Making the Most of a Small Footprint
Nestled between a steep hill, a stream, and the roadway even the original home’s location presented hurdles, requiring Estes to follow strict requirements regarding runoff and to work with a biologist to upgrade the septic system.
With the homeowners’ dreams of a larger home dashed, Estes’ design team then set out to make the house live as large as possible using height and openness. The two-story home plus walk-out basement features high ceilings on the first floor, and areas of the second floor open up to the downstairs. The three bedrooms provide flexible living options for the couple and their animals. The guest room/office includes built-in shelves, and the third bedroom was designed for the couple’s rabbits, with a half door to keep the room safe yet open. Large windows at the front bring in views of the Hood canal, while the rear of the home nestles into the greenery of the forest.
Strong details blend with rustic touches throughout the home to provide a cabin aesthetic with a modern, dramatic edge. A large masonry fireplace stands amid pendant light fixtures that emit a dappled light akin to the forest, lending a feel of being indoors and outdoors at the same time. A built-in dining table of butcher block and exposed glulam beams above the kitchen offer a bold yet warm statement. In the primary bathroom, the shower tile boasts the look of charred barn wood, and a vertical accent wall made with colorful sliced pebbles adds natural whimsy to the guest shower.
Outside, the home is decidedly contemporary, with clean lines, metal roofing, vertical siding, and a dark blue color palette, while still offering touches of wood around entryways to maintain a welcoming warmth.
The custom details and thoughtful layout helped ease the homeowners’ initial disappointment with not being able to build as large as they has planned. Thanks to a collaborative design approach, in the end they were thrilled with the result.
