Situated on a rare cobblestone section of 11th Avenue East, amid some of North Capitol Hill’s best-maintained historic residences, this charming 1914 Craftsman looks right at home. It just adheres to its roots a bit more boldly than most.

We’re relatively accustomed to seeing colorful makeovers among Seattle’s midcentury housing stock, but less so for the city’s abundant Craftsman-style homes. These hail from an era less known for its eclectic paint choices than for its focus on simple, hand-built artistry. But the actual palette popular in the early 1910s—canary yellow, pea green, pure blue—was more audacious than most imagine.

This home joyfully embraces color and whimsy without straying far from its Craftsman origins: vivid greens, reds, and teals feel daring, but really just kick the style’s traditional tones up a notch or two. Large-scale floral wallpaper, paired with a distinctive chandelier, adds a modern twist to a classic dining room.

“It's by far the most charming home I've ever listed in my career,” listing agent Johne Boukalis says. “It’s not just a house, it’s a statement.”

But the effect is surprisingly subtle against show-stopping box beam ceilings, original fir floors, and vintage-inspired built-ins, like the dining room window seat. Traditional details like these “just [bring] it all together,” Boukalis says. “Every corner of this home speaks to craftsmanship and attention to detail.”

A 2012 feature in Better Homes and Gardens admires the JAS Design Build kitchen overhaul for its lemony-green, quartz-topped island and wholehearted embrace of natural light. It’s a testament to the kitchen’s timeless look—white, custom-built cabinetry accented with reed glass; soapstone counters; cast-iron radiator—that a fashionable renovation 13 years ago still feels fresh today.

“It is just so well put together aesthetically and functionally,” Boukalis says. A pegboard cleaning supply closet, magnetic knife drawer, and high-end dual ovens add home-chef-friendly modern conveniences.

What the second floor lacks in en suite bathrooms, it makes up for in several equally deserving primary bedroom options. The more traditional pick exemplifies the home’s historic style, with thick Craftsman-style mouldings, five-panel wood doors, and six-over-one grid windows.

The angular bedroom at the rear of the house offers a unique attached sunroom, which would work great as a sitting room, work-from-home space, or en suite yoga studio. Even the smallest bedroom includes a walk-in closet.

Downstairs, custom steel railings, exposed original floor joists, and a Tetris-inspired bookshelf lend a casually industrial vibe to an array of multipurpose rooms, including large, private guest quarters and a well-equipped workshop.

From the residential quietude of its secluded backyard to the vibrant nightlife of nearby Capitol Hill proper, this home shows classic Seattle at its charming, quirky best.

Listing Fast Facts

2033 11th Avenue E, Seattle, WA 98102
Size: 3,107 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
List Price: $2,200,000
List Date: 11/12/2024
Listing Agent: Johne Boukalis, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services