At this historic home in Ballard, Oyam worked with the young family to transform their basement from underutilized storage space into functional spaces for writing, music and gathering.

The couple - an author and a musician - wanted to stay rooted in their neighborhood while updating the spaces they call home. The renovation brings in daylight, texture, and warmth through a large glass doors and durable, that visually connects the new writing studio to the outdoors. Wood built-ins add both elegance and utility, offering essential storage and organization within a compact footprint.

The project reflects a broader shift among modern families—choosing to invest in place, adapt what exists, and shape homes that evolve alongside them, rather than uprooting and starting over elsewhere.