Keystone Cottage is a stunning stone and wood cottage nestled in a tranquil wooded site near Port Townsend, WA, with breathtaking west-facing views over Puget Sound. The design harmoniously blends natural materials with the serene beauty of the surroundings, creating a retreat that feels modern and timeless.
Strong/Grounded/Cozy: These inspiration words reflected the client’s desire to put down roots in her own peaceful sanctuary. The salvaged Italian stone cladding anchors the two-bedroom, two-bath house to the landscape, while the fine divided-lite windows provide a contrast with the heavy walls. The iconic traditional gabled roof and modest scale add to the feeling of coziness, while modern details and amenities keep it fresh.
A Perfectionist’s Dream: Finely-crafted details and quality materials enrich what is a relatively small space and provide a feeling of luxury. Uncompromising craftsmanship holds up to scrutiny at every turn, from the perfect entry paneling to the limewashed walls and ceilings to the tactile solid metal light switches.
Hospitality: Guest comfort and privacy were paramount. A second ensuite bedroom, subtly separated from the primary suite, has its own water-view corner window, private terrace, gas fireplace and refreshment station, plus its own rich look-and-feel.
Planning for the future: The size of the cottage was carefully limited to allow it to serve as a detached accessory dwelling unit to a larger main house someday. The master plan includes a garage/party barn with a west-facing outdoor kitchen and lounge, in addition to the cottage and main house. The landscape is artfully designed as an integrated estate that will be developed in phases, livable and beautiful at each moment in time.
Team:
Architects: DeForest Architects
Contractor: Lockhart Suver
Interior Designer: NB Design Group
Landscape Architect: Allworth Design
Structural Engineer: Harriott Valentine Engineers
Photographer: Andrew Giammarco
Materials Used:
Clear cedar siding, stained
Salvaged Italian stone veneer from a deconstructed hamlet
Dynamic Alumin-Arte aluminum windows and doors
Kolbe Vistaluxe aluminum windows and doors
Ortal gas fireplaces
Waterworks plumbing fixtures
Toto toilets
Standing seam metal roofing
Engineered oak flooring
Oak cabinetry
Powder-coated steel and brushed stainless steel kitchen hood surround
Lutron roller shades
Buster + Punch light switches
