Mercer Island is one of Seattle’s most coveted areas, and for good reason. It’s got a slower pace, but offers easy access to Seattle and Bellevue, while boasting some of the best views and natural landscapes in the area. Plus, the architecture is pretty fabulous.

Designer Jessica Nelson was excited to renovate this Mercer Island kitchen, citing the original mid-century details for inspiration. Her clients have three kids, so the goal was to create a kitchen and dining space that would allow easy entertaining and accommodate large family gatherings. 

They kept the original hardwoods in place, opting to refinish them, while the rest of the space was a gut job. For the cabinets, Jessica and her team created custom rift-cut white oak with a clear coat. They worked with a local millworker, and there are thoughtful details including a hideaway coffee bar. They installed quartzite countertops and a dark green Fireclay Tile backsplash—it’s almost the exact same color as the treetop views outside. For plumbing fixtures, she used Rohl. The pendants overhead are Brendan Ravenhill while a vintage runner, sourced from Etsy, offers warmth. 

To make the space extra family-friendly, a charming breakfast nook (featuring a Schoolhouse Electric pendant) works well for quick and easy meals. To ensure the kiddos are never short on snacks, a fridge drawer is tucked away in the island. The result is a peaceful, durable space that perfectly reflects the Pacific Northwest landscape.