Charming Stone and Wood Cottage in Seattle Earns Honorable Mention
We’ve announced the winners of Your Modern Cottage’s 2025 Design Awards, but a few entries stood out despite not taking top honors. Keystone Cottage, designed by DeForest Architects, is one such project—earning a well-deserved Honorable Mention in the Small Cottage category. At just over 800 square feet, the cottage is compact by design. It reflects a mindset that values purpose over scale—an idea central to the Your Modern Cottage ethos.
The jury was struck by the way this design evokes simplicity without sacrificing depth. “It’s a home that whispers, not shouts,” one juror remarked. “The thoughtful use of color and texture creates a sense of calm, while crisp lines and confident detailing reveal a deep respect for craft. In a world often driven by excess, this cottage embraces clarity—and the courage to start small.”
Located in a tranquil wooded site near Port Townsend, outside Seattle, Washington, with breathtaking west-facing views over Puget Sound, Keystone Cottage’s design harmoniously blends natural materials with the serene beauty of the surroundings, creating a retreat that feels modern and timeless.
The salvaged Italian stone cladding anchors the two-bedroom, two-bath house to the landscape, while the fine divided-lite windows provide a contrast with the heavy walls. The iconic traditional gabled roof and modest scale add to the feeling of coziness, while modern details and amenities keep it fresh.
Inside, the interiors are a study in warm minimalism. Natural wood ceilings, sleek cabinetry, and a confident mix of soft hues and bold accents create a space that feels tailored, grounded, and genuinely welcoming.
“The interior detailing is exquisite,” one juror observed. “It’s the kind of space that makes you slow down and breathe.”
Light pours in through carefully placed windows, and every detail — from the perfect entry paneling to the limewashed walls and ceilings to the tactile solid metal light switches — feels considered and enduring.
Keystone Cottage reminds us that good design isn’t about square footage—it’s about how a home makes you feel. And this one feels just right.
DeForest Architects Lake Tahoe Studio Seattle Studio | Brett Smith, Rosie Donovan, Mark Slivka
Contractor | Lockhart Suver
Interiors | NB Design Group
Landscape | Allworth Design
Structural | Harriott Valentine Engineers
Photography | Andrew Giammarco
