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Project Description:
The Lake Washington Shores residence is an extraordinary 6,800-square-foot home that blends architecture, luxury, art, and nature into a seamless, immersive experience. Designed with a focus on entertaining, the home offers expansive spaces for hosting grand gatherings while providing intimate sanctuaries for the homeowners to retreat and relax. This remarkable residence was created not only as a place to live but as a living gallery that showcases the client’s extensive Northwest art collection. Every aspect of the design has been carefully considered to ensure that art, functionality, and luxurious living come together in perfect harmony. Garret Cord Werner’s meticulous approach to custom design and Jim Olson’s architectural vision have made this home a true work of art that transcends the conventional notion of a home.
At the center of the home lies the main pavilion, a dramatic and expansive space. The pavilion serves as the heart of the residence, offering a grand venue for entertaining, as well as a space for relaxation and reflection. This open-concept area is designed to flow effortlessly from the inside to the surrounding natural landscape, allowing the beauty of the outdoors to be fully integrated into the living experience. The 35-foot dining table, designed by Garret Cord Werner, acts as the focal point of the pavilion. The table, crafted from mahogany wood and nickel-plated steel, draws inspiration from the elegant, streamlined form of an airplane wing. Its bold design makes a sculptural statement within the space, elevating the entire room with its precision and artistry.
The table is not just a functional piece but also a work of art that can be disassembled, offering versatility for a variety of event configurations. Whether hosting a formal dinner or transforming the space into a large-scale venue for entertaining, the table adapts to the needs of the homeowner. The ability to dismantle the table provides flexibility for gatherings, making the central pavilion a perfect venue for both large events and more intimate affairs. The table’s placement as the central feature of the main entry sets the tone for the residence, introducing guests to the sense of scale, sophistication, and artistic vision that defines the entire home.
As the home is designed with a focus on entertaining, it features two luxury suites, a rare choice that ensures ultimate privacy and comfort for the homeowners while allowing the public spaces to take center stage. The primary suite, a tranquil retreat, incorporates a private Zen garden that seamlessly extends the interior living experience to the outdoors. Designed with minimalist elements such as stones, water features, and carefully curated plants, the garden becomes an oasis of calm. The design blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces, a hallmark of Garret Cord Werner’s signature design philosophy. The primary suite bathroom continues this connection to nature with its Japanese-style soaking tub. The tub, placed beneath a magic window, provides sweeping views of the garden and offers a serene bathing experience that connects the homeowner with the natural beauty surrounding the residence. A sculpture by Julie Speidel in the garden adds an artistic element, making the garden not only a visual feature but a dynamic part of the bathing experience.
The integration of art throughout the home is one of its most defining characteristics. The client’s extensive Northwest art collection is thoughtfully displayed throughout the home, not merely as decorative objects but as integral components of the architectural design. Gallery-style walls throughout the residence are dedicated to displaying paintings, sculptures, and mixed-media works of art. The collection is illuminated by carefully placed lighting that enhances the visual impact of each piece, ensuring that the art is always in the spotlight. Sculptures are thoughtfully placed both inside and outside the home, adding visual interest and creating a dialogue between the built environment and the natural landscape. The art, whether placed in the main pavilion or within the serene spaces of the private suite, is an essential part of the home’s design, reflecting the client’s aesthetic vision while enriching the living experience.
The bar area and lounge offer additional spaces where art and design seamlessly integrate. These spaces are adorned with handcrafted glass sculptures, each one selected to harmonize with the home’s minimalist aesthetic while adding an element of color, texture, and light. The glass sculptures act as focal points, capturing the attention of guests and becoming conversation pieces that reflect the home’s artistic spirit. The interplay of light in the lounge space creates a constantly evolving visual experience, as the sculptures reflect and refract light in different ways throughout the day. The combination of these unique glass pieces with the rich materials used in the furniture—such as mohair and suede—creates an inviting atmosphere that is both luxurious and visually stimulating.
Among the most intimate and luxurious spaces in the home is the powder room, designed by Garret Cord Werner as a jewel box within the residence. The powder room is a stunning example of how a small space can be transformed into a luxurious art experience. The room features a floating vanity crafted from mahogany wood and nickel-plated steel, creating a sleek, minimalist design that exudes modern elegance. The floating structure of the vanity gives the room a sense of lightness, while the nickel-plated steel introduces an industrial touch that balances the richness of the wood. A custom stone sink integrated into the vanity serves as a sculptural piece, adding depth and texture to the design.
The true showstopper in this space, however, is the feature wall made of fused glass. This artistic wall transforms the powder room into a visual experience. The layers of fused glass create a dynamic texture that shifts and changes depending on the angle of the light. The colors, reflections, and textures of the glass add depth and complexity to the room, making it feel like an ever-evolving piece of art. Complementing this masterpiece is a custom pendant light, designed in collaboration with Stev Hirt, a renowned glass artist. This pendant light serves as a sculptural element that casts warm, ambient light across the room, illuminating the fused glass wall and enhancing the intricate textures. Together, these elements turn the powder room into an artistic experience, offering guests the ultimate in luxury and design.
Beyond the powder room, the primary suite continues the theme of luxury and artistic integration. The private Zen garden, the soaking tub with its magic window, and the sculpture by Julie Speidel all work together to create a sanctuary of peace and reflection. The seamless connection between the indoors and outdoors ensures that nature is always present, even when inside the home. This blending of nature, art, and architecture creates a holistic experience that elevates the act of living into an immersive experience.
The Lake Washington Shores residence is a true testament to the art of architectural design. Every element—from the central pavilion with its disassemblable dining table to the powder room with its floating vanity and fused glass wall—has been thoughtfully crafted to create a space that is both functional and visually striking. The integration of custom furnishings, luxurious materials, and art into the very fabric of the home creates an environment that is not only visually captivating but also deeply personal. This home is not just a place to live, but a celebration of art, design, and the beauty of life. It is a living, breathing masterpiece where Garret Cord Werner and Jim Olson have fused their talents to create a home that is as much a work of art as it is a space to experience life in all its beauty.
