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Project

Vashon Island retreat: A transformed summer home

Creating a warm and inviting space for friends and family to enjoy.

Living room overlooking a lake
  • Living room overlooking a lake
  • Open plan living space
  • Dining room overlooking a lake
  • Dining and kitchen space
  • White kitchen
  • Kitchen with white cabinets
  • Sunroom
  • Sunroom with wooden beams
  • Living room overlooking a lake
  • Sofa in a green living room
  • Accent chair in a living room
  • Ensuite bathroom with green tiles
  • Bathroom with white tiling

Vashon Island, located just a 20-minute ferry ride from Seattle, is home to a stunning interior design project led by designer Rachel Waldron. The client was looking for a summer and weekend home that could accommodate friends and family, and Waldron and her team breathed new life into an old, neglected home.

The project started with a dilapidated house surrounded by tall cedar trees on one side and breathtaking coastal views on the other. Waldron was inspired by the beautiful setting and aimed to create a home that would embrace the forested Pacific Northwest (PNW) style while acknowledging the coastal views.

Living room overlooking a lake
Photo: Clarity Northwest PhotographyThis sunroom/living room was designed to make the most of the stunning views.
Open plan living space
Photo: Clarity Northwest PhotographyThis open plan living space combines Mid-Century and Pacific Northwest Contemporary styles.

Waldron said, "I love that we were able to breathe new life into an old home while maintaining its integrity and charm." One of her favorite design elements was the continuity of materials and finishes from one space to the next. "Continuity from space to space is one of our design joys," she added.

Continuity from space to space is one of our design joys.

Rachel Waldron

The home now features light and airy spaces to highlight the coastal views, as well as darker "forested" spaces to celebrate the PNW style. The use of natural materials and the incorporation of the surrounding forest and coastal elements creates a cohesive and harmonious design.

Dining room overlooking a lake
Photo: Clarity Northwest PhotographyThis space was designed to embrace the coastal views.

The project is a perfect example of how to create a stunning retreat that embraces its surroundings and offers a warm and inviting space for friends and family to enjoy.

Dining and kitchen space
Photo: Clarity Northwest PhotographyThis open plan dining and kitchen space features a range of mid-century modern and contemporary elements.
White kitchen
Photo: Clarity Northwest PhotographyThis kitchen combines a mix of white cabinets and natural wood finishes.
Kitchen with white cabinets
Photo: Clarity Northwest PhotographyThe white cabinetry features clean lines and contemporary-inspired bar pulls and knobs.
Sunroom
Photo: Clarity Northwest PhotographyMaterials and finishes are carried from one space to the next throughout this home.
Sunroom with wooden beams
Photo: Clarity Northwest PhotographyThe beams that carry from space to space help to bring continuity to the home.
Living room overlooking a lake
Photo: Clarity Northwest PhotographyThis sunroom/living room was designed to make the most of the stunning views.
Sofa in a green living room
Photo: Clarity Northwest PhotographyThis living room celebrates some of the darker "forested" spaces in the Pacific Northwest.
Accent chair in a living room
Photo: Clarity Northwest PhotographyThe accent chair offers the perfect spot to sit back and enjoy the PNW views.
Ensuite bathroom with green tiles
Photo: Clarity Northwest PhotographyThe dark green tiles create an eye-catching contrast in this ensuite bathroom.
Bathroom with white tiling
Photo: Clarity Northwest PhotographyThis bathroom features mid-century modern elements and a natural wood colored vanity to bring some of the PNW style into the space.
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