Property Watch: This Vashon Island Farmhouse Lets You Live, Work, and Make Art
Image: Courtesy of Shelley Hanna
This combination gallery, studio, and small apartment drives plenty of foot traffic (not to mention creative inspiration) from its location in downtown Vashon. Right now, the farmhouse is home to Hinge Gallery, which sells local art prints, postcards, and other handmade goods on its welcoming main floor. A one-bedroom residence is up top, through a separate entrance, and a small studio in back provides workspace.
The building itself dates back to 1900 and offers an inviting wide front stoop topped with a hipped roof; the exterior has been essentially unchanged for 120 years.
Image: Courtesy of Shelley Hanna
The gallery and retail space contains vintage elements that match the vibe, like shelves built on old doors, a reclaimed-looking wood counter, and mounted wooden milk crates. The original fireplace is still here, painted a slate blue. One rounded-corner doorway leads to a large kitchen; another to a hall that takes you to a bathroom and private office (or bedroom). Both lead to a back porch, with a separate entrance to the upper floor.
Image: Courtesy of Shelley Hanna
Upstairs, there's a tiny one-bedroom apartment—either a live/work situation or a vacation rental—with hardwood floors. It has the very basics, with a cozy living room, a three-quarter bath, and a teeny-tiny kitchenette with a small range. The bedroom has sloping attic ceilings and built-in cabinets.
Out back, a 483-square-foot studio is perfect for making art, storing inventory, or crafting. There’s laundry in the basement, too.
Image: Courtesy of Shelley Hanna
The space is pretty versatile. Before it became Hinge Gallery, it was bright red and home to the ethical home decor shop Giraffe (now just a block and a half down the street). With the right outfitting it could be a bakery, a cafe, bookstore, or whatever sort of business fuels your run-away-to-the-island dream.
Image: Courtesy of Windermere
The main drag of Vashon is, counterintuitively, a little far from the ferry dock, but it’s just a 15-minute bus ride once you get across the water via ferry from the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal or via the passenger-only Water Taxi from downtown.
Listing Fast Facts
9905 SW 174th Street Vashon, WA
Size: 1,744 square feet/0.14 acres, 2 bedroom/1.5 bath
List Date: 6/7/2023
List Price: $899,000
Listing Agent: Sophia de Groen Stendahl, Windermere
