Goldfinch House - Scandinavian Modern Near Beaches

On a quiet side street in Ballard just 3 blocks from Puget Sound, Goldfinch House is a cheerful 10-year-old shed-roof contemporary with sleek, Scandinavian-style furnishings. The home is filled with art and light, with a beautifully outfitted chef’s kitchen, media lounge with big-screen TV and surround-sound, and a high-ceilinged main suite with soaking tub and deck.

[NOTE: We are now taking bookings for World Cup, June 10-30.]

Outdoors, a large backyard with lawn is surrounded by lush plantings, a dining terrace, grill and outdoor furnishings. We're a 5-minute walk from the Ballard Locks and the National Nordic Museum, and just 12 minutes from downtown Ballard, with its historic street filled with shops and some of the city's best restaurants. There's also a spectacular waterfront walk just below our house that leads past Shilshole Marina to the beautiful sand beach at Golden Gardens.

A stay at Goldfinch House is far beyond the usual. Our egg yolk yellow door is the entrance to an extraordinary accommodation with luxurious amenities, thoughtful touches and concierge-style assistance. The home basks in light from skylights and clerestory windows.

The main floor is high above the street, offering a sense of serenity and privacy. The great room invites conversation, with a soft leather sectional, cushy pillows and throws, vibrant art, plants and a 65" Sony TV.

Our kitchen is fully stocked for the needs of a serious home cook or chef, with high-end appliances, All-Clad pots and pans and an abundance of kitchen implements to make it easy to prepare anything from cookies to a feast. A gorgeous 11-foot granite island with counter chairs turns meal prep into a community affair.

The main suite is an elegant retreat with high ceilings, clerestory windows and a sliding glass door leading to a deck with outdoor lounge furniture overlooking landscaped gardens. A king-size bed, super soft high-quality linens and a duvet add creature comforts. The ensuite bathroom has an ultra deep soaking tub, radiant floor and two-person, glass walk-in shower.

Next door, the queen bedroom is a quiet space with plush bed linens and whimsical art. The guest bath features an extra-large tiled shower with rain shower head and a modern pedestal sink.

Downstairs, the media room features an Italian leather reclining sofa and a 65" screen with surround-sound to make movies come to life. Beyond a room divider stocked with Northwest books, our third bed is a super-comfy queen with luxurious linens.

The backyard is private and expansive, with a terrace and lawn surrounded by flowering shrubs and trees. The deck off the main suite is furnished, making it a great outdoor lounging area . A professional grill and outdoor dining table makes al fresco dining a breeze.

Goldfinch House is just 20 minutes from downtown Seattle, in the city's trendy Ballard neighborhood. It's at the far western edge of the neighborhood, so close to Puget Sound you can smell the sea at low tide and hear seagulls as they fly overhead. It's only a few blocks to the water and Seattle's iconic waterfront restaurant, Ray's Boathouse, known for its spectacular view of the Salish Sea and Olympic Mountains.

There are lots of fun attractions on the waterfront, including the small but beautiful Secret Beach and a seaside promenade along Shilshole Marina to the city's best sand beach, Golden Gardens. With paddle board and kayak rentals and the city's highest rated sandwich shop (Un Bien; Cuban style), there is lots to see and do along the Shilshole waterfront.

Just 3 blocks from our home, the Ballard Locks is an absolute must-see. It's the only working locks in the nation that's open to the public, and it's truly an amazing sight to see vessels of all types being raised or lowered between Puget Sound and the Washington Ship Canal. A salmon ladder and botanical garden add to the dramatic scenes here.

Just a block from the Locks, the National Nordic Museum has been drawing raves internationally since it opened a few years ago. This modern, experiential museum showcases Scandinavian history and culture up until the present day; it also has a great cafe and gift shop.

Our home is just a 15-minute walk from Ballard's historic district, along Ballard Avenue NW, where turn-of-the-20th century brick buildings house multiple chef-driven restaurants, dessert shops and boutiques. Ballard is also home to the state’s largest brewery district, with more than a dozen breweries offering fun indoor/outdoor settings.

The home's owners, Leslie and Brian, are Northwest natives and foodies who keep their fingers on the pulse of the latest restaurants and attractions. They enjoy sharing their love of this beautiful region with guests, and are happy to help craft itineraries to make the most of guests' stays.

Leslie has lived in this home for 30 years. In 2018 her brick bungalow was transformed into the light-filled shed-roof contemporary it is today. Leslie and Brian also own and operate a luxury waterfront vacation rental, Blue Heron Lakehouse, on Lake Sammamish, 20 minutes east of downtown Seattle. This home has also received all 5-star reviews. It's been in operation as a vacation rental for more than 15 years.