Budget Breakdown: This Seattle Interior Designer Created Her Own Divorce Cabin
With her marriage ending, Maggie Smith made a $1M Whidbey Island retreat for herself and her daughter’s next season of life.
With her marriage ending, Maggie Smith made a $1M Whidbey Island retreat for herself and her daughter’s next season of life.
Interior designer Maggie Smith moved from Los Angeles to Seattle at the height of the pandemic. Although she knew the move would be tough, what she didn’t expect was to find herself going through a divorce. Suddenly looking for ways to take space and get out of the city, Maggie discovered nearby Whidbey Island. "It’s such a short trip," says the designer of the short drive and ferry ride over. "I used it as this little escape on the weekends for my daughter and me." Originally from the East Coast, Maggie was also drawn to the quiet, seaside feel of the island. "I grew up on a lake in New Hampshire, so Whidbey reminded me of home."
Interior designer Maggie Smith worked with architect Joshua Masterson to build a weekend cabin for herself and her daughter on Whidbey Island, a short drive and ferry ride from Seattle.
Photo by Aaron Leitz
As Maggie moved through the process of her divorce, the pull of Whidbey became stronger. "I wasn’t exactly sure where I would land long term, so I thought I could build this vacation spot for myself and for my daughter," she says. "I came to the conclusion that it would be a great investment in our future while I figured out the rest of my life."
| $40,000 Land | $102,600 Utilities | $37,500 Site Work |
| $25,000 Foundation | $120,000 Structural | $42,500 Wall Finishes |
| $16,500 Flooring | $28,400 Roofing | $2,500 Hardware |
| $35,000 Electrical | $32,700 Plumbing (includes kitchen and bath fixtures) | $23,000 HVAC Equipment |
| $9,500 Landscaping | $10,000 Lighting | $20,000 Cabinetry |
| $10,000 Countertops | $25,000 Appliances | $24,000 Windows & Glazing |
| $7,200 Doors | $30,000 Millwork | $25,000 Tilework |
| $3,000 Metalwork | $35,000 Furnishings & Decor | $5,350 Permitting |
| $203,500 Labor | $85,000 General Contractor Fee | $25,000 Architect/Design Fee |
| Grand Total: $1,023,250 | ||
Maggie and her daughter enjoy the entrance deck in Adirondack chairs from West Elm. The decking is Thermory pine from Arborwood.
Photo by Mio Monasch
The cabin is clad in budget-friendly Hardie in a board and batten pattern, painted in Benjamin Moore’s Iron Ore.
Photo by Aaron Leitz
See the full story on Dwell.com: Budget Breakdown: This Seattle Interior Designer Created Her Own Divorce Cabin
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