Camano Island home is ‘man heaven’

Everything about Craig and Rose Olson’s home on the northern tip of Camano Island is grand.

Perched on a high-bank waterfront lot, their 7,000-square-foot Northwest contemporary home features expansive views of the water, numerous islands and snowy Mount Baker.

The lush 10 acres include a mix of their green lawn, dramatic conifers and Japanese maples that run down toward the water and up the steep rise behind their property where the buffalo, quite literally, roam.

The home, billed as “Everything Grand Scale,” is one of five of the Camano Island Home Tour on Saturday.

Originally built in 1995, the Olsons’ home was updated in 2005 to include new finishes from top to bottom.

They also added a wine cellar, a gigantic, plush media room and, Craig Olson’s favorite, a covered outdoor barbecue pavilion with a fireplace, infrared heat lamps, a kitchen area and a built-in flat-screen TV.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

“It’s man heaven,” Rose Olson, 47, said of the brick pavilion. “Craig loves a project. Every year it’s something different.”

The Olsons, whose two sons, Craig Jr., 20, and Evan, 17, live upstairs, delight in sharing their home, which has become an entertaining playground, especially for Seahawks fans.

But let’s get back to the grandeur.

It starts at the entrance where two 100-year-old Japanese maples flank a large covered porch over a two-story wall of intricate leaded glass windows and doors.

Travertine, granite and marble tile flooring starts outside and continues in the same pattern inside, where a two-story wall of windows brings the view into a living room with a grand piano and a large fireplace.

Rooms are extra large. Stairwells and hallways are wider than typical. Dramatic slab granite gleams on the kitchen counters and in the master bathroom shower on the main floor.

Upstairs, a catwalk with glass block walls connects the boys’ bedrooms, which feature built-in desks underneath walls of windows facing Skagit Bay.

Although the home is the focal point of the tour, those who don’t mind a bit of a hike should explore the upper and lower grounds here.

While the lower grounds simply surround the house and palm-tree lined deck, visitors should also pop across the street to the upper grounds on another section of the Olsons’ property, also open for the tour.

Two giant white eagle sculptures border the upper driveway. Not far off, extra-wide stairs take visitors to two super-sized custom-made pergolas and a sparkling pond. Streams gently cascade over large river rocks both above and below the pond.

Craig Olson, 47, who is president of Washington Energy Services, particularly enjoys a copper-roofed gazebo placed next to the pond among the pergolas.

“It’s just peaceful,” he said.

Visitors can hoof it up the hill even farther to see the Olsons’ buffalo herd.

Though the three buffalo, including a young one born last fall, usually live on the couple’s ranch in Othello, Craig Olson enjoys them so much he brings them west for the summer.

“They’re awesome, man,” he said. “I just love looking at them.”

Still farther up the hill, visitors will find The Hawk’s Nest, a large rustic-looking building with a fireplace, bar, casino gaming tables, football regalia, neon signs representing nearly every NFL team, and numerous hunting trophies, including exotic South African creatures such as Cape buffalo.

If all this sounds altogether too masculine, just head back to the house for another spin.

The Olsons have achieved a balance in their estate through numerous pieces of fine art displayed throughout their home, including pieces by Camano Island artists such as Karla Matzke, a friend who helped Rose Olson hang the art creatively.

Paintings, sculptures, glasswork, Indonesian masks and family photos add warmth and charm in the Olsons’ many spaces.

Rose Olson said she doesn’t buy things as often as her gregarious husband. In fact, she feels like she’s always the one saying, “No.”

When it comes to art, however, she’s the one excited to spend a bit.

“I do like art,” she said. “I like the community on Camano.”

Sarah Jackson: 425-339-3037, sjackson@heraldnet.com

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Auston James / Village Theatre
“Jersey Boys” plays at Village Theatre in Everett through May 25.
A&E Calendar for May 15

Send calendar submissions for print and online to features@heraldnet.com. To ensure your… Continue reading

Kyle Parker paddles his canoe along the Snohomish River next to Langus Riverfront Park on Thursday, May 8, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tip to Tip: Kyle Parker begins his canoe journey across the country

The 24-year-old canoe fanatic started in Neah Bay and is making his way up the Skykomish River.

Photo courtesy of Historic Everett Theatre
The Elvis Challenge takes place Saturday at the Historic Everett Theatre.
A&E Calendar for May 8

Send calendar submissions to features@heraldnet.com. To ensure your item is seen by… Continue reading

Photo provided by Subaru U.S. Media Center
Subaru Adds Bronze And Onyx Trims to 2025 Ascent

Three-Row Family SUV Delivers Equal Parts Safety And Comfort

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid SUV (Provided by Hyundai).
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid evokes outdoor adventure

Boxy styling leaves lots of room for gear. A refined ride ensures comfort around town.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna minivan in the top-level Platinum grade (Provided by Toyota).
2025 Toyota Sienna maintains reputation for fuel efficiency

Every model in the minivan’s lineup has a hybrid powertrain.

An autumn-themed display at Wagner Jewelers in Marysville. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Shine bright with Snohomish County’s top jewelry finds

Three dazzling shops where elegance, craft, and sparkle come together.

The 2025 Lexus TX 350 is a three-row luxury SUV. It’s offered in Base, Premium, Luxury, and F Sport Handling grades (Provided by Lexus).
2025 Lexus TX 350 welcomes new F Sport Handling model

Unique exterior highlights, a glass roof and sport-tuned suspension are among the attractions.

Hybrid Touring Photo Provided by Subaru U.S. Media Center
2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid Increases Fuel Economy And Range

Sixth-Generation Model Receives Complete Refresh

Image from Pexels.com
Top 3 Cannabis Shops You’ll Love in Snohomish County

Looking for quality products and good energy? Let’s discover the top spots.

Image from Canva.com
Chic & unique: The top 3 boutiques in Snohomish County you need to visit

From trendy finds to timeless pieces, discover the hidden gems that are redefining local fashion.

Image from Canva.com
Find your next favorite read in Snohomish County

Explore three of the finest bookshops where stories and community come together

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.