Matt Mather // Modern Seattle

09/09/2026

Sometimes the best thing about living in Seattle is where it can take you.

Every late summer, we take a Pacific Northwest road trip—with Hibiki always along for the ride. This year: the Oregon Coast and wine country.

A few days away, a lot to explore, and another reminder of why we’re always happy to come home.

Read the story + watch the short film →
https://zurl.co/qM22p

09/01/2026

One of our favorite things about living in Seattle? How quickly you can leave the city behind.

Mountains, islands, coastal towns, wine country and rain forests are all within road-trip range. And every late summer, we try to take advantage of it.

It’s become one of our favorite traditions: load up the car with Hibiki, pick a part of the Pacific Northwest, and head out for a few days.

This year: the Oregon Coast and wine country. Long beaches, small coastal towns, beautiful drives, good food and a few glasses of wine along the way.

No elaborate itinerary. Just time to explore.

And every time we come back, we appreciate Seattle a little more.

So much to explore. And a home we’re always happy to come back to.
Read the full story at the link in bio.

— Matt + Wilson + Hibiki
MODERNAE

08/28/2026

Friday Fave 🌿

Olson Kundig has long been one of my favorite Pacific Northwest architecture firms, and *The Secret Garden Residence* is exactly the kind of home that reminds me why.

Set on an unusually large Medina lot, the home wraps around a private courtyard where architecture and landscape become one. Walls of glass, reflecting pools, Japanese-inspired gardens, and extraordinary craftsmanship create a sense of calm that's rare to find in new construction. It feels open, serene, and completely removed from the outside world—a true sanctuary.

📍8718 Overlake Dr W, Medina
5 BD | 5 BA | 4,999 SF
Offered at $14,490,000

Listing Courtesy of Tere Foster & Moya Skillman • Compass

08/26/2026

What Makes a City Worth Living In?
https://zurl.co/ryR3x

Travel has a way of changing your perspective.

After spending time in Copenhagen, I found myself thinking about what truly makes a city feel like home—from walkability and architecture to parks, neighborhood character, and everyday quality of life.

These are many of the same qualities I help my clients evaluate when buying a home in Seattle.

Read the full article:
https://zurl.co/CoJCS

What can Seattle learn from one of the world’s most livable cities? Reflections from Copenhagen on walkable neighborhoods, design, waterfront living, and why livability matters when buying a home.

08/24/2026

MIDCENTURY MONDAYS

A beautifully remodeled midcentury home is always a treat. One with a pool? That's a rare find in the Pacific Northwest.

This Clyde Hill residence embraces many of the qualities that make MCM architecture so enduring: clean horizontal lines, expansive glazing, and a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor living. Natural light pours through walls of glass, while the thoughtful renovation preserves the home's original character instead of trying to reinvent it.

Then there's the backyard. A private pool extends the living space outdoors and creates a true resort-like setting—something you don't often find in Northwest midcentury homes. Gorgeous architecture, generous living spaces, and exceptional outdoor living are a combination that's always in demand.

Not my listing—just another wonderful example of Northwest modernism worth sharing.

📍9135 NE 19th St • Clyde Hill, WA
Price: $5,980,000
Beds: 5
Baths: 5
Sq. Ft.: 4,480 SF

Details → link in bio



Listed courtesy of Sheryl Yang • Skyline Properties, Inc.

08/24/2026

What Seattle Gardens Can Learn from Piet Oudolf
https://zurl.co/Eea3j

A recent visit to Copenhagen reminded me that the best landscapes aren’t perfectly manicured—they’re designed to evolve with the seasons.

In my newest blog, I explore how Piet Oudolf’s naturalistic approach offers inspiration for Seattle gardens and the way thoughtful landscape design can enhance the experience and value of a home.

👉 Read more:
https://zurl.co/XyCMh

From Copenhagen’s Opera House to Seattle’s own landscapes, discover how Piet Oudolf’s naturalistic planting philosophy can inspire more beautiful, livable Pacific Northwest gardens.

08/21/2026

Open House | Lock & Leave Luxury in Downtown Seattle

Experience one of downtown Seattle's most thoughtfully designed luxury residences.

Join me Sunday 8/23 from 12–2 PM to tour this beautifully curated 2BR + office home featuring protected Elliott Bay, Pike Place Market & Ferris Wheel views, a chef's kitchen with a true walk-in butler's pantry, custom built-in office, and one of the building's most desirable floor plans.

📍1521 2nd Ave #802, Seattle
🕛 Open House | Sunday 8/23 | 12–2 PM
💲Offered at $1,325,000

I'd love to see you there. If you can't make the open house, DM me to schedule a private showing.

08/21/2026

Friday Fave ✨

Designed by architect Richard Sundberg as his personal residence, this Leschi home is the kind of place that reminds me why I love architect-designed homes. It's already pending—and after seeing it in person, it's easy to understand why.

We were so intrigued by this property, we briefly talked about buying it ourselves... if we weren't still so in love with our own Mid-Century Modern. Warm wood, clean lines, beautifully crafted spaces, and a timeless connection to the landscape made this one incredibly hard to forget.

3701 E Alder St, Seattle
3 BD | 2 BA | 1,750 SF
Listed at $1,399,950

Listing Courtesy of Ted Alton • Windermere Real Estate Co.

08/20/2026

ModernaeMonthly August | Designing a Better Way to Live
https://zurl.co/nsqbE

Designing a Better Way to Live

Summer always gives me a chance to slow down and notice what makes a home—and a city—feel truly livable. In this month’s ModernaeMonthly, I share thoughts on thoughtful design, Seattle real estate, and why the spaces we choose shape the way we live.

If you’re considering buying or selling a home in Seattle, I hope you’ll find a few ideas worth taking with you.

👉 Read the full article:
https://zurl.co/hiN6A

Explore the August edition of ModernaeMonthly featuring Seattle real estate insights, lessons from Copenhagen, Piet Oudolf’s landscape philosophy, modern architecture, and thoughtfully curated homes.

06/06/2026

June has always felt like more than a bridge between spring and summer.

As Pride Month begins, I’ve been reflecting on what home really means—not just the place we live, but the people we share it with, the communities we build, and the freedom to be ourselves.

This month’s newsletter also explores a few of the architects and homes that continue to inspire me, from Tom Kundig to the Eames House, along with a look at Seattle’s evolving real estate market as inventory continues to rise and buyers enjoy more choice than we’ve seen in years.

Wishing everyone a wonderful start to summer and a Happy Pride Month. 🌈

Read the latest ModernaeMonthly below.

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mathermatt_june-has-always-felt-like-more-than-a-bridge-share-7468005397434621952-W-fH/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAAFErYB-5iCQu84YgadnIISNaglJn5cgTI