South Bellingham Second-Story Addition

Move to a Bigger House or Invest in a Custom Home Addition?

Many couples get to a point when they ask themselves whether it makes sense to move or remodel. The truth is it’s a highly personal decision. These specific clients came to Highline when they were expecting their first child. With a little one on the way, they wanted more space. Moving was a short-lived conversation, because they had absolutely fallen in love with their location on an unassuming cul-de-sac off Chuckanut Drive. They knew the right design vision could turn their small 1970 rambler into a space worth hanging onto.

Designing and Building the Perfect Addition in Bellingham, WA

Adding more space wasn’t only about square footage. Set in beautiful South Bellingham, this home demanded a stronger connection with nature – from color choices to architectural features, the right addition needed to feel like it belonged in the Pacific Northwest.

Though it was essential to create a feeling of togetherness, it was also important to maintain a designated home office where work-from-home time could be productive.

The Solution: Adding a Second Story

Rather than building out, the combination of lot/space limitations and project goals made building up the clear path forward.

To achieve a nature-inspired home, Highline included higher ceilings and skylights to create open and bright spaces in this second-story addition. The clients selected serene shades of blues and greens for tile and paint. Natural whimsy was added with a library ladder leading to a cozy plant nook that is sure to feel a bit like an indoor treehouse as Baby grows. Warm wood was introduced as an exterior accent and paired with metal and rope on the interior of the home for additional interest.

Energy-Efficient Considerations

Investing in a home addition offered this family an exciting opportunity to improve the energy-efficiency of their older home. They incorporated green-building strategies via implementation of a mini-split system and the installation of a solar array. Window upgrades added further efficiency to the home.

While an addition or remodel doesn’t always outshine the option of moving or building a new custom home, it was the right choice for this family. They have the right sized home in exactly the right spot.