Bread & Butter
Rafael Soldi
Product Spec Sheet

ElementBrandProduct Name
ToiletTOTO
FaucetsCalifornia Faucets
Primary Bath Light FixturesCedar & Moss
Shower Wall TileCeramica Vogue
Primary Bath Counter & Kids Bath CounterConcrete Collaborative
SkylightsCrystaLite, Inc.

Product Spec Sheet
Toilet
by TOTO
Faucets
Primary Bath Light Fixtures
Shower Wall Tile
Primary Bath Counter & Kids Bath Counter
Skylights

Bread & Butter

Best Practice Architecture as Architects

Located in Seattle’s picturesque Phinney Ridge neighborhood, Bread & Butter is the culmination of a fourteen-year relationship between the clients and Best Practice Architecture. It began in 2009 when the young couple, both practicing structural engineers, purchased a craftsman-style house in their dream neighborhood. The new space was just steps away from sweeping views of the Olympic Mountains but was poorly updated over the years; stripped of its original charm. Despite favoring contemporary design, the couple leaned into the idea of bringing back the original craftsman in a meaningful way. They decided to take their time remodeling and find an architect amenable to a collaborative approach—a strategy that would accommodate changing priorities and future children. The couple worked closely with Best Practice in their engineering work but never before as clients; they knew they were the firm for the job. 

photo_credit Rafael Soldi
Rafael Soldi
photo_credit Rafael Soldi
Rafael Soldi

Phase one commenced with an entry porch remodel and a coat of grey and butter-yellow paint shortly after the couple bought the house. Before the arrival of the couple’s first child in 2011, Best Practice returned for phase two: a comprehensive update to the main floor, expanding and brightening the kitchen, and introducing a laundry room and full bath. During phases one and two, Best Practice focused on reviving the original craftsman in an abstract form, balancing traditional elements with contemporary interventions. Fast forward to 2020, with a bustling household of three children and the need for a dedicated home office, the couple were poised for the final phase of their project.

photo_credit Rafael Soldi
Rafael Soldi
photo_credit Rafael Soldi
Rafael Soldi

The transformative journey concluded with a second-floor addition and a new garage. Best Practice designed the expansion as two contemporary volumes—distinct yet complementary to the scale of the original house. One volume—evoking a loaf of bread—contains the primary bedroom and a home office. The second volume features a spa-like bathroom and a spacious walk-in closet; three cleverly placed pocket doors delineate each space. A generous landing connects three children’s rooms, a second bathroom, and play areas. Best Practice created a cozy reading nook and lookout loft linked by a built-in slide. The interiors echo the craftsman style of the main floor infused with a colorful twist—seafoam green tile graces the primary bathroom while the children’s boasts an array of hues. A dip of gray paint adorns the central stair. 

photo_credit Rafael Soldi
Rafael Soldi
photo_credit Rafael Soldi
Rafael Soldi

The garage highlights the family's structural engineering expertise, boasting a 13-foot concrete wall as a backdrop to the main yard. Best Practice designed the handsome yet utilitarian structure to allow for a future mother-in-law unit above, offering flexibility for additional income or support for an aging family member. 

photo_credit Rafael Soldi
Rafael Soldi
photo_credit Rafael Soldi
Rafael Soldi

Bread & Butter stands as a testament to the enduring partnership between the couple and the creative team at Best Practice. From the interpretation of traditional elements to the introduction of modern design, each phase unfolded with precision and purpose, resulting in a vibrant family home that celebrates a thoughtful approach to urban living. 

photo_credit Rafael Soldi
Rafael Soldi
photo_credit Rafael Soldi
Rafael Soldi
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