Shingle-Style Remodel: Photo Gallery
A cramped cottage rises to the occasion: Traditional materials and steeply sloped rooflines transform a boxy cabin into a modern farmhouse with a flexible floor plan.
The 2018 Best Remodel Award goes to Matthew Swett of Taproot Architects in Langley, Washington. The existing structure on the property was a one-story cabin with an uncovered outdoor living space that went unused much of the time. The remodeled house is everything the old structure was not. Designed in the farmhouse style, it has a covered porch, soaring gables, and an all-wood exterior that glows with inviting warmth. The wood’s natural finish is complemented by the dark tones of the windows and roof, giving the exterior a simple yet striking appearance. The windows have traditional divided lites, but in most cases they’re limited to the top sash for uninterrupted views of the Puget Sound.
Click the Launch Gallery button below for a slideshow of photos, and check out the full article, “Sound Design,” in FHB issue #275.
Before photos courtesy of the homeowners. After photographs by Michael Stadler, courtesy of the homeowners.
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Kathy and David’s recently remodeled home on Whidbey Island, Wash., has steeply-sloped metal roofs and a wraparound porch that give it a farmhouse look. The exterior is finished with red-cedar shingles and dark-painted windows and trim.
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Measuring about 800 sq. ft., the existing cabin on the site had small bedrooms and a small bathroom. It also lacked a real entry—you arrived through a pair of French patio doors.
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The original structure had a large deck for entertaining, but it was uncovered, making it unusable for much of the year.
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To make the outdoor space more useful during the rainy season, the remodeled house has a large wraparound porch on the south and west elevations. The porch creates a perfect spot for entertaining and watching sunsets.
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The new house now has an easily recognizable and welcoming entry. Once inside, there are hooks and baskets for stowing coats and other outdoor gear. The built-in is made from reclaimed Douglas fir.
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A propane fireplace in the first-floor living space provides ambiance, plus it can provide heat during routine power outages caused by winter storms. The windows have divided-lite sashes, consistent with a farmhouse look, but because the divided lights are mostly limited to the upper sash, they don’t obstruct the view.
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Douglas-fir kitchen cabinets built on site using reclaimed material, soapstone countertops, and a double-bowl farm sink are consistent with the home’s farmhouse aesthetic.
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The first-floor weaving room is designed to work as a bedroom should the owners become unable to use the steps to reach the upstairs master bedroom. Double sliding doors can provide privacy or a wide-open connection to the rest of the house.
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The stair not only connects the levels of the house—on its landing is an inviting seating nook. Underneath the landing is the 8-ft. by 10-ft. laundry room. The balustrade repeats a diamond motif seen in other details.
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The upstairs includes a second seating area with a propane fireplace.
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A small seating area in the second-floor master bedroom provides a quiet place for having a cup of coffee while taking in the water views.
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The second-floor bathroom includes a cast-iron clawfoot tub and a walk-in shower.
