Beach House

This project was part of Terrain's - Studio Terrain division. Construction started on January 1st and was move-in ready for crabbing season in the summer. See here the before photos built in 1944 as a small beach cottage and remodeled in the 1950's as a mid-century timber frame beach house. The designers worked carefully to save the existing timber structure, sanding down the beams and curating a mid-century beach look.

The existing stone fireplaces were painted white and recycled teak was found to line the loft edges. The kitchen doors were custom made to reflect whitewash beach wood and the custom organic wood handles were made by an artist in the UK. The whitewashed, wide-plank wood floors were sourced from Castle Bespoke Flooring out of Oregon. The T&G clear cedar siding and interior wood lining, ideal for Pacific NW weather, was carefully preserved. The entire HVAC, plumbing and electrical was replaced and redesigned for modern living. LED accent lighting was installed in every room creating the perfect ambient atmosphere using a 2700 Kelvin rating.

Outside the mid-century landscape style was carefully designed to provide low-maintenance, beach-proof materials using IPE decking that is cool in the sun and requires no staining. Artificial grass, helpful to clean sandy feet before entering the house, was installed below the decking as an expanded entertainment space. The deck was designed to double as a casual sitting bench for large gatherings or the furniture can be quickly rearranged for a more intimate setting. An outdoor shower with hot and cold water was designed to mimic a tropical setting. Corten steel was used on the planters and fire pit creating several outdoor rooms. The hot tub was inset into the ground to keep a low-profile look, but set just feet from the sea. Small pea gravel was selected for the area adjoining the sea wall as it doesn’t track on feet and maintains a organic wave-like appearance.

The high bulkhead, stairs and sandy beach means the owners can bring their sea plane or their Puget Sound fishing boat directly to the edge of the stairs. Terrain designed custom paddleboard racks and kayak storage. Flood lights were installed on the bulkhead wall allowing the owners to light up the entire beach for end of the day clean up or to watch the nighttime wildlife.

Today this 4 bedroom 4 bath home boasts of a boutique organic, luxury feel and provides a lifestyle of its own. The unique property owns the Madrona tree slope up above and tidelands down below for over an acre and half of Pacific Northwest serenity in the middle of a busy city.