A smart and stylish use of 996 square feet

Catherine and Jim Alexander were under no illusions about the tight quarters of the Spanish-revival stucco home they bought in 1999.

The two-bedroom West Seattle house measured 996 square feet. There was just one bathroom, and the basement was unfinished.

But they soon came up with solutions, some unorthodox, to make their home feel roomy enough for themselves and, until two years ago, a teenager.

"Once we realized we had enough space if we used it smartly, we (felt we) could be really happy here the rest of our years," said Jim Alexander.

Some of their grandest ideas, such as expanding the kitchen into the backyard or adding a second story, weren't feasible. But others, like building a bedroom and bathroom in the basement (currently under construction) and creating more usable outdoor space with two decks, were within reason.

Some choices might seem counterintuitive. In the kitchen, for example, they removed counters to improve kitchen flow. And they transformed the master-bedroom closet into a nook with built-in shelves for the bedroom and hallway.

On a street where small homes are undergoing expansive additions or are being demolished and replaced, the Alexanders are certain the next owners will consider their home a tear-down. They say their decisions are based on lifestyle rather than resale value. "We're not building in anticipation of what the next person wants," Catherine Alexander said. "It's for us. We didn't put in granite countertops. Formica is fine with us."

Flowing into the yard

They came up with other ways to add living space without tearing into the house, including two different deck spaces in the backyard.

Jim Alexander, a contractor, initially built a platform with a screen that created a cozy gathering space in one corner, then added a raised deck a couple of years ago that takes advantage of sweeping views of downtown Seattle and Mt. Rainier.

Catherine's crimson, tangerine and pearly white flowers mix with greenery in her garden to contribute to the backyard retreat.

"The hardest part is getting up in the morning and leaving," Catherine said. "I'd rather sit on the deck and drink coffee."

Indoor solutions

In the kitchen, they supplemented the lost counter space with a stainless-steel-topped bar table and a vintage cabinet with pull-out desk space.

Other changes were merely cosmetic. Instead of putting in new cabinets, they took off the old cabinet doors, added trim and painted the cabinet interiors a cheerful red that contrasts with the sunshine-hued room.

Other rooms also display intense color, a natural extension of Catherine Alexander's job as a paint sales consultant and Jim's contracting work.

"I paint for sport," she said.

The cheerful colors keep the small space lively in the winter. The nook in the master bedroom recently was painted a vivid teal to complement a coral-and-lime-green color scheme. The dining room is a deep rosy pink, while the main living area is a lemony yellow.

She also incorporates space solutions, like using picnic baskets with lids as tables for plants or placing one underneath a table for storage. The basement and built-in shelves added over the years also help.

While they're looking forward to moving into the new master bedroom in the basement and turning their bedroom into a sitting area, Catherine Alexander says they're comfortable in their small house.

"Nothing gives me more joy than to be home."

Nicole Tsong: 206-464-2150 or ntsong@seattletimes.com