Woodinville, WA

The Vision: Transformation into an Extraordinary Home

The journey of home remodeling is often filled with creativity, vision, and the desire to turn ordinary living spaces into extraordinary places. It’s about reimagining your home’s potential and crafting a space that not only suits your needs today but also adds value for the future.

Expanding Over the Bedroom Wing: A Game-Changing Decision

Initially, the plan was to create a dedicated office space by expanding over the bedroom wing. However, as the project took shape, the team realized the untapped potential within the home’s existing rooflines and attic storage space. To improve aesthetics, accessibility, and the property’s resale value, the decision was made to extend the home toward the serene backyard behind the bedroom wing.

This is the first phase including ” The Grand Redesign”

An Office Built for Creativity: Designing the Perfect Writing Space

This addition wasn’t just about adding more space; it was about creating a functional and inspiring environment dedicated to creative writing. The requirements were clear: the space needed to comfortably accommodate a desk, chair, bookshelves, and have an exterior door for easy access. A vaulted ceiling was introduced to add volume, while separate conditioning by a mini-split system ensured a conducive atmosphere for long writing sessions. With windows adorning three sides, the new office allowed for breathtaking views of the natural backyard surroundings.

Enhanced Accessibility and Privacy: The Art of Adapting Interior Spaces

Creating the addition wasn’t just about expanding the home; it also involved rethinking the layout and improving accessibility. This meant replacing the existing laundry room with a hallway and reimagining the adjacent powder room into an enhanced laundry area. Replicating the existing interior doors, casework, and flooring was a challenge, given the home’s age, but the results were worth the effort.

The Perfect Space for Creativity: A New York Times Best-Selling Author’s Haven

The photo portfolio showcases not just a home remodel but also a beautiful and functional addition. The homeowner, a New York Times best-selling author, needed a space that resonated with his creative spirit. This addition is his writing sanctuary, housing his book collection, displays of his own works, and, of course, a peaceful retreat filled with natural light.

Throughout this entire project, the goal was to maintain the style and character of the existing home while incorporating modern functionality.

From Vision to Reality: A Truly Inspirational Transformation

Transforming this house into these clients dream home is a testament to the power of home remodeling.  Whether it’s an office for creativity, a luxurious master suite, or a haven for a best-selling author, this home proves that the possibilities are endless when you embark on a home remodeling journey.

Photography by:  Jackie Phairow Photography

Woodinville, WA

Kitchen Remodel

Outdoor Living Remodel

Enhancing Accessibility and Comfort

Barrier-free design proves to be one of the best solutions for enjoying the home into our later years. In most cases, the expense associated with creating such improvements creates value through long-term enjoyment and improved resale value.

It has become increasingly popular to relocate the primary suite from the upper floor to the main floor. Assessing the options with this home’s layout, it was determined the best solution was an addition off the back of the garage, with access through adjacent living room.

Designing a Comfortable and Accessible Space

This addition includes a comfortably sized bedroom with windows to the back lawn and surrounding foliage, leading to a gracious bathroom and walk-in closet. The bathroom features a wheelchair-friendly shower, dual vanity, and water closet. Timeless finishes were chosen for aging in place. The entire addition is conditioned by a separate mini-split system.

Future Flexibility: Guest Room and ADU Potential

The new primary suite is presently enjoyed by the home’s occupants, leaving the existing upper floor primary suite available as a guest room. In the future, the addition could be easily modified into an ADU with separate exterior access.

Barrier-free design offers homeowners the opportunity to enjoy their homes for years to come, without the limitations of stairs and other potential obstacles. By relocating the primary suite to the main floor and incorporating features such as a wheelchair-friendly shower and wide doorways, homeowners can ensure they can access and navigate their living space comfortably.

In this particular home, an addition off the back of the garage was determined to be the ideal solution. This addition includes a generously sized bedroom with plenty of natural light and views of the surrounding nature. Adjoining this bedroom is a bathroom equipped with a wheelchair-friendly shower, dual vanity, and water closet. These design choices ensure comfort and accessibility for the homeowners, now and in the future.

The addition of a separate walk-in closet provides ample storage space, keeping the primary suite organized and clutter-free. Timeless finishes were chosen to ensure a cohesive and elegant aesthetic that will stand the test of time.

One of the benefits of relocating the primary suite is the potential for repurposing existing spaces. The original upper floor primary suite can now serve as a guest room, providing comfortable accommodations for family and friends when they visit. Additionally, the addition can be easily modified into an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) with separate exterior access. This offers potential for additional rental income or independent living space for adult children or aging parents.

Barrier-free design offers homeowners the opportunity to enjoy their homes for years to come, without the limitations of stairs and other potential obstacles. By relocating the primary suite to the main floor and incorporating features such as a wheelchair-friendly shower and wide doorways, homeowners can ensure they can access and navigate their living space comfortably.

At Tenhulzen Residential, we understand the importance of creating barrier-free and accessible spaces. Our in-house designer, Ronda Lane, works closely with homeowners to design living areas that meet their unique needs and preferences. With a focus on enhancing flow, functionality, and comfort, Ronda ensures that each space is tailored to the homeowners’ requirements.

Investing in a barrier-free primary suite not only enhances accessibility but also adds value to the home. By prioritizing the comfort and independence of homeowners, this addition will continue to provide long-term benefits and enjoyment. If you’re considering a home remodel that includes a barrier-free primary suite, consult with our experienced team at Tenhulzen Residential. We are committed to providing personalized attention, customized solutions, and superior craftsmanship to exceed your expectations.

Photography by:  Jackie Phairow Photography

Why Empty Nesters Are Choosing ADUs Instead of Downsizing

If you’re reading this, you likely own a sizeable home on a generous lot. For years, it supported a family of four or more. Now, you may be nearing retirement and reassessing your space. Although your home holds decades of memories, maintaining it requires increasing effort. Large yards, aging sport courts, and oversized garages demand constant upkeep. At the same time, today’s housing market discourages downsizing. In many cases, moving locally offers little financial advantage.

Instead of selling, many empty nesters are building an Accessory Dwelling Unit, or ADU. This approach allows homeowners to stay rooted while improving flexibility.

A Strategic Alternative to Downsizing

An ADU provides options without forcing relocation. Initially, many homeowners design the space for a family member.Later, they may convert it into an income-producing rental.

For example, one family built an ADU for a snowbird mother. She funded a ground-floor suite with a kitchenette and private living area. As a result, she enjoyed summers with her daughter and son-in-law. Eventually, the family retained the added equity within the property. When they sell, they can leverage that value through a 1031 exchange. Therefore, an ADU often creates both emotional and financial return.

Navigating ADU Regulations and Costs

However, ADU regulations have evolved over time. In 2011, King County restricted separate cooking appliances in kitchenettes. Additionally, officials required enhanced fire separation and septic upgrades.

Similarly, Woodinville imposed strict life safety requirements in 2015. In some cases, homeowners had to retrofit both the ADU and primary residence. Consequently, compliance added roughly 25 percent to construction costs. Despite these challenges, regulations have steadily relaxed.

Modern ADUs Offer Greater Flexibility

Today, jurisdictions support ADU development more openly. Modern codes allow fully functional kitchenettes and standard shared-wall construction. Furthermore, some cities now issue separate addresses for ADUs.
For example, the City of Kirkland recognizes ADUs as independent dwellings.

As restrictions ease, more homeowners embrace this practical solution. An ADU can support aging parents, returning adult children, or rental income. At the same time, it strengthens long-term property value.

Interested in learning more about how an Accessory Dwelling Unit would integrate into your home? Visit https://tenhulzen.com/additions-adu for more information.

In recent years, we have increasingly performed projects for middle-aged couples with their parents in mind. Specifically, to encourage the older generation to move in with the younger one. The best solution for this growing demand is to build an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) attached to the single family residence. And the permitting process for this type of project has become increasingly easier to obtain.

ADU’s generally incorporate universal design elements which make it manageable to navigate through a comfortable living area, functional kitchenette, one or two bedrooms and a full bath. Lesser costly options would be to convert an existing office or garage bay to a bedroom, or reconfigure the existing main floor in some other way. Additions are nice for the separation of the ADU from the primary living space. It also becomes a long-term benefit as a rentable home.

This interview from 2011 followed the completion of the image above. A new garage separates the attached ADU from the existing home.

Over a period of 10 years, the ADU could save $500,000 in living expenses. If parents are moving to their children’s property, the ADU is a fantasitc way to transfer wealth from one generation to the next – if the parents have the cash to do so.  As with any project, ADU’s qualify for a construction loan, HELOC or reverse mortgage.  Contact your lender for the best solution to fit your needs.