Family’s letter secures dream home
Discover how a heartfelt letter helped a family secure their dream home in Washington, even when it wasn’t for sale.
Eleven years ago, Brooke Solinsky noticed a house in Issaquah, Washington, that wasn’t listed for sale. The property, located 15 miles east of Seattle, stood on a park-like lot surrounded by old-growth trees and mountain views. It had belonged to the same family for four decades.
Solinsky didn’t leave empty-handed. She sent the owners a letter.
“Eleven years ago, while searching for our forever home, we discovered this special neighborhood and were immediately captivated by its mountain views, park-like lots, towering old-growth trees, and rich history,” Brooke says. “At the time, this home was not on the market. Undeterred, we wrote a letter to the homeowners expressing our interest. They responded that they had raised their family here over the previous 40 years and were not yet planning to sell. However, they loved the idea of passing the home to another family who would cherish it as deeply as they had. One conversation led to another, and we became the new stewards of this home in 2015.”
The house that shaped a vision
The home was in good condition, but Solinsky wanted to adjust it for her family’s needs while preserving its character. “As we began making changes, we were guided not only by how we wanted to live, but also by a desire to honor the history of the property and its surroundings,” she shares. “We envisioned spaces that encourage connection, materials and finishes that grow more beautiful with age, and a collection of furnishings and objects that hold sentimental value to our family. Above all, we wanted to create a home that feels timeless—one that reflects both the character of this special place and the family life unfolding within it.”
To execute the plan, Solinsky hired Jennifer Tamblin of Drift Interior Architecture. “She was recommended to me for her extensive experience in architecture and design, and from our very first conversation, I knew she was the right fit,” Brooke says. “When I shared that I had a strong vision for our home, she adopted it completely. Rather than steering the project in her own direction, she helped me bring my ideas to life with thoughtful guidance, expertise, and encouragement.”
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That shared vision made the project collaborative from the start. “She had a vision, and in some instances working with clients who have such a strong style or vision can be really difficult. In her case it was the opposite,” Jen tells us. “She still trusted our recommendations, looked to us to make suggestions, and relied on us heavily for the space planning.”
A kitchen designed for togetherness
The layout posed the biggest obstacle. The original home had small, isolated rooms with minimal storage. The kitchen felt especially tight. “In our family, there are never too many cooks in the kitchen—especially during family gatherings—so we knew we needed a space that could comfortably accommodate everyone,” Brooke shares. The redesign transformed the kitchen into the home’s focal point, with separate areas for cooking, prep, cleanup, and storage.
A large island anchors the room, designed to resemble furniture rather than a built-in structure. Perimeter countertops feature Arabescato Corchia marble, selected for its striking veining. “Nothing replicates the beauty and character of natural marble, a material that develops its own story over time,” Brooke explains.
The expressive stone is balanced by quieter supporting finishes: cabinetry in a warm taupe, a custom chocolate-brown stained white oak island, rich soapstone countertops, and a Venetian plaster hood at the center of the room. “Like the marble, the soapstone and plaster are authentic materials that soften and gain character with age, reinforcing our desire to create a kitchen that feels timeless and lived-in,” Brooke says.
For those considering similar changes, adding depth to flat rooms can enhance the sense of space without major structural work.
