the burrows
Tucked into a lush, forested gully with an active stream in Seattle’s Matthews Beach neighborhood, this mid-century home is one of more than 30 designed in the 1960s by Anna Williams and builder John Burrows. Little changed over decades, the house had become fragmented—a disconnected lower level formerly used as a psychiatry practice, a cramped kitchen, and an undersized bedroom and bath layout no longer suited to family life. The renovation reestablishes cohesion across the home while honoring its original character.
On the main level, the kitchen is enlarged and opened to the living areas, enabling a more fluid and social use. Custom walnut cabinetry, bronze lighting, and natural brass detailing introduce a contemporary layer, executed with a high level of craft and a focus on natural, enduring materials. A sculptural kitchen island and entry drop zone cabinet anchor the space, tying together function and form.
Below, the lower level is fully integrated into daily living, with a new primary suite and fireplace opening to the landscape, a tiled wet-room bath with soaking tub, a laundry area, and a media room. Throughout, careful detailing and a restrained palette reinforce the home’s connection to its wooded surroundings. The result is a home that retains its mid-century warmth while supporting modern life—crafted with intention, materially rich, and deeply connected to place