Coastal Chic: A Bainbridge Island Entry Garden That Honors the Pacific Northwest

The coastal Pacific Northwest lacks Southern California's dunes or Cape Cod's palms, but coastal is coastal wherever it lands. On Bainbridge Island, amid anchor-and-seagull beach houses, Wittman Estes created a modern, elegant entry that's distinctly Northwestern — beachy but not cliché. The coast itself, not coastal stereotypes, inspired the design.

Houzz at a Glance
Who: Couple nearing retirement
Where: Bainbridge Island, near Seattle
Team: Wittman Estes (architect); Pyramid Construction; Seattle Boiler Works (steel); Bill House (concrete); Melissa Firestone (plants)
Size: 800 sq ft

Wittman Estes Landscape — The renovated backyard informed front yard decisions, but Estes wanted a unique entry experience. The house backs to the beach; proximity to water guided design, plantings, and hardscape palette. Not overtly beachy, but coastal-inspired.

Front yards are thoroughfares: street to door, trash to curb, seating to house. The clients wanted dining/seating plus garage and trash access. "All these access needs could've become just a series of paths," says Estes.

Wittman Estes Landscape

Wittman Estes Landscape — Steel planters (from the backyard) shape paths and spaces without fragmenting the garden. They function as objects, dividers, and screens — making the space feel larger since it can't be fully seen from any single viewpoint.

Wittman Estes Landscape — A cedar fence encloses the space. Primary motivation: wind and ocean spray protection. But they didn't want total opacity. Estes designed a permeable fence — private yet offering glimpses through slat gaps.

Wittman Estes Landscape — Crushed stone and custom precast concrete evoke a boardwalk. Paver colors capture local gray beach sand. Diagonal paving paired with gravel reads as art, not just path.

Wittman Estes Landscape

Wittman Estes Landscape

Wittman Estes Landscape — Plants perform specific tasks. Large evergreen leaves: bear's breech (Acanthus mollis) — tough against salt burn and wind. Feather reed grass for height and swaying water reminders. Angelina sedum fills planters. Abundant Acorus spills over paths.

Wittman Estes Landscape — Existing native vine maples thrived, so more were planted. Late-afternoon sun hits the site; evening use required shading. Maples southeast of the dining area screen afternoon sun but allow early evening light from the southwest.

The backyard opens to Puget Sound. Estes is glad the clients chose contemporary — and grateful they took a chance on her young office. "We worked for others at the time. It was amazing it happened at all."