A 1925 Seattle boathouse transformed into a stunning waterfront home

Gray shingle exterior of renovated boathouse with circular window, black front door, and lush courtyard landscaping

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Paul Moon Design, together with Dyna Builders, has renovated this hillside home in Seattle’s Magnolia neighborhood, blending over a decade of design evolution with a deep connection to its waterfront setting. Originally built in 1925 as a modest beach cabin, the house was transformed through a full rebuild that maintained the original footprint while reimagining the structure to address the challenges of a steep site and aging infrastructure.

A third-floor addition features a primary suite, office, and deck with views of Discovery Park, Bainbridge Island, and Puget Sound. The design draws inspiration from the compact efficiency of yacht interiors, with nautical elements such as teak finishes, porthole-style windows, and space-saving features throughout. Multiple lounge areas and seamless indoor-outdoor transitions encourage relaxation and connection to nature.

DESIGN DETAILS

ARCHITECTURE Paul Moon Design
CONTRACTOR Dyna Builders
INTERIOR DESIGN Paul Moon Design
LANDSCAPING Quercus Landscapes

Side entrance of gray shingle home with open French door revealing octopus artwork and mature Japanese maple tree

What We Love About This Home

We love so many details in this home, from the porthole windows that echo its waterfront origins to the teak decking that nods to yacht design, and the way each room seems to frame a view of Puget Sound. The original 1925 boathouse structure at the water’s edge was preserved and reimagined as an outdoor bar and gathering spot, keeping a layer of genuine history alive beneath all the polish. The layered outdoor spaces, from the courtyard fireplace at street level down to the shoreline terrace, make this home feel like a private sanctuary carved into the hillside.

Tell Us: What are your overall thoughts on this waterfront home renovation project in Seattle? Let us know in the Comments below. We love reading your feedback!

Note: Be sure to check out a couple of other fascinating home tours that we have featured here on One Kindesign in the state of Washington: Step inside a beautiful Seattle home with laid-back California living vibes and Dreams meet design in this brilliant minimalist forever home in Seattle.

Outdoor patio with dark stone fireplace, built-in wood bench seating, and concrete retaining wall

A Courtyard Fireplace for Year-Round Gatherings

Couple relaxing beside outdoor stone fireplace on wood bench patio with tree canopy overhead

Covered front entry portico with round window, white columns, and view through hallway to Puget Sound

Close-up of home's covered entry with circular porthole window, white columns, and beadboard ceiling

Entry hallway with dramatic crossed wood beam ceiling leading to water-view living room

An Open Plan Designed Around the View

Open-plan living area with exposed wood beams, kitchen beyond, and panoramic Puget Sound view through folding doors

A Pass-Through Window That Brings the Outdoors In

Pass-through kitchen window serving as outdoor bar counter on covered porch with bar seating

Kitchen with white upper cabinets, dark island, black range hood, and large gold globe pendant lights

Kitchen cooking wall with dark cabinetry, custom black riveted range hood, glass upper cabinets, and Wolf range

A Two-Tone Kitchen With a Nautical Twist

Full kitchen view with dark lower cabinets, white uppers, wood beam, gold pendants, and porthole window

Kitchen island with striped barstools, gold globe pendants, porthole window, and tree views through casement windows

Kitchen with Wolf range, dark countertops, pass-through window, and gold globe pendants

Exterior kitchen pass-through window bar with dark counter seating, porthole window, beadboard porch ceiling, and flowering planters

Living room with gray swivel chairs, wood beam ceiling, fireplace, and view to entry hallway

A Living Room Built Around the Fireplace

Living room with shiplap fireplace wall, flanking porthole windows, gray armchairs, and exposed wood beam

Intimate dining area with round dark table, white curved chairs, dome pendant, and under-stair wine storage

Staircase with dark painted balusters, wood handrail, and porthole window with exposed timber ceiling

A Powder Room That Makes a Bold Statement

Powder room with floor-to-ceiling geometric black-and-white tile, floating white sink, black mirror, and brass fixtures

Powder room with bold black-and-white geometric tile, floating white sink, black mirror, and brass wall sconces

An Owner’s Suite With Puget Sound Views

Primary bedroom with wood beams, herringbone floor, built-in oak cabinetry, and waterfront balcony view

Above: The views from the third-floor owner’s bedroom suite take in Discovery Park, Seattle’s largest park at 534 acres, with seven miles of trails and views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains.

Primary bedroom with vaulted ceiling, exposed beams, flanking built-in oak wardrobes, and herringbone floor

Primary bedroom detail showing oak built-in nightstand and wardrobe with brass hardware, herringbone floor, and porthole window beyond

Covered sleeping porch with built-in bench nook, porthole window, rope lounge chairs, and view into primary bedroom

The Owner’s Bath With a Porthole View

Primary bathroom with freestanding dark soaking tub, porthole window, white tile walls, and brass pendant

Primary bathroom with dark soaking tub, walnut floating vanity, matte black fixtures, and porthole window

Covered waterfront deck with rope lounge chair, soaking tub visible through open door, and panoramic Puget Sound view

Screened sleeping porch nook with built-in bench, twin porthole windows, and rope lounge chair on wood deck

Full-wall dark wardrobe with grasscloth panel doors, brass inlay trim, picture lights, and herringbone oak floor

Dark charcoal built-in wardrobe with grasscloth panel doors, brass hardware, and brass picture lights on herringbone floor

A Serene Guest Bedroom

Guest bedroom with woven headboard, linen drapes, wood chair, and garden balcony view through French door

A Lower-Level Living Room With a View to Match

Lower-level living room with leather sofa, wood coffee table, Seattle skyline artwork, and waterfront terrace view at dusk

A Covered Porch With Puget Sound Views

Covered waterfront porch with white columns, beadboard ceiling, cushioned lounge chairs, and expansive Puget Sound view

The Original Boathouse: Reimagined as a Waterfront Bar

Group gathering on waterfront terrace at sunset with string lights, fire pit, and original boathouse bar structure

Evening entertaining on waterfront stone terrace with fire pit, string lights, lush greenery, and original boathouse bar

View from boathouse interior through glass roof pergola to waterfront terrace with group socializing at sunset

Waterfront stone terrace with fire pit, original boathouse bar, lush overhanging trees, and Puget Sound beyond

PHOTOGRAPHER Kara Mercer

3 Comments

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Diane

2 hours ago

I want to live here! 10 out of 10.

Mountain girl

4 hours ago

This is one of the most amazing properties you have ever featured. Simply outstanding, creative and beautiful. Well done.

Jacki

6 hours ago

Wow is all I say, I absolutely love it, especially all the built ins. Really classy! Good job!