Chez Shay House near Lake Washington, Seattle rural home remodel, WA real estate photos, Northwest USA residence

Chez Shay house near Lake Washington

November 19, 2025

Architects: Best Practice Architecture

Location: near Lake Washington, Pritchard Island neighborhood, Seattle, Washington, United States of America

A Bright and Whimsical Oasis in the City.

Photos by Rafael Soldi Photography

Chez Shay, Seattle, Washington, USA

Chez Shay is an extensive remodel designed in collaboration with Best Practice, friends-now-clients, and an especially perceptive contractor. Located near Lake Washington, in Seattle’s Pritchard Island neighborhood, the original home was built on a wooded lot in 1919 and had subsequent additions and remodels throughout its life. While it felt nestled into the trees of the nature preserve in the backyard and there was some natural light, the spaces felt dated and didn’t take advantage of the lakeside site.

The owners of Chez Shay purchased the home in 2019, and less than a year after moving in, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The onset of lockdown life—work from home policies, distanced outdoor social gatherings, time spent together at home all the time—all coincided with the birth of their first child. While the couple loved their home for all its quirky charm and its oasis-in-a-city setting, these major life upheavals hastened the need for renovation.

Seeking a collaborative approach between architect and client, the owners approached their friends at Best Practice and began in earnest to determine how to alter the eccentric home. The couple, a writer and graphic designer, appreciated the many charms of the old structure and were wary of generic upgrades that would obliterate them. It was determined that while the existing house was special, it wasn’t precious. Rather than trying to “correct” things, the team leaned into some of the weirder aspects of the spaces, and highlighted good qualities, i.e., tall ceilings, views of trees, and stepped back volumes of space. Must-haves for the updated home included new bedroom and bathrooms, separate workspaces for each adult, a play space for youngsters, a new (more) open kitchen with dining areas, updating the lower-level Accessory Dwelling Unit, and providing areas for the couple’s creative hobbies to proliferate.

After a few rounds of design that kept an existing loft off ice space, the team pivoted to a new scheme that added a 2nd story addition with a primary suite and an accompanying bathroom and walk-in closet. The design crystallized around a new plywood and perforated metal stair that leads up to the new level, creating a backdrop for the living and dining room below and a perch to view the gathering spaces below. The bedroom enjoys views of the lake and treetops, while providing much-needed privacy and another bathroom for the home.

Another big design move involved taking down some of the existing interior walls to reshape the living spaces. To achieve a fully open feeling, the existing structure needed to be reinforced with the addition of steel. Rather than masking the change, the new steel beam and column were exposed, and celebrated with a bright coat of coral paint. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves line the tall wall and house the family’s prized saltwater fish tank. Skylights bring in more diff use lighting and give the space a bright, but still cozy feel.

A new mudroom allows for buff er space as you enter into the home, and the existing galley kitchen received much-needed updates of cabinetry, appliances, and tile. Rooms towards the rear of the home have views of the nature preserve, and a special double-height play space, complete with a ladder leading to a suspended net, boasts a cool porthole window viewing treetops.

The basement was reconfigured to be a functional space, with access to the rear yard, storage room, a shared laundry room, and a fully separate dwelling unit complete with kitchenette, bathroom, bedroom, and living space. While the unit is distinct, it is connected to the main home above and intends to be the future home of older family members.

Exterior spaces include a side yard covered patio converted from an old garage. A new steel canopy stretches over the concrete seating area, creating an outdoor room. This patio cascades down to the rear yard, where the trees of the nature preserve can be viewed up close. The front garden was reshaped around a large cedar tree and carved into a small patio meant for enjoying the morning sunlight and peek-a-boo views of the lake. From the street, the new addition peeks over the existing stepped back volumes of the house. It is painted a bright teal, and contrasts with the dark color of the lower level.

The resultant renovation of this quirky house feels buttoned up, but fun and expressive. Bright pops of color, fun patterned wallpaper, and creative light fixtures are found throughout the project. It has room for all family members and their hobbies and takes advantage of its beautiful site.

Chez Shay House, Lake Washington – Property Information

Project Details:

Location: Pritchard Island, Seattle, WA

Area: Lot Size: 5,644 sf
Stories: 2 Stories + Basement ADU

House footprint = 1,193 sf
Garage footprint = 133 sf
Basement footprint = 941 sf
Decks and patio improvements =430 sf
New second floor addition = 380 sf

Total new and improved areas:
● House = 2,514 sf
● Garage = 133 sf
● Decks and patios = 430 sf

Architect: Best Practice Architecture
Structural: Harriott Valentine
Contractor: Kaable Design Build
Tile and Wallpaper: Praxis Builders
Custom Cabinetry: Bodhi Builders
Custom Steel: Seattle Metal Fabrication
Landscape Construction: GA Tree Service

Photographer: Rafael Soldi Photography

Best Practice

Best Practice is a nimble-minded design-intensive architecture firm located in Seattle, WA, founded in 2011. This architectural firm engages in a diverse range of work from residential to large-scale off ice and cultural projects.

The team takes inspiration from the needs of clients and choreographs intuitive experiences, all while seeking to provide innovative solutions that explore the precarious balance between content, beauty and function. Best Practice received the 2019 Emerging Firm Award from the AIA Northwest and Pacific Regions.

Chez Shay House, Lake Washington Property, Seattle, USA, images / information received 181125

Location: Pritchard Island, Seattle, Lake Washington, WA, United States of America.