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Beautiful Waterfront Family Retreat With A Coastal Interior Design

By Simona Ganea
Simona Ganea on Homedit
Simona Ganea Interior Design & Content Contributor
Simona is an interior design and décor writer for Homedit. Since 2011, she has been writing about interior design, DIY solutions, and the latest trends in home architecture.
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Useless Bay in Washington is a beautiful location for waterfront cabins and seasonal retreats but it’s also an area that presents certain particular challenges. It’s here that the architects at Hoedemaker Pfeiffer were commissioned to build a family home to take the place of an old cabin that had been passed from generation to generation. The site is on a 100 year old manmade spit which creates a separation between the freshwater wetland on one side and the open waters on the other.

The raised piers provide a durable and sturdy anchor for the elevated structure
The raised piers provide a durable and sturdy anchor for the elevated structure

The building regulations in this area dictated that all structures must meet the highest of flood regulations due to the fact that storms in the winter can flood the waterfront properties with corrosive saltwater. As a result, the architects came up with a design which elevates the house on concrete piers and allows the water to freely pass through underneath it.

The house is fully open to the views but also the winds coming from the south-west
The house is fully open to the views but also the winds coming from the south-west

The entire structure also had to be resilient and durable in order to withstand the strong winds from the south-west. At the same time, it had to be a pleasant retreat, a place where family and friends could gather in small and big groups to enjoy the scenery, the fresh air and the relaxed atmosphere. All of that translates into a casual and welcoming beach-style interior design with light and breezy colors and simple finishes. The interior design is also very symmetrical up to the point where the great room has two fireplaces on opposite walls and is flanked by identical bedrooms. The walls are clad in whitewashed spruce wood and the floors are polished concrete which creates a modern coastal vibe throughout the house.

At the center there's a spacious great room with lots of windows that flood it with natural light
At the center there’s a spacious great room with lots of windows that flood it with natural light
The kitchen is part of the central living room, being positioned between the seating areas
The kitchen is part of the central living room, being positioned between the seating areas
The ceiling beams stand out and contrast with the whitewashed spruce cladding on the walls and ceiling
The ceiling beams stand out and contrast with the whitewashed spruce cladding on the walls and ceiling
There are two fireplaces in the great room which add symmetry to the interior design
There are two fireplaces in the great room which add symmetry to the interior design
The kitchen is a very inviting space with a retro design and elegant marble countertops
The kitchen is a very inviting space with a retro design and elegant marble countertops
The bedrooms are positioned on either side of the great room, once again reinforcing the symmetry of the design
The bedrooms are positioned on either side of the great room, once again reinforcing the symmetry of the design
The materials and the finishes throughout the house were chosen to withstand heavy use but also to look beautiful
The materials and the finishes throughout the house were chosen to withstand heavy use but also to look beautiful
All the rooms have a coastal feel to them combined with a cozy cabin-inspired look
All the rooms have a coastal feel to them combined with a cozy cabin-inspired look
A reading nook was set up in front of a window, furnished with charming retro pieces
A reading nook was set up in front of a window, furnished with charming retro pieces
The covered deck is made of resilient hardwood and provides a panoramic view of the bay area
The covered deck is made of resilient hardwood and provides a panoramic view of the bay area

Photos: Andrew Giammarco