New builds have a notorious reputation for feeling lifeless and bland, or in other words, just a little too new. Not so, in the hands of designer Katie LeClercq, who excels in the just-right mix of finishes and furnishings to create a home that feels lived-in and well-loved. When these homeowners toured LeClercq’s personal Seattle home, which she had designed and built in 2015, they discovered this first hand. “They simply said, ‘This is what we want,’” remembers LeClercq of that first meeting. “Basically, please design us a ‘Katie home.’”
Having spent years in Seattle, the couple had plans to return to Mercer Island, where one of them had grown up and still has family. When a rare waterside plot with incredible views of Mount Rainier became available in 2018, they jumped at the opportunity to purchase it. After finding LeClercq on Instagram and touring her house, they asked the designer to craft them a new home that could accommodate everyday life with their three children. “From the very beginning, I had their trust, which is the most important component to designing a client’s custom home,” says LeClercq. “This made the design process very enjoyable and exciting.”
To start, there was a small rundown house on the property, but it was at the top of a steep slope, its location far removed from the shore. The owners not only needed more square-footage, but wanted to take better advantage of the setting. “We wanted to maximize the views of the mountain and the lake, and optimize the indoor-outdoor living as much as possible,” says the owner. That necessitated prepping the site to relocate the house, digging out the slope some twenty feet down and shoring up the hillside with steel infrastructure.
For this, LeClercq was joined by Thom Schultz and the team at Mercer Builders LLC, a boutique custom builder on the island. “As the client and I were interviewing builders for the job, Thom Schultz of Mercer Builders became the obvious front runner,” says LeClercq. “His understanding and experience of working with the sloped terrain along the waterfront was extremely comforting. We felt like we were in the best of hands from the start…at some point, our team started calling him ‘the legend,’ and that pretty much says it all.”
Despite having limited access to the site and working through the winter months, the contractor was able to proceed smoothly. “We had to export 300 trucks of dirt out, and install steel shoring beams, which take special drill rigs, and the space was obviously very limited,” says project manager Arwa Hijazi. “In terms of complexity and logistics, it was a very challenging project.” Still, the Mercer Builders team managed to finish construction in just eighteen months, six months shy of their original time estimate, and recoup a chunk of the budget for the client, thanks to their connections with local suppliers.
With the home now optimally located, LeClercq had two main goals, starting with capturing the views. “We wanted to situate the home to allow for the natural surroundings to shine, including the prominent view of Mount Rainier,” says LeClercq, who worked with architect Michael Picard on the complex set of permit-ready documents. To that end, she ensured each room had a window for both natural light and scenic views.
Additionally, LeClercq took a “strategic” approach with the floorplan, arranging to have the entry at the top level, complete with a mudroom and connected garage, along with the primary suite, and three bedrooms with two connecting bathrooms. This made it so the rest of the living spaces are allotted at ground level, and the two floors connected with a light-flooded central staircase.
The exterior of the home balances the clients’ love of juxtaposing modern and traditional aesthetics, a theme that emerged throughout the project. For it, two traditional gabled forms with clipped eaves are connected by a modernized, flat-roofed section in the middle. That combination also satisfied LeClercq’s aims: “Combining the three staggered forms of the home allowed for more surface area in which to place more windows,” she says.
On the interior, the modern meets traditional aesthetic was woven through with intention and keen attention to detail, starting with a palette of “authentic materials,” says LeClercq. This included things like honed marble and soapstone slabs, which will etch and patina over time, white oak flooring, and a combination of unlacquered metal finishes. In the living room, a marble fireplace surround and antique mirror sit comfortably with oversized, black-framed windows and doors without any fussy trim work. In the kitchen, custom-designed inset cabinets meet a chic leather banquette and sculptural marble table, while the dining room reveals a table with traditional turned legs and vintage reproductions of Mies van der Rohe chairs.
“The distinct paring of the dining table and chairs is a great way to illustrate a client’s point of view,” says LeClercq. “Furniture selections begin with function and durability, but from that point, it can go in numerous directions. The materials are showing the clients’ preference for warmth and authenticity. At the same time, the playful pairing of modern and traditional lines reveal the clients’ desire to have fun and not take themselves too seriously.”
Speaking to the practicality and durability, “We wanted layers, but not so many that it would be hard to clean,” says LeClercq. Many upholstery fabrics can be washed. The hard surfaces are easy to wipe down. And storage is abundant, from the tall kitchen pantry cabinets behind the banquette, to the separate butler’s pantry, and bedroom built-ins. “Ultimately, we needed to furnish the home with pieces that could stand up to three children under five years old, and a midsize puppy,” says LeClercq. “They needed things that put the chaos away.”
It’s a “Katie home” that the owners call “timeless,” and one that feels just like them. “I don’t know that I could put a finger on it,” says the owner. “I just feel like Katie is very stylish, but in a warm and welcoming way. She creates environments that are very easy to live in.”
PROJECT SOURCES
LEAD ARCHITECTURE & INTERIOR DESIGN
Studio LeClercq
studioleclercq.com
ARCHITECT
Okano Picard Studio
okanopicardstudio.com
CONTRACTOR
Mercer Builders LLC
mercerbuilders.com
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
Britton Shepard Landscapes
brittonshepard.squarespace.com
FLOORING
Montello Design
montellodesign.co
WINDOWS & DOORS
Windows, Doors & More
windowshowroom.com
Shoptalk - Katie LeClercq (formerly Hackworth)
Katie LeClercq (formerly Hackworth), principal Studio LeClercq | www.studioleclercq.com
What has shaped your design principles?
My instinct to nurture and dedication to creativity has shaped my path as a designer. It has led me to create homes and spaces that help people feel settled, foster comfort, and promote a sense of connection and belonging.
What inspired the shift from a design and build company, to a design and architecture company?
From 2010 to 2016, I owned and operated a design and build firm. However, managing build-related tasks often limited my focus on design, which is my true passion. Additionally, I realized some clients prefer having the option to choose their own builder. So, I decided to shift my focus entirely to design and architecture a decade ago. This change allowed me to dive deeper into what I love, and quickly turned out to be the right move.
You are known for timeless and authentic design. Tell us about this interplay.
We prioritize the use of genuine materials in their natural state, such as stone, wood, and metals, and integrate them with classic forms that reflect the architectural heritage of a region. This approach fosters continuity beyond prevailing trends and ensures that a home matures gracefully and beautifully over time.
Your work encompasses every aspect of a home’s interior and exterior. Where does one start when considering how form and function will impact each space?
First and foremost, we start by getting to know each unique client and their specific needs. Through that process we create a program which formally outlines all the design and architectural requirements for their custom home. This guides our design process to determine a hierarchy of rooms and their relationship to one another, detailing how our clients live and how they intend to use their future home.
What types of services do you provide?
We are a full-service architecture and design firm, streamlining each phase of the project, from initial design concepts, through permit acquisition and detailed construction documentation, and then the installation of furnishings. Our approach encompasses every aspect of a home’s interior and exterior, addressing form and function while thoughtfully considering how a family will interact with each space.
How do you tell your client’s story and define their personal style in their home?
My design approach can vary depending on the client, as some prefer to have a more hands-on approach while others prefer to sit back and review details when asked. My first step is to develop a comprehensive understanding of each client, their individual needs, and their daily routines. Equally crucial is the assessment of the current environment and neighborhood. Once I feel I have a strong sense for both, I begin by introducing different forms, materials, and styles that work for both the client and their lifestyles while harmonizing with the unique environment around it.
What inspires you as a designer?
I draw inspiration from the beauty all around us, whether it’s found in nature or within unique historical buildings, city streets, or suburban landscapes.
In your opinion, what is the most fundamental element of design?
Balance is essential. Effective designers understand both how to achieve it and when to exercise restraint. Balance requires an even distribution of visual weight, whether through the arrangement of exterior forms and materials or the placement of interior furnishings and decor.
Where do you go to unwind from such a busy schedule?
Almost every night, I prepare dinner and truly value the process. It’s a chance to be imaginative without strict rules, creating meals that my family enjoys together.
