Photos: Craftsman cabin on Orcas Island, Wash.

Home and Garden

The husband wanted contemporary living in the forest and the wife wanted a traditional home on the water. This craftsman cabin on Orcas Island in Washington State offers both.

The Boones are fans of the local bird population. The kitchen nook is a great spot for watching. Says Richard, "We've been here three years and the amazing thing is we haven't found one thing we'd change." (Benjamin Benschneider/Seattle Times/MCT)

Window seats throughout the home offer many places to curl up. Plus, says Richard Boone, "There's always something to watch." They can see the lights of Vancouver, B.C., in the evenings. (Benjamin Benschneider/Seattle Times/MCT)

Daughter Katie Boone's room is ringed with windows. There are loads of built-ins throughout the home, offering storage and reducing the need for furniture. (Benjamin Benschneider/Seattle Times/MCT)

The boathouse, holding a kayak, features garage doors on either side and a porch for the hot tub, which can be enclosed. "We kind of thought of it as a shotgun garage," says architect Susan Stoltz. (Benjamin Benschneider/Seattle Times/MCT)

Louise Boone used to picnic under this tree between the house and the beach when she was a child. (Benjamin Benschneider/Seattle Times/MCT)

The home consists of two wings connected by this sky bridge, which also serves as a library. The use of fir throughout the home gives it a warm cabin feel. An interior window in each wing helps to connect spaces to the home's central living core. (Benjamin Benschneider/Seattle Times/MCT)

Steve Stanzione of Native Landscapes did the plantings. ''We told him we wanted Northwest native plants, low maintenance and bird friendly," says owner Louise Boone. They also left snags for the birds. The Boones restored this pond off the guesthouse, which now holds a family of otters. (Benjamin Benschneider/Seattle Times/MCT)

What the Boones liked about Stoltz Kau Architects was that their design was one of smart, not showoff, architecture. This wall of cabinets in the guesthouse holds a fold-down table, media center, display shelves and storage. The little house also has a Murphy bed. (Benjamin Benschneider/Seattle Times/MCT)

The table and loft stairs in the guest cottage fold out to serve as needed. "The thing about Orcas is, because there's such an influx of guests, you're always trying to design rooms that flex," says architect David Kau. "The joke is that we have nine months of winter and three months of guests." (Benjamin Benschneider/Seattle Times/MCT)

The Boones required a large kitchen. "You really don't want two people in a tight kitchen with knives," says Richard. Mark Padbury of Buckhorn Farm crafted the cabinetry. The live-edge bar is madrona. Counters are granite. Floors are red oak with radiant heat. (Benjamin Benschneider/Seattle Times/MCT)

The master bedroom, with its own built-ins, opens to the beach and the forest. (Benjamin Benschneider/Seattle Times/MCT)

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The Boones are fans of the local bird population. The kitchen nook is a great spot for watching. Says Richard, "We've been here three years and the amazing thing is we haven't found one thing we'd change." (Benjamin Benschneider/Seattle Times/MCT)

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