A Waterfront A-frame House Renovated With Contemporary Finishes

June 6, 2024
A waterfront A-frame home that's been renovated with contemporary finishes.

Joe Herrin, Principal at Heliotrope Architects, has shared photos of an A-Frame cabin he completed as an idyllic little home on Orcas Island, set within the San Juan Island Archipelago of Washington state.

A waterfront A-frame home that's been renovated with contemporary finishes.

The cabin structure is a modest late-60’s era kit A-frame, built by the previous property owner on a shoestring, and the new owners, Joe and his wife Belinda, have been renovating it over time, including creating a small addition.

A waterfront A-frame home that's been renovated with contemporary finishes.

The home’s exterior is covered in stained T1-11 plywood siding, and the addition is clad in stained cedar milled on the island.

The exterior of the home is clad in stained T1-11 plywood siding, and the addition is clad in stained cedar milled on the island.

Inside, the social areas like the living room, dining area, and kitchen all share the same space. Reclaimed pine has been used for the flooring and the original exposed fir structure is finished with wood bleach, while the beams are painted to cover an original coffee-brown stain.

In this renovated A-frame home, reclaimed pine has been used for the flooring and the original exposed fir structure is finished with wood bleach, while the beams are painted to cover an original coffee-brown stain.
In this renovated A-frame home, reclaimed pine has been used for the flooring and the original exposed fir structure is finished with wood bleach, while the beams are painted to cover an original coffee-brown stain.

The social areas connect with the outdoor spaces via sliding doors, which also provide a view of the water.

The social areas of this A-frame home connect with the outdoor spaces via sliding doors, which also provide a view of the water.

The deck is set up for enjoying the view and dining outside. An outdoor fireplace creates a cozy atmosphere at night.

The deck of this A-frame home is set up for enjoying the view and dining outside. An outdoor fireplace creates a cozy atmosphere at night.

Back inside we see in the kitchen, there’s birch-ply cabinetry with a laminate countertop. On the wall, floating shelves add extra storage to the kitchen, and a window provides natural light.

In this kitchen, there's birch-ply cabinetry with a laminate countertop. On the wall, floating shelves add extra storage to the kitchen, and a window provides natural light.
In this kitchen, there's birch-ply cabinetry with a laminate countertop. On the wall, floating shelves add extra storage to the kitchen, and a window provides natural light.

Stairs connect the lower level with a lofted bedroom.

Stairs connect the lower level of this A-frame home with the lofted bedroom.

The bedroom includes a freestanding bed as well as built-in beds.

This bedroom in an A-Frame home includes a freestanding bed as well as built-in beds.
This bedroom in an A-Frame home includes a freestanding bed as well as built-in beds.

In another bedroom, a desk with drawers lines the wall, and wall lamps are positioned on either side of the bed.

In this bedroom, a desk with drawers lines the wall, and wall lamps are positioned on either side of the bed.

In the bathroom, the walls and floors of the shower are covered by tile, and a window opens for tree views.

In this bathroom, the walls and floors of the shower are covered by tile, and a window opens for tree views.
Photography by Sean Airhart | Architecture: Joe Herrin, Principal at Heliotrope Architects | Builder (addition): Ryan Rancourt | Cabinetry: Bill Post