Sound view // A Harmonious Blend of Modern Design and Natural Beauty
Perched on a west-facing bluff above Puget Sound, the recently remodeled Sound View residence is a striking tribute to mid-century architecture, complemented by a redesigned garden that embraces the surrounding epic landscape. The renovation of both home and garden honors the residence's original aesthetic while enhancing its connection to the stunning natural environment.
The garden was crafted in an expressionistic modernist style that draws inspiration from bold brushes of color, as expressed by the painter Wolf Kahn. Designed to simplify life, bold and simple forms replaced superfluous details, reflecting the owner’s vision for a harmonious, yet minimalist, outdoor space.
Upon arrival, visitors are greeted by a modern custom-designed gate that reflects the mid-century style of the home. A circular driveway, framed by lush shade plantings, leads to the porte-cochère and provides an elegant entry. The entry garden, adorned with sculptures and shaded by trees, offers a serene space to enjoy the morning sun.
The back garden flows gently towards the steep bluff, offering expansive views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. This space invites both relaxation and recreation, with multiple terraces offering areas for lounging and dining. A basalt fountain provides a calming backdrop with the soothing sound of flowing water.
The outdoor spaces feature a fire terrace encircled by salvaged Wilkeson stone veneer, which is prominently used throughout the property, and an exposed aggregate concrete walk that guides visitors through the garden. Additional recreational features include a pickleball court, a putting green, and a steel arbor with an ipe roof screen that frames the north end of the pickleball court.
The garden's plantings emphasize texture and color, with grasses, vibrant hydrangeas, Persicaria ‘Firetail,’ cloud-pruned pines, Starlight dogwoods, and Japanese maples creating focal points throughout the landscape. These elements harmonize with the natural beauty of the site, anchoring the garden firmly within its epic setting.
“We made a garden that anchors you in a place that is…on the edge of an epic landscape view.”
—Richard Hartlage
Architect: Hoedemaker Pfeiffer
General Contractor: Mercer Builders
Landscape Contractor: Tamarack Landscape Construction