A Charming Vacation Home in the Pacific Northwest Blends Modern and Classic Design

Located on Washington's tranquil Camano Island, this newly constructed vacation residence embodies a perfect blend of modernity and tradition, seamlessly integrating indoor and outdoor spaces, all thanks to the thoughtful design by Shannon Adamson.

Shannon shares, "My client, an octogenarian matriarch, has cherished this bluff-top property for years. She previously built a house here three decades ago, but it never fulfilled her vision. So, she decided to replace it with a lasting family vacation home." For this endeavor, she collaborated with local architects from Designs Northwest Architects.

This residence strays from the typical approach of many new constructions by embracing classic design elements. "Their architectural vision leaned towards a traditional aesthetic, featuring elegantly pitched roofs, natural stone, and impressive ceiling heights," notes Shannon. Her challenge was to infuse personality into the bright, airy spaces. "I relished the opportunity to create a 6000 square foot home that feels as if it has stood the test of time."

Shannon partnered with Holbeck Construction to enhance the house's architectural details, a vital step in adding warmth and charm—from the entryway's wall paneling to the moldings around doors and windows. "Since this home is intended to be a legacy for generations, I focused on classic architectural details that would withstand the test of time," she explains.

"The selected moldings were thoughtfully chosen for their scale and intricacy," she continues. "I avoided overly ornate designs, but knew the window and door trims were essential architectural features for the home."

In terms of the color scheme, furniture styles, and patterns, the surrounding natural beauty played a pivotal role. "The house is enveloped by windswept evergreens and stunning ocean views, so harmonizing the design with the scenery was crucial," Shannon explains. She incorporated deep greens, rich browns, soft seafoam greens, and light clay tones balanced by warm neutrals. The aim was to reflect the outdoor ambiance within.

Shannon adds, "My client wanted to incorporate aspects from a 1920s homesteader's log cabin on the property, made from local trees and stones."

Her design inspiration also draws from her experiences abroad. "During my internship in Edinburgh, I worked on Scottish country houses and adapted those classical interior details through a Pacific Northwest perspective," she recalls.

Shannon emphasizes that despite the home's expansive size, she aimed to create an inviting, cabin-like atmosphere with abundant wood details. This is particularly evident in the entryway, where wall paneling crafted from Douglas fir by All Finish Carpentry makes a striking impression.

"The entryway was designed to establish the overall tone of the home, highlighting the rich wood tones in the paneling," Shannon states. "A sage green tartan runner was chosen to brighten the space and introduce a splash of color."

The living room serves as a central gathering spot for the family, anchored by a grand wood-burning fireplace. "This space was designed for comfort and durability, perfect for large family get-togethers, including pets," Shannon explains.

Crafted by stonemason Roger Garcia, the fireplace mimics that of the existing log cabin on the property. "To achieve the desired look, stonemasons hand-selected individual stones to create a sample board for the client to review," Shannon describes. "From there, he sourced stones from a local quarry, meticulously choosing those that matched the color scheme and shape. It was an extraordinary endeavor and one of my favorite aspects of the project."

Furniture selections were made to balance the room's generous dimensions. "The high ceiling features wooden planks and large beams, so the furniture needed to visually stabilize the space," Shannon recalls. "The expansive seating area contributes to this balance, while fabric colors were inspired by the stones from the fireplace."

While the impressive stone fireplace and warm wood tones create a cozy, historic ambiance, the expansive sliding glass doors introduce a contemporary element. "This amount of glass invites sunlight, especially in the afternoon," she notes. "To manage lighting, we combined interior window treatments (motorized draperies) with exterior options (a large motorized solar roller shade). This allows the client to regulate sunlight and protects the furnishings from fading when the house is unoccupied."

Located between the living room and kitchen, the dining room design faced the challenge of its towering ceilings. "At about 25 feet high, these ceilings are much taller than standard lighting," Shannon points out. "Fortunately, the team at Holbeck Construction and I had previously addressed a similar issue. We created a suspended 'beam' that allowed us to route power closer to the table. The fabric drum pendants provide a soft, even light over the dining space."

The kitchen exudes a cozy and inviting atmosphere due to its lower ceiling, which mirrors the Douglas fir beams found in the entryway.

Shannon remarks, "Designing the kitchen was a delight. The green cabinetry was inspired by the on-site log cabin, which features cheerful billiard-table-green cabinets. I softened the green tones to resonate with the surrounding evergreens. The backsplash profile complements the decorative corbels at the beam edges."

"Additionally, there's a spacious pantry tucked behind the kitchen, designed to hold various dishes, picnic essentials, and other items for large gatherings," she adds.

Shannon describes this room as a retreat for her client, a cozy spot during family gatherings for relaxation and reading. "The English arm sofa is inviting and ideal for napping, while the armchair doubles as a concealed recliner," she adds.

One of Shannon's favorite spaces in the finished home, she drew heavily from British design influences, playing with patterns in a way that feels bold in the Pacific Northwest.

"New constructions often risk feeling sterile, so I seek ways to infuse a sense of history and character," Shannon notes, turning to antique furnishings for this powder room.

"This spacious powder room accommodated a stunning English Arts & Crafts antique cabinet, which required minimal adjustments to function as a sink cabinet. We topped it with a stunning marble that the client adored from Meta Marble & Granite."

Shannon explains, "This suite belongs to my client's son and daughter-in-law, who participated in the design process and have a more contemporary style. I chose furnishings with clean lines and beach-inspired wood tones for their suite."

The adjoining bathroom continues the suite's contemporary aesthetic with sleek surfaces, featuring a stained cherry wood vanity and Quartzite countertops.

Even with its modern touch, the wood accents throughout the bathroom resonate with the home's theme. "The wood elements infuse warmth and evoke a sense of history, aligning with the client's vision for a cabin-like ambiance," Shannon remarks.

This bathroom not only looks elegant but also incorporates accessibility features. "Early discussions with the client focused on reducing the shower size to ensure a grab bar is always within reach, custom-made in beautiful unlacquered brass," Shannon recounts. "We also opted for slip-resistant tiles and designed the cabinet doors below the sink to swing open for wheelchair access."

Shannon hopes this bathroom exemplifies that accessibility can coexist with beauty.

Shannon describes the built-in bunk beds, crafted by local artisan Juggernaut Woodworking, as a standout feature of this adaptable space. "Designed for versatility, this room can accommodate energetic kids, several families, or college students. Located on the upper floor, it provides a distinct hangout space for children."

"This isn't the first bunk room we've collaborated on, so we incorporated elements that resonate with the overall design, including bracket and corbel details on the upper bunks, along with recessed shelves near the lower beds and charging outlets for devices," she adds.

Considering the home's stunning location, designing the outdoor spaces was equally essential. Shannon notes, "Even though the family enjoys this home throughout the year, summer is when its beauty truly shines. A spacious west-facing deck spans the length of the house, featuring a custom barbecue area and ample seating for gatherings."

"The deck is designed to maximize views of the sea and nearby Whidbey Island. The expansive sliding doors provide a seamless indoor-outdoor experience from the living room, an aspect I expect the client will fully utilize during the summer months."

For Shannon, the success of this home is rooted in the collaborative nature of the design journey. "The finished images don't capture the multitude of hands that contributed to building this project—those who installed tiles, crafted cabinets, designed furniture, wove carpets, and sewn draperies. After 22 years in this profession, the building process and collaboration remain my favorite aspects of design."