7515 SE 76th Street

This truly feels like a San Juan Islands vacation home. Except no orcas frolic in the glittering water below, and the island is Mercer, a safe haven with legendary schools and speedy access to all points Seattle and Eastside. At the end of a hidden lane, a discreet facade greets you with exquisite privacy. But walk in the door and the world blows open. Dramatic expanses of glass drink in glittering lake and Olympics views. The forest below is yours, providing a brilliant buffer together with the rare ability to control your own views. Standing here, bathed in nature and light, you can downshift into holiday mode. Architect Carole Klees designed this iconic shingled home for her own family in the NW Modern vernacular of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Fans of the style will recognize its hallmarks. She emphasized soaring window walls to maximize light, vaulted, peaked ceilings, an open, airy floor plan, great indoor-outdoor flow and abundant natural materials. The current owner has made many sensitive updates, including adding an extra bathroom, 5th bedroom, hot tub and central AC. Bonus areas abound for maximum flexibility. Ipe-clad decks project into the view. There's even a spot for a trampoline in the yard. And it's a sweet location toward the south end for peace and quiet, yet on the west side for light and sunsets. It's close to amenities and great schools, yet tucked away in a world of its own, hovering above the lake. With this, who needs a second home?