Interior Design, Residential DesignFlorence LSeptember 24, 2025Interior Design, Residential Interior Design

VILLA CENTO || Serenity by Design on Bellevue’s Lakefront

Interior Design, Residential DesignFlorence LSeptember 24, 2025Interior Design, Residential Interior Design

On the quiet western edge of Bellevue, overlooking 360 feet of Lake Washington shoreline, Villa Cento is a study in serenity.

Reimagined by Susan Marinello Interiors for a newlywed couple, the residence balances classic architecture with a contemporary spirit, creating a sanctuary that embodies calm and timelessness.

The renovation centred on light and balance, beginning with a complete rethinking of the interior layout. The kitchen was relocated to enhance flow, surfaces were renewed with soft, modern finishes, and the palette was lightened to echo the shimmer of oyster shells. Italian-made steel windows crafted in the northern tradition became defining elements, expanding sightlines across the lake while framing the home’s soaring 24-foot ceilings.

Beneath 24-foot ceilings, the living room’s northern Italian steel windows frame the water beyond. Ochre’s Arctic chandelier and custom furnishings soften the grandeur, infusing elegance with calm.

*The library’s arched cabinetry frames shelves of books and ceramics, a serene enclave crafted for reflection. It balances formality with warmth, offering a quiet counterpoint to the lake views.*

Nowhere is this transformation more evident than in the living room, where a vast window wall draws the landscape indoors. Natural light floods across pale textiles, hand-selected in subtle hues that ground the interiors in a rhythm of calm. The furnishings, curated from a mix of bespoke and international makers, tie each room into a cohesive sequence that flows naturally from the entry into the primary gathering spaces.

Adjacent to the great room, the library offers a counterpoint of intimacy. Floor-to-ceiling cabinetry surrounds the space, giving it the air of a private retreat, where the atmosphere is shaped as much by books and art as by its proximity to the water. Here, serenity takes on a tactile form, layered in wood, textiles, and a softness of scale.

A Baker bed upholstered in Zinc anchors the room against upholstered walls in Zimmer + Rohde. Custom mirrors flank the headboard above Gauge Design nightstands, topped with BK Antiques lamps with Illume shades.

*A white marble bath opens directly to Lake Washington, where light curtains filter the morning sun. The space becomes both sanctuary and stage, with nature as the centrepiece.*

The primary suite continues the narrative of calm. A custom upholstered headboard anchors the bedroom, framed by soft wall coverings and a muted palette of taupe and cream. In the adjoining sitting room and study, comfort is expressed in quiet gestures—an upholstered chair, a lacquered desk, a view framed by light drapery. The marble-clad bath completes the suite with its own direct connection to the lake: a space where morning light dances across the water, filtered through sheer curtains, creating a daily ritual of tranquillity.

Throughout Villa Cento, attention to artistry elevates the experience. Chandeliers by Ochre and Studio Bel Vetro cast soft luminosity across rooms, while artworks curated through Winston Wächter Fine Art bring a contemporary layer of narrative. Pieces by Hiro Yokose, Tracy Rocca, and Nicola Bennett punctuate walls with atmospheric abstraction, each painting chosen to dialogue with the home’s architectural rhythm.

*Minimalist Riloh pendant lights hang over the spacious kitchen counter, while a chandelier from Ochre illuminates the Gregorius Pineo dining table.*

A Gregorius Pineo dining table anchors the space, surrounded by Anees chairs upholstered in Holly Hunt fabric. A crystal chandelier above and floral arrangements below celebrate the home’s spirit of gathering.

Outdoor spaces extend the serenity, with terraces designed for lingering under the shade of mature trees. Furnishings from McKinnon & Harris and Janus et Cie blur the threshold between inside and out, while views across the water anchor the home in its lakeside setting. Here, every angle offers a reminder of the couple’s vision: a home designed for both connection and retreat.

The project’s success rests in its balance of heritage and renewal. Marinello and her team respected the home’s original bones while reimagining it for contemporary living. Ripple Design Studio provided architectural support, Schultz Miller brought the craftsmanship of construction, and Ragen and Associates shaped the landscape to frame the residence in greenery. Together, the team realized a vision where classic proportions meet modern clarity.

*The lakeside terrace features McKinnon & Harris seating, creating an outdoor room that extends the serenity of the interiors toward Lake Washington.*

For the clients, Villa Cento is a reflection of their shared values: quality, balance, and a desire to create a timeless setting for family and friends. By grounding the renovation in serenity, the design achieves a rare alchemy: a residence both deeply personal and universally resonant, embodying the promise of modern lakefront living in Bellevue.