SERENE SPACIOUS
BATHING IN THE BEAUTY OF CENTRAL OREGON DESIGN
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In Bend, Oregon since 1999
Designed by Tebbs Design Group
Photos by Blake Woolen
West Bend’s newest neighborhood is taking shape.
A premier place to call home.
3 MIN to Shevlin Park to NW Crossing to Downtown to Old Mill District to Mt.Bachelor
Derived from the “tall line” of the Cascade Mountain Range, the Talline development was created as a neighborhood, not only for the family, but for the whole community to call home amongst the mountains. Talline will feature a 5 acre mixed commercial core anchoring the neighborhood with some diverse commercial tenants as well as an 8 acre park nestled into the heart of Talline to better accommodate your family needs. This vision for the Talline community is being shaped by a few of the best builders in Bend coming together as partners to develop this last remaining large parcel of land on Bend’s Westside, placing Homeowners in close proximity to many of the area’s best amenities.
Order
Building extraordinary custom homes for over 40 years
A DEDICATED CUSTOM HOME BUILDER YOU CAN TRUST
We provide a hands-on and personalized approach to custom home building without sacrificing the core values of trust, relationship building and accountability. Over two hundred completed homes later, every west side neighborhood in Bend is home to the Leader Builders name.
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Ready to start a new project? (541) 480-3547
| (541) 410-3682
DEPARTMENTS
ACCESSIBLE DESIGN
Central Oregon designer Colleen Dougherty creates homes that are beautiful as well as ADA-accessible.
A SENSE OF PLACE
Hacker Architect Corey Martin’s awardwinning designs are rooted in a deep connection to the natural environment.
TOUCH OF FLAIR
The fusion of organic and luxe elements transform a primary bathroom into an elegant modern sanctuary.
88
CRAFTING WITH GLASS
The glasswork artistry of Susie Zeitner elevates homes and businesses with vibrant and functional designs.
Plant installations elevate spaces
PUBLISHERS
Heather Huston Johnson
Ross Johnson
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Cheryl Parton
MANAGING EDITOR
Lee Lewis Husk
STAFF WRITER
Siena Dorman
CUSTOM PUBLICATIONS EDITOR
Heidi Hausler
COPY EDITOR
Stephanie Boyle Mays
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Kelly Alexander
SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Cali Clement, Jeremiah Crisp
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Libby Marsden
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Susan Crow, Ronnie Harrelson
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Bootsie Boddington
Kim Page
SALES AND
MARKETING COORDINATOR
Allie Field
CLIENT PERFORMANCE SPECIALIST
Gretchen Sortor
MARKETING DIRECTOR
Cali Clement
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Heather Renee Wong
WEB DEVELOPMENT
Zack Jenks - Litehouse Tech
CIRCULATION MANAGER
Amara Spittler
Bend Home + Design Magazine is a free publication found throughout Central Oregon. To receive it by mail, subscribe to Bend Magazine. By doing so, you’ll get one year (6 issues) of Bend Magazine and receive 4 issues of Bend Home + Design delivered directly to your home or business Enjoy two content-rich magazines for one low price: $19.95!
EDITOR’S LETTER
Unlike the frozen extremes of Alaska or the sunny warmth of Southern California, when winter arrives at the 44th latitude east of the Cascades, it delivers the perfect winter venue for outside pursuits. For me, it’s the Nordic trails at Mt. Bachelor and local snoparks for a rush (and a kick in the butt) like no other. It’s exhilarating.
That same gratitude extends beyond the outdoors to the comforts of the home my husband and I built nearly a decade ago. We were fortunate to collaborate with talented professionals who guided us through design, construction and interior design selections–a process that unfolded before the area’s growth spurt gave today’s homeowners even more resources for building or remodeling their homes. This issue of Bend Home + Design showcases some of those professionals. For elevating architecture in Central Oregon, read the story on page 66 about the legacy
of pioneering work by Corey Martin and the Portland- and Bend-based Hacker studio that connects the built environment with our unique high desert landscape.
We have an original Black Butte Ranch home that was remodeled with whimsical touches such as a “candelier” above the dining room table made from the homeowners’ collected beer cans (page 28). We share Mackenzie Craven’s renovated primary bathroom on page 72, and she gives practical advice to our readers, in much the same way she guides her devoted 103,000 Instagram followers.
As I pass through the winter of cold temps and immersion in a hot tub to revive frozen toes and fingers, I remain awed by the place where I live and the seasons it provides.
Lee Lewis Husk, Editor
From Your Local Experts
CELESTE MCGOWAN
HOME SPOTLIGHT
Cofounder of Iron Roots Design, Celeste McGowan brings an artist’s touch to designing lush interiors inspired by her clients’ distinctive lifestyles. Page 52
COLLEEN DOUGHERTY ACCESSIBLE HOME DESIGN
Artist Colleen Dougherty cofounded Oregon Adaptive Sports and builds from her own life experience to design beautifully functional ADA-accessible homes. Page 62
COREY MARTIN ARCHITECT
As a principal designer for Hacker Architecture and Interior Design, Corey Martin’s projects are rooted in their natural surroundings, inspiring connectedness and a deep sense of place. Page 66
JOHN KISH INTERIOR LANDSCAPING
Owner of Bend’s Somewhere That’s Green, horticulturalist John Kisch uses “green-ification” to reimagine indoor spaces. Page 82
CONTRIBUTORS
CASEY HATFIELD-CHIOTTI
WRITER
The words of Bend’s Casey HatfieldChiotti can be found in Marin Living , The New York Times, Travel + Leisure and Forbes. As the daughter of an architect and designer, Hatfield-Chiotti’s appreciation for architecture makes her a natural to cover home design. For this issue, she wrote about a Black Butte Ranch renovation and ADA-accessible design homes. Pages 28 and 62
ANNA JACOBS
PHOTOGRAPHER
Raised in Vermont, Anna Jacobs has spent a decade in Bend. She divides her time between projects that indulge her passion for photography, real estate and marketing, and has an eye for architectural detail and interior spaces. Beyond photography, she and her husband Damian Schmitt also operate Mountain Modern Airstream. Her images in this issue show us the beauty of ADAaccessibility. Page 62
SHEILA G. MILLER
WRITER
Living and working in Bend, Sheila G. Miller writes about everything from local schools and gardening to golf tournaments and home design. She enjoys celebrating the magic of this growing community and likes to support the local businesses that make Bend so special. In this issue, Miller wrote about interior landscaping with large-scale plant installations by Somewhere That’s Green. Page 82
CHRIS MURRY
PHOTOGRAPHER
Specializing in architecture, design and sciences, Chris Murray of Bend began shooting in 1988 with a Pentax MG he bought in a pawnshop in Ketchikan, Alaska while helicopter logging. He was Patagonia’s lead photographer and has traveled internationally for many top outdoor brands and magazines. Here, he captures the artistry of two Bend homes. Pages 40 and 52
ZEE WENDELL
PHOTOGRAPHER
Collaborating with a creative team to set the scene and then find the spontaneous, unexpected moments in life are Zee Wendell’s favorite parts of commercial photography. She’s produced images of interiors, kids and portraits for more than 20 years. Wendell enjoys Bend’s many outdoor adventures and finds endless inspiration in the beauty of Central Oregon. Pages 28 and 62
Join us this holiday season in supporting our local charities like Open Door Cafe, Boys and Girls Club, Summit Boosters, and Toys for Tots!
EXPECT MORE FROM
MALACE HOMES
Award-Winning Central Oregon home builder designing + building quality, luxurious homes for clients to enjoy for generations to come. We turn your home dreams into reality. Contact us today to learn about our distinctive home building process.
LOCALLY Found
Light a candle to spark ambiance at home
Located in the historic, 117-year-old Boyd homestead, Pomegranate Home and Garden transports visitors with its mix of European home goods, artisan wares, vintage finds and antiques. Founded by Jan and Robert Brockway more than 25 years ago, the current owner and Bend native, Marti Fraley has continued the tradition of curating Pomegranate as an immersive shopping experience. “I think that has to do with the essence of the place in its entirety,” said Fraley. “The Boyd property is alive with history and memories which is something you can feel when you make your way through the buildings.” With a fine art degree and after traveling abroad, Fraley took the reins from the Brockways, and she sources items that aren’t found anywhere else in Central Oregon, she said. She added artist workshops, such as painting, hand lettering and candle making, held in the adjacent cottage space. This season, find Pomegranate filled with items for the home, treats for bath and body, plus an upstairs full of gifts for children in a treasure-hunt shopping experience.
POMEGRANATE HOME AND GARDEN
120 NE Bend River Mall Drive, Bend pomegranate-home.com
LUMBERJACK WOOD WICK
$25, Monarch Mercantile 1326 NW Galveston Ave., Bend
THE FARMHOUSE
$38, Pomegranate Home and Garden 120 NE Bend River Mall Drive, Bend
PERSONS OF INTEREST
$60, Wren and Wild
112 NW Minnesota Ave., Bend
HAZELTINE TERRE
$54, Root Adorned
2748 NW Crossing Drive Suite 130, Bend
WICK FOREST WHITE WOLF
$24, Bedouin 143 E Hood Ave., Sisters
FIRST SNOW FALL
$18, Tumalo Candle Co. tumalocandle.com
BONNE
COMMUNITY Pulse
Central Oregon Youth Housing
INITIATIVE EXPANDS
J Bar J Youth Services’ Cascade Youth & Family Center launched a housing program for 16 to 24 year-olds in Central Oregon. The initiative provides stable housing and daily support for homeless youth and those aging out of foster care. Acquiring a Wilson Avenue triplex, the program addresses the region's housing crisis while collaborating with local partners, such as the Homeless Leadership Coalition, Central Oregon’s Youth Action Board and NeighborImpact to support vulnerable young adults.
Alpenglow Community Park
EARNS NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED AWARD
Bend's Alpenglow Community Park received the "Merit Award" at the 2024 AIA Oregon Architecture Awards, recognized for its exceptional design by a national jury. Spanning 37 acres, the park features a pedestrian bridge, event pavilion and restroom shelter, all inspired by the Three Sisters and Cascade Range. The design incorporates weathering steel, ribbed concrete and locally sourced ponderosa pine, developed in collaboration with Central Oregon firms and PAE Engineers from Portland.
Local Organizations
PAVE WAY FOR HOMEOWNERSHIP
A Bend family recently received keys to its first home, thanks to a partnership between First Story and the Heart of Oregon Corps’ YouthBuild program. This initiative helps families earning 80% or less of the area income achieve homeownership through a zero-down, zero-interest mortgage. Since 2011, First Story and Heart of Oregon Corps have built six homes for under-resourced families while offering youth construction skills. A dedication ceremony for the new home was held in late 2024.
Caldera Ranch Approved
FOR URBAN GROWTH BOUNDARY EXPANSION
Bend's City Council voted to incorporate the 91.4-acre Caldera Ranch property into city limits, an urban growth boundary expansion allowed under Oregon Senate Bill 1537 to expedite affordable housing. Located on Bend's southeast side, the site will be developed by Dan Goodrich of Structure Development for residential use, with 30% designated to affordable housing defined as 80% of area median income for renters and 130% for homebuyers. When complete, Caldera Ranch will provide 700 housing units along with commercial space and parks.
YEAR IN REVIEW
Market TRENDS
Statistics represent combined closed transactions for residential homes in Bend, Redmond, Sisters and Sunriver for the 12-month period prior to publication.
$9,500,000
MOST EXPENSIVE SOLD HOME
Inventory Overview
$402
PRICE $ 818,347
333 AVERAGE SALES MONTHLY IN 2023
310 AVERAGE SALES MONTHLY IN 2021 433 AVERAGE SALES MONTHLY IN 2022
A Getaway Every Day
It’s a special place that can make you feel like you’re on vacation every day. The Eight is that place. Nestled in the Old Mill District and just steps from the Deschutes River, this exclusive collection of townhomes offers resort living just minutes from Central Oregon’s finest restaurants, shops, galleries, golf, skiing, hiking, and so much more.
Step inside The Eight and you will find three floors of luxurious living spaces with a perfect mix of industrial elements and natural materials. Expansive balconies invite you to entertain, relax, and enjoy the sweeping views. Every detail has been considered, from designer lighting to high-end appliances to cozy fireplaces.
Each home at The Eight is zoned for nightly rental, making it a fantastic investment opportunity whether you choose to rent the entire space or just the first-floor lockout ADU. Then again, with everything it offers, we won’t blame you if you choose to keep it all for yourself.
Stephanie Ruiz, Broker 541.948.5196
Jordan Grandlund, Principal Broker 541.420.1559 www.theeightattheoldmill.com
HOME FEATURE
Refined Cabin Design
One of Black Butte Ranch’s original homes gets a colorful and personality-filled renovation
WRITTEN
BY
CASEY HATFIELD-CHIOTTI
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ZEE WENDELL
The first homes at Black Butte Ranch have good bones—think midcentury elements such as exposed roof beams and cedar ceilings, but many need updating, and the spaces are tight by today’s standards.
A desire for more space led the couple who owned a 1971 cabin, a vacation refuge for their family of four since 2015, on a significant renovation in 2021 to maintain a rustic cabin feel.
“They also wanted to bring it up to date, making it more functional and stylish, while still unique to them,” said architect Brandon Olin who took the house on the Big Meadow Golf Course down to the studs, expanding the footprint to add a primary bedroom, which allowed them to enlarge the living and kitchen areas.
The home was refinished inside and out. Olin suggested creating a detached garage and turning the existing garage into more living space. He added on to the front of the house to make the primary bedroom suite. He removed the loft in the main living area to create a great room that isn’t much bigger than the original footprint but feels larger due to a
16-foot-high vaulted ceiling and transom windows showcasing views of trees, the golf course and Black Butte beyond.
The homeowners entrusted designer Allison Clouser of Clouz Houz with interiors from concept to completion. Inspired by the color palette found in Black Butte and Sisters, from chartreuse yellows to deep greens, she worked closely with them to select everything from finishes to artwork and create interiors infused with warmth and personality.
PRACTICAL YET POLISHED
It’s hard to believe the home’s kitchen was once a tiny galley kitchen with low ceilings. An extension of the main living room, the kitchen has painted cabinets and a large island clad with reclaimed planks in a dark stain and topped with durable quartz. The comfortable Denver Modern bar stools are the family’s preferred place to sit and dine when not entertaining. The green Bedrosians tile catches the light behind the range, which is surrounded by a butcher block countertop, bringing in warmth and rustic vibes. A small but mighty pantry conceals food and small appliances.
The living room furniture is comfortable and functional, a necessity with kids and family members coming in and out of the home. Clouser chose a performance-grade fabric for the sofa and covered the Kravet chairs in durable Pendleton wool. “It doesn’t feel too precious,” said Clouser.
When standing in the room, the eye can’t help but go to the blackened steel fireplace with a built-in shelf for stacking firewood and to the “candelier” above the dining table, a cascading light fixture designed by GLGR (Gallagher) out of Portland and made from beer cans the homeowners collected.
“They love pops of unexpected and whimsy, and they don’t want anything too serious, too stuffy,” said Clouser.
GROWN-UP SPACES
Olin kept the ceilings high even in the powder bath, which feels elevated yet cabinlike with a classic marble hex pattern floor and western-themed wallpaper by designer Max Humphrey. The primary suite has oak floors by Duchateau, a cedar ceiling to match the original ceilings in the home, black and white photography by Bend photographer Zack Fagin and a sliding glass door opening onto a hot tub and wrap-around patio.
Pops of color can be found throughout, such as the retro orange table lamps from Etsy in the guest bedroom. Beyond a sleek and stylish mud room, in what used to be the garage, lies a bunk room with an elegant built-in bunk bed.
“We thought through every room. I’m proud that it lives really well.”
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A collaboration among the owners, Clouser and Olin ensured that adults are as comfortable sleeping in the bunkroom as children. It has four queen beds, sconces for reading and outlets for charging devices. Built-in cubbies offer a convenient place for guests to stash clothes and other items. The only room in the house that is carpeted, the bunk room can be a cozy kid area, a family suite or another guest bedroom. Comfortable cubes by BOBO Intriguing Objects add flair.
“We thought through every room. I’m proud that it lives really well,” said Clouser. It may not be the largest home in Black Butte Ranch, but every inch of the modern cabin in the woods is thought out and utilized.
Architect: Olin Architecture | Interior designer: Clouz Houz | Builder: Dyer Construction & Renovation
LOOKBOOKS
The following pages feature a collection of inspired projects highlighting architects, builders and designers leading the way in Central Oregon.
40
FAMILY HOME
A local builder shares his expertise from decades of experience and the lessons learned while creating a cheerful home for his own family.
44
CONTEMPORARY LIVING
Eight award-winning townhomes combine river views with innovative design for elevated living in the heart of Bend’s Old Mill District.
48
SPALIKE RETREAT
Flooded in natural light, a primary bathroom is transformed into a modern sanctuary with warm accents and natural materials.
DH BUILDERS
Building Trust
With a 30-year career constructing homes for others—and recently one for his own family—Dave Hall brings fresh insight from experiencing both sides of the business. This dual perspective has added to his knowledge, ultimately benefiting his clients.
He founded DH Builders in 2014. Shortly after, he brought on master carpenter Sean McKinney, who became a key part of the company as part-owner and chief operating officer. Their teamwork is showcased in Central Oregon luxury housing communities, including Broken Top, The Highlands and Crosswater. In 2022, Hall had time to focus on building a home for his family.
An important lesson he learned from building his own home was that it doesn’t have to take 18 months to two years—or longer—to complete if the builder and client have mutual trust. He finished his personal residence in just 11 months.
Q&A
What are the first steps you should take when considering building a home?
Start by doing your homework on what you want in your house, then focus on assembling a team of professionals. Sometimes clients come to us after hiring an architect, and other times it’s the reverse. What matters most is that the builder and architect work well together and that the builder is involved in the design process from the beginning. Interior designers usually join the project later, but bringing one in early can be beneficial—they can help set realistic allowances based on the overall budget.
What features are your clients asking for today?
The trends haven’t shifted much—clients still want wood floors, fireplaces, modern styles with Northwest Lodge elements. They want durable, industrial
finishes like steel and concrete softened by warm wood accents. Granite and quartz remain popular for kitchen islands and engineered quartz slabs for kitchen perimeters. Powder baths are a place where clients often choose something bold or funky. People want to open up to the outside using sliding, stacking or accordion-style doors.
For your own home, what did you choose?
We picked a sunny lot in Bend’s Westgate neighborhood to take advantage of passive solar energy—maximizing warmth in winter and shade in summer. The house features advanced insulation systems, radiant heat over concrete floors and ductless mini-splits for cooling. The house is so efficient, it’s silly. For fire resistance, we opted for stucco and durable fiber cement boards. The entry has a salvaged barnwood cladding that was treated with a fire-resistant clear coat.
Our 2,700-square-foot modern home with shed and flat roofs includes three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and a mud room for all the Central Oregon gear. The primary suite includes a “wet” cedar sauna, hot tub, cold plunge and a “beachy” patio area with real sand.
Tell us about trust issues.
Between 2020 and 2023, during and after COVID-19, the construction frenzy drew an influx of marginal or inexperienced builders, which led to consumer horror stories. These experiences left homeowners hesitant to trust builders, which often slows projects down significantly. I’ve seen builds drag on for two years or more. My wife was so happy that we got exactly what we wanted on a good budget in just 11
months, from the start to move-in date. DH Builders has refined a system that allows us to build efficiently and handle high-level, complex remodels without delays. Sean’s technical wizardry and problem-solving skills help us move more quickly. Every Monday, he and our project managers outline the week’s plan, followed by a Friday update with what’s coming the next week. After each on-site meeting, we provide detailed follow-up documentation to ensure we’re on the same page as our clients. This communication protocol goes far beyond what most builders do, making the client experience much more enjoyable and relaxing. When clients know how much we care about their project, they often return because we’ve established an element of trust.
DH BUILDERS, INC.
20765 Carmen Loop, Suite 130, Bend dh-builders.com
An interview with Dave Hall of DH Builders
ARROWOOD DEVELOPMENT
Elegant Enclave
Nestled in the bluffs at the Old Mill District is The Eight by Arrowood Development. This collection of eight distinctive townhomes invites clients to live in a design-forward home that celebrates Bend’s future as well as its heritage.
Set near the Deschutes River and the urban energy of Bend’s “second downtown,” The Eight at the Old Mill is a model for contemporary living and an innovative way of designing for urban density, connection and client lifestyle.
A quiet U-shaped street creates a microcommunity for owners that is both welcoming and energizing. With four 2024 Central Oregon Builder Association Tour of Home awards, including ones for Best of Show, Architecture, Design Feature and Interior Finish, The Eight delivers customizable urban spaces created to adapt to each client’s desires and lifestyle.
Q&A
Femke van Velzen, brand and design director for Arrowood Development, tells us more.
How do projects such as The Eight fill a need to both fit into an environment and also stand out?
We appreciate that the Old Mill District has done such a good job of preserving its vision for this area of Bend. Our goal as developers is to fill a place within that vision while upholding its high standards, which benefits the greater community as well as end users. Through the site design and the creation of The Eight, we are providing a luxury townhome product that fits the environment and offers clients a unique, elevated living experience. What makes this neighborhood even more special is its overnight rental zoning. Whether clients choose to rent the entire space or just the first-floor lockout ADU, it’s a very attractive investment opportunity in one of Bend’s most sought-after markets.
How did you use elevated design to set The Eight apart?
We like the challenge that pushes the boundaries of how to use materials in exciting ways, but keeps it accessible for people with different tastes and styles. The color palettes in The Eight layer neutrals and textures with a mix of hard and soft materials that create an ideal backdrop for a wide range of furnishing styles. Taupe, warm white and beige tones are combined with “colors of the moment” that deliver an imaginative, memorable visual impact.
We are mindful that, first and foremost, these are spaces where people will live. Our goal is to offer a mix of materials that is really user-friendly and easy to maintain, while creating visual landing spots that evoke an emotion when you step inside.
Tell us more about visual landing spots. Good design should offer opportunities that spark a conversation. The Eight delivers those moments with features such as handmade Brazilian light fixtures in the main spaces as well as bursts of color and texture delivered through paint and wallpaper. We reimagined how to utilize glass panes, leveraging frosted glass to obscure laundry areas, provide privacy in exterior spaces and skirt interior staircases. We also viewed the exterior as an extension of each home’s floorplan and created four decks that offer yearround covered dining and a place to enjoy the Old Mill’s vibrant environment.
How do site design and selections of materials create a custom space within the environment?
The building envelope offered plenty of space to create eight townhomes
laid out in a way that creates its own welcoming destination neighborhood with a distinct look and feel. That atmosphere is supported with ample landscaping for privacy and beauty along with natural stone, wood and iron elements that recall this area’s important place in Bend’s history. The Eight is intentionally close to the Old Mill District, but residents can choose what they want to let in, mentally. We embraced this mindset by designing indoor-outdoor spaces to maximize their views and experiences. Incorporating multiple decks offers space to relax with the sounds of a concert right outside your door, while large-format windows let in abundant natural light and provide beautiful views indoors as well. Inside and out, our goal was to create a special place that embraces urban living, celebrates the stunning natural surroundings and answers our clients’ desire to realize the ultimate carefree lifestyle.
ARROWOOD DEVELOPMENT
250 NW Franklin Ave. #403, Bend arrowooddev.com
LIFE DESIGN BUILD
Modern Bath Remodel
Having completed an extensive remodel of one of their homes before (a 1910-built Craftsman), Tyson Gillard and his family set out to find “a light fixer” when they relocated to Bend in 2022. They discovered a 1977 ranch-style home in southeast Bend, full of potential for reshaping into a multigenerational compound. As an architect, general contractor and founder of Life Design Build, Gillard was ideally suited to remodeling the home, which, among other improvements on the property, included gutting the old primary bathroom and modernizing it.
The original bathroom, with its cream-colored walls and bland countertops, lacked character. The remodel was more a transformation to create a spalike ambiance featuring warm, textured, nature-inspired materials that added richness, depth and more natural light. Gillard shared insights into the process and the thoughtful choices he and his family made throughout the remodel.
Q&A
Many ranch-style homes from the ’70s and ’80s have seen minimal updates. What factors make remodeling a home practical, both structurally and financially?
Start by asking if you genuinely love your home and if it has the “good bones” needed for remodeling. We liked our neighborhood, and while our home was dated, it was still fully functional. We tackled the remodel by gutting the old bathroom but kept costs down by building the new shower and sinks in the same place as before and doing some of the work and all the management ourselves. Removing the tub also allowed us to add an enclosed water closet, maximizing space and utility.
Conceptually, what were the driving elements of the remodel?
We designed the space as a spalike retreat, using nature-inspired
materials like a dynamic wood ceiling made of exotic Okoume board and rough-sawn cedar. This ceiling also brings a modern interpretation of a cozy log cabin interior. An extra-large shower with dual heads allows for twoperson use. Dark wood accents and the absence of white on any surfaces create a darker, moody and colorfully vibrant space, while natural light floods in through a new skylight and an expanded existing one. Green tiles with salmon-colored variations wrap the room, paired with radiant heated floors for added warmth. A floating concrete vanity by Cement Elegance introduces a sleek, contemporary touch, while new thermal and acoustic insulation prioritizes energy performance and privacy.
Your business, Life Design Build, has offered a full range of services since 2022, from design conceptualization to general contracting. How does this integrated model benefit clients?
Clients’ budgets and desires are rarely aligned, particularly with the recent rise in construction costs postpandemic. Our model addresses both design and construction costs early in planning, aligning them through our robust design process. This spares clients the hassle of sourcing multiple contractor bids that will likely exceed their budget and the associated extreme disappointment of getting excited about and paying for a design they can’t afford. We aim to establish and manage a realistic budget early and throughout the project’s lifespan, leading to fewer surprises and a smoother overall experience.
With a dedicated team of 16—including three project managers, three designers (myself included), and eight in-house carpenters—Life Design Build also takes on construction-only and design-only projects. However, I tell clients that we provide the most value when we do both, providing continuity of care and communication from start to finish.
Beyond the design-build delivery model, what other aspects might interest clients?
While we have a disposition toward biophilic (nature-inspired) modern design and a passion for sustainable building solutions, a few other aspects of our business are important for clients to know. First and foremost, timely and transparent updates on design, schedule and cost are key to smart decision-making and helping clients have agency in their projects. After all, in the end, it’s their house and money. Second, we pride ourselves on not being a “onetrick pony” and are excited to work with clients with an array or stylistic interests and with any budget level. The variety actually makes our jobs more interesting. Whatever the style or budget, we want to execute it exceptionally well. Like most architects and carpenters, our team takes pride in craftsmanship and elegant detailing.
LIFE DESIGN BUILD
920 NW Bond St., #209, Bend lifedesignbuild.us
An interview with Tyson Gillard of Life Design Build
Tony Gambino Photography
HOME SPOTLIGHT: RIVER HOME
Above the Rapids
Inside a peaceful, functional family home on the Deschutes River
WRITTEN
BY
TERESA RISTOW PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS MURRAY PRODUCTIONS
In a cozy neighborhood above Bend’s First Street Rapids Park, a 3,300-square-foot family home is tucked in, oriented to take advantage of river views and Central Oregon sunshine. Dubbed the River House by its designers, this family home overlooks the Deschutes River, which can be seen and heard from the living room when the sliding floor-to-ceiling glass walls are opened.
The design process kicked off in 2020 for the homeowners, who first selected Rea Company Homes as builders, and then began interviewing architects for the project. Central Oregon architect Jim Rozewski was a perfect fit, having already designed a previous home for the exact lot about 20 years prior, when the parents of one of the current owners had considered building on the parcel. The parents planned a cottagelike home but ended up not building it.
“The vision of the current owners was to do something far more contemporary. With changes in building codes, a different design style and different room needs than the original plans, Rozewski started fresh. The plan would maximize space and the indoor-outdoor connection on this rare riverfront lot. “The thing about river home sites is that they aren’t making any more of them,” Rozewski said, “So having the opportunity to work on a project on the river is a real honor.”
CRAFTING A HOME WITH HEART AND HARMONY
Rea Company Homes began to bring Rozewski’s plans to life, working closely with Iron Roots Design, which was hired for interior architecture and design. Principal Designer Celeste McGowan began to focus on the home’s interior, space planning for each room and choosing hard and soft finishes—everything from lighting, flooring, tile and cabinetry to furniture, textiles and paint colors. “We consider how each room is going to function,” McGowan said. “The architectural plan set us off on a great track, and then we were able to thoughtfully select materials and furniture pieces and design each unique detail throughout the home.”
Visitors enter the home from a side entrance and head down three stairs to the living room, which is anchored by a floor-to-ceiling fireplace. Its wall is finished with a custom plaster using an ombre effect by Juanita Perdomo of WallsArt, Inc., whose work is featured throughout the home. Bend’s Cement Elegance crafted a floating hearth for fireside seating. The tile behind the built-in shelving carries over into the kitchen, matching the island seating, island countertop, sink and areas surrounding the upper cabinets. McGowan used the repetition of materials to create a cohesive, grounded feeling throughout the space.
The eight-seat family dining table is a custom live-edge solid wood piece designed by McGowan’s husband, Tim McGowan, her counterpart at Iron Roots Design, who offers both design and building services. Nearly two
“It’s amazing to stay connected with the families we work with because you really get to be a part of their lives.”
years after the project was completed and the family moved in, the dining room feels cozy and settled, ready for holiday celebrations.
Upstairs, the Pacific Northwest modern design continues, with light and airy spaces and organic, nature-inspired accents. The primary bedroom opens up into a spacious primary bath, with Art Deco-inspired flooring along with sconces and green watercolor tile in the oversized walk-in shower. Off the primary bedroom is a home office and a small deck area, the perfect spaces from which to watch the river flow year-round.
The harmony felt in the design throughout the home is the result
of a cohesive interior design plan, something McGowan said comes from hiring an interior designer specifically, which isn’t something all homeowners do when embarking on a new build project. “Your home is one of your largest investments, which makes hiring an interior designer a smart move. It eliminates a lot of the confusion and stress you might otherwise feel during construction. We take care of countless back-end tasks for our clients so that they can actually enjoy the process.”
Back in the home more than 18 months after construction and design wrapped up, McGowan was able to reflect on the project and experience,
and reconnect with the homeowners, who she’d worked closely with during the two-year project. “I spent many hours with this family to determine their lifestyle needs and plan their home accordingly,” McGowan said. “It’s amazing to stay connected with the families we work with because you really get to be a part of their lives.”
Architect: Jim Rozewski, Rozewski & Co.
Designers | Builder: Rea Company Homes
| Interior design: Celeste McGowan, Iron Roots Design | Custom wall plaster: Juanita Perdomo, WallsArt, Inc.
| Decorative architectural concrete: Cement Elegance
PILLOWS:
Mixed textures and materials add pops of color. Prices range from $45 to $120.
THROWS & BLANKETS:
Whether cotton or wool, textiles add a spot of color and warmth on winter days. Prices range from $40 to $160.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TINA PAYMASTER
DESIGN HIGHLIGHT FEATURE
Merging Form and Function
Colleen Dougherty uses her passion to create ADA-accessible homes
WWRITTEN
BY
CASEY HATFIELD-CHIOTTI | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANNA JACOBS
hile Bend has a wide variety of home design options, from modern single-story architecture to suit retirees to family-friendly Craftsman floorplans, there’s a missed opportunity, says Colleen Dougherty, well-known in Bend as an artist and cofounder of Oregon Adaptive Sports (OAS). “I started building houses because I couldn’t find anything accessible for me,” she said.
Dougherty has been in a wheelchair since 1989 following a car accident. Since moving to Bend in the late ’90s, she has been developing and selling accessible single-family homes, 14 in total, including a home in 2020.
“I had six people write me letters for this particular house about their special needs,” she said.
She believes the need will only grow as more people look to age in place. Her current home, a sleek, black house with a shed roof, stands out on a prominent corner in NorthWest Crossing. There isn’t a ramp in front of the house, something Dougherty has never liked the look of, but the home is wheelchair accessible from the flat ADA garage threshold.
CREATING PRIVACY
Dougherty loves living in a neighborhood where she doesn’t have to get in a car to go out to eat or meet up with family and friends, something she’s always been drawn to since living in Portland’s Pearl District. She also relishes her privacy. The 1,565-square-foot rectangular home is light and bright,
LEFT: Front door is extra wide, fireplace is lowered for ease of viewing and windows higher for privacy.
BOTTOM RIGHT: Farmhouse-style sink, island and cabinets all lowered, and refrigerator opens fully for access.
with few lower windows. “I prefer not to see neighbors,” said Dougherty. The opposite of dark and dreary, high trapezoid windows capture sunsets and sunrises and bring brightness even on a cloudy day. The configuration also provides plenty of surface area for displaying art like a gallery. Dougherty’s home is filled with pieces by local artists such as Audra Philippy, Erin Kay Donnell and her own textured abstract artworks. Places like Tetherow resort have commissioned works by Dougherty. A sliding glass door leads to an interior courtyard with a firepit so Dougherty can be outside but remain in her private sanctuary.
AN EYE FOR DESIGN
Dougherty is proud that many of the homes she’s created have attracted a range of homeowners who like the simple, modern design she favors. Her love of design began with watching her parents buy and renovate houses in Portland’s Eastmoreland neighborhood. While Dougherty is humble about her expertise, her home is a study in ingenuity and aesthetics.
“I’ve never repeated the same design, which financially would have made more sense. It is exciting to try something different,” said Dougherty. Many of the things Dougherty began doing for functionality have become trendy, such as sliding barn doors. In her two-tone kitchen, floating cabinets look nice and give her more space to maneuver. The low farmhouse-style
sink has an easy-reach commercial faucet. The doors on the stainless-steel Frigidaire can be opened completely, allowing Dougherty to grab items comfortably.
The house also has an office, an art room, a guest bedroom and a main bedroom suite with a large bathroom and an ADA-accessible shower with a flip-down bench and a closet.
FUTURE PLANS
Creating accessible spaces can be more complicated and costly, said Dougherty, but there has been an improvement in accessibility in Bend. The Cascade Medical Imaging offices in south Bend, the Grove and restaurants and bars such as Zydeco Kitchen, Hawkeye & Huckleberry Lounge and the Flamingo Room have done a great job in accessibility.
Her next big goal is to buy land and build rental homes so that OAS participants and others can find a stylish, accessible rental for a weekend getaway in Bend.
“It’s definitely needed. I feel very lucky that I found something I love to do, and I’m good at.”
, Architect: Dean Wise | Builder: Greg Welch Construction | Interior design: Colleen Dougherty
TOP: Primary bedroom with access to bathroom through extra wide sliding door.
BOTTOM: Roll-under sink and toilet with support bars.
mission to combine ultimate comfort with stylish designs. That’s why we handcraft each piece using only the best materials and meticulous attention to detail. With furniture and decor for every room in the house, La-Z-Boy can create a seamlessly beautiful home.
ELEVATED DESIGN
Sense of Place
Harmonizing building design with Central Oregon’s landscape
WRITTEN BY
LEE LEWIS HUSK
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEREMY
BITTERMANN/JBSA
When Thomas Hacker designed the High Desert Museum more than 40 years ago, he set in motion a legacy of pioneering work that connects architecture with Central Oregon’s unique landscape.
Since then, the architecture and interior design studio Hacker—founded by Thom Hacker, who passed away in 2023— has grown into an award-winning firm, consistently raising the bar for modern building design in the region. One of Hacker’s protégés, Corey Martin, a design principal and part-owner, has made his mark with notable projects, including Black Butte Ranch’s new main Lodge and Lakeside Bistro, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon, the Grove in Bend’s NorthWest Crossing and an upcoming addition to the High Desert Museum—a design being led by the next generation of the Hacker team under Martin’s mentorship.
As a native Oregonian who grew up on the west side of Oregon, Martin spent considerable time in Central Oregon and professes a deep connection to the high desert. “It was the first place that I realized architecture and landscape could work in harmony,” he said.
Corey Martin
“It was the first place that I realized architecture and landscape could work in harmony.”
At the BendDesign conference in October, Martin reflected on the area’s architecture. “As the region’s growth exploded in the ‘90s, many architectural styles were imported from other places. They just didn’t belong here,” he said. Instead, he emphasizes drawing inspiration from Central Oregon’s unique landscape to complement and enhance the built environment. He spoke of the region’s defining qualities: its volcanic
newness in geologic terms that creates an evolving landscape, an arid climate and high elevation. The combination of the three—including hot days and near-freezing nights—creates an incredibly beautiful and super-fragile environment, he said.
ROOTED IN PLACE: BLACK BUTTE RANCH LODGE
When homeowners at Black Butte Ranch decided to replace their 50-year-old main lodge, they initially wanted a large traditional fireplace in the middle of the new structure. “There was a lot of talk about Timberline Lodge and how the existing lodge fireplace, while iconic, felt disconnected from its environment,” Martin recalled. The Hacker team approached the task differently by observing erosion in nearby volcanic rock and designed a fireplace clad in stone that slopes and criss-crosses in a natural way. “It feels much more of this place,” he said. The lodge’s design is inspired by the
formation of the surrounding volcanic landscape. For the new main entry doors, “We wanted to tell the story of the creation and occupation of this landscape,” Martin explained. When the project ran short on funds, Martin, a skilled artist, sculptor and furniture designer, volunteered to design and craft the doors himself, bringing in a good friend to help with the milling of the rough forms. Inspired by the Three Sisters, the entry side of the doors includes an abstract depiction of lava flowing from below and erupting skyward, with forms inspired by the process of erosion in the distinctive Central Oregon landscape.
The Hacker team also incorporated materials inspired by natural processes. “We saw an opportunity to tell the story of destruction and renewal that occurs when wildfires move through our region,” he said. The building is clad in charred cedar, a
durable, insect-resistant material that symbolizes this renewal. “It’s beautiful, tells the story of transformation and feels like a material that belongs here,” he added.
David Keltner, another Thom Hacker protégé and design principal at the firm, reflected on Martin’s approach.
“Corey isn’t just making stuff that fits into a landscape. He’s channeling the landscape itself to make places that elevate people’s awareness—so when they enter a building, they become more aware of their landscape than before they went in.” He recounted arriving at the second floor of the lodge and realizing that the whole roof’s slope was a direct reflection of Black Butte. Through clerestory windows, the slope and its meeting the sky became even more apparent. “I realized the entire form of the building acknowledges the butte, and the hair on my arms stood up,” he said.
Now with a Bend office, Martin continues to engage in what he calls site-specific conceptual design to deepen the studio’s connection to Central Oregon, merging architecture and the natural environment in innovative ways. From large-scale projects like the Black Butte Ranch Lodge to residential designs, Martin carries forward Hacker’s legacy of creating spaces that not only belong to their surroundings but also create a deeper connection between us and the sublime Central Oregon landscape.
HOME SPOTLIGHT: CRAVEN HAVEN
Practical Meets Luxe
A thoughtful remodel of a 1990s primary bath
WRITTEN BY LEE LEWIS HUSK PHOTOGRAPHY BY ZEE WENDELL
With a knack for rejuvenating interior spaces, Instagram digital creator Mackenzie Craven of Craven Haven and her husband, Kenny, remodeled the primary bedroom of their 1990-built southeast Bend home with a thoughtful, unhurried approach. They purchased the property in 2022, complete with the original carpet still in place—even in the bathroom. “The carpet really grossed us out, so we didn’t actually use the bathroom at first,” she said, laughing. For a year and a half, they focused on updating other rooms in their home until they were ready to tackle the bathroom.
For her 103,000 Instagram followers, Craven shares her renovation journeys—including the primary bath, engaging them with wit and practical advice. She describes herself as a “fast-paced mom chasing slow living plus curated charm that’s part bougie, part budget and 100% real on a 5-acre ‘90s fixer.” She blogs about everything from design trends and shopping finds to cost-saving tips and mood boards. In the bathroom, the couple focused first on layout and plumbing. “We looked at leveraging the existing footprint while still making it a nice, modern space,” she said. “If you can find a layout that works without moving plumbing, you avoid the expense of paying electricians, plumbers and HVAC specialists to relocate ducts, pipes and other elements.” They removed the old fixtures but kept the
existing drainage systems for a new water closet, vanity sink and expanded shower.
They also took a DIY approach throughout the remodel. “I did a ton of the work myself to bring costs down,” she said. “People can always choose to paint or lay tile themselves, which limits how many experts they need to bring in and lets them reserve the budget for hiring specialists where they’re really needed.”
One specialist Craven needed was her friend and interior designer, Kate Hector of Kate Hector Interior Design in Seattle, who helped her rework the layout and maximize the footprint, along with architectural renderings. “Collaborating with Kate on this bathroom really helped me elevate it to
something outside our norms,” Craven said. Craven offers what she calls “interior design light” consultations to take some of the stress out of picking elements, “without it being a sign-your-life-away sort of experience hiring a designer.”
The layout involved removing a bulky tub, window and door along one wall—essential to creating a major focal point. Now, a gleaming white freestanding tub draws a person into the space and guides the eye toward the picture window which frames serene views of the family’s pastoral backyard. In keeping with the home’s mountain modern farmhouse style, Craven strove for consistency with the rest of the home’s aesthetic. For example, a signature of Cravenowned homes is black and white—a design motif found in
the children’s bathrooms and other home parts. In the bathroom, it appears on the striped tile floor, a pattern she created. A waterproof plaster known as Concretta lines the shower and walls, echoing the finish of the living room fireplace.
The Cravens also wanted to incorporate natural elements, choosing a wood-clad ceiling for the bathroom to complement the black-and-white tilework.
“It’s our way of introducing a natural material we can use in other parts of the house,” she said of their ongoing renovations in other rooms.
Craven wanted the primary bathroom to feel a bit more luxe than the rest of the house, so she mixed materials and finishes, such as aged brass and polished nickel. “I love mixing metals,” she noted. She also upgraded the water closet with moody, floral wallpaper and a sleek black toilet. “These tones appear throughout my home, but this floral pattern feels more grown-up.”
The primary bath continues a process that started with the home’s purchase, merging Craven’s practical, cost-saving approach with a design that creates a harmonious retreat for the couple to enjoy for years to come. See @craven_haven.
ART + EXHIBITS
WRITTEN BY CHLOE GREEN
PETERSON CONTEMPORARY ART
CATHRINE EDLINGER-KUNZE
German artist Cathrine Edlinger-Kunze captures the grace and emotional resonance of the human form. Growing up in a family of artists, she developed a love for painting early, inspired by her father’s guidance. Her work centers on dancers and performers, evoking the delicate movements of Degas’ ballerinas and the quiet contemplation of Picasso’s figures. Beginning with abstract strokes, her subjects emerge naturally, creating an organic flow. Themes of home and identity weave through her work, mirroring her own journey of seeking “home” within herself. Based in Albuquerque, Edlinger-Kunze’s art is shown across Germany, Italy and the U.S., celebrated for its elegant simplicity and emotional depth.
AMY SULLIVAN
North Carolina artist Amy Sullivan approaches her work with warmth and accessibility, asking viewers to enjoy art for its own sake. With a background in interior design from the University of Tennessee, Sullivan understands how art can transform a space. Her paintings, ranging from landscapes to abstracts, are known for their textured, luminous quality and have a way of adding soul to any room. After a career in corporate sales, Sullivan now fully dedicates herself to fine art, creating custom pieces that fit clients’ individual spaces. Her process includes tailored framing recommendations, making her art a seamless and timeless addition to any home.
PETERSON CONTEMPORARY ART
550 NW Franklin Ave., Suite 178, Bend pcagallery.com
Amy Sullivan “Born in Arles”
Cathrine Edlinger-Kunze “Heartbeat”
TORIIZAKA ART
BUI THANH TAM
Born in 1979 in post-war Vietnam, Bui Thanh Tam’s work brings humor and irony to Vietnam’s fast-changing cultural landscape. In his series “Crazy People,” Tam paints the country’s nouveau riche as exaggerated, puppetlike figures, poking fun at the ways traditional values have been sidelined in favor of materialism. His bright colors and playful, layered scenes contrast modern excess with rich cultural symbols, blending the old with the new in ways that feel both vibrant and bittersweet. Widely shown across Asia and Europe, Tam’s art captures Vietnam’s cultural crossroads, inviting viewers to laugh, think and reflect on the cost of progress.
LIM KHIM KATY
Cambodian-Vietnamese artist Lim Khim Katy’s paintings offer a tender look at Vietnam’s working class, capturing the strength and quiet resilience of everyday people. Initially focused on portraiture, Katy began painting landscapes inspired by her travels through the American West, using unexpected color combinations to evoke peace and freedom.
Her work is known for its rich textures and layers, created with palette knives that bring depth and movement to each scene. Katy’s art, exhibited across Asia, London and Toronto, creates a vivid, serene escape that resonates with those seeking moments of reflection and beauty amid life’s hustle.
NGUYEN DINH VU
Nguyen Dinh Vu explores the many sides of identity, combining Vietnamese tradition with modern elements in his paintings and mixed-media works. Born in 1980, Vu’s art often depicts figures with boxes over their heads, symbolizing the private worlds we each carry in a complex world. With color palettes that recall fine porcelain, Vu’s pieces create a sense of quiet introspection, inviting viewers to consider the balance between tradition and contemporary life. His art, shown across Asia and Europe, encourages reflection on who we are within our cultural roots and personal experiences.
TORIIZAKA ART
222 West Hood Ave., Sisters toriizakaart.com
Nguyen Dinh Vu, “Lam 01”
Bui Thanh Tam, “Girl and Oriole”
Lim Khim Katy, “Summer Brook”
TUMALO ART COMPANY
SHELLI WALTERS
Central Oregon artist Shelli Walters finds inspiration in nature’s textures, colors and creatures, creating mixedmedia paintings and paper mâché sculptures that bring the outdoors to life. Each piece is layered with paint, torn paper and found materials, capturing the joyful energy of landscapes and wildlife. Walters’ sculptures, crafted with wire, fabric and twigs, extend her playful style into three-dimensional forms, adding a touch of whimsy and storytelling. Her art is an invitation to pause, connect and find beauty in life’s simplest details, offering a refreshing escape for nature lovers and art enthusiasts alike.
ADELL SHETTERLY
Based in Bend, Adell Shetterly creates original, hand-pulled prints that celebrate color, texture and abstraction. Inspired by the landscapes of Central Oregon, memories and everyday moments, her work is a playful exploration of form and hue. Shetterly’s process involves layering inks, carving and experimenting with mixed media to create pieces that feel fresh and expressive. Her journey into printmaking began after a career in teaching and arts program development, leading her to study under master printmakers. Today, viewers can experience the joy of discovery with art that captures the beauty of nature and the creative process.
TUMALO ART COMPANY
450 SW Powerhouse Drive, Unit 407, Bend tumaloartco.com
Adell Shetterly “A Penny For Your Thoughts”
Shelli Walters “Gathering Wisdom”
INTERIOR LANDSCAPING Living Rooms
The art of transforming indoor spaces with all things green
WRITTEN BY SHEILA G. MILLER
Pick any popular hangout in Bend, a place where people settle in for hours sipping coffee or craft beers. Most likely, plants or largescale plant installations fill the space, evoking a feeling, adding character and livening up the room.
In Central Oregon, no one curates these atmospheres better than John Kish, the owner of Somewhere That’s Green. “It’s just like landscaping your yard, but I’m landscaping the interior,” Kish said. “I like getting creative when people trust me.”
For example, the team behind Juniper Preserve’s recently reimagined restaurant, Iris, asked Kish to make an AutoCAD design a reality. Kish interpreted the design, visiting the site and lightmapping the area to see what would grow best in each section. He also looked for spots in the restaurant in high-traffic areas to properly select the best-fitting plants for those spaces. In dark pockets of the restaurant, Kish selected dried florals that would require less upkeep and still look beautiful and natural. The result at Juniper Preserve is a funky, retro-cool vibe that doesn’t try too hard. And the plants match the atmosphere.
After Kish has identified the appropriate plants for the space, it’s time for aesthetics—pottery, style, mood. Then, he carefully considers the placement of plants, as layering and structure can change the feel of an installation.
Once an install is complete, it’s all about upkeep. There are check-ins to make sure plants haven’t died of transplant shock or that the light is working for the Spork
Mountain Burger
“People are getting excited about greenery, which feels really hopeful for our future.”
plants selected. Kish provides care tips to help owners keep their installations healthy, and he hopes to eventually offer a maintenance service.
Juniper Preserve’s new restaurant concept wasn’t Kish’s first rodeo—or even his second. He has designed large-scale plant installations in at least 20 businesses and restaurants around Bend and Central Oregon–from Spork’s leafy living chandelier to a green wall at Mountain Burger. Still in the works? A 16-foot preserved moss wall for the new Humm Kombucha taproom in downtown Bend.
“It’s just adding life,” Kish said. “I call it green-ification. Especially in the high desert, when you have an office space, it really softens and creates a better work environment.”
Kish believes these installations have gained in popularity for a couple of reasons. For one, he’s seen a lot of businesses working on remodels of their space. For another, he’s heard from business owners who hope that beautifying workspaces may incentivize workers to return to offices post-COVID.
Seasonal Checklist
Winter brings special challenges and opportunities for home and garden care. When winter temperatures dip low, it’s the perfect time to support your indoor spaces, plan your spring garden and protect your outdoor foliage. Below is a winter checklist to keep your home warm and cozy–and your garden ready for spring.
1. Inspect Weather Stripping
To stay warm and reduce heating costs, inspect your weather stripping and door sweeps, particularly on north-facing entries where brisk winds come in. A quick test is to hold a lit candle near your door and window frames. Any flickering will point to air leaks.
2. Plan the Garden
Your garden may rest under the snow, but now is a perfect time to plan ahead for the growing season. In late February, start seeds indoors. To maximize growth, begin with peppers and tomatoes, which need eight to 10 weeks before the season’s last frost.
3. Manage Snow and Ice
Remove any heavy snow from shrubs and trees, and keep snow cleared from around your home’s foundation.
4. Protect Your Plants
Check on mulch layers around perennials, maintaining a 2-inch depth. Be sure to keep mulch away from tree trunks. For younger trees and shrubs, monitor winter wrap protection each month.
What to Grow
GREEN-IFICATION INSTALLATIONS INSIDE THE HOME
These installations aren’t just for businesses, however. Kish said the same concepts can work in the home. The first step is to identify the space in your home that could use some green-ification. Then, spend some time observing the space. Kish said a lot of new homeowners come to his shop ready to buy piles of plants, and he sends them home to get to know more about the space.
“Having at least a month living in your space before bringing plant product in lets you learn it,” he said.
ndowsill Herbs
Create an indoor herb garden by planting compact herbs in a south-facing window. Find a location that receives at least six hours of sunlight and enough humidity. Dry winter air can be combatted by grouping containers, planting compatible herbs together and using a pebble tray with water.
Once you’ve got a good sense of the lighting in that area, collect images that inspire you, but be realistic. For example, a living wall may look beautiful but not be the right fit because of upkeep, infrastructure and cost. Armed with your inspiration and a good sense of the space where the installation will go, Kish and his employees will help select the appropriate plants and pottery to make it a reality.
“People are getting excited about greenery, which feels really hopeful for our future,” Kish said. “Plants are integral to a design.”
ARTIST PROFILE
The Glass Standard
A language of light and color in Susie Zeitner’s Fused Glass Art
WRITTEN BY CHLOE GREEN
“Glass has its own language. If you work with it, not against it, it reveals a depth and richness you won’t find in any other medium,” shared Susie Zeitner from her home studio in Sisters. Surrounding her are custom glass accents, each embodying the richness she seaks of.
Sculptures and installations populate her space—tactile expressions of her vision, creativity and skill. An amber-hued glass panel fireplace surround reflects the warmth of the firelight. Down the hall, a textured shower wall suggests the fluidity of water through the glass’s natural contours. Whether a bold wall piece or a bespoke light fixture, her glasswork transforms interiors, adding a vibrancy that rejects the limitations of plain glass and cookie-cutter design.
Zeitner’s work as a full-time glass artist began only after a long career in fashion illustration and creative direction. Originally trained as a commercial illustrator, she spent nearly three decades working in fashion illustration and photo direction in Eugene. It wasn’t until she took a few glass art classes and designed lighting for the home she built with her late husband in Sisters that she found a love and skill for glass art.
What began as a hobby blossomed into her next career, founding Z Glass Act in 1998. Her early days were filled with small decorative pieces—platters, gifts—but as her skill and curiosity grew, so did her production. Over the years, Zeitner has refined her technique and expanded her creative repertoire, designing everything from sculptural lighting fixtures to large-scale installations.
Five kilns of varying sizes fill the space in her studio, each serving a different purpose and serving as essential tools for manipulating glass at different temperatures. For certain textures, Zeitner fires the kiln just shy of fully fusing pieces, leaving the glass slightly sculptural. For other pieces, she cranks the heat up to 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit to fully fuse layers together, creating a smoother, more cohesive surface. She plays with opacity and transparency, layering sheets of glass with minerals and frits—finely ground glass of varied textures and sizes—to achieve color gradients that feel almost like a painted canvas. She calls this technique “painting with light,” capturing how light moves through the layers to evoke depth and atmosphere.
Despite her deep technical knowledge and skill, Zeitner says the medium demands acceptance of its unpredictable nature. “You can place something in the kiln with an expectation of what you will find at the end, but you can’t be certain. That mystery is a little bit seductive. It’s part of what gives me a lot of drive,” she said, keeping her engaged, exploring and embracing the surprises.
That creativity doesn’t end in her studio. She often collaborates with others, from concept to fabrication, and works closely with clients to bring their visions and spaces to life, resulting in a portfolio as diverse as her clients’ visions.
At The Lodge in Sisters, Zeitner collaborated with engineers to design 138 custom lighting fixtures, including sconces, pendants and chandeliers, which blend form with function. Each piece contributes warmth to communal spaces and individual residences.
For a recent coastal project, where the client sought oceaninspired lighting, she used her “glass lace” technique—layering and perforating crushed glass, then heating it to form patterns reminiscent of ocean spray. The result is a series of textured, light-catching pieces thematically aligned with the home’s coastal surroundings.
Zeitner’s large sculptural totems, crafted from glass and metal, are striking outdoor landmarks. With intricate textures and vibrant colors, they act as focal points and invite viewers to experience them as extensions of the natural environment. Whether she’s creating a piece for a hotel or a home, a backyard or a local business, Zeitner expertly turns her clients’ visions into tangible, custom works of art. Each piece reminds us that spaces should be more than functional—they should be thoughtful, inviting and full of character.
SPACE
A Secret Ingredient: Community CULINARY
Juli and Ramsey Hamdan are dreaming up a new dining venture
WRITTEN BY CATHY CARROLL
With war raging in his hometown of Beirut in the early 1980s, Ramsey Hamdan was driving journalists for CNN, ABC and CBS throughout Lebanon, translating for them. Then Islamic militants began kidnapping American journalists. Hamdan’s grandfather, who had already lost his daughter and son to the violence, gave him money, begging him to leave the country. Planning to return to similar work in Egypt or Jordan, he went to visit his mother in Portland. That’s when he met his future wife, Juli Hamdan, and changed his plans. He settled into a new life in America, but
culinary homesickness set in. “I missed the cooking so much that I started taking classes at Lane Community College’s hospitality program in Eugene,” Ramsey said. He graduated from the former Western Culinary Institute in Portland, worked at the former Atwater’s in Portland and returned to the culinary school, where he taught and became a dean.
Juli had lived the farm-to-table experience before it was a trend, growing up on a farm in Elgin where her family made everything from yogurt to bread. She went on to work for Portland ad agency Wieden+Kennedy for a decade, making television commercials
Chef Ramsey Hamdan at the former Joolz
“The magic of Joolz went beyond their menu…that sense of community, of belonging, was the secret ingredient.”
for brands such as Nike and ESPN and began organizing elaborate, large-scale events for the agency.
Seeking sun, the Hamdans moved to Sunriver in 1999 and opened The Jackalope Grill and Barking Squirrel Catering before launching Joolz downtown, beloved for its elevated twist on Middle Eastern dishes such as fried, lemon-parsley cauliflower with tahini and local, seasoned grilled lamb on olive oil pita with arugula, radish, lemon, sumac and red onion. After 14 years, they closed Joolz in 2022, but it left a lasting impression. “The magic of Joolz went beyond their menu… that sense of community, of belonging, was the secret ingredient,” said Amanda Stuermer, a nonprofit leader who hosted many events there—and she still dreams of its popular forbidden rice.
The Hamdans wrapped up a stint in Eastern Oregon orchestrating meals at an upscale bird-hunting lodge and are catering retreats in Sisters at Pole Creek Ranch and Caldera Arts, a youth arts program founded by Juli’s former boss, the late Dan Wieden. “I've always cooked with [Ramsey], always catered with him, but I've never worked right beside him when it's time to get the meal out,” Juli said. “It was fun.”
Bringing that experience home, one of their favorite new dishes is pheasantmorel bratwurst they had butchers make from their outings bird hunting
and mushroom foraging. Called the Bachelor Brat, it stars in an Oktoberfestinfluenced dish with cabbage, roasted potatoes and homemade bacon, mustards and pickles.
The Hamdans love food freshly harvested from local bounty, whether it's elderberries they pluck in the forest, fish they catch at the coast or vegetables they get by doing the u-pick at Well Rooted Farms in Tumalo.
Then it’s on to canning and enjoying the flavors of summer and fall throughout the winter.
Considering their next step, the Hamdans envision creating an intimate dining experience focused on local ingredients in the same vein as The Lost Kitchen, chef Erin French’s small, acclaimed restaurant in Freedom, Maine, and the subject of a streaming series. “It’s seasonal, she changes it all the time, and everybody's dying to be there, whether it's in a restaurant or in a barn or in a house,” said Juli.
The creative freedom of constantly changing menus and a streamlined model—private dinners with minimal staff—excites Ramsey. “We could have guest chefs come in and do things to change it up.” Until then, they’re looking to do pop-up events and support charitable fundraising efforts.
Bereft Joolz fans, stay tuned—the beloved date cake is poised to make its next sweet appearance soon.
EMBRACE MIDDLE EASTERN CUISINE
Recipes inspired by Ramsey Hamdan's kitchen
BEET HUMMUS
INGREDIENTS
3 medium beets, tops removed
2 14.5 ounce cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained
½ cup tahini
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 ½ tablespoons lemon juice
1 ½ teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
Heat oven to 425 degrees. Place beets in baking dish. Bake until easily pierced with a knife, about 45 minutes. When cool, peel skins and cut into chunks. Transfer to food processor with remaining ingredients, except the oil. Blend until mixture is smooth–about 3 minutes, adding a tablespoon of cold water, one at a time, as needed. When mixture is thick, not runny, add olive oil and process for 10 to 15 seconds. Garnish with parsley and drizzled olive oil. Serve with pita chips, cucumber slices and other vegetables.
BAKED FALAFEL
INGREDIENTS
1 cup uncooked chickpeas, soaked 24 hours, then rinsed, drained and patted dry
½ cup onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
¾ teaspoon sea salt
½ cup chopped cilantro
½ cup chopped parsley
1 tablespoon olive oil, more for baking
INSTRUCTIONS
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper brushed with olive oil. Place all ingredients in a food processor and pulse well until smooth. Form the mixture into 12 to 15 patties (or golfball-sized balls) and place on a baking sheet. Drizzle each falafel well with olive oil. Bake 15 minutes, flip and bake an additional 10 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with hummus, tahini and vegetables.
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