Photography by Belathée, courtesy of Lisa Staton Design.
Kristina and Mike Gladstein and their two young boys are members of the gang of Seattleites and other Pacific Northwesterners who decamp on weekends for the San Juan Islands.
Five years ago, when a waterfront cabin abutting Kristina’s father’s Henry Island house went on the market, she and Mike leapt.
The cabin retains its open-plan main floor, now flooded with light thanks to new windows in the kitchen that overlook the water.
The walls are painted Benjamin Moore Cloud White chosen says Staton because it s a true white but a little bit on the chalky side which helps it feel inviting rather...
...than stark And it doesn t go yellow or pink For more advice see Remodeling 101 How to Choose the Perfect White Paint and 10 Easy Pieces Architects White Paint Picks
The new kitchen has counters made from local, reclaimed Douglas fir.
To preserve an open feel, Staton recommended shelves instead of over-the-counter cabinets. The sink is a 36-inch Shaws Original with a bridge faucet.
Tableware is “kept to a palette of white, wood, and glass,” says Staton.
The kitchen island was built on site by the contractor: “It has a simple farmhouse form,” says Staton, “and was made to hold big pots and bowls and colanders for easy access, especially with many hands in the summer joining in the prepwork.”
The salvaged lights over the island came from First Pick Antiques in Seattle and the Industrial Swivel Stools, selected because they’re easy to adjust, are from Wisteria.
Picked for its patina, the dining table, from Seattle antiques shop Susan Wheeler Home, has the best views in the cabin.
The black pendant light, a discontinued design from Wisteria, “helps ground the dining zone and makes it feel more anchored in the airy room,” says Staton.
Right outside is the opening to Roche Harbor, a gateway for boats traveling between Canada and the US.
A picturesque shed next to the cabin holds pots for crab boils and other outsized cooking equipment.
A totem pole carved by Kwakiutl artist Tom Hunt beckons from the shoreline.