Central Living Area & Kitchen

The home was thoughtfully remodeled and converted from a barn to a home by Don Frothingham, a Seattle architect. The roof is strengthened with metal tie rods and a new layer of roof above the barn’s traditional gambrel roof was added, filling the space with thick and rigid insulation. Gambrel roof framing is exposed, soaring above a light-filled hayloft that comprises main living areas. Old floor planks of Douglas fir reveal millwork marks. An updated wall of knotty pine frames the second-story hay door.

Built into the peak on the gable end over the hay door, there is an extension called the hay hood. It supports a hay trolley that originally hoisted hay to the second story and loaded it into the loft. These historical features meld with the warmth of updated knotty pine walls and a peeled cedar tree that reaches to the ceiling in the center of a loft platform, which serves to define the living spaces within the open great room. Sixteen windows throughout the open living area draw passive solar heat and natural light. The effect is cathedral-like, resulting in great acoustics. The current owners have hosted community house concerts, hosting as many as a 100 people.

Brick supports a Vermont Casings Defiant wood stove installed in October 2009 and located in the living area that spreads before the view of the Olympic Mountains through a grouping of triangular windows and double French doors. The doors open to a spacious deck.

The central freestanding structure (referred to as an erecthium by the architect) separates a descending staircase to bedrooms from the main living area. This structure extends to a kitchen peninsula with sink, storage and PaperStone composite countertops. PaperStone is made from recycled paper and a water-based, petroleum-free resin. It is easy to clean and is stain-, scratch-, and bacteria-resistant. A maple island holds eight drawers, three double cabinets and an electric cooktop. Additional appliances include a Bosch dishwasher, a stainless Amana refrigerator, and double Dacor ovens.

The kitchen eating area includes built-in shelves and maple cabinets. Wide planks of Douglas fir flow to the opposite wall where an office area is established only by furniture placement. As throughout, shelving spans the spaces between exposed framing. The dining area is defined a grouping of three windows and built-in window seat.