Discover Mirikeen Homes’ passion for handcrafting luxurious homes through one-of-a-kind design elements
In every custom and high-end spec home it creates in Bellevue, Kirkland, just to the east of Seattle, Mirikeen Homes (Mirikeen) upholds unparalleled standards of luxury and craftsmanship. Through personalized service, meticulous attention to detail, and efficient construction processes, Mirikeen tailors each home to perfection for its discerning clientele. As a boutique builder, the company dedicates itself wholeheartedly to the planning process, architectural elements, design aesthetics, and intricate details that transform its clients’ vision into a stunning bespoke residence. Mike Jacobsen, Owner, shares insights into his background in the construction industry and how Mirikeen came to be.
“With nearly 25 years in the construction industry, I am a Washington native who grew up in Bellingham and later Bellevue, Washington. As my father was a land developer and apartment builder, I became familiar with the home building sector from a young age. At 23, I was fortunate enough to establish my own company and have been actively involved in the industry ever since. As a small custom home building company, we specialize in creating high-end spec and custom homes for clients, with a very small team consisting only of my girlfriend Lindsey and myself. Each year, we take on a select number of projects that keep us hands-on and fully engaged, maintaining a level of success and craftsmanship that reflects our niche focus,” he opens.
Focus on individuality
Having a niche focus is at the core of Mirikeen’s strategy to stand out in Seattle’s competitive home building sector. “Our main distinctive feature is our passion and excitement when it comes to refining the details, interior design, millwork, floor plans, and architectural design. We are continually striving to perfect these five elements and differentiate ourselves from other home builders. Additionally, as a smaller operation, we have the flexibility to spend some extra time and resources on these aspects of our projects, which, in my opinion, is what keeps us in the game. Staying ahead of the competition is especially important nowadays. In the past, when there was less competition, we did not have to be as aware and cognizant of other builders copying our work. However, today, the scenario is the complete opposite; the market is saturated with competition, everyone employs designers, and builders constantly imitate other builders. As a result, there is not a single unique idea anymore, with many projects feeling like replicas of one another. Thus, trying to keep that unique individual stamp on our houses remains our primary focus,” he affirms.
To illustrate his point, Mike mentions a unique property Mirikeen has recently finished building, named The Monticello. “The development phase of this exceptional custom home took us considerably longer than we had initially projected, so we were particularly excited when the time came to commence construction. Thanks to our talented group of designers, the overall aesthetic of the house was stunningly unique. Our vision was to make sure that the interior design harmonized beautifully with the exterior, given that the property was in a prime location. Ultimately, we aimed to create a cohesive concept that made the project truly stand out both in terms of interior and exterior design.”
Lindsey Kull, Director of Operations, shares her own input into what made The Monticello such a distinctive and well-executed project. “I believe that what made this project exceptionally memorable was working for a homeowner with such a precise idea in mind, who wanted us to detail that vision through millwork and ensure that it was cohesive. The client wanted the home to be very grand and detailed, which is something that Mike is well known for, alongside his expertise in millwork. Indeed, all of our houses boast a myriad of special details that other builders simply do not incorporate in their projects. While many of our
subcontractors make lighthearted comments about the abundance of features in our homes, we firmly believe that these intricate touches are what make the houses feel warm and set them apart from the rest in our area. For instance, Mike crafted a custom entry for the house with an exceptional level of detail. Each piece was completely unique, opting for a highly personalized touch rather than adopting a cookie-cutter approach. Furthermore, he personally designed every level of millwork, adding an extra layer of uniqueness to the project. These features contribute to making the project feel especially remarkable,” she enthuses.
The future looks bright for Mirikeen, as Mike reveals: “We have acquired sensational pieces of property on Bellevue’s east side, including an acre of flat land for a personal property. Our plan is to construct our residence there, a spacious rambler with a workshop. The prospect of building our home on this property, which is in town, is exciting for Lindsey and I.
Redefining luxury
“Additionally, we have another project underway in Beaux Arts Village, a municipality located in downtown Bellevue. This waterfront community is very charming, with residents driving their golf carts to the community beach club during the summer months. Beaux Arts Village is a rather small and unique neighborhood with limited opportunities for new home construction, motivating us to create something truly special there. Collaborating with a talented architect, we have designed our project to align with the municipality’s stringent Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs), which are overseen by a dedicated architectural committee ensuring that all houses fit within their guidelines. Hence, we have dedicated the last few years to working on this upcoming property,” he ends.
Through a relentless pursuit of architectural innovation, personalized design, and unparalleled attention to detail, Mirikeen continues to redefine the standard of luxury living in Seattle, Bellevue, and Kirkland.