As the days grow longer and the Pacific Northwest comes alive with summer light, we’re excited to share what we’ve been up to. From kicking off construction on an Island retreat to launching some new blog posts that take you behind the scenes of our process, this season brings fresh ideas, inspiring collaborations, and new projects we can’t wait to show you. Whether you're dreaming of a new retreat or just curious about what’s next, we invite you to explore what’s unfolding at DeForest Architects.

Boats We Love to Watch

One of the simple pleasures of working in our Portage Bay studio is the ever-changing view of life on the water. From our windows, we watch a daily parade of vessels glide by—each one telling its own story. Classic wooden cruisers, sleek racing shells from UW’s crew team, kayaks, paddleboards, sailboats, tugboats, and the occasional floating hot tub (yes, really!) all make an appearance. It’s a constant reminder of the unique energy of Seattle’s waterfront and a welcome inspiration as we design homes that connect deeply to place, light, and movement.

Keystone Cottage

Our Keystone Cottage was featured on the cover of the May/June issue of Luxe Magazine, “A Charming Washington Cottage Is Designed To Evoke Memories” [Author Maile Pingel; Photography Andrew Giammarco] featuring our wonderful client, Jennifer, and her inspiration for creating this storybook retreat on the Olympic Peninsula.

Also, the project was recently awarded an Honorable Mention for 2025 YMC Design Award – Small Cottages!

For more rural retreats, visit https://www.deforestarchitects.com/rural-retreats

Project Team
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

New Blog Posts

Design as a Verb [DAAV]

At DeForest Architects, we reject the notion of design as a static, one-and-done commodity. In our latest post, we explore “Design as a Verb”—a philosophy that places the creative process front and center. From sketching and model-making to collaboration and discovery, we believe true design emerges through doing.

Design as a Verb - Swiss Army Knife House

We kick off our ‘Design as a Verb’ video series with a behind-the-scenes video on the High Desert Modern project, aka “the Swiss Army Knife house”. The house is organized around a series of light-filled spaces—entry, courtyard, living, terrace—and incorporates sliding and swinging panels that blur the boundaries between public and private.

High Desert Modern - Photography: John Granen

Home Design in Palm Springs: Then, Now, and What’s Next

Discover how Palm Springs' legendary mid-century modern heritage continues to inspire contemporary, sustainable architecture in our latest post. See how DeForest Architects brings a fresh perspective to the desert, blending timeless design with modern livability in Project Farsight.

Under construction - Decatur Summer House

Tucked high on a bluff with an incredible water view, this summer cabin on Decatur Island is in the final stretch of a remodel that’s all about thoughtful upgrades and a unique yet refined palette. Outside, we’ve designed a new deck and pergola to extend the living area and provide a stronger architectural balance to the existing cabin. The Accoya Grey decking ties in wonderfully with the weathered cedar siding that’s been working on its patina since the 1980’s.

On the interior, the spalted maple cabinetry gives the cabin a rustic touch, while the overall design keeps things clean and refined—much like the cabin itself. Every cabinet was tailored to fit the compact layout and maximize storage, including a few tucked into previously unused space under the stairs. The sculptural Stack Stove, which will soon be installed, is set to become a focal point in the living room—adding just the right amount of a modern yet playful twist.

It’s been a fun, creative collaboration, and we can’t wait to see it all come together in the coming months.

Survey results are in!

Thank you for responding to the survey in our spring newsletter. Overwhelmingly, you want to see more of:

26% - Design process | How we work | The sometimes messy stuff

and

24% - Completed projects | Professional Photos | Publications

We love sharing insights on architecture and design through our quarterly newsletter and on social media. If there’s anything else you would like to know more about, let us know!

Happy Summer! Thank you from all of us at DeForest Architects for following along.

Summer 2025 Newsletter