Little Cottage on the Sound

Vintage charm, modern functionality and coastal vibes come together in this cozy cottage nestled on the shores of the Puget Sound.

SALVAGE STYLE. Old and new come together in the exterior design of the home. During renovations, Kim and her husband opted to use materials from old buildings on the property. They also decided to keep the gravel driveway and carport for a vintage look. “We’ve reused and repurposed a lot of things,” Kim says. There are new elements as well, such as the metal roof and deck on the front of the home for the best view of the Sound.

through the fun and timeless features that add charm and character. It can also bring challenges, such as outdated design styles or too little room for modern conveniences. For homeowner and blogger Kim Robinson of Shiplap and Shells, finding the balance between vintage charm and modern functionality was a key part of the renovations to her lovely home nestled into the landscape of the Pacific Northwest.

|OPPOSITE| CREATIVE SOLUTIONS. Kim and her husband decided to remove a door in the living room that led to their bedroom. “We needed more wall space, and we didn’t want people to go to our bedroom through the living room,” she says. The coffee table was a DIY project. “It was a pretty new table, and my husband had the idea to get a door, cut it down and put it on top of the table,” she says. To add a vintage look, Kim distressed the surface. A dough bowl with apples, eucalyptus and pinecones adds a touch of fall festiveness.

|TOP RIGHT| STAR ACCESSORY. This cute vintage bike was a Craigslist find that Kim uses to display her flowers and other décor throughout the year. "Each season I redecorate it,” she says. Here, she has chosen a variety of pumpkins and moss for a fall feel. “In the winter I have pine needles, lights and ornaments, and in the spring and summer I have flowers falling out of it,” she says.