Atomic Ranch

Raised Ranch Reset

DRAWING INSPIRATIO­N FROM ITS MID CENTURY NEIGHBORHO­OD, THE RENOVATION OF THIS 1963 WASHINGTON HOME BRINGS TOGETHER SOPHISTICA­TED MODERN FUNCTIONAL­ITY AND RETRO CHARM.

- By LAURA SHIMKO l Photograph­y by POPPI PHOTOGRAPH­Y

Inspiratio­n

can come from a variety of places. For homeowner, designer and longtime mid mod enthusiast Katherine McBride, it was the neighborho­od that drew her to her family’s current home and provided many of her design ideas for the remodel. “We had lived in a gem of a Mid Century Modern neighborho­od in Olympia, and so we kept an eye on it for any listing that would come up,” she says. When one finally did, she knew it would take a labor of love to create the home she had in mind because of the compartmen­talized layout and the many remodels throughout the years by previous owners.

“I wanted it to feel comfortabl­e, warm and homey; not a museum but like someone could live in it,” she says. After completing her degree at the Art Institute of Seattle and an internship with the award- winning Artisans Group, Katherine worked with architect Roussa Cassel and mentor Brenda Fritsch to take on her very first project: her own home.

CATCHING THE VISION

The house was originally built by Henry Berschauer with the architectu­re team Bennett and Johnson. From the outset, Katherine knew the 1963 raised ranch home would need a complete overhaul to get it to the Mid Century Modern look she wanted. “You could literally see the remodels through the decades, but the lot was amazing and the view was incredible,” she says. With the help of Roussa and Brenda, she was able to see the possibilit­ies of the home as well as try her hand at the redesign. “The home has good bones and a floor plan that I could work with,” she says.

Katherine drew much of her inspiratio­n and vision from the mid century homes in her neighborho­od. Some of these elements include the clerestory windows above the kitchen area, as well as flagstone in the entryway. After gleaning ideas from the neighbors’ homes, the women came up with a plan and began working.

CONNECTING SPACES

With a growing family, Katherine wanted to create a better sense of connection and flow throughout the home. A major aspect of the remodel was replacing the low 7.5- foot ceiling in the great room on the first floor with vaulted tongue- and- groove ceilings and clerestory windows. “We were primarily looking to increase the volume, connect to the outdoors, create an open living plan and bring in more light,” Roussa says.

The fireplace and chimney stood in the center of the room, creating a visual and physical barrier. Unfortunat­ely, there wasn’t a way to retain it and be able to connect the spaces. “It felt very compartmen­talized— all the rooms were cut off from each other,” Katherine says. They decided to take out the fireplace, allowing for the kitchen, dining area and seating area to all come together in one large, unified space. “By removing the ceiling joists and removing the chimney, that created the opportunit­ies for all the other great things that happened,” Roussa says.

Katherine drew much of her inspiratio­n and vision from the mid century homes in her neighborho­od.

“I wanted it to feel comfortabl­e, warm and homey; not a museum but like someone could live here.”

SUSTAINABL­E UPDATES

In addition to modern appliances, Katherine worked with Roussa to add in sustainabl­e options for some much- needed functional updates, bringing the home up to code. They also added double- paned windows and installed a new HVAC system with ductless mini- splits. This was especially helpful for creating space in the basement, where Katherine created another family gathering room.

The result is an inviting, functional and beautiful space that brings together all the benefits of modern convenienc­e while also maintainin­g a clean and classic mid century design. “The house is great and the neighborho­od is great— we feel like we found the perfect place,” Katherine says.

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 ??  ?? THE KITCHEN IS THE VISUAL CENTERPIEC­E OF THE ROOM, AND THE HUB OF KATHERINE’S FAMILY’S ACTIVITY. HER DAUGHTER CORA PLAYS ON THE FLOOR WHILE THE CAT WATCHES OVER. KATHERINE AND HER TEAM MADE SOME CHANGES TO THE LAYOUT TO ALLOW FOR EVEN MORE LIGHT. “WE REPLACED A DOUBLE SLIDER THAT WAS NEXT TO THE FRIDGE WITH A DOOR TO THE LEFT AND A FLOOR- TOCEILING WINDOW TO THE RIGHT,” KATHERINE SAYS. VAULTING THE CEILING COMPLETELY TRANSFORME­D THE INTERIOR OF THE HOME BY OPENING UP THE SPACE, AND ADDING CLERESTORY WINDOWS ALLOWED FOR AN ABUNDANCE OF NATURAL LIGHT.
THE KITCHEN IS THE VISUAL CENTERPIEC­E OF THE ROOM, AND THE HUB OF KATHERINE’S FAMILY’S ACTIVITY. HER DAUGHTER CORA PLAYS ON THE FLOOR WHILE THE CAT WATCHES OVER. KATHERINE AND HER TEAM MADE SOME CHANGES TO THE LAYOUT TO ALLOW FOR EVEN MORE LIGHT. “WE REPLACED A DOUBLE SLIDER THAT WAS NEXT TO THE FRIDGE WITH A DOOR TO THE LEFT AND A FLOOR- TOCEILING WINDOW TO THE RIGHT,” KATHERINE SAYS. VAULTING THE CEILING COMPLETELY TRANSFORME­D THE INTERIOR OF THE HOME BY OPENING UP THE SPACE, AND ADDING CLERESTORY WINDOWS ALLOWED FOR AN ABUNDANCE OF NATURAL LIGHT.
 ??  ?? WHILE THE EXTERIOR REMAINED LARGELY UNTOUCHED, A FRESH COAT OF PAINT AND OTHER SMALL UPDATES WENT A LONG WAY TO TYING THE DESIGN TOGETHER, INSIDE AND OUT.
WHILE THE EXTERIOR REMAINED LARGELY UNTOUCHED, A FRESH COAT OF PAINT AND OTHER SMALL UPDATES WENT A LONG WAY TO TYING THE DESIGN TOGETHER, INSIDE AND OUT.
 ??  ?? ( LEFT) KATHERINE CHOSE A POP OF COLOR ON THE DOOR FOR SOME RETRO FLAIR. “I FELT THAT PEOPLE WERE DOING ORANGES AND REDS FOR DOORS, AND I WANTED TO TAKE IT IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION,” SHE SAYS. “THE BLUE FIT IN WITH THE GRAYS AND MAKES FOR A MORE NORTHWESTE­RN COLOR PALETTE.”
( LEFT) KATHERINE CHOSE A POP OF COLOR ON THE DOOR FOR SOME RETRO FLAIR. “I FELT THAT PEOPLE WERE DOING ORANGES AND REDS FOR DOORS, AND I WANTED TO TAKE IT IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION,” SHE SAYS. “THE BLUE FIT IN WITH THE GRAYS AND MAKES FOR A MORE NORTHWESTE­RN COLOR PALETTE.”
 ??  ??
 ??  ?? MANY OF KATHERINE’S FURNITURE PIECES ARE FROM HER OWN COLLECTION IN HER MID CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE STORE. “THIS DANISH MODERN DINING TABLE WAS ONE I PICKED UP … AND IT JUST FITS REALLY WELL IN THE SPACE,” SHE SAYS. THE PENDANT LIGHT ADDS A SOPHISTICA­TED TOUCH, WHILE THE RUG BRINGS A FUN POP OF COLOR. ( OPPOSITE, TOP) INSPIRED BY THE RALPH ANDERSON HOMES SHE HAD SEEN IN SEATTLE, KATHERINE USED LIGHTING AS A WAY TO SET THE TONE FOR THE GREAT ROOM. “I ADDED A GLOWING LIGHT ON TOP OF THE WALL SCREEN BECAUSE I WANTED TO CAST A REALLY WARM ORANGE GLOW,” SHE SAYS. “AT NIGHT, WITH THE FIRE GOING AND LIGHTS OFF, IT MAKES FOR A VERY WARM, INVITING FEELING.”
MANY OF KATHERINE’S FURNITURE PIECES ARE FROM HER OWN COLLECTION IN HER MID CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE STORE. “THIS DANISH MODERN DINING TABLE WAS ONE I PICKED UP … AND IT JUST FITS REALLY WELL IN THE SPACE,” SHE SAYS. THE PENDANT LIGHT ADDS A SOPHISTICA­TED TOUCH, WHILE THE RUG BRINGS A FUN POP OF COLOR. ( OPPOSITE, TOP) INSPIRED BY THE RALPH ANDERSON HOMES SHE HAD SEEN IN SEATTLE, KATHERINE USED LIGHTING AS A WAY TO SET THE TONE FOR THE GREAT ROOM. “I ADDED A GLOWING LIGHT ON TOP OF THE WALL SCREEN BECAUSE I WANTED TO CAST A REALLY WARM ORANGE GLOW,” SHE SAYS. “AT NIGHT, WITH THE FIRE GOING AND LIGHTS OFF, IT MAKES FOR A VERY WARM, INVITING FEELING.”
 ??  ??
 ??  ?? ( ABOVE) ROUSSA AND KATHERINE REDESIGNED THE PORCH SO THAT IT BETTER FIT IN WITH THE MID CENTURY MODERN DESIGN INSIDE. ORIGINALLY IT WAS LOW SLUNG WITH COLONIAL POSTS, SO THEY DECIDED TO PUT IN A NEW PORCH WITH MORE MODERN POSTS AND OVER FRAME. THE SIDING IS ORIGINAL WITH A NEW COAT OF PAINT, BUT THEY REMOVED THE ORIGINAL RED BRICK AND REPLACED IT WITH A MODERN BRICK.
( ABOVE) ROUSSA AND KATHERINE REDESIGNED THE PORCH SO THAT IT BETTER FIT IN WITH THE MID CENTURY MODERN DESIGN INSIDE. ORIGINALLY IT WAS LOW SLUNG WITH COLONIAL POSTS, SO THEY DECIDED TO PUT IN A NEW PORCH WITH MORE MODERN POSTS AND OVER FRAME. THE SIDING IS ORIGINAL WITH A NEW COAT OF PAINT, BUT THEY REMOVED THE ORIGINAL RED BRICK AND REPLACED IT WITH A MODERN BRICK.
 ??  ?? ( ABOVE) KATHERINE DECIDED AGAINST A BOLD PALETTE. “WHEN WE OPENED UP THE WINDOWS, WE SAW HOW MUCH GREEN WAS COMING IN, AND I DECIDED TO STICK WITH NATURAL TONES TO FOCUS ON WHAT WAS OUTSIDE AND BRINGING IT IN,” SHE SAYS. WHITE OAK HARDWOOD FLOORING REPLACED EXISTING LAMINATE FROM A PREVIOUS REMODEL.
( ABOVE) KATHERINE DECIDED AGAINST A BOLD PALETTE. “WHEN WE OPENED UP THE WINDOWS, WE SAW HOW MUCH GREEN WAS COMING IN, AND I DECIDED TO STICK WITH NATURAL TONES TO FOCUS ON WHAT WAS OUTSIDE AND BRINGING IT IN,” SHE SAYS. WHITE OAK HARDWOOD FLOORING REPLACED EXISTING LAMINATE FROM A PREVIOUS REMODEL.
 ??  ?? ( BELOW) THIS RETRO WALL SCREEN IS MADE OF FIR WITH WALNUT INSERTS. DRAWING INSPIRATIO­N FROM HER NEIGHBORS’ HOMES, KATHERINE INSTALLED IT IN THE ENTRYWAY ALONG WITH FLAGSTONE FOR A CLASSIC MID CENTURY FEEL. “I WANTED THE INTERIOR DESIGN OF THE HOME TO BE [ A TRIBUTE] TO THE OTHER HOUSES IN THE AREA,” SHE SAYS.
( BELOW) THIS RETRO WALL SCREEN IS MADE OF FIR WITH WALNUT INSERTS. DRAWING INSPIRATIO­N FROM HER NEIGHBORS’ HOMES, KATHERINE INSTALLED IT IN THE ENTRYWAY ALONG WITH FLAGSTONE FOR A CLASSIC MID CENTURY FEEL. “I WANTED THE INTERIOR DESIGN OF THE HOME TO BE [ A TRIBUTE] TO THE OTHER HOUSES IN THE AREA,” SHE SAYS.
 ??  ??
 ??  ?? INSTEAD OF EXPANDING THE MAIN BEDROOM, KATHERINE DECIDED TO SHRINK IT BACK DOWN TO ITS ORIGINAL SIZE, ALLOWING FOR THE CREATION OF ANOTHER BEDROOM. THIS DECISION WAS TO ACCOMMODAT­E HER GROWING FAMILY. “WE COULDN’T PUT IN A CLOSET, SO WE PUT IN A CUSTOM BUILT- IN WARDROBE,” SHE SAYS.
INSTEAD OF EXPANDING THE MAIN BEDROOM, KATHERINE DECIDED TO SHRINK IT BACK DOWN TO ITS ORIGINAL SIZE, ALLOWING FOR THE CREATION OF ANOTHER BEDROOM. THIS DECISION WAS TO ACCOMMODAT­E HER GROWING FAMILY. “WE COULDN’T PUT IN A CLOSET, SO WE PUT IN A CUSTOM BUILT- IN WARDROBE,” SHE SAYS.
 ??  ?? ( ABOVE, RIGHT) CORK FLOORS BRING WARMTH AND BALANCE TO THE NEUTRAL- PALETTE DOWNSTAIRS AREA.
( ABOVE, RIGHT) CORK FLOORS BRING WARMTH AND BALANCE TO THE NEUTRAL- PALETTE DOWNSTAIRS AREA.
 ??  ?? ( ABOVE, LEFT) KATHERINE USED HER LOVE OF COLOR IN THE TILE SHE CHOSE FOR THE KITCHEN BACKSPLASH. THE SLEEK MOD CABINETS ARE CUSTOM DESIGNED BY HER MENTOR, BRENDA.
( ABOVE, LEFT) KATHERINE USED HER LOVE OF COLOR IN THE TILE SHE CHOSE FOR THE KITCHEN BACKSPLASH. THE SLEEK MOD CABINETS ARE CUSTOM DESIGNED BY HER MENTOR, BRENDA.
 ??  ?? ( BELOW, RIGHT) THE MAIN BATH CONTINUES A NATURAL COLOR PALETTE BUT ADDS IN POPS OF COLOR. “I WANTED IT TO BE LIGHT AND CRISP, WITH … A POOL/ AQUATIC FEEL IN THE TILE,” KATHRINE SAYS. THE KNOBS AND PULLS ARE A NOD TO MID MOD STYLE.
( BELOW, RIGHT) THE MAIN BATH CONTINUES A NATURAL COLOR PALETTE BUT ADDS IN POPS OF COLOR. “I WANTED IT TO BE LIGHT AND CRISP, WITH … A POOL/ AQUATIC FEEL IN THE TILE,” KATHRINE SAYS. THE KNOBS AND PULLS ARE A NOD TO MID MOD STYLE.

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