Island View Estate

Skagit Valley, Washington / Whole Home Renovation

2024

Aerial view of the home above its gardens and stone path, with fields and hills beyond

Set against expansive views of the Skagit Valley, Island View Estate was a comprehensive whole-home renovation focused on transforming both the architecture and experience of the existing home.

Beyond Finishes

The renovation went far beyond finishes. Several interior walls were moved or removed to completely rethink the flow of the main level, the fireplace was relocated, and the kitchen and adjoining living spaces were reconfigured to create better sightlines, stronger connections between rooms, and a more natural way of living throughout the home.

Covered front porch with white columns, stacked stone, glowing lanterns, and a black-framed glass entry door
Entry with a curved staircase in black treads and balusters, opening toward the sunlit living room
Open great room where timber posts and beams define the living, dining, and kitchen zones

The Kitchen

At the center of the renovation, the kitchen was completely redesigned with custom inset cabinetry, marble countertops, cast iron sinks, and unlacquered brass plumbing fixtures and hardware. Handmade tile extends across the kitchen wall, adding subtle texture and movement while reinforcing the collected, timeless character of the home. A contrasting dark island grounds the lighter cabinetry and creates a natural gathering place within the open living spaces.

A dedicated butler’s pantry and scullery were also added, providing additional prep space, storage, and functionality while allowing the main kitchen to remain open and visually refined.

Kitchen island in dark wood with carved stools, facing a plaster range hood and brass pendants
Kitchen sink wall in glossy handmade tile with a cast iron sink, brass faucet, and dark island beyond
Butler’s pantry with dark floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, veined stone counters, and brass hardware
Scullery with butcher block counters, white cabinetry, and open shelving beneath a bright window

Materials That Develop Character

Throughout the home, we intentionally chose materials that would develop character rather than feel overly new or pristine. Unlacquered brass was carried throughout, creating a finish that will naturally patina with time. Natural stone, marble, handmade tile, warm wood, and other tactile materials bring depth and permanence to the otherwise light and restrained palette.

Dining room with wide-plank oak floors, a natural wood table, cane chairs, and a black iron chandelier

The Great Room Reconsidered

The fireplace relocation allowed us to completely reconsider the great room. New built-ins, arched niches, millwork, and architectural detailing were introduced to give the room greater balance and character, while warm wood beams help define the open spaces and bring warmth to the home’s vaulted architecture.

Vaulted living room with the relocated fireplace, cane-back chairs, and French doors opening to the lawn
Fireplace wall with arched niches, custom millwork, and dark lower cabinets
Living room seating arranged beneath a timber frame, with the dining room beyond

Secondary Spaces

Natural materials continue into the home’s secondary spaces. Stone flooring adds texture and durability, while the primary bathroom incorporates marble tile for a timeless, elevated finish. In another bathroom, tumbled tile flooring introduces an aged, textural quality that complements the home’s more refined materials without making the spaces feel overly formal.

Primary bath with a freestanding tub beneath a picture window and an arched, marble-tiled shower

The Larger Architectural Story

The renovation also included new flooring, a complete interior paint transformation, updated lighting, millwork, plumbing fixtures, hardware, finishes, and furnishings. Each selection was considered as part of the larger architectural story rather than as an individual decorative moment.

The result is a home that feels dramatically transformed while still belonging to its original setting—a layered, timeless interior where old-world materials, thoughtful architectural changes, and modern functionality come together against the backdrop of the Skagit Valley.

The home at twilight, warm light in the windows beneath a deep burgundy tree
Aerial view at dusk across the fields toward the mountains and water beyond

From Concept to Closing

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