Our Orcas Island property is a 45 acre family compound named Milk and Honey Cove. One side of the acreage contains the caretaker’s home, commercial sheep farm, orchard, and weaver’s studio (hence the name) but the 7250 square foot main residence on the opposite side of the property is now available for limited rental. It’s located at the end of a private road through a private gate, offering you a sheltered and secluded sanctuary that’s surrounded by waterfront, a meticulous landscape, native shrubbery, extensive rockeries, and conifer woodlands.
The house is built on the edge of a pristine cove in the center of 2000 feet of shoreline. (The only other home within view is the nest that belongs to a resident pair of eagles.) On the western side, there’s a huge flagstone terrace that curves toward the waterfront. This terrace is a truly idyllic place where you can dine outdoors on a warm summer day and enjoy the spectacular sunsets in the evening. A hot tub is about 100 feet from the home and the grounds are laced with a number of footpaths, including one that edges the cove and leads to a private 40’ dock designated for guest moorage. (A buoy is also available for guest use.) Another path crosses a creek and continues along the hillside.
The interior living spaces are generous in proportion and furnished with classic upholstery and antiques. There’s a large entry hall on the main level, with two identical stairways that take you up to opposite wings of the second floor. Beyond the entry, the formal living room offers two conversation areas, a piano, and sets of french doors that open up onto the stone terrace. Also on this level are the kitchen, formal dining room, library with computer & printer, den, powder room, laundry room, and two large bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms. The dining room is banquet sized, with seating for eight at the main table, and for up to 12 more guests when folding tables and chairs (provided) are put into service.
Upstairs, the atmosphere is casual and family friendly; one stair landing is filled with puppets, another with blocks for children to enjoy. We also have shelves along the walls in the game room, filled with games and books. The game room itself is very large and in the middle of the two upper wings. It contains a vintage billiard table from the 1920's, a large television, cozy seating, and card table. A second king-sized bedroom, so large that it also has a sofabed, is located in the wing to the south, complete with ensuite bath. The northern wing is a private enclosure for two additional bedrooms, both with queen-size beds, the larger of which is also equipped with a sofabed, and a shared bath in the hall. (Super for a child with nanny or granny.) A kitchenette with sink, microwave, refrigerator, and coffee maker are on the upper level as well.
A couple of things to know - the home has numerous fireplaces but as they function ineffectively, we cannot allow guests to use them. And, since livestock is raised commercially on the adjacent property, we cannot accept dogs under any circumstances. But this does mean that guests who arrive in early spring can see our adorable baby lambs and goats grazing in the green pastures!
Milk and Honey is a unique and cherished property. It’s a wonderful choice if you are hosting friends and clients, having a family reunion or holiday gathering. It’s also perfect for adult couples that are vacationing together, or simply very special occasions. Please call our rental management company at 800-391-8190 for additional property specifications and guest occupancy details.
