2015. On a beach walk in the Hamptons, McBryde asked a friend what he thought she should do with the unbuilt Wexler. His answer: \u201cWhy don\u2019t you take it back home?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Idea
The last lost Donald Wexler house sits amongst boulders at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains on the last view lot in Palm Springs.<\/figcaption>

Thomas J. Story<\/p><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Soon McBryde was back in Palm Springs looking for the perfect site to build the last Wexler, eventually finding a view lot in the Desert Palisades development<\/a> just up the hill from Little Tuscany on the north end of town. It was represented by real estate developer Marc Sanders, who not only had the site but shared a love for Wexler: He was in the process of developing what was to become the second-to-last Wexler. McBryde and Sanders hit it off, picked a lot in Desert Palisades, and the last lost Wexler was on its way to becoming reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Palm
Trex decking makes for a cool walkway by the pool while the brand\u2019s railing lets in the classic Palm Springs view, which includes the San Jacinto Mountains and a home designed by Al Beadle and Lance O\u2019Donnell, o2 Architecture, in the distance.<\/figcaption>

Thomas J. Story<\/p><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Like so many visionary home designs in Palm Springs, the new home is adept at framing the desert landscape and offers a refreshingly intentional and practical approach to living. Backing up against the mountain range, the sites in Desert Palisades are dotted throughout a dramatic boulder field that offers sweeping views of the city below, from downtown to the airport of Wexler fame<\/a> to the Santa Rosa Mountains to the south.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Palm
Every room, including the office, has the same stunning view and opens to the outside.<\/figcaption>

Photo by Thomas J. Story. Artwork by Glen Wexler.<\/p><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The primary suite was flipped from one end to another to give its occupants the best view of the city. The layout is extremely democratic: Nearly every room, from the secondary and guest bedrooms to the office, all share that same dramatic view, with doors leading past pocket gardens to the outdoor living area<\/a>. The open plan design is anchored by a great room with a fireplace and seating bench that seems to stretch from the interior out through the glass to the valley below. A shaded dining area tucked under beams leads to a pool and viewing decks. \u201cA lot of houses with beautiful landscapes will be sited to favor one room or another with the best view,\u201d says O\u2019Donnell. \u201cBut not this house. No matter what bedroom you\u2019re in, you\u2019re seeing the desert in all its glory.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Idea
Western Window Systems\u2019 Classic Line seamlessly frames the dramatic stone fireplace, echoing the mountains outside.<\/figcaption>

Thomas J. Story<\/p><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI remember sitting with Donald Wexler, having coffee and talking about life and about getting old and time passing, and I made a promise to him that this house would be built,\u201d says McBryde. While Wexler didn\u2019t live to see his dream realized, this home is a testament to the longstanding principles of modernist design, but with smart, contemporary adjustments to make it a timeless, efficient, eminently livable space<\/a> that\u2019s human-centered with no reference to the past or future, but to what any homeowner needs in the here and now: views of the surrounding landscape, spaces for privacy, spaces for gathering, and an experience that allows for life to flow and time to pass with grace and beauty\u2014unassailable good ideas for a house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here's How We Got the Look<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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