A 1950s Mid-Century Modern Home with Japanese Influences Stays True to Its Roots

Its rich history is preserved.

Dining Area in Seattle Mid-Century House by KP Spaces
Kara Mercer
Written by Sarah Yang March 12, 2025

You could tell that this four-bedroom, three-bathroom Seattle home was well-loved by its previous owners. Designed by renowned architect John T. Ridley (the man behind the Space Needle) in 1956, it was built for Dr. Phillip and Anna Wright Rogers who lived in an adjacent home and held 15 acres that they kept as a nature preserve. Even though they planned to move into the modern house, they ended up selling it another couple, the Gartlers, who lived in the home for six decades, eventually selling it in 2022.

Hallway in Seattle Mid-Century House by KP Spaces
“This home is not just a house; it’s a piece of Seattle history,” Keri says. “To work on a space that shares its design lineage with the Space Needle was both a privilege and a responsibility. Our goal was to modernize it in a way that felt like it had always been this way – to update it while staying true to its roots.”

Kara Mercer

The Gartlers had cherished the home and its mid-century modern details. They were great stewards of the property, even planting 600 tulip bulbs in the grounds.

“The home was incredibly well-preserved and in great shape overall,” explains Keri Petersen, creative director of KP Spaces, who oversaw the renovation of the house for its new owners. “The biggest updates needed were in two of the bathrooms, which called for a full renovation to improve plumbing, storage, and overall functionality.”

Entry Console in Seattle Mid-Century House by KP Spaces
The home had a cohesive earthy palette.

Kara Mercer

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The new homeowners were drawn to the home’s serene location, functional layout, and purist mid-century details. “Their vision for the space was centered around preserving the home’s architectural integrity while thoughtfully modernizing it for contemporary living,” Keri explains. “They wanted to honor its mid-century modern roots—especially its connection to nature and Japanese influences—while improving functionality and comfort for their family.”

Dining Kitchen Area in Seattle Mid-Century House by KP Spaces
“The multi-level layout and terracing were already beautifully designed, so we focused on enhancing the flow and maintaining the natural material palette,” Keri says.

Kara Mercer

Keri and team looked to the home itself for renovation inspiration. The home’s color palette of rich earth tones (browns, greens, and grays) was already cohesive, while the natural textures (elements of rock, wood, water, and greenery) grounded the space.

Living Room in Seattle Mid-Century House by KP Spaces
“The custom screens were a labor of love,” Keri says. “We wanted them to integrate
seamlessly, adding to the space without overwhelming it. They’re a perfect example of how we honored the tradition of the home while adding something uniquely modern.”

Kara Mercer

“We honored the original cedar siding, earthy tones, and natural textures to keep the design grounded,” Keri says. “Japanese elements, like shou sugi ban-inspired exteriors, custom screens, and slate-and-pebble finishes, reinforced the home’s aesthetic.”

Bedroom in Seattle Mid-Century House by KP Spaces
The home’s windows open up to stunning surroundings.

Kara Mercer

In the living spaces, the multi-level layout and terracing didn’t need much improvement. “You never feel like you’re on the same plane as the next level,” Petersen notes. “It’s well thought-out and functional, with just the right amount of polish to keep it fresh without losing the soul of the home.”

Keri and team worked on enhancing the flow and maintaining the natural material palette of the living areas. They added Japanese-inspired wallpaper in two different locations and custom screens that complemented the existing screens in the home.

Bathroom in Seattle Mid-Century House by KP Spaces
Two bathrooms needed gut renovations.

Kara Mercer

The two bathrooms that needed the biggest overhauls were completely gutted. “Inspired by the home’s original tile and Japanese influences, we used slate walls and pebble flooring to maintain an organic aesthetic,” Keri explains. “In one bathroom we replaced a floor sunken tub into a walk-in shower and in other we replaced a Japanese soaking tub with an updated model.”

Soaking Tub in Seattle Mid-Century House by KP Spaces
“In one bathroom we replaced a floor sunken tub into a walk-in shower and in other we replaced a Japanese soaking tub with an updated model,” Kara adds.

Kara Mercer

The home’s indoor-outdoor connection was also emphasized in the redesign. Landscape changes included new pathways and seating areas. All the updates were added to embrace nature, rather than compete with it.

Courtyard in Seattle Mid-Century House by KP Spaces
The indoor-outdoor feeling was maintained.

Kara Mercer

“The house is nestled in the trees, and we really wanted to maintain that sense of being inside and outside at the same time,” says Keri.

Outside, the original cedar siding was refreshed with a shou sugi ban-inspired finish, which Keri says helped deepen its connection to the natural surroundings. The bridge that leads to the home’s entrance was also painted.

Exterior Seattle Mid-Century House by KP Spaces
“From the very beginning, the owners expressed their desire to stay true to the original design, and that was central to my approach,” Keri notes. “We wanted the house to feel like it was always meant to be this way—timeless and harmonious with its natural surroundings.”

Kara Mercer

The owners are thrilled with the new design, and looking back on the project, Keri acknowledges how special it was to work on something so architecturally significant.

“It was truly heartwarming to learn about the home’s history and the people who lived there before,” Keri explains. “It’s easy to forget that every home holds its own story—memories, milestones, and the lives that shaped it. As a designer, part of the job is more than just creating beautiful, functional spaces; it’s about caring for that story, honoring its past while making room for its future. This project was a reminder that design isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about preserving the soul of a home and ensuring it continues to feel meaningful for the people who call it theirs.”

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