In search of an escape in the picturesque San Juan Islands, just over two hours north of Seattle, Joe Herrin had modest expectations. As a child, his fondest memories were of the annual two-week boat trip his family took around the islands, where they would sleep in the cozy confines of a 26-foot-long boat hull. As he grew older, he always imagined owning his own boat.
However, everything changed when he introduced his future wife, Belinda Bail, to Orcas Island, the largest of the islands in Washington state. They took a ferry and drove around the island, and Joe was struck by the hidden beauty beyond the shoreline. Joe, a founding principal of Heliotrope Architects, recalled, “I discovered there’s a whole lot more to the islands than what you can see from the shoreline.”
Belinda added, “He took me to his favorite place, and I fell in love with it too. I’ll never forget driving across Orcas Island for the first time. It was a really magical place.”
After getting married and purchasing a house in Seattle, which had been Joe’s grandparents’ home, they realized their dream of having a vacation home on the islands. In early 2002, expecting their first child, they decided to find the most affordable home they could on Orcas Island. They stumbled upon a 1960s A-frame cabin, part of a condominium association that provided nine owners with 50 feet of waterfront each. The cabin, measuring about 825 square feet, was sinking into the ground due to the lack of a foundation.
Despite only offering $275,000, the most they could afford, their offer was eventually accepted. Over the next two decades, they invested in various improvement projects. The first major undertaking was putting a foundation under the cabin and replacing the old windows. Joe explained, “We had to refinance our house to pull out enough money to put a foundation under it. We spent every penny we had, so the only way to make more progress was to do it ourselves.”
To make the most of their limited finances, they began hosting regular “work parties” with friends. They worked together to build a new deck, replace the carpeting, paint the wood beams, bleach the paneling, and even create a beautiful garden.
As their financial situation improved, they hired contractors for more significant projects. They improved insulation by replacing the roof and added a skylight from the kitchen to the sleeping loft. They also maximized space by installing a built-in bed with drawers in the loft and a built-in sofa in the living room.
Their most recent addition, a small 48-square-foot extension to the back of the house, serves as a proper entrance and a more comfortable shower. They used cedar siding milled from a log found in the water to clad this section. Additionally, they renovated the kitchen with simple birch-plywood cabinetry and laminate counters. The total cost of improvements, including the recent addition and kitchen renovation, amounted to $170,000.
Despite all the hard work and investments, what Joe and Belinda love most about their cabin is its simplicity. They never aimed to create anything extravagant; instead, they wanted a functional retreat on the beach.
Belinda expressed, “It’s the place that’s permanent for our family. We might move around and change houses in the city, but the cabin is the special place for our family. It’s where we’ll always go back to spend quality time together, share memories, and enjoy the company of friends, family, and good food.”
In conclusion, the couple’s determination and DIY spirit have transformed their modest cabin into a cherished haven in the San Juan Islands. It’s a testament to their love for the area and their desire to provide their children with the same treasured experiences Joe had growing up. The cabin represents a permanent anchor in their lives, a place where they can always return to create lasting memories.
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