MORE FEATURES
In the past few years as the Lencheks began to transition from Seattle to the Methow — Mary is a “happily retired” attorney who was with a major Seattle law firm; Tom describes himself as semi-retired — the need for a more full-time space became evident as their visits became more frequent. The home isn’t much bigger — expanded by about 300 square feet, Lenchek says — but the resulting remodel added lots of features that make the cabin feel much more expansive. The contractor was Tom Bjornsen. Lenchek said he had to make a decision as an architect (in consultation with his wife) about how to expand the original cabin. “We came around to the idea of blending it seamlessly into the [existing] house,” he says. Indeed, unless Lenchek points out where the remodeling occurred, one would be hard-pressed to figure it out. The additions include a new
entrance and mudroom/pantry, an outdoor screened sleeping porch (formerly a roofless patio) with retractable Murphy bed, and a second bathroom that includes a washer and dryer. The kitchen and original bathroom were also redone. Outside, the Lencheks added a spacious covered “living area” — a deck that features a customfabricated steel fireplace, living room-style furniture and dining table — that is perfect for seasonal entertaining. The deck — a prefabricated concrete slab on a steel frame — is cantilevered to the south to improve views, and has retractable awnings. Like the screened sleeping porch, the deck is intended to extend the Lenchek’s outdoor time as much as possible.
ROOM FOR STUFF
Another consideration for a closer-to-full-time residence was storage. “One thing that gets jettisoned in storage” in many designs, Lenchek says. That’s
PHOTOS COURTESY OF PRENTISS + BALANCE + WICKLINE
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