Pristine midcentury home has a perfectly framed Mount Rainier view

There’s a certain brand of midcentury modern style that’s uniquely suited to the Pacific Northwest. These houses are built into hillsides, left relatively unassuming at their entrances to let the natural environment around them shine. Huge walls of floor-to-ceiling windows, topped by vaulted ceilings, let views create a mural along common-area walls—and the home takes advantage of its elevated location to even bring in views to the basement.

This 1959 home, built in the Pierce County town of Edgewood—just north of Puyallup—exemplifies this style, and the upper floors are especially distinctive. A gently-sloping roofline descends on a long living area on one side and an open kitchen and dining area on the other, separated by a thick, brick fireplace. Skylights let natural light shine through even when light isn’t coming from the windows.

Characteristically, the house looks smaller from the exterior—a kind of basement-rambler-plus. But some of the views are still visible on approach; from the right angle, a visitor can see right through to the other side.

The exposure can give some view of the sunrise, but the bigger draw is probably Mount Rainier, located about 35 miles to the southeast, perfectly visible through the windows.

The home’s four bedrooms each have something to offer; even the smallest ones have a sets of built-ins that include desks. Another has an en-suite bath, with the vanity located just behind a wall. A master facing the back of the house boasts slightly subdued views from those upstairs, and has its own outside entrance a slightly-sunken sitting area with its own fireplace—making it a decent den, too, depending on your needs.

While its visual identity has been well-maintained, it still has a few modern upgrades, like a fancy wine cellar just down the stairs to the basement.

Patios below and a huge, wraparound deck above give plenty of outdoor space.

The home is listed for $765,000.

• 5023 120th Avenue E [Remax]