3 Whidbey Island Design Destinations To Spark Your Next Adventure

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A short ferry ride outside Seattle, Whidbey Island houses some hidden design gems, from resorts to stores and antique goods. Here are three Whidbey Island design destinations that are sure to inspire.

Come explore these Whidbey Island design destinations

 

Captain Whidbey Inn Hold Stories About The Past And Present

green-tiled bar with stools in wood-lined, cozy bar as part of a Whidbey Island design destination

Photo by Alexandra Ribar

Nestled among old fir trees along Penn Cove, Captain Whidbey Inn is a historic resort anchored by a stone-and-log main lodge built in 1907. Over the years, the property has been a boarding house, post office and girls’ school, until 2018 when brothers Mike and Matt French—along with designer Eric Cheong—took over and restored it to its former glory as a hotel. Modern touches include a restaurant and bar program by Chef Sean Prater and a collection of stand-alone cabins. A newly opened wellness studio and barrel sauna bring the hotel into the 21st century. “Each log and stone holds stories from the past hundred years but also the current moment,” Cheong says.


Grayhorse Mercantile Is A Treasure Trove Of Artisanal Wares

home goods shop with vintage wares as part of a Whidbey Island design destination

Photo Courtesy Grayhorse Mercantile

Part home goods shop, part specialty foods store, Grayhorse Mercantile is a treasure trove of handmade, artisanal wares and provisions. “I wanted to be a resource for the local Whidbey community,” says purveyor Jennifer Sadinsky, who took inspiration from her grandmother’s knack for cooking and entertaining when conceiving of Grayhorse. The name is also a family affair. “My great-uncle Van adored horse racing and would travel the world going to every racetrack he could. He instilled an appreciation of horses and their beauty in our family.” Displayed amongst vintage furnishings, many of which are family heirlooms, Sadinsky’s wares are sure to become new family treasures.


Alma Offers Eco-Minded Design Essentials

barnwood panel store with cream clothing rack and cube shelving

Photo Courtesy Alma

For years, mother-daughter duo Kelly Sorensen Hansen and Diane Sorensen dreamed of opening a store together. When their families both landed in Langley on the south end of Whidbey Island in 2021, their dream became a reality with Alma, a warm and welcoming shop offering eco-minded clothing, toys and family essentials. Heritage touches of aged barnwood paneling, antique furniture and soft lighting shape out the cozy space, and you can’t help but linger. “We want to be the friendly place for the whole family to hang out, play and discover small sustainable brands that use ethically sourced natural materials,” Sorensen Hansen says. “Whether clothing, toys, vintage finds or other essentials, we focus on quality over quantity.”