Vashon Island

Modern Island House

Designed for "empty nesters" as a full-time home and frequent gathering place for their friends and extended family, Vashon Island balances open, communal living with opportunities for the quiet retreat that is unique to island living. The house sits atop a wooded shoreline bluff, looking out over Quartermaster Harbor and Vashon Island beyond. Living spaces have been carefully arranged to take advantage of views and to maximize natural light. Simple, iconic forms and thoughtful use of natural wood finishes, glulam beams and blackened steel gives the house the livable, contemporary northwest styling the clients were after.

Living On Vashon

“The house needed to support two different kinds of living: open, shared time together with friends and family, and the quieter, more private moments of refuge that are part of island life. At the same time, both needed a strong connection to the harbor and views beyond.”

Brian Palmberg, Principal

To the Harbor

The home is planned so both shared and private spaces turn toward Quartermaster Harbor and Vashon Island beyond. On the ground level, the main living areas are elongated to take advantage of natural light and long views across the water. On the upper level, bedrooms and more quiet spaces carry that same orientation upward, giving the whole house a connection to the bluff and shoreline.

The result is a plan where the view becomes part of daily life across both levels. Whether gathering with family or stepping away for quiet, the home remains oriented toward the surroundings that define the site.

Vashon Island Beach House Dining, Modern Island Beach House, Custom Home Design by BellCraft Architects
Vashon Island Beach House Kitchen, Modern Island Beach House, Custom Home Design by BellCraft Architects