Mirikeen Homes balances craftsmanship with care to deliver exceptional properties in Bellevue’s competitive luxury home market
Since speaking with Modern Home Builders a year ago, Bellevue-based luxury custom builder Mirikeen Homes (Mirikeen) has achieved some truly impressive milestones. Not only has the company closed its most significant project to date – The Hatteras – but Lindsey Kull, Director of Operations, successfully became a licensed real estate broker, representing the Mirikeen brand and selling The Hatteras within days of it being listed in a soft market.
For Lindsey and Mirikeen’s Founder, Mike Jacobsen, who are managing three new custom projects while also preparing for their September wedding, success isn’t measured in annual unit volume: it’s measured in the number of clients, subcontractors, and colleagues that they sincerely love working alongside. The couple join us again to discuss the company’s people-first philosophy, Lindsey’s exciting new role, and the 5800-square-foot Cape Cod residence that she describes as her favorite project to date.
“The Hatteras is a very special house,” begins Lindsey. “It’s beautiful – from the front it doesn’t necessarily look that big, but it has three stories and two huge bonus rooms.” Initially dubbed ‘the tree house’ due to a huge maple tree in the back yard, the Hatteras was lovingly rechristened ‘the Hawk’s Nest’ by the client’s daughter. “The old maple tree is visible through the sitting room windows,” elaborates Lindsey. “When the sunlight filters through, it creates a dapple effect and makes the room appear even more stunning. One day, the clients’ daughter came in and she said, ‘Hey, it’s more like a hawk’s nest than a tree house – because we’re the Seattle Seahawks!’. I’ve since bought them a sign that reads ‘The Hawk’s Nest.’ There are so many special elements to this house and the feeling you get as you walk through it is remarkable.” Presenting a thoughtful gift to the buyers on closing is testament to how Mirikeen transforms transactions into meaningful relationships, while investing in detail and design rather than reproducing mass-market aesthetics.
The Hatteras also marked Mirikeen’s first collaboration with the company’s architect Dan, labeled a ‘magician’ by Lindsey for his ability to fulfill requests without making additions feel like afterthoughts. The partnership, now spanning two-plus years, has produced three projects – including Mike’s parents’ luxury waterfront property. “My stepmom had such a high-level vision of the finished home,” explains Mike. “They were terribly worried about not achieving the exact fit and finish of what they wanted. Not only did Dan design it incredibly well, but he executed it from afar. My parents live in Southern California, he’s from Northern Oregon and we’re in Seattle, Washington. It’s very impressive.”
Crucial relationships
Mirikeen’s people-first culture extends beyond architect selection to every client interaction. All clients are given Mike and Lindsey’s cell phone numbers, offering them continued support long after key handover. When Lindsey delivered The Hatteras keys, her parting message was simple: “Whatever you need, call me, text me – we’re here.” While Mirikeen hires a warranty management company for formal post-sale support, Lindsey emphasizes most client calls are questions about operating smart home systems, security features or lighting controls, which can get forgotten during an initial walkthrough. Such accessibility reflects Mirikeen’s conviction that building somebody’s dream home creates responsibilities far beyond construction completion, and this relationship-selection criteria shapes which projects the company pursues.
“I want to work with clients who I enjoy collaborating with,” Lindsey notes. “Thankfully, we’re in a position where we get to do that. We get to choose people who have similar ideals and values. It’s a very personal experience.” The same outlook steers subcontractor partnerships. Mirikeen works closely with every subcontractor on its roster and Lindsey underlines how crucial these relationships are: “I want to be surrounded with people who I love and value, and we do that with our clients and our contractors.”
Mike’s ten-year framing career prior to founding Mirikeen distinguishes the company from general contractors due to its strong craftsmanship foundation. “Mike studies the plans fully and has firsthand knowledge of how to physically build the house,” Lindsey states, regarding her partner’s ability to understand construction. “He can survey the design and recognize whether anything needs changing or altering.” Mike’s framing experience exposed him to Eastside luxury builders whose standards he now applies in Mirikeen projects – demonstrated in his resistance to trend-driven mass production, and the application of fashionable exteriors to generic interiors. “Differentiating yourself in the market takes a quality team, along with a financial obligation to fulfill that luxury aesthetic.” Lindsey’s real estate background complements Mike’s construction expertise, positioning Mirikeen on the cutting edge of design evolution. “People still like modern contemporary styling, but I’m seeing a nod back to more traditional styling,” she identifies. “Cool grays and light-colored floors have been an ongoing trend for a while. However, there is a definite shift back to darker woods and a lot less white in kitchens.”
Community development
Beyond client relationships, community engagement also reinforces Mirikeen’s values. The company supports Plymouth Housing – a Bellevue foundation building low-income housing in one of the US most expensive markets. “We feel very strongly that a healthy community is supported all the way around with good schools and affordable housing,” Lindsey continues. This dedication to comprehensive community development highlights Mirikeen’s broader relationship approach, extending care and compassion beyond immediate clients to the neighborhoods where they build and live.
Envisioning the future, Mike and Lindsey’s long-term strategy involves doing less rather than more. Currently delivering one to two custom homes annually, Mirikeen plans to reduce volume further. “We really want our full focus to be on the homes we’re creating, to ensure they’re as special as possible,” adds Lindsey, acknowledging that Mirikeen’s current workload is substantial, with four projects and a wedding on the horizon. “We still want to build beautiful homes – just fewer of them. That way, each project is given the attention it deserves.”
For Mirikeen, a blend of sincere relationships, craftsmanship and selectivity create market differentiation that no amount of volume can replicate. In Bellevue’s competitive luxury market, the custom home builder proves the path to sustainable success runs through people who love working together, building homes for clients they genuinely care about – one special project at a time.