On Bainbridge Island, Jim and Hannah Cutler created a cabin for reading and working. Sited just steps from the main house, it’s a welcoming retreat that the father and daughter share.
Virginia-based screenwriter Matthew Michael Carnahan’s 400-square foot work studio features NanaWall doors that fold open to connect the interior to the surrounding forest.
The architect uses bodies of water—whether it be a fish pond or swimming pool—as focal points for a therapeutic effect. The presence of water can reduce stress and lower heart rate and blood pressure, as well as improve concentration and productivity.
The Aplomb wall sconce for Foscarini has a raw concrete form that contrasts a gentle diffusion of light both upward and downward.
Determining the structural integrity of the original brick dairy was paramount to the design of the new addition perched above. The existing brick walls, footings, and roof structure were all assessed, and steel features prominently in the extension to ensure stability.
Custom steel shelving suspended above the kitchen island brings an industrial aesthetic to the interior that compliments the facade of the dairy, which is symbolic of an industrious era.
The dairy’s northern facade sits toward the rear the residence, where the dining room, kitchen, and casual meals area are located. An original window, now with acoustic glazing, connects the music studio located within the dairy with the casual meals area.
The kitchen cabinets are partly finished in Formica laminate in a royal dark blue color that contrasts with the white ceramic backsplash tiles, the oak laminate cabinets, and the Victorian ash timber floor. The countertop is crafted from Stone Ambassador Beton engineered stone, which echoes the burnished concrete floor in the meals alcove.
A strategically placed skylight brings natural light into the dining booth, which adjoins the kitchen and the outdoor terrace.
The richly textured facade of the dairy is juxtaposed against a carefully crafted contemporary material palette, which includes burnished concrete and ceramic tiles.
The study nook is tucked away beneath the stair, making clever use of otherwise dead space. The glass No.10 pendant lights are by local lighting brand Lumil in a custom purple color that echoes the purple upholstery in the retreat.
The study nook features a long desk that provides access to the home’s side entrance when partially folded up.
The retreat is open to the stair void, giving it a mezzanine-like quality. “In terms of spatial layout, the sequencing was really important, because it allows for easy movement between the rooms, which are all somehow connected yet still quite self-contained,” says architect Dan Gayfer.
The bespoke sofa in the retreat features rich purple upholstery that contrasts with the more neutral white and timber finishes, creating an element of sophisticated drama.
The custom steel mesh balustrade extends beyond the stair to form a climbing frame for the planter in the retreat.
The bathrooms feature a clean, minimal blue-and-white palette, with a focus on durable, functional materials.
A sequence of steel beams and columns supporting the first-floor addition extend 1.5 meters from the home, creating an outdoor terrace beneath. Clear polycarbonate sheeting is installed between two of the beams, protecting the terrace from rain and sun.
Ground floor and first floor plans of The Dairy by Dan Gayfer Design.
Elevations of The Dairy by Dan Gayfer Design.