6 min readWhen this Puget Sound home was built in 1908, its original owners gave it a name: Heart’s Delight. Years later, after the house was bought by another family, principal designer Lisa Staton, alongside her senior designer Lauren Galeotti, took on the task of restoring the space with that same sentiment in mind.
“My favorite thing about this house is all of the love it holds,” Galeotti says. The new owners became deeply attached to the space, and the neighbors had long adored the house, too. As work progressed, the contractors and tradespeople fell for it as well. “She really charmed us all, from start to finish,” Galeotti says of the home.
That affection guided a renovation rooted in respect for what was already there. “Our passion for heritage homes is fueled by the original craftsmanship, history, and charm the homes hold,” Staton explains.
Every piece of original millwork stayed, and any new elements added had to take their cues from the old—even if that meant undoing some of the design missteps of the past. For example, a custom, made-to-match fireplace now sits over the original brick-and-plaster hearth that had been painted white. Though it was a whole team effort to get right, it now flawlessly complements the living room’s woodwork.
The current homeowners are also avid entertainers, so the kitchen needed a total strategic (and stylistic) rework that wouldn’t expand beyond its footprint. Adding the backsplash tile, created with Dorset Delft artist Aviva Halter, and a textural floor tile were key to giving the room its inimitable character. Other splurges, like all-new lighting throughout and the powder room's striking mural wallpaper, were necessary investments in the home's future.
But the biggest one, Staton says, was restoring all original details that everyone had fallen in love with: "always worth the investment!"
FAST FACTS
Designer: Lisa Staton and Lauren Galeotti of Lisa Staton Interior Design
Stylist: Cozbi Jean
Location: Puget Sound, Washington
The Space: A four-bedroom, four-bathroom Craftsman-style home built in 1908
LIVING ROOM
A sunny gathering spot that blends the new and familiar.
This living room already “glows with daylight” thanks to its original windows, and the millwork has charm and texture in spades, so the main task in updating this room was to create a cozy, after-hours vibe.
“We wanted to make it warm and inviting, and every surface and corner needed to be enveloping,” Staton says. She achieved this by mixing newly sourced finds with well-loved pieces from the family’s personal collection, and it all blends seamlessly.
GREAT ROOM
This TV-optional space is proof that you can have it all.
After entering the home through the original French doors, guests are greeted by the great room. This entertaining-ready space is faithful to its original style with two very notable additions: the custom fireplace cladding and accordion panels directly above that open to reveal the TV. It’s a room that can easily turn a quick drop-by into an entire evening in. “A pair of matching sofas invite you to sit and chat for a while,” Staton adds.
KITCHEN
Hidden appliances and antique accents lend this culinary space a lived-in feel.
Keeping the spirit of this kitchen intact while gut-renovating it was a challenge, but the trick was to hide away the modern conveniences wherever possible and draw the eye toward period-appropriate accents instead.
“In heritage homes, it is really helpful to bring in antique elements to the space to add warmth and character in imperfect items,” Galeotti says. In this case, the flush mount ceiling lights, stools, window treatments, and hutch bring in texture and patina that add to the room’s authenticity.
Combining the storage and function of a kitchen island with the rustic character of a cook’s table, the kitchen’s central surface feels more like a piece of furniture than an extension of the cabinetry. “Since we did not need to put any appliances in the island, that really became an opportunity to keep beauty at the forefront,” Galeotti explains.
One of the team’s favorite parts of the kitchen, though, lies in the smaller details: the handmade backsplash tiles, which bring a personal, playful touch. “The client chose the subject matter of each custom-painted tile, including meaningful flowers and even their pets!” Galeotti says. Their Dorset Delft style makes the stoneware feel like it has always belonged in the house.
PANTRY
This pocket-sized workspace tucks away all the essentials.
Though space is certainly tight in this pantry, it’s a workhorse area in its own right. “We designed custom cabinetry to line the walls with plenty of storage, and were even able to squeeze in a wall oven, microwave, and warming drawer,” Galeotti notes. This discreet appliance placement also helps the main cook space retain its ageless atmosphere.
POWDER ROOM
The washroom becomes a portal into an immersive, storybook setting.
The homeowners asked for this newly added powder room to feel “whimsical,” and Staton’s team granted that wish, selecting a dusky Andrew Martin mural wallcovering that depicts a landscape with traditional folk art motifs. Its towering pear trees, mythical creatures, and rambling vales read like an epic fairy tale across the four walls. “It is a small room, but we wanted to make a big impact,” she says.
DINING ROOM
Fanciful accents give this entertaining area a timeless, spirited mood.
According to Galeotti, “the dining room lives in the same footprint and largely looks exactly like the day it was built!” The team restored the original built-in cabinet, whose diamond-patterned panes echo the room’s leaded-glass windows. This clean-line geometry contrasts beautifully with the curves, plumes, and ruffled silhouettes seen in the window treatments and Murano glass chandelier.
PRIMARY BEDROOM
Panoramic scenery and bespoke storage shape this open-plan suite.
Updating the primary bedroom’s layout was another necessary correction to previous design choices—the team took down a wall and turned two rooms into one. “However, given how the windows are on the large wall where the rooms used to be divided, it may have originally been one space,” Galeotti adds. Now, there’s an unobstructed view out to the water and mountains just beyond the property. They also added a his-and-hers closet, new flooring, and a bed Galeotti describes as a “perfect cloud” from which to greet the surrounding scenery each day.
PRIMARY BATH
An architectural oddity becomes a warm and calming retreat.
Previously, the primary bathroom was completely open to the bedroom, with carpeting and a step up to access it. “It was a bit of a strange situation,” Staton admits. A serious layout rework was in order so that the space is now separate, level with the bedroom, and equipped with a freestanding tub and beautifully tiled shower. “We also added a feature we do in most bathrooms: use vintage or antique mirrors as doors to create medicine cabinets,” she adds.
GUEST BEDROOM
These secluded guest quarters are outfitted with heirloom-inspired accents.
“The addition of this bedroom at the back of the house gives guests a really private retreat in a quiet corner,” Galeotti says. With its bobbin bed frame, antique furniture finds, and misty color palette, this sleep space provides a soft place to land.
BATHROOM
A refined space that transcends time as the household grows up.
“This is the kids’ bathroom, but we imagined a bathroom that felt beautiful for children, guests, and grown kids alike,” Galeotti notes. The space originally suffered from the same “watch the step” quirk that the main bathroom did, so Staton installed a similar solution here: She put the plumbing into the floor and incorporated all-new finishes and fixtures to add elegant polish that all ages can appreciate.
About the Design Firm
Lisa Staton Interior Design is a boutique firm established in 2004 with roots in the East Coast and Seattle, united by a shared love for enhancing older homes and creating new ones inspired by historic craftsmanship. The team brings a unique blend of both modern and traditional elements to a wide array of homes.
