BY VICTORIA VAN VLEAR
A weekend home on the edge of an island
should have views of both the ocean and the mountains—but if they don’t, it’s time for a remodel. Architects Joseph Herrin and Ben Humphrey of Heliotrope Architects came on board to help a family transform their vacation home on Orcas Island, off the coast of Washington state. “The home sits on a stunning piece of property with panoramic views, yet it did not take advantage of them,” Joseph says. “The bedrooms upstairs had little or no view, and a fireplace and BBQ sat in the middle of the view downstairs with small windows on either side.” The home had other problems too, including outdated finishes, water infiltration and small layouts.
For the refinished design, the team focused on farm cottage aesthetics, which were original to the house. “Our approach was a surgical one, addressing weaknesses while holding onto the strengths, while introducing the contemporary intervention of floor-to-ceiling windows and doors at public areas, allowing for a seamless outdoor connection,” Joseph says.