Evening view to the water from San Juan Islands, WA.

San juans retreat

Patterned after the client’s childhood summer home on a California beach, this house in the San Juan Islands is the perfect blend of nostalgia and place. The owner and architect collaborated to replicate key elements of the old beach house—the oversized dutch door, maritime light fixtures, and bunkroom with ping pong table—while creating a wholly new place true to the Pacific Northwest. Nestled amongst rock outcroppings, madrona and fir trees, this house feels like an integral part of the natural landscape.

Timber posts and beams subdivide the main gathering space into three distinct parts: a dining room overlooking a favorite cove to the north; a central seating area organized around a massive stone fireplace; and an informal gaming and reading space with a south-facing bay window. The house has become a weekend getaway and a favorite place for reunions with family and friends.

Oversized wooden dutch door leads the way into the house; the entryway has a long built-in bench to provide a comfortable arrival to the house.
Exterior photograph of a shingle sided, gable roof beach house, the material choices clearly fits into the natural environment, no disturbance just peacefulness.
Visually heavy architectural and interior choices create the coziest living room for family getaways, timber posts and beams run across the space, stone fireplace pins the warmest spot of the room.
Kitchen with natural wood cabinetry, symmetrically placed windows provide natural light in the space and a generously sized stove and hood give a warm feeling to the space.
Wooden steps lead to an oversized dutch entry door; the covered little porch treats a perfect space to arrive.
Timber posts and beams support structurally the space and visually divide the open floor plan; oversized seating area gathers around a large, stone fireplace.
Cozy bedroom detail shot with stone fireplace and quilted blanket.
Exterior evening photograph of the cabin, the interior lights shine through the windows and give the coziest cabin feeling.

Location: Friday Harbor, WA
Contractor: Orcas Homes
Photography: Laurie Black

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