Design Drool: A Coastal Retreat on Bainbridge Island

Have you ever wanted to live on the coast? On an island? In a small town? How about all three?

Owned by avid boaters, this nautical cottage home is located on Bainbridge Island on the shores of Port Madison and directly west of downtown Seattle, WA. This scenic Pacific Northwestern cottage is not only in a fantastic location, but the recently built structure is charming as well as progressive. In fact, the house's design was inspired by a home from Coastal Living magazine.

Bainbridge Island houses a small community of about 20,000 people, most of whom likely enjoy a lifestyle that includes boating, fishing, hiking and a love of nature. I mean, you have got to love rain if you live anywhere near Seattle. The charm and quaintness of downtown Bainbridge will rival any New England small town, and the island is very walkable.

The home was designed to resemble a timeless beach cottage, but updated inside with modern conveniences and a few special details. As you walk up, you are greeted on the large sustainably-farmed Brazilian redwood deck with a beautiful glass front door that features a custom-etched nautical compass with accurate orientation created by a local Island artist.

Inside, the home features three bedrooms and three baths, a great room (40' long!) with a beautiful indoor/outdoor dining space, a modern kitchen, laundry room and a lower and upper deck.

The detached garage/guest house rivals most single family homes at a whopping 800-square-feet! It's a 1-bedroom, 1 ¾ bath suite with its own deck and a two-car garage -- perfect for mother-in-laws who tend to overstay their welcome!

The Brazilian redwood decks on the home are the perfect setting for relaxation or a morning coffee and newspaper. For me, this feels like a getaway rather than a home. I can't imagine living in a house that always makes me feel like I'm on vacation. I wonder how the owners get any work done?

Some of the home's more charming features are in the bathrooms. The vintage-style tile and slatted wood cabinetry make it feel cottage-y while still being fresh, clean and updated. That Jacuzzi tub ain't so bad, either.

The kitchen has a built-in vacuum system (I always wanted one of those), a huge pantry, gourmet appliances and even a magnetic chalkboard pantry door for your kids' drawings or a grocery list.


The laundry room also serves as a mudroom and also has the same vintage feel as the master bath with a black and white tile floor, beautiful moldings and slatted wood cabinetry. The color is also soothing. Soothing enough to make me enjoy doing laundry? Maybe.

Overall, this is quite the getaway, that is, if you want to get away every day. It's up for sale at BrainbridgeCoastalLiving.com.