House Details

HOUSE CONSTRUCTION

Construction of the house, by Ron Wallace, was completed in 1996. Wallace is one of the premier builders on Orcas Island. Canadian lumber was specially imported for the job, and a large portion of the house is paneled with western red cedar boards. All windows are double paned, with red oak frames, all bedroom closets plus the linen closet are lined with aromatic cedar.

Some other features are:
• Electric heat pump with propane furnace backup;
• Top grade climate control system;
• Built-in vacuum cleaner system;
• Alarm system, connected to outside alarm bell;
• TV distribution system carrying satellite TV signals to 8 locations throughout house. Either a big dish or Dish System may be chosen as source;
• Over 430 feet of built-in red oak bookshelves;
• Four heavy-duty rods for hanging quilts or tapestries are in place;
• Roof is concrete shake with the appearance of a shake roof, but with no known limit to expected lifetime;
• External floodlights permit entire house perimeter to be illuminated and also provide light for use of deck. (Mosquitoes have never been a problem.)

VESTIBULE

The entry vestibule has a slate floor making it useful as a Pacific Northwest “mud room”. Present owners do not wear shoes in the house. There are ample coat and hat pegs, a coat closet, room for a bench and umbrella stand, and a separate closet used to store firewood inside the house.

KITCHEN

Cabinets are made of cherry, were built by Gary Holloman, and run to the ceiling. Special cabinet features include a countertop “barn” for large appliances such as mixer and Cuisinart, knife rack for 24 knives, and spice rack for 100 Spice Islands bottles. Gaggenau range top has 2 regular and 1 very large gas burners, 2 electric eyes and grill.  The Thermador exhaust hood has lights and heat lamps for warming.
Jenn-air convection oven and Kenmore microwave oven.
Kitchen Aid side-by-side refrigerator has water and ice dispenser.  Whirlpool upright freezer,  Hotpoint instant hot water and filtered cold water faucets.
Whirlpool stacked washer/dryer.
Center island has breakfast seating for two, with view of under-counter TV.

PANTRY

Kitchen has an attached pantry/storage room with shelf used for toaster, bread machine, ice cream machine, etc.

DINING ROOM

Has Swedish finish hardwood floor, a fine view of a mossy knoll and East Sound bay and is large enough to accommodate a table that seats 12.

LIVING ROOM

The living room was designed to accommodate an intimate, comfortable seating area for 10 people, or just 8 to view a large screen TV. Another half of the room has a cathedral ceiling and wood stove and additional seating. Close by is an adaptation of a Tokonama to allow for the display of a scroll and flower arrangement.

STAIRS AND LIFT

The hardwood stairs were custom-designed to be wider than usual and with an exceptionally fine rail. On one side a chair lift has been installed to permit easy access to the three bedrooms (all upstairs).

BEDROOMS

The Master and Mistress Bedrooms connect through the Master Bath, with the Guest Bath just outside the Mistress Bedroom. Both bedrooms have his/her reading spotlights in the ceiling above the beds. The large Guest Room has views of the garden and woods.

BATHS

The Master Bath has a large hot tub with water jets, surrounded by paneled walls, and an enclosed, tiled shower with seat. The Guest Bath has a deep tub and shower with curtain. Both baths have some grab bars to steady an older person and during house construction backups were provided for more. Downstairs there is a “Powder Room” with sink and commode.

OFFICE

The paneled Office has a 165 by 30 inch desk/counter mounted over three 4-drawer pedestals that provide ample space for two chairs with work areas, computers, copy machine, laser printer, scanner, etc. On the opposite wall current owners have six 4-drawer file cabinets under atop, and a large sate.

LOFT

There is a wide paneled hall or loft area on the 2nd floor with a fine view of Mt.
Baker and East Sound bay. The area is currently used for a quilting frame.

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