Perched above Alki Beach with views of Puget Sound, the Alki Lookout is a playful coastal house, newly reimagined for a growing Southern California family. The hillside home looks out to Bainbridge Island and the Olympic Mountains, with the sounds of the shore drifting up. The design balances storage and function with moments of color, texture, and unexpected details, injecting a sense of joy into the space. The home sits on a steep slope above Alki Beach, oriented toward wide territorial views of the Puget Sound, Bainbridge Island, and the Olympic Mountains.
The site is close enough to the shoreline that the sound of waves is a constant presence. Ospreys are frequent visitors, and whales can occasionally be spotted offshore, reinforcing the home’s direct connection to its coastal setting. Dating back to 1910 as a log cabin, the house had been previously remodeled twice, resulting in a design that felt traditional and disconnected from both the surrounding environment and the owners' style. The project involved a complete house remodel, emphasizing spatial clarity, upgraded finishes, and better storage solutions.
Key changes included reorganizing the kitchen to highlight the view and facilitate a more social dining atmosphere. The primary suite was reimagined to maximize storage while preserving an airy, well-lit feel. Furthermore, all bathrooms were fully updated, with each space receiving its own distinct personality.
The Alki Remodel transforms a cabin into a lighter, more expressive space through a playful combination of color, texture, and material—a "dopamine decor" approach that avoids literal coastal themes. A key change was reversing the kitchen and dining areas. The new dining booth sits right at the window, offering Puget Sound views with every meal. Pink features, including Concrete Collaborative countertops and Zia Tile backsplash, establish a warm and playful mood throughout the house.
In the living room, a large tile wall anchors the space, around which the kitchen and seating areas are arranged, creating a small nook perfect for watching the waves. Each bathroom is designed with its own distinct identity; for example, the guest bath features wave-like tile and sea creature wallpaper. While rooms are treated as individual experiences, the overall design remains cohesive.
In the primary suite, the design prioritized light and efficient storage. A new clerestory window and mirrored transom deepen the daylight penetration. A custom built-in bed platform includes concealed drawers below, ensuring the space remains uncluttered. Unexpectedly, the exterior became an extension of the concept. Artist Stevie Shao painted a mural depicting local wildlife, such as whales, osprey, and cranes, along with an axolotl requested by the owners’ daughter. Visible from Alki Beach volleyball courts, the mural celebrates the local ecology, connecting the playful interior to its coastal setting.
