Top 10% of guest reviews in this areaTop 10% of guest reviews in this area
Near the sea, this vacation home features 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, accommodating 6 guests. It offers a deck, patio, and porch for outdoor enjoyment. Families can enjoy nearby kayaking, birdwatching, and fishing. Attractions include Hiram M. Chittenden Locks and Carl S. English Botanical Park.
Highlights
Cook, dine, and unwind
Top-rated for its fully equipped kitchen, perfect for every meal.
Beach equipment
A rare find — beach equipment ready to go for your days by the sea.
Centrally-located
You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
Goldfinch House - Scandinavian Modern Near Beaches
On a quiet side street in Ballard, just 2.5 blocks from Puget Sound, Goldfinch House is a cheerful contemporary home with sleek Scandinavian style, abundant light and thoughtful luxury touches throughout. Filled with art and greenery, it offers a beautifully equipped chef’s kitchen, media lounge with surround sound and a serene main suite with soaking tub and private deck.
Now accepting bookings for World Cup: June 10–30.
The home sits high above the street, creating a sense of privacy and calm. Skylights and clerestory windows flood the great room with light, where a soft leather sectional, vibrant art, plants and a 65" Sony TV invite relaxed gatherings.
The chef’s kitchen is fully stocked for serious cooking, with high-end appliances, All-Clad cookware and an 11-foot granite island that's ideal for buffet dining and makes meal prep a shared experience.
The main suite is an elegant retreat with king bed, luxe linens, high ceilings, and sliding doors to a furnished deck overlooking landscaped gardens. The ensuite bath features a deep soaking tub, radiant floors, and a spacious two-person glass shower. A quiet queen bedroom and stylish guest bath complete the main level.
Downstairs, the media room features an Italian leather reclining sofa, 75" screen and surround sound. A cozy sleeping area with a queen bed and luxurious linens, plus a workstation, sits just beyond a divider stocked with Northwest books.
Outdoors, the private backyard offers a lawn, dining terrace, professional grill, and lush plantings—ideal for al fresco meals and lounging.
Location highlights: • 5-minute walk to the Ballard Locks and National Nordic Museum • Easy waterfront access with a scenic promenade past Shilshole Marina to Golden Gardens Beach • 15-minute walk to Ballard Avenue’s historic shops, chef-driven restaurants and brewery district • 20 minutes to downtown Seattle
So close to the Sound you can smell the sea at low tide, Goldfinch House offers a stay that’s far beyond the usual—an inviting, design-forward home with concierge-style hospitality.
Owners Leslie and Brian, Northwest natives and devoted food lovers, are happy to share recommendations and help guests craft memorable itineraries.
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The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Turn off the lights, lock the doors and return the keys
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Important information
You need to know
Property Registration Number STR-OPLI-19-000119
Property # 3128581vb
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
About the area
Seattle
Located near the beach, this holiday home is in Ballard, a neighbourhood in Seattle. Seattle Cruise Ship Terminal 91 and Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66 are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those in the mood for shopping can visit Pike Place Market and Northgate Station. Consider Seattle Center for a night out, and don't miss Woodland Park Zoo if you're travelling with kids. Kayaking and power boating offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking/biking trails and cycling nearby.
Is Goldfinch House - Scandinavian Modern Near Beaches pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much is parking at Goldfinch House - Scandinavian Modern Near Beaches?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Goldfinch House - Scandinavian Modern Near Beaches?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Goldfinch House - Scandinavian Modern Near Beaches?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Goldfinch House - Scandinavian Modern Near Beaches located?
This family-friendly Seattle holiday home is located by the sea, within 1 mi (2 km) of National Nordic Museum and Shilshole Bay Marina. Woodland Park Zoo is 2.4 mi (3.9 km) away.
About the host
Hosted by Leslie Forsberg
Leslie, a former magazine editor and travel writer, and Brian, an architectural designer and former Seattle homebuilder, live in Port Angeles, just minutes from Olympic National Park, where they continue to pursue projects in design, real estate and community development. They also own Blue Heron Lakehouse, a 5-star luxury home on Lake Sammamish, just 25 minutes east of Seattle—offering guests another uniquely Northwest experience.
Why they chose this property
We chose this neighborhood because it offers something increasingly rare in Seattle: a peaceful, beautiful residential setting that’s still deeply connected to the water, culture and daily life of the city.
Goldfinch House sits in one of Ballard’s most sought-after pockets—quiet streets lined with gardens and beautiful homes, just a few blocks from Puget Sound. The fresh air, comfortable microclimate and proximity to the water make it feel like a retreat, while everything you want to explore is an easy walk away.
Within minutes, guests can reach the Ballard Locks, Shilshole Bay Marina, the National Nordic Museum and the historic Ballard Avenue district, known for its chef-driven restaurants, independent boutiques and lively nightlife scene. The waterfront offers abundant recreation as well, from paddleboarding and kayaking to long walks along the marina and days in the sun and sand at Golden Gardens, widely considered Seattle’s best sand beach. In the evenings, the best place to be is Sunset View Park, where the neighborhood gathers to watch the sun setting over the water and the Olympic Mountains.
This has been Leslie's family home for more than three decades, and she raised her family here—so we know this neighborhood intimately. Ballard, and specifically this pocket neighborhood--Sunset Hill--was an easy choice because it balances calm and beauty with access and energy, and it’s a place people tend to fall in love with quickly and remember long after they leave.
What makes this property unique
Goldfinch House isn’t a purpose-built rental—it’s our own home, built in 2018 and thoughtfully designed for how people actually live, cook, relax and gather. Every space reflects things we value and use ourselves, which guests consistently tell us makes the home feel unusually warm, comfortable and homey.
The interiors are filled with natural light from skylights and clerestory windows, creating bright, open rooms accented by contemporary art and cheerful colors. The layout offers both togetherness and privacy, with two distinct living areas including a media lounge with a 75" screen, surround sound and an Italian leather reclining sofa.
The kitchen is a true standout. Designed for serious cooking, it’s stocked far beyond the usual rental with high-end appliances, All-Clad cookware, abundant tools and beautiful serving pieces—ideal for everything from casual breakfasts to celebratory dinners.
Outdoors, the home opens to an expansive backyard with terrace dining for eight, a professional grill, furnished deck, lawn, flowering shrubs and fruit trees—an uncommonly spacious and relaxing space.
Guests also appreciate practical comforts that matter: blazing-fast internet, a dedicated workstation, premium bedding with high-thread-count linens and a peaceful setting that feels removed from the city while remaining walkable to Puget Sound, the Ballard Locks, museums, beaches and Ballard’s historic dining and shopping district.
In short, Goldfinch House offers high-quality design, luxurious finishes and thoughtfully curated amenities, paired with a location that no other Seattle neighborhood can match.
Languages:
English, Spanish, Swedish
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests