Whether you’ve fantasized about island living or are seeking a sleek, turnkey vacation retreat, this Guemes Island home might just be the perfect fit. Tucked into 2.5 acres of old-growth cedar and spruce on Guemes Island in the San Juan Islands of northwest Washington, the 1,185-square-foot abode was thoughtfully built over 15 years by a married couple.
The two-level home rests on a lush property surrounded by 80-foot-tall trees. Simple black steel siding lends texture to the home’s facade.
After living on various islands in the San Juans for three years, Eric and Wendy finally decided it was time to buy property on the land they fell in love with. Having only a tight budget to work with, the couple spent a few years simply searching for the right site.
The home’s open floor plan allows for easy flow between the living room and kitchen. Tall ceilings make the property feel much larger than its actual size.
“We wanted land and privacy, but never considered waterfront or water views as it was just too darn expensive and the land too small,” explains Eric. “Thus, we looked for a bit of land that was dry and had a few neighbors with good wells. The land we bought was perfect—high (dry), center island (good water), and covered in 80′ cedar and spruce.”
Expansive doors open the the kitchen up to the forest on two sides.
Once the couple closed on the land, they turned to their friend, architect Cara Piscitello, who had just graduated from architecture school a few years prior. “We asked her to design the house, then worked with her for about a year collaborating,” says Eric.
The long kitchen table, which can comfortably sit eight, has been handcrafted from salvaged cedar. Birch and chalkboard barn doors effortlessly hide any unwanted clutter.
“At the time, we were broke and had no budget so the design process was centered around keeping the home simple, inexpensive, and easy to maintain,” states Eric. Aside from painting the drywall a crisp white shade, the couple have kept the space open and raw. “We didn’t want to paint the trim around the doors, windows, floors, or ceilings—instead we wanted to stay true to the materials and leave everything as is.”
The living room, located just steps away from the kitchen, offers ample seating. The leather couch, wood furniture, and polished concrete floors allow for easy cleaning.
When asked how long the residence took to build, Eric jokingly adds: “A whole lot of time—like really long. We’ve probably put in anywhere between 5,000 and 10,000 hours of our own labor, on top of the builders who built the shell, and Cara, the architect who helped with the design.”
A fir beam stairway leads to the second floor. Open shelving provides additional storage.
In the main bedroom, fir floors and simple fixtures add to the minimal design. Custom-set windows thoughtfully frame the nearby forest.
After tenderly crafting the home for 15 years, the couple are saying goodbye to the property so they can start a new adventure in Barcelona, Spain. “Knowing that we built this residence just makes me smile,” Eric notes. “It’s truly a reflection of our lifestyle and needs—it fits us, and other folks have enjoyed it, too.”
Steps from the bed is a private balcony, providing a cozy spot to soak up the tranquil setting.
Scroll ahead to see more of the stunning home, currently on the market for $513,000.
Cable railings extend across the open loft area, while open shelving houses colorful art.
On the other side of the open loft is a quiet yet spacious office with custom birch storage.
A built-in Murphy bed easily converts the office into a private guest room.
A pop-out nook on the second floor provides a cozy place to curl up with a book.
Speckled blue floor-to-ceiling tiles line the spacious bathroom shower, which also includes polished concrete and richly textured wood ceilings.
Surrounded by a thick forest, the property has a lovely private picnic area. The low-maintenance meadow grass does not require any mowing.
There’s something about a predominantly white kitchen that sets our hearts aflutter: its bright, crisp aesthetic can make a home feel more expansive and bring a sense of calm. Many homeowners, however, tend to be a little skittish about white kitchens, as they have a reputation for being difficult to maintain and keep clean.
This isn’t necessarily the case—at least not with the following seven tips. Don’t let a little grease and grime deter you from installing the white cabinetry, counters, sinks, and appliances of your dreams. Read on to find out how to keep your white kitchen at its most brilliant.
1. Protect Cabinetry and Work Surfaces From Direct Sunlight
Direct sunlight can cause white cabinets or laminated surfaces to turn yellow. To prevent this, install curtains or blinds, or tinted glass windows, to protect your cabinetry and worktops from strong sunlight.
Tinted glass windows protect this white kitchen’s luminous sheen.
2. Always Turn On the Exhaust Fan
Grease particles from cooking are the biggest cause of staining in kitchens over time. To stop grease from accumulating on your cabinets and counters, switch on the exhaust fan or range hood as soon as you begin cooking.
An apartment in the heart of the historical center of Beaune boasts a white kitchen.
3. Clean Cupboards With Vinegar and Baking Soda
To keep your white cupboards looking bright and fresh, create a cleaning solution with one cup of vinegar, one tablespoon of baking soda, and two cups of warm water. Dip a rag in this solution, wring out the access liquid, then wipe down your cupboards. Do this at least once a month.
A cleansing solution of vinegar, baking soda, and water prevents staining in white kitchens.
4. Soak Sinks in Bleach
White sinks can look grimy pretty quickly, and the best way to prevent signs of wear is through household bleach. To prevent it from running straight down the drain, line the bottom of your sink with paper towels, then wet them with bleach. Leave the bleach-soaked towels for about half an hour, then remove them, and rinse the sink with warm water. If you’d rather not use bleach for sink stains, one natural alternative is to fill your sink with club soda and lemon juice, let the solution soak, then rise with warm water.
A bleach bath lifts stains from white sinks.
5. Brush Away Tile Grout
If your kitchen has a white tile backsplash, any dirt that accumulates on the grout will seem more obvious, so be sure to take care of this regularly. Create a paste with baking soda and water, and apply it to the grout. Put some vinegar into a spray bottle, and spritz a coat of vinegar onto the paste, then scrub the grout with a toothbrush and rinse off the mixture.
Keep your white backsplash, such as Porcelain and More finish, free of grimy grout lines.
6. Remove Stains From Laminates
To get rid of stains on white laminate counters, mix household cleaning detergent with baking soda—one part detergent to three parts baking soda usually does the trick—and apply this solution directly onto stains, then scrub everything down with a nylon brush. Wipe the countertop with a damp cloth, then dry the surfaces quickly, as laminates are sensitive to excessive moisture.
Neutral colors and streamlined appliances like the Miele oven, stovetop, and refrigerator, along with the Espace Cuisine cabinets, create an elevated interior.
7. Prevent and Remove Stains From Natural Stone Surfaces
Natural stone surfaces like marble or granite are porous, meaning they absorb liquid much more quickly than stone composite or laminate surfaces, so clean any spillage immediately so that it doesn’t seep into your counters. If a stain does develop, one way you can get rid of it is with a solution of hydrogen peroxide with a smidge of ammonia.
Onda barstools by Stua from Design Within Reach surround a 13-foot Calacatta marble island. Custom white aluminum cabinets float above the kitchen appliances by Miele with a stovetop from Wolf and a range hood by Airmec Bello.
Want more kitchen inspiration? See 30 White Kitchens That Are Anything But Ordinary.
It’s a tequila takeover in Seminyak! Bali welcomes new “bosses” to the island as Los Jefes Tequila Bar and Kitchen sets up shop in the heart of the vibrant neighbourhood, serving authentic Mexican delicacies topped with delicious craft cocktails.
Open sinceDecember 2019, Los Jefes (Spanish for “The Bosses”) is quite transparent whenit comes to what they offer to the table: simple Mexican delights, in a fun,well-lit establishment where tacos and tequila are given equal spotlight! LosJefes is particularly proud of housing the island’s most wide-ranging tequilacollection and to add to that, they feature a unique “Build Your Own Margarita”menu, whereby guests are able to mix and match ingredients to their liking — intotal, there are up to four thousand different combinations possible! Toaccompany this margarita madness, Executive Chef Ivan Chavarria – a native ofMexico’s food capital of Puebla – serves up authentic Mexican comfort food,from ceviche and nachos to burritos, quesadillas and tacos.
Los Jefes offers an “eat, pray, love” experience, Latin-style, with tasty food, striking Mexican artwork and staff members you’ll enjoy conversing with. “Less hate. More love. More tacos. More tequila,” the tagline says it all.
Los Jefes Tequila Bar and Kitchen
Jalan Raya Seminyak No.2A, Seminyak, Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361
+62 361 300 3432
losjefesbali.com
NOW Bali Editorial Team
This article has been written or uploaded by NOW! Bali’s in-house editorial team.
This article has been written or uploaded by NOW! Bali’s in-house editorial team.