awards + recognition
2023
NW Lifestyle Homes has been selected five years in a row for the Best of Mercer Island Awards for Architect + General Contractor and now qualifies for the 2023 Mercer Island Business Hall of Fame
2021
NW Lifestyle Homes named “Best General Contractor on Mercer Island 2021” by the Mercer Island Award Program
2019
NWLH is Finalist in Two Categories in 2019 New Home Sales Awards
NW Lifestyle Homes loves working on Mercer Island. We just completed 2 new ground-up homes and a large scale remodel in 2019, see the Noonan Residence, the Ball Residence, and the Transitional to Modern Transformation project. In 2020, we are slated to complete 3 large remodels as well as begin 1-2 new ground-up construction projects in different neighborhoods throughout the island.
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Our staff is actively engaged with the Mercer Island Schools Foundation, Mercer Island High School, the Mercer Island Chamber of commerce, and Youth Theatre Northwest.
2019​
NW Lifestyle Homes named “Best General Contractor on Mercer Island 2019” by the Mercer Island Award Program
NW Lifestyle Homes was a finalist in two categories for the 2019 New Home Sales Tribute Awards: Construction Professional of the Year and Custom Home Design.
2019
Mike Burke: Construction Professional of the Year - Finalist
Michael Burke, an industry trendsetter and visionary, has been designing and building homes for clients in the Pacific Northwest for 58 years. Mike has an unmatched passion for designing, building, and selling real estate, and he literally thinks about his projects every waking hour of the day.
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Mike’s body of work is recognizable, innovative, and genius. Livability is the foundational tenet for all of his projects over his long career. Every wall, door, drawer, and window has been carefully considered by Mike. How will people actually live in this space? How can I make it better?
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Mike’s legacy is NW Lifestyle Homes (NWLH). He built this company with his two, twin step-sons and 3 other professionals. Architects, landscape architects, design coordinators, and builders, the NWLH team supports Mike’s vision and prides itself on delighting homeowners. Word-of-mouth and happy, repeat customers are Mike’s best marketing tools.
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In response to the market this past year, Mike pivoted his team from speculative building to custom homes, and he completed 10 one-of-a kind, highly specific projects, each a testament to his ingenuity and creativity. These projects range from farmhouses to mid-century modern homes to modern homes. Each is an art project packed with livability.
2019
Noonan Farmhouse Custom Home Design - Finalist
A modern white farmhouse with a very small footprint provides a family of five with a three-level, 3,500 sf home on a tiny 6,000 sf Mercer Island lot. This clever and highly-custom design respected the strict municipal gross floor area limits by excavating a full basement with a generous 9’ ceiling, creatively sinking the garage by 3’, and using every square inch.
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Appointed with five bedrooms, four full baths, kitchen/great room, office, and lower-level bonus room, this home provides places to gather or be alone and has an emphasis on day-to-day living, entertaining, and hosting out-of-town parents.
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In addition to 4 strong elevations, a geometrically-balanced design, and plenty of light and air, the exterior features bespeak a farmhouse. The massing, multiple roof pitches, timer brace details, metal shed roof, tandem garage with single garage door, two upper level porches, double-hung windows in a farmhouse pattern, gooseneck barn lighting, and board-and-batten siding are all evocative of a barn.
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The continuity of farmhouse styling also extends to the interior spaces. Barn doors, shaker cabinetry, an industrial stainless steel laundry sink, exposed beams, a double trough sink, and wide plank floors all support the architectural style of the home.