Exterior view showcasing the stunning rustic wood siding of both buildings. The whimsical grass landscape adds natural charm.

South Beach

New Construction, Interiors

There’s no shortage of natural beauty on Bainbridge Island, making it an ideal location for our clients, a longtime Seattle couple, to find their forever home. Drawing inspiration from the island’s old beach houses—places that held special memories for one of the clients from her childhood summers—we set out to create a home that would feel at once rooted in its surroundings and timeless in its charm.

Exterior view of the main house, featuring its traditional yet modern design in harmony with the natural surroundings.

A short walk from the main residence leads to the couple’s private retreat: a studio building inspired by the region’s traditional boathouses. Inside, dedicated workspaces accommodate each of their creative pursuits. She enjoys her art studio with the flexibility to roll her worktable onto the deck to work outdoors, while his studio is tailored for reading, writing, composing, and recording music. Each space is warmed by an inviting wood-burning stove, creating a cozy place to settle in and create.

Exterior view of the studio building, characterized by its simple yet iconic silhouette and striking red doors.

View from the studio building porch, featuring a solitary Adirondack chair beneath the covered area, offering a serene spot to enjoy the picturesque view of Puget Sound

Interior of the Studio building featuring a versatile rolling studio table, designed for easy mobility between indoor workspaces and the outdoors.

Landscape architect Anne C. James crafted an array of outdoor spaces around the main residence, each designed to be enjoyed at different times of the day and throughout the changing seasons. The landscape features a mix of open areas offering expansive views and more secluded spots for quiet reflection. To honor the area’s natural flora, native plantings were chosen to restore and enhance the sensitive shoreline habitat and woodlands.

View of the fire pit on the patio, where large boulders have been thoughtfully incorporated to seamlessly blend with the natural landscape, creating a captivating outdoor space that harmonizes with the surroundings.

serene coastal view on Bainbridge island.

Exterior image highlighting the dining area outside the living room, where the design seamlessly connects indoor and outdoor living spaces, offering a picturesque setting for alfresco dining and entertaining.

the main entry, showcasing a design that offers a clear view through the entire house to the other side upon entering

Inside the main residence, the living and dining areas are spacious, lofty, and light-filled, yet thoughtfully scaled for intimate gatherings through the furnishings. The interiors evoke a collected sense of casual elegance. The woven dining chairs nod to a midcentury beach-inspired aesthetic while the custom trestle table feels like it has a family heirloom presence. Simple sculptural seating for comfort and a monumental stone fireplace integrate the elements. A corner piano and a window seat in the family room offer intimate spots to take in the sheltered views of Mount Rainier and the passing ferries, embodying the home’s tranquil atmosphere.

The living room showcases an open design concept, accentuated by large timber trusses that add a sense of grandeur and rustic charm to the space.

A shot capturing the high ceilings in the living room, highlighting the intricate timber trusses and stunning large-scale custom pendants creating an inviting and impressive atmosphere.

A view through the open concept living and dining area, revealing three sets of double doors that open to the waterfront, seamlessly integrating the indoor and outdoor spaces.

The dining room features a custom Belgian-style trestle table, complemented by mid-century modern-inspired chairs with a beachy vibe.

The kitchen blends functionality and charm, and features a separate peninsula perfectly scaled for reading The New York Times and sipping coffee. The interiors maintain a neutral palette, reflecting the clients’ humble tastes and desire for areas of serenity. To encourage interaction with the kitchen, we added a family room that keeps the cook and conversation connected.

The kitchen features soapstone countertops, brass and bronze fittings, and double-hung windows that offer easy cross ventilation, creating a perfect blend of beach house and farm kitchen vibes.

The island not only serves as a barrier but also provides a platform for the morning newspaper, adding functionality to the design.

The family room serves as a relaxed extension of the kitchen, with views of the Puget Sound and Mt. Rainier on clear days.

The Woodlake Coffee Table in Light Umber by Shoppe Amber Interiors adds a touch of natural elegance to the family room.

The covered porch, an extension of the family room, features hinged window that open fully, creating an indoor-outdoor sanctuary.

The entry foyer becomes a central access and visual road map directing you to the varied areas of the two-story home. Simple furnishings were arranged to create an easy landing spot for keys, packages, and shoes. The darker palette of the Persian rug grounds the entry and plays well with the family dog.

The entry foyer, bright and airy, becomes a central access point, with simple furnishings for a key drop and package storage. A dark Persian rug adds warmth and complements the family dog

An additional photo in the entry showcases the custom stairwell design, highlighting the blend of craftsmanship and architectural elegance in the home's interior

A close-up of the materials in the powder room reveals a honed concrete sink paired with light-stained vertical wood paneling and oil-rubbed bronze finishes, creating a modern yet warm ambiance.

The bedroom elements are designed with details that echo the island’s sensibility, offering relaxation and retreat. We designed the primary bedroom as a simple retreat, just big enough to support the rituals of daily rest and respite. A window seat extends the room, drawing the landscape in with views of the sound beyond.

The primary bedroom is a simple, tranquil space with a window seat that extends into the landscape, offering views of the sound beyond.

The primary bath was designed to feel spa-like within a modestly scaled room. To achieve this, the vanity and whirlpool tub are integrated into aromatic cedar cabinetry and cascading concrete slabs. A large window beside the tub opens fully to the yard, framing views of the water and mountains. Together, the window, glass shower, and custom mirror amplify the natural light and sense of airiness, making the room feel expansive.

In a modest space, the spa-like primary bathroom features integrated vanity and tub, cedar cabinetry, and a large window with water views.

The client wanted a more playful office. With artisan furniture and hand-woven carpet, we brought lively color and shape to her workspace.

The client desired a more playful office space. Artisan furniture and hand-woven carpet were incorporated to add color and shape, creating a vibrant workspace.

The sunroom nods to the screened sleeping porches of old farmhouses, a discovered room that plays with the idea of an enclosed outdoor space. It also has some of the best views in the house—panoramic vistas across Puget Sound from Mt. Rainier to downtown Seattle. Little wonder the family’s daughter quickly claimed it as her own.

The seating area in this room, designed as a classic sleeping porch, offers a treehouse-like ambiance with its unfinished cedar paneling and expansive windows.

The bed in this room, once an extra lounge space, now serves as a cozy retreat with views of the lower pine boughs and the cityscape across the sound, capturing the essence of a waterfront treehouse

The guest room, located upstairs, is bright and airy with pops of green and blue accents. It features a window seat offering awesome views, adding to its inviting charm.

The main entry exterior features large stone steps, a water feature, and an open patio space, creating a welcoming and serene outdoor ambiance.

The exterior photo captures the family room, featuring double doors and a large-scale hanging pendant.

The family room is designed to be cozy and moody, perfect for watching movies and creating a relaxed atmosphere.

A movie room with a view onto the front patio, offering both entertainment and a connection to the outdoor space for a well-rounded experience.

The courtyard features natural cleft bluestone, sawn not snapped, for a natural touch to the outdoor space.

The house stands as a testament to the couple’s vision and the collaborative efforts of the design team. With seamless integration into the island landscape and thoughtful interior spaces inviting the outdoors in, the home embodies a timeless sense of tranquility. As architect Steve Hoedemaker notes, the house is a “good citizen of time,” blending richness, history, and maturity to create a truly ageless dwelling on Bainbridge Island.

The waterside of the home features natural shingles and a metal roof, embodying a timeless architectural design that harmonizes with its waterfront setting.

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