This home’s owner has been a fan of architecture since she was a small child, dreaming, sketching, and pouring through the volumes of architectural books in her hometown library.  An educator by profession, she admits that some may accuse her of being a frustrated designer – but au contraire; she has built, remodeled and lived in over 24 homes in her lifetime. In every home, she continues to discover what she likes and each home keeps getting better. Her current residence 7631 Opal Dr, Bainbridge Island, WA is a proud case in point.
As one approaches the foyer, guests are greeted by a beautiful art-glass door that is a Frank Lloyd Wright design glistening with beveled glass. The interesting design element here is that the coat closet was drawn out of the entry and tucked around a corner, which serves to draw people into the home rather than leave them standing about in the entry waiting for their coats to be taken. The powder room is off this clever coat closet alcove. The Toto brand pedestal sink with elegant Cifial faucet is accessible for guests to wash up as they leave their coats.  Note that the vanity is illuminated by a unique blown glass light fixture also glistening with reflected light. The W.C. is in a separate room, generously proportioned and to the right of the sink.
Close to the center of the home is a perfect sized home office with large windows overlooking the private wooded setting. It is not too large nor too small, with two sitting areas. It is designed exactly for the work intended. All drawers have soft-close mechanisms and multi-plex plugs are along the wall. Rather than cut holes in the countertop, computer cords & cable are neatly organized by running through a channeled gap along the back of the counter and the wall.   An optional addition would be a barn-style door that was in the original design, but not needed by the current owner.
Unique to the kitchen design is the pantry. An extra full sized refrigerator is moved away from the main work triangle and is located in an adjoining alcove, which creates a full walk-in cold and dry pantry. The primary refrigerator is a Sub-zero dual drawer under counter refrigerator/freezer which gives the kitchen cleaner lines and a more formal feel as does the custom wood trimmed vent hood that reaches all the way to the ceiling over the six burner Wolf duel fuel range. The Kitchen island is a 9 x 5 full thickness black granite (not two thinner pieces pasted together as are most countertops) and above hang gorgeous black glass pendants imported from Italy.
Of course creating all this great design requires more than inspiration. Finding the perfect builder is key to making any home dream a reality. For this home owner (lucky girl) she didn’t have to look far. Her son’s building company and husband of 30+ years have made her ideas come to life.  Apparently a perfect arrangement and the results show!  Â

