A neglected 1950s house in Seattle's Mt Baker neighborhood has been transformed into a striking multi-generational home featuring distinctive scalloped cedar shingles and a baby blue color scheme. The project, dubbed "Lil Shingle," was completed by Best Practice Architecture in collaboration with the homeowner's family members, creating what the team describes as a "warm and welcoming space" with strong connections to the outdoors.
The renovation began as a modest update but evolved into an almost complete reconstruction when significant structural problems were discovered. The original house, nicknamed "Slanty Shanty" by its previous owners due to its poor condition, was built into a sloped site along Lake Washington. Despite the extensive work required, the architects preserved many original elements including the footprint, roof pitch, overall layout, and most existing window and door openings.
The client, a newly retired mother with three adult daughters, purchased the property seeking a modest home with dedicated space for visitors. She enlisted the help of her middle daughter, who serves as a principal at Best Practice Architecture, while her other two daughters, both working in creative fields, also contributed to the design process. The youngest daughter and her partner created custom stained-glass windows for the home, while the eldest daughter, a photographer, helped curate furnishings and artwork.
Originally serving as a rental property for decades, the house contained apartments on both its upper and basement levels, each with its own garage. The architects initially planned "a few big moves and a handful of small, strategic layout changes," but construction revealed that the wall framing, floor framing, and roof structure were failing. Only the existing basement foundation walls could be salvaged, necessitating a complete rebuild while maintaining the original design concept.
The 2,617-square-foot home maintains a mostly rectangular plan, with facades that were originally covered in brick and basic siding now re-clad with the signature scalloped cedar shingles. These distinctive shingles create what the architects describe as "a friendly expression that befits the small home." Doors throughout the property are painted in a rich baby blue shade, adding vibrant color accents to both interior and exterior spaces.
The most significant interior change involved relocating and rotating the staircase 90 degrees from its original position that bisected the home. Moving the staircase to the southern end of the dwelling opened up the public zone and enhanced "flow and connectivity" throughout the space. A new 52-square-foot mudroom was added as a "practical buffer at the entry for coats and muddy boots," representing the only expansion to the original footprint.
The main level features an open public area with a living room situated under a vaulted ceiling punctured by skylights. A fireplace clad in seafoam green glazed brick serves as the focal point of the living space, while large sliding glass doors open onto a deck offering views of Lake Washington and the Cascade Mountains. The primary bedroom suite includes a bathroom wrapped in baby blue tile, an open closet with white oak cabinetry, and an adjoining laundry area.
The basement level functions as an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) containing two bedrooms, a den, a kitchenette, a bathroom, a laundry room, and a gym. While connected to the main house through the new staircase, this lower level can be accessed separately to accommodate multi-generational living arrangements or provide future rental income potential. The versatile space allows the family to host visitors while maintaining privacy and independence.
According to the architectural team, the project prioritized "strategic structural changes, preserving the idiosyncrasies that made the house special." Rather than maximizing lot coverage or square footage, the goal was to "thoughtfully enhance what was already there, embracing the unique charm of the original 1950s home." The completed project serves as what the team calls "a multigenerational home base that honors its past and embraces a new chapter of family gatherings and lifelong memories."
The renovation demonstrates how thoughtful architectural intervention can breathe new life into mid-century homes while respecting their original character. Best Practice Architecture has previously completed other notable Seattle projects, including updates to a historic Boathouse Bungalow and the conversion of a former houseboat into a quaint dwelling. The Lil Shingle project showcases the firm's ability to balance preservation with modernization, creating spaces that serve contemporary family needs while celebrating architectural heritage.
