PORT LUDLOW — From the giant metal ants creeping up the front steps to the amphibious butler bowing you through the front door, you realize it right away — this is no ordinary home.
And Susan Propeck is not your ordinary homeowner.
“Humor is important to me,” Propeck says. “You have to laugh every day.”
Propeck’s waterfront home is one of eight on this Saturday’s Kitchen Tour, which this year showcases homes in the Port Ludlow area.
All have distinctive kitchens and many have stunning views of the bay, but in Propeck’s house, the view takes a back seat to bold architectural features and light, whimsical touches.
“This is a fun, fun house,” Propeck says. “Don’t assume you’ve seen it all. You have to keep looking.”
Deceptively English in appearance, the house switches moods dramatically once you step through the front door.
Wood columns and archways separate the entry way and living spaces on the main floor. Rich colors and textures, including the walls done in a technique called Venetian plaster, give the house an old-world feel.
“It’s a little Tuscan,” Propeck says. “I wanted it real warm and comfy inside and that style lends itself to that.”
THE ANNUAL AAUW Kitchen Tour runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
The self-guided tour of eight Port Ludlow houses begins 9:30 a.m. at the Beach Club (adjacent to the marina), where refreshments will be served.
Tour tickets are $12 in advance; $15 day of tour. Proceeds benefit scholarships for East Jefferson County women. Call 360-379-6454 for more information.