“We looked at a few modern builds at first, but nothing was calling out to us, and we are lived-in, warm, woodsy type of people — but still wanted to be closer to the city,” Laura explains. “One day, a John Burrows home popped up in the Kenmore area, and we started digging in to learn that Burrows was a local renowned builder who built about 35-40 absolutely impeccable mid-century homes in the Seattle area in the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s.”

“I actually gasped when we first saw the house in Kenmore … it had skylights aplenty, strong cedar beams, and was our first introduction to the quintessential flat-roofed, classic mid-century home structure. Burrows wasn’t afraid of a challenge (my kind of guy!) and actually built most of his homes into steep hillsides, traditionally challenging and riskier builds, to accomplish the goal of integrated and private forest views,” Laura continues.

“Because life doesn’t always go as planned, we didn’t get that Kenmore house. We were the second-highest bidder of about 11, and at the time we were devastated — but we had learned something through the process: We wanted a Burrows house, and we weren’t going to settle for any less. Over the following four to five months, I actually started to drop emails out to other Burrows homeowners, in hopes that we would find one willing to part with their abode,” Laura admits.

“But then one sunny Thursday in May, a new Burrows house popped onto the market in Lake Forest Park. It looked nearly identical to the one we had lost in December, but was better — and in far better condition. The space was very usable, the location was preferable, and the previous (only) owner had maintained it so well that it looked as though it had been built yesterday,” Laura continues.

“When we went to the showing, the Realtor knowingly saw the sparkle in our eyes about the home when we said ‘we won’t be losing this one, we can’t wait to move in,’ and pulled us aside to confidentially share with us handwritten diaries and notes from its original owner about the history of the house. We became its new steward a few days later.” Laura documents their home journey on her website and on Instagram.

• Camber Floor Lamp — Room and Board
• Coffee Table — Built for Keeps
• Reese Sofa — Room and Board
• Pendleton Blanket — Schoolhouse
• Layton Chair — Mantle Furniture
• Grid Stitch Pillow — Schoolhouse
• Callan Chair — Room and Board
• Palermo Butterfly Chair — The Citizenry
• Kulon Side Table — The Citizenry
• Telica Side Table — Masaya Co
• Trompo Side Table — Masaya Co
• Sideboard — Vintage

• Dining Table — Facebook Marketplace
• Sideboard — Stuff in Seattle
• Tiger Rug in Red/Black — Nordic Knots
• Sidnie Floor Lamp — Schoolhouse

• Ticking Stripe Rug — Schoolhouse
• Flip Clock — Schoolhouse

• The Keeps Bed Frame — Built for Keeps
• Hensley Dresser — Room & Board
• Linen Duvet Cover — Schoolhouse
• Bedside Tables — Custom Made
• Stillwater Floral Quilt — Schoolhouse

• Bathroom Curtain — Schoolhouse (no longer available)
• Shower Rug — World Market (no longer available)

Thanks, Laura!

This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.

Share Your Style: House Tour & House Call Submission Form