The Uhlman home is approached through a newly constructed trellised canopy.

People love living on Bigelow because it deviates from typical city streets. Huge trees frame and form a canopy over it. And because these trees have set such large roots, it's virtually impossible for the city to go back and create sidewalks. Locals are accustomed to strolling up and down the center of the street itself, all the while watching out for cars.

Two houses on this street share similar views of the city skyline. Both are part of an upcoming Tour of Homes on Queen Anne Hill. But that is where the similarities end. One is a 1950s brick-and-wood rambler that has gained another floor; the other is a Colonial Revival home from the 1920s.

WES UHLMAN STEPPED AWAY from public life in 1978, when he left the mayor's office after eight years. But he is still a keen observer of the city. He checks in on it every day from a high perch on the east slope of the hill. Looking out the windows of their home, he and his wife, Carolyn Purnell, a senior executive and manager, take in Lake Union, Capitol Hill, First Hill and the downtown skyline.

Wes Uhlman and Carolyn Purnell enjoy the openness and informality of their living and dining rooms.

Eleven years ago, their unpretentious 1954 house gained a second floor to accommodate a master suite that takes full advantage of its location. To connect it to the main floor, they commissioned Seattle Stair to do a graceful Honduran mahogany spiral staircase. They also enlarged the kitchen by ridding the house of an awkward stair to the basement and the wall that separated the kitchen from the dining room.

Two years ago, with the help of architect Paul Wu, they took space from the large deck that ran the length of the east side of the house to enlarge the living room. Interior designer William Stickland integrated the new space into the existing main floor by choosing neutral rugs and fabrics with varied textures, and bringing in new, comfortable furniture that set a traditional tone. These include a Hepplewhite table for the dining room, two Beidermeier chairs around the hearth, a leather easy chair and ottoman, and a chaise lounge - something Carolyn had always wanted - for putting her feet up and taking pleasure in the constantly changing view of Lake Union.

Stairways to Heaven The "Stairways to Heaven" Tour of Queen Anne Homes and Gardens includes seven homes. It takes place Sunday, June 3, from noon to 4 p.m. Funds raised benefit St. Anne School, celebrating 78 years on Queen Anne, and Rebuilding Together Seattle, a charitable organization that rehabilitates the houses of low-income elderly, disabled and families in need. Pre-sale tickets are $20 general admission and $15 for seniors. They are available at Gerrard Beattie & Knapp Realty, 320 W. Galer St. and at PAT'S, 1905 Queen Anne Ave. N. Tickets are $25 day of tour. For information call 206-285-1100.

Two paintings by Kenneth Callahan adorn a living-room wall. One of them was a gift to Uhlman from the artist. "Ken Callahan brought this down when I was leaving office. He said, `I really appreciate the work you've done for our city and I want you to have this.'" The other was acquired from Stickland, himself a longtime admirer of the artist's work.

The house is generally uncluttered and restful, with the focus on the view. That is intentional. Stickland was guided in his designs by the principles of feng shui in placing the furniture to provide a sense of well-being and spirituality.

The couple lead very busy lives. Purnell, whose career included executive positions with Metro and Weyerhaeuser, continues to work as a consultant, present lectures and share what she has learned. She is already working on a sequel to her most recent book, "The New Manager's Indispensable 25 Rules for Success." Uhlman has been involved in real-estate development and building management since he left office, some of it taking him frequently out-of-state. Consequently, they both relish their return to the peaceful setting of their home and its spectacular prospect on the city.

The Colonial Revival style of the White house was popularized in residential neighborhoods in the 1920s and '30s.

When asked where he keeps all the photographs and plaques from his many years in public service, Uhlman says, "I've got six boxes of plaques downstairs. I like to live in the future, not the past." As to re-entering the political arena, Uhlman is also clear. "I spent a lot of time in political office, eight years in the state House, four years in the state Senate, eight years as mayor. I've never believed in career politicians. My philosophy is that a citizen public official is more in tune with what real people are thinking - and you're not always worried about getting re-elected." Now he governs over prize dahlias and "Wes' Queen Anne Honey" bees from his perch on the hill.

GEOFF AND MICHELLE WHITE lived in this neighborhood 12 years before moving into their 1920s Colonial Revival home seven years ago - delighted by the fact that previous owners had changed very little. A year and a half ago, faced with a shortage of space for them and their three children, they worked with architect Jeff Wilson on a major remodel that pushed out the kitchen to include an informal dining room and added space for another bedroom upstairs. They moved out for six months to make way for the construction.

At the White house, French doors open to a new deck for outdoor dining with a view of the Space Needle and downtown.

The table in the Whites' expanded kitchen came first. It was the impetus for the design of compatible cherry and alder cabinets.

Off the kitchen had been a small back porch, and then the steep hillside property dropped off. The formal dining room had sliding-glass doors to an unsafe deck. When the couple added their dining and kid's project space, they included a new outdoor-dining deck oriented toward the sensational view of the Space Needle and downtown. By rebuilding the old deck and installing matching French doors in the dining room and the new addition, they created a pleasant circulation pattern of indoor and outdoor spaces.

The table the couple purchased for the dining space inspired the design of custom-built cherry and alder cabinetry and seating around it. And, as often happens, the new work led to some tweaking of the adjoining kitchen that had been remodeled only five years earlier with white tile and white painted cabinets. To fit it in with the softer colors of the addition, the couple had the cabinets repainted and replaced the counters with granite and tile.

While the living room had lovely proportions and windows on three sides, it received a facelift, too. A plain brick fireplace was refaced in reproduction tile by Tile Restoration Center and wrapped with a traditional painted wood mantel and surround. Interior designer Jeff Eckmann selected new furniture and fabrics and reupholstered some furniture that the family wanted to keep. The result is a room with warm colors and a sense of tradition.

But the new room at the back of the house is where the family gathers most of the time, says Michelle. "This is the room we all live in."

Lawrence Kreisman is program director for Historic Seattle. He serves on the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board and is author of "Made to Last: Historic Preservation in Seattle and King County." Barry Wong is staff photographer for Pacific Northwest magazine.