DeForest Architects: John DeForest, Michael Knowles, Meredith Kelly

Interior Design: NB Design Group

Landscape: Kenneth Philp Landscape Architects

Lighting: Brian Hood Lighting Design

Structural: Evergreen Design Company

Contractor: Heggenes Construction

Location: Clinton, Washington

Approx. 4,900 square feet

5BR, 4.5BA

Photography: Tim Bies

This modern farmhouse is balanced between two landscapes—a dramatic bluff overlooking Puget Sound to the west and rolling pastures to the east.

The clients asked us to design a house that would be warm and welcoming for a variety of sizes and types of gatherings–from just the two of them to work retreats and family celebrations. They also wanted a modern home that was in harmony with its rural setting and the vernacular farm buildings nearby. In fact, the project included designing a horse barn and a full woodworking shop.

In response, we organized the house into two simple, barn-like forms connected by a light-filled stair. The south half contains living spaces for entertaining and every day. The north half is focused on spaces for visiting friends and family—two guest bedrooms, a bunkroom for grandkids, and a cozy media room for watching movies together, a family tradition.

In response, we organized the house into two simple, barn-like forms connected by a light-filled stair. The south half contains living spaces for entertaining and every day. The north half is focused on spaces for visiting friends and family—two guest bedrooms, a bunkroom for grandkids, and a cozy media room for watching movies together, a family tradition.