Making Memories

Inside a Mediterranean-Inspired Medina Home

It’s all in the details Because this is a custom-built home, Tom and Beth handpicked the fun, unique details that give this house personality: Backyard: The flagpole was a Mother’s Day present for Beth. Great Room: The floor is cream-colored travertine stone. Kitchen: There is a built-in wok and steamer combo by Gaggenau near the stove. Master Bathroom: Leopard-print marble bathroom countertops from Meta Marble in Seattle inspired the room’s exotic, getaway design. Master Bathroom: The stone soaking tub is carved from one piece of travertine stone from Turkey. Powder Room: Gold-leaf-flecked glass sink was handcrafted by Robert Jones Design of Seattle. Woodwork: The doors and millwork are made from African mahogany wood.

Something about this three-quarter-acre lot on Lake Washington welcomes people. When Tom and Beth Braaten unexpectedly found this property while jogging along Evergreen Point Road in Medina, they felt the land’s attraction and relished the opportunity to build. As the owners, operators and creative minds behind Tom Braaten Construction Inc. of Medina, this couple knows how — after all, building homes is their livelihood and their lifestyle. In addition to working for clients, this Eastside couple has designed, built, lived in and sold eight private residences in 30 years.

“I feel it’s a gift to use our talents, and then let someone enjoy what we create. It’s a passion. It’s what we do,” said Beth, who grew up in Edmonds. “We are house builders instead of homeowners.” Of all the places they’ve lived, this 6,000-square-foot, three-floor, four-bedroom contemporary home in Medina with lake views is their favorite, and it’s where they’ve lived the longest. The neighborhood is safe, full of good people and a short distance from Bellevue, Kirkland and Seattle.

Trimmed with palm trees and columns, the home’s entryway mimics a Mediterranean getaway. Inside, it’s warm, welcoming and a tad whimsical. The couple celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary and hosted their daughter’s wedding here. Beth said the house “has given us so many good memories: auction prize parties, family holidays and celebrations.” But before the parties, there was construction.

Starting from Scratch
The existing house, built in 1972, had to come down. The family kept most of the landscaping, driveway and foundation. The greatest obstacle was that the original house’s southwest corner had been built around an 8-foot-tall boulder. It was as big as a midsize car. The Braatens wanted to build a bedroom in the boulder’s place. Solution: Dig a giant hole beside the boulder, gently tip the boulder in and hope that — according to their calculations — the hole is big enough and deep enough to contain the boulder. Then, cover it with dirt. They had one chance to succeed, and succeed they did, with the help of Big Rock Dozing of Duvall.

Then, the couple moved to building upward. They chose the house’s three-story-tall, flat-roof design to maximize opportunities to behold the Lake Washington panorama, from Sandpoint to Seattle’s Madison Park. “That’s what we do every day that we are home — sunset date,” says Beth. “We get a glass of wine and enjoy the beautiful view.”

The house is like a cake, rich layer upon rich layer. A downstairs indoor lounge sets the stage for family fun on the ground floor. The space features a ping-pong table and wet bar, and can be opened up to the backyard patio, an outdoor Jacuzzi and a freestanding outdoor fireplace. The children’s bedrooms are here, too. For added amusement, there’s a wine cellar and a winemaking room where Tom produces about 120 bottles of wine each year for friends and family. “I’d love to buy a winery someday,” he said. “That’s one of my goals.”

Dominated by the great room, the second floor is where the family meets, eats, talks and entertains guests most often. About 50 to 80 people can comfortably party in the great room. Beth adores the kitchen because of its location near the great room, up-to-date appliances, great layout and ample space. The large wine cooler, walk-in corner pantry and built-in steamer/wok combo are among her favorite details. Five fireplaces throughout the house and heated floors in the great room and the third-floor master suite make this home even cozier for guests.

The third floor, however, is Tom and Beth’s favorite place — “the sanctuary.” At the top of the staircase is a gallery of family portraits and photographs, where you have a choice — turn left or turn right.

Turn left, and it’s all business. The first room, the office of Tom Braaten Construction Inc., features a bookcase of mementos and thank-you gifts from clients and the extra-long corner desk that Tom and Beth share. Because this couple likes to stay fit, the adjacent exercise room is fully stocked with free weights and other exercise equipment. Among their accomplishments, Tom finished the 1996 Ironman World Championship at Kona, Hawaii, and Beth completed the 2000 Portland Marathon. Mementos and photos from their accomplishments are displayed here.

Turn right, and it’s all relaxation. The master bedroom offers a balcony, a fireplace, television, wet bar and sweeping Lake Washington views, as well as a comfortable-looking bed. The adjoining master bathroom features a single-piece soaking tub carved from Turkish travertine stone, his and hers bathroom stations and a walk-in closet — all with lake views. Even the shower has a lake view. The leopard-print marble bathroom countertops from Meta Marble in Seattle inspired the room’s exotic getaway design. Tucked in the wall between the bedroom and the bathroom is a wet bar, and it’s topped by a glass container filled with matchbooks from places Beth and Tom have enjoyed. Tom said the Sanctuary “is a perfect place to get away.”

As happy as they are, these homebuilders are ready to rebuild again. The kids have grown up and moved out. Tom and Beth are looking forward to traveling more, and moving into a smaller home makes sense. So in late 2008, the couple put this Medina house on the market so it can welcome a new family. “We will rebuild, and it will be fun. We have so much fun building, and we enjoy it together,” Beth said.

Jenny Lynn Zappala is a freelance writer from Kirkland.

 

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