For one Seattle family, the allure of a slower pace of life made Bainbridge Island irresistible. “While they loved city life and all that it had to offer, they were looking for a place where the kids could grow up in a less urban environment,” says interior designer Amy Vroom. “This home checked a lot of those boxes. There was a huge yard for them to play and trails and the ocean nearby to explore. They needed room for family from Europe who would come to visit for longer periods of time, and they needed room for a home office away from the kids.”

The home hadn’t been remodeled since it was built in 2003, so a comprehensive remodel was in order—and Amy’s design firm, The Residency Bureau, was tasked with updating every room. “The home takes cues from a classic Cape Cod style but on a grander scale,” she says. “There is a lot of symmetry to the design of the home with a central hallway and rooms off either side.”

The kitchen was reconfigured to embrace the views of the orchard, and to offer better flow to the adjacent living room. “The transformation of the kitchen is one of my favorite changes in the renovation,” Amy explains. “It gives a nod to the Cape Cod style of the home with the timeless appeal of soft blues and greys, antique brass finishes and the natural stone. A highlight is the custom-designed walnut island with curved corners and a wood toe rail.” There is also added storage, and dated features like the built-in desk were removed while a new passthrough from the dining room to the kitchen allowed for a proper mudroom and pantry. “It’s a hard-working space for the family and all the gear that goes with that, but we included a lot of sweet details,” Amy tells us. “I’m obsessed with the hardware from Mark Lewis on the custom cabinets, as well as the framing detail we added with the tile layout on the floor (Cle).”

In a nod to a true Cape Cod sitting room, a stone-clad fireplace was added to the living room. “This is where the bulk of their time is spent, so it made sense to include that as a focal point,” the designer explains. “We used a lot of classic textures in this room—from a linen sofa from Community Mfg. to a wool covered ottoman custom made by Buildlane.”

The powder room features an antique pine dresser that Amy found on Chairish paired with a bold House of Hackneywallpaper. “These are favorites in the design and one of the first decisions we made,” she says. 

Custom millwork was added throughout the house, with extra care taken in the dining room, primary bedroom, and both of the kids’ rooms. “We even created an office nook (for mom) complete with a pocket door and transom window at the end of a forgotten hallway,” Amy adds. 

The kids’ rooms feature wainscotting with wallpapered walls designed to grow with them. “We were very conscious about keeping these rooms timeless and relevant for years to come,” she explains. The wallpaper is from Timberlea Interiors (in the boy’s room) and Lulu & Georgia (in the girl’s room). 

In the primary bedroom, they brought in wall paneling and ceiling beams. A vintage rug from Curio Rugs and drapery from S. Harris provide the foundation for a neutral and cozy room. In the bathroom, a freestanding tub and an expanded shower offer a spa-like experience.

It was a true team effort from start to finish. “The team at Bainbridge Island Construction were fantastic, so if anything came up during the construction process, they were great partners in helping to resolve it.” Amy says. “The biggest challenge was probably for the homeowners. The project started at a time when my clients had baby #2 on the way. They moved out early because of the pending due date, so there were a lot of major transitions happening at the same time with a temporary space, adding a baby into the mix and just being displaced during a time when you want to be settled. But they handled it all with grace and were thrilled to move back in once the project was complete.”

Now, surrounded by trees, a spacious backyard with a pond and an orchard, and newly installed raised beds, this home has become the perfect haven for a family of four to grow for years to come.