Dreams Take Flight in Bell Hill

3,000-square-foot custom home in Sequim, WA

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Frame-Worthy Views

Custom homes are often dream homes, and that was exactly the case for this single-story statement house high up on Bell Hill above Sequim. The 80-year-old retired pilot found the prominent parcel and wanted to build a house not only fit for the view but with the bells and whistles he’d always wanted. The biggest item on his wish list? Framing the view of Mt. Baker perfectly in the center of the living room. Estes Builders designed the three-bedroom home around this key element, including turning the layout 2 degrees during a final check before breaking ground. Once the home was completed, the mountain sits dead center in the horizontal expanse of windows in the great room.

 

Frame-Worthy Views

Custom homes are often dream homes, and that was exactly the case for this single-story statement house high up on Bell Hill above Sequim. The 80-year-old retired pilot found the prominent parcel and wanted to build a house not only fit for the view but with the bells and whistles he’d always wanted. The biggest item on his wish list? Framing the view of Mt. Baker perfectly in the center of the living room. Estes Builders designed the three-bedroom home around this key element, including turning the layout 2 degrees during a final check before breaking ground. Once the home was completed, the mountain sits dead center in the horizontal expanse of windows in the great room.

 

Eye-Catching Design Selections

After spending his career traversing the world, the homeowner had a well-earned list of details for his dream house; an old friend helped him make decisions while reminding him to also embrace the opportunity. As a result, his life and likes are present throughout, starting with a compass rose in the driveway, made with stamped, colored concrete and pointing due north in full view of pilots flying above. Inside the front door, a wall of lighted cabinetry showcases the homeowner’s years of collectibles.

Custom Home Builder in Sequim | Estes Builders

Along with the soaring views of the Cascades, the main living area room itself is sweeping, with a steep roof allowing for striking 17-foot ceilings. Large, natural wood beams, another must-have, and 12-inch wood trim below add to the warmth and keep the space grounded. Wood floors with radiant heating also were used throughout the house.

Similar attention to detail was paid in the kitchen, with hand-selected granite slabs, a large island, and ample cabinets, including some with glass fronts to display certain pieces. A window in the kitchen connects to small deck with a second, outdoor kitchen. A larger main deck spans the length of the great room.

In the three-season room, a wood-burning stove in fire-engine red offers an eye-catching touch.

The house is divided with two ensuite guest rooms on one side and the primary suite on the other, with the master suite secluded behind by a pass-through office for privacy. Like the living room, the primary bath’s drop-in tub was designed to take in the Mt. Baker view, with windows down to the tub deck. In one of the guest baths, the homeowner’s friend chose a stunning copper tub with zinc interior.

Along with its single-story layout, the home has a dropped-floor system so there are no steps from the garage or front door, ensuring the homeowner can comfortably age in place.

The homeowner desired arched garage doors, a rare find, so Estes designed garage doors with an arched window above each, installing the mechanisms to go above the windows. Inside, Estes installed car chargers and a Tesla Powerwall home battery backup system.

A slate-look composite roof system completes the look and accommodates Bell Hill’s strict aesthetic requirements while offering durability for the region’s climate.