Previous Project
Pear Point Residence
- Location San Juan Islands, Washington
- Type Residential
- Services Architecture | Interior Design | Product Design
On a four acre site in the San Juan Islands in Washington, these homeowners planned a main home and a guesthouse. The guesthouse came first, but the two homes speak to one another clearly in siting, design and materials. In design collaboration with Allied8 architects.
The site is gently sloped, and towards the top end, the two homes are sited next to another facing the horizon in a clear statement of relationship. A ramp continues the site’s natural slope to the guest house’s entry, lifting the visitor off the ground onto the first floor. At 1,200 SF, the guest house is restrained in scale relative to the site. Upon entry, the kitchen emerges to the left with the living beyond, the primary bedroom is ahead, and the bath to the right.
Because the homeowners are also boat owners, they are accustomed to things having their own, crafted place to belong. In a play on this efficiency, many elements in the guesthouse are built-in and custom-made by the Grayscale team. The living, for example, is anchored by a built-in sofa, and everything in it has its place: the side tables, cushions, ottomans. Storage is built-in throughout the space with custom walnut cabinetry to maximize the livability of the small home.
Another anchoring element in the space is the kitchen, which emerges from the staircase on the left side, but doesn’t stretch all the way up. The team forfeited upper cabinets to make the visual connection to the view early and let light travel further into the home. Custom cabinetry is accented with pops of chartreuse and lime green.
The bedroom is separated from the rest of the space by a custom, gray macrame screen, and inside the bedroom a custom bed, headboard, and large credenza all speak the same design language. Downstairs, a TV room and an office emerges, as well as a laundry room and bathroom. An outdoor area covered by the deck above creates shade on warm days, and protects from the rain.
Main House
The main house opens into the great room and kitchen. In the open layout, the two are connected, but a custom screen creates a semi-transparent barrier anchored to custom casework. Connected to the kitchen is a garden terrace, protected from the wind that can prevail on the front side of the home, and behind the kitchen is the primary suite, laundry, and powder room. The far side of the garden terrace is connected to the guest suite, and a mudroom going out to the garage.
The homeowners bring a lot of colorful art to this space, so the main house interiors aim to set the stage with more muted colors. Referencing the guest house, walnut is incorporated, but sparingly–stained oak plays center stage here. The great room is anchored by a brick-clad fireplace and a custom window seat, and accented with custom furniture. Designed to facilitate aging-in-place, the home is easily accessible and was kept on a single level.
The two homes work together to create a property that will serve the homeowners, their friends and children over generations. Connected in design language and siting, the two homes each serve their tailored purpose for the family in a reflection combining the site with the identity of the homeowners.
Project Team
Interior Architect: Grayscale Design Studio Shell and Core Architect: Allied8 Architecture Landscape Architect: Site Workshop General Contractor: Ravenhill Construction
