Samish Island Waterfront
This waterfront home sat on the market for three months before it caught my eye on a Facebook story. I could see that it was stuck in the 80s with lots of wallpaper & dated white oak cabinets. But I could also see incredible views of Padilla Bay as well as 60' of waterfront access & lots of potential.
We purchased it to use as a weekend retreat and short-term rental and made a large number of updates including refinishing the kitchen cabinetry, updating countertops & appliances as well as painting inside & out. It also got a new roof, heating & a small shower was added to the downstairs bath to improve flexibility.
We replaced the outdated fireplace (removing the old stone face on New Year's Day 2024) & I tiled it to give it a fresher feel while respecting the overall cabin aesthetic. While we enjoyed the home immensely, we decided life was too busy to properly use it and were pleased to sell it to a new owner as a full time residence.
We wanted to keep the easy island charm of the cottage without leaning into traditional nautical colors. Right after buying it, we repainted all the red trim in one ambitious day before winter set in. With a brand-new roof and extensive landscaping cleanup, the entire property felt bright, refreshed, and revitalized.
Refreshed paint and updated furniture made the deck a wonderful spot to birdwatch and take in the amazing views. We also spent a good amount of time clearing overgrown flower beds and topping shrubs to increase the view.
Simple changes made a big impact on curb appeal. The addition of multiple loads of gravel and edging stones both widened the dA few thoughtful updates dramatically elevated the home’s curb appeal. Fresh gravel and edging stones widened and defined the driveway, while simple fencing neatly concealed the trash cans and propane tank.
A found piece of local history—an old wooden yoke once used on cart horses hauling lumber—was mounted on the front of the house as a unique focal point. The finishing touch was a hand-painted sign with the cottage’s new name beside the entry, tying the refreshed look together.
Simple changes were made here but they made a big impact. The walls were repainted a light watery gray and the ceiling a bright white which brightened the room considerably. And a cost effective rattan light fixture over the table provided a strong anchor point that worked beautifully with the warm tones of the wood ceiling.
The biggest transformation in this primary bedroom was converting one of the two closets into a stylish desk nook. After removing the doors and hardware, we installed bead board and painted it a deep, rich blue to make the nook a striking focal point. We also removed the dated wallpaper, replaced the carpet, and finished the space with a beautiful origami light fixture for a modern final touch.
I had always wanted to install Marmoleum flooring and was finally able to use it in both bathrooms to great effect. Its durability, easy maintenance, and rich color made it the perfect jumping-off point for the rest of the design. With fresh, bright walls, a new vanity, updated fixtures, and a mirror, each bathroom was transformed into a truly welcoming space.
With budget in mind, we chose to work with the original 80s cabinets by staining them black and adding fresh nickel hardware for a stylish pop. The new light solid-surface countertops instantly brightened and modernized the kitchen. We also removed one bank of drawers to install an 18" dishwasher—an unexpected but welcome bonus in a rental.
We were initially dismayed to find out we would have tear down the rock facing in order to replace the original fireplace. But, it became an opportunity to be creative and the challenge was to find a tile that offered the right mix of modern but worked with the beach cottage aesthetic. The result blended style and function while providing a great focal point.
The original ½ bath doubled as a laundry room with side-by-side machines, but rethinking the layout made all the difference. By switching to a compact stackable unit, we were able to add a small shower—an upgrade that significantly boosted its appeal for both short-term rental and eventual resale.
The second bedroom was small and lacked a strong focal point, so I wanted to create a feature that would make it pop while also feeling more spacious. The painted color band around the room draws the eye outward, visually expanding the space while adding a fun and contemporary design element.
