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Market OutlOOk
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SVPN is a cooperatively owned magazine managed by its members (pictured below). Each month SVPN brings you unrivaled real estate expertise to enable you to make informed decisions about the market. SVPN’s membership is made up of the following companies: Fulton and Associates, McCann–Daech–Fenton, Sotheby’s, Windermere, Sun Valley Associates, Sun Valley Brokers, Sun Valley Real Estate, Coldwell Banker, Idaho Mountain Builders, Lee Gilman Builders, Remax, River Run Realty, Sun Valley
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the board
From left, top to bottom: Column 1: Justin Williams, Gretchen Palmer; Column 2: Katherine Rixon, Tom Drougas, Dick Fenton; Column 3: Wally Huffman, Sue Engelmann, Mike Murphy; Column 4: John Lee, Todd Conklin, Rob Cronin, Dan Gorham, Jason Buck.
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sun valley property news
From left, top to bottom: Column 1: Summer Bauer, Fern Makenzie, Robin Christensen, Jed Gray; Column 2: Tim Carter, Jeannie Catchpole, Chrissy Gove, Joe Marx, Ed Redman; Column 3: Tom Heinrich, Jim Figge, Pam Rheinschild,Terry Palmer; Column 4: Jeannie Kiel, Jack Bariteau, Bill Norris.
Photography: Hillary maybery and roland lane
Company, Thunder Spring, and developer Jack Bariteau.
Photography: Hillary maybery and roland lane
From left, top to bottom: Column 1: Lane Monroe, Suzanne Williams, Bob Kesting, Nathan Fierman; Column 2: Ellen Frieder, Scott Mary, Rob Hogan, Cindy Kesting; Column 3: Heidi Baldwin, Stephanie Reed, Sheila Liermann, Joanne Wetherell; Column 4: Jim Kuehn, Janis Fulton, Alex Hughes, Cheryl Concannon, Sonya Johnston; Column 5: Graydon Burnett, Matt Christian, Cindy Ward; Column 6: Eeva Pregitzer, Yvette Lane, Deborah Sievers, Daren Pennell; Column 7: Dawn Hofheimer, Alex Higgins, John Heinrich, Cindy McCoy; Not pictured, Lisa Stelck.
welcome
SVPN just keeps getting better, thanks to your feedback!
Welcome to our October/November edition of SVPN. We’ve been thrilled with the positive reaction across the valley to our new SVPN logo. Many readers have noticed that in addition to our property focus, we are including more lifestylefocused features; the positive feedback we’ve received on this note has been overwhelming. It seems our readers recognize that property is about people and SVPN celebrates the lives people lead in the valley; we at SVPN think that you couldn’t ask for a better place to cover property and lifestyle than Sun Valley.
In this issue we meet and talk to the legendary Parry Thomas, owner of River Grove Farm, and the incomparable Bob McDonald, manager of River Grove, about their international success in the equestrian world. Also in this issue we look into the benefits of building “green” and the wealth of prime hunting haunts in southern Idaho. We also introduce our new Style Watch featuring interior and fashion tips. And, as always, our realtors bring you the best property advice and the most comprehensive listings available in the market today. sun valley property news
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contents 9 the dish & café culture SVPN’s gallery of the area’s best restaurants and cafés.
The latest from the world of property including this month’s “doubletake” properties
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one house, three owners—the evolution of a unique and storied home
sun valley flash See who is out and about in town
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center stage
The Elite Development Team: six elite winter athletes training in our midst
architectural trends
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sv living: entertaining
Sun Valley has cornered the market on casual elegance, and this North Valley home excels in that category
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open spaces: hunting
SVPN introduces you to some of the best hunting haunts in the Sun Valley area 4
sun valley property news
photography: josh wells / DAVID STOECKLEIN
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news + views
photography: COURTESY OF IDAHO MOUNTAIN BUILDERS
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svpn feature: olympic success
builders’ buzz
The benefits of building “green”
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market outlook SVPN introduces you to the successFind out what our experts are saying ful business partnership between Parry Thomas and Bob McDonald that has taken about market activity this month them to the top of the equestrian world
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svpn style watch
The hottest looks for the winter and the must-haves for the home
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sun valley art market
Meet L’anne Gilman, owner of Gilman Contemporary, and find out what the SV fine arts scene has in store for you
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area focus
Property prices and local amenities
144 swag
Guess where our picture was taken and win $100 gift certificate to Glow Live Food Café
80+ PAGES OF PRIME LOCAL REAL ESTATE LISTINGS!
22–40
real estate gallery Our showcase of this month’s prime real estate listings
82-143 real estate listings
More pages of prime local property for sale across the Sun Valley resort area
sun valley property news
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individual dreams . . .
. . . individual attention See the diversity of our portfolio at leeGilman.com Above: Nasvik Residence, Hailey, ID
208.726.3300 • 460 Sun Valley Road
sUn Va V LLey ProPerty neWs
editor ryan waterfield ryan@sunvalleypropertynews.com PUBLisher justin williams justinwilliams@sunvalleypropertynews.com associate PUBLisher gretchen Palmer gretchen@sunvalleypropertynews.com art director britt johnston britt@sunvalleypropertynews.com editoriaL team melanie Crandall melanie@sunvalleypropertynews.com dennis higman dennis@sunvalleypropertynews.com mia james mia@sunvalleypropertynews.com sabina dana Plasse sabina@sunvalleypropertynews.com PhotograPher hillary maybery hillary@sunvalleypropertynews.com ProdUction roberta morcone roberta@sunvalleypropertynews.com Conor davis conordavis@sunvalleypropertynews.com
contributors ryan waterfield edItOR
ryan has lived in the Sun Valley area for 15 years working as a teacher at the Community School until recently when she signed on as editor at SVPN. She currently sits on the board of the Sun Valley Center for the Arts and spends as much time with her two-year old son as she can stand. In this issue, ryan writes our SVPN feature on the equestrian partnership between parry Thomas and bob mcDonald.
mia james
WRIteR
mia is a 14-year Ketchum reisdent who has worked as a writer/editor for several national publications. In our october/ November issue, mia covers the latest happenings in the valley.
adVertising dawn hofheimer dawn@sunvalleypropertynews.com Peta Verhaeghe peta@sunvalleypropertynews.com gretchen Palmer gretchen@sunvalleypropertynews.com strategic deVeLoPment: ment ment: Peta Verhaeghe peta@sunvalleypropertynews.com Board memBers jason buck uck sun Valley associates ttodd Conklin Coldwell banker t drougas sun Valley real estate tom sue engelmann sotheby’s international realty dick Fenton mcCann-daech-Fenton realtors dan gorham windermere real estate wally huffman sun Valley Company john lee lee gilman builders mike murphy mcCann-daech-Fenton realtors Katherine rixon sun Valley brokers
PhotograPhy: hillary illary maybery / PPaUlette PhliPot
Sun Valley Property News is published by SVPN LLc, 371 n. main, suite 201, Ketchum, id 83340. 208.928.7797 Sun Valley Property News is published monthly by SVPN llC. editorial, administrative, advertising, and production offices are located at 371 n. main, suite 201, in Ketchum, idaho 83340.telephone ttelephone 208.297.2105. Copyright © 2011 SVPN llC. all rights reserved. the opinions expressed by the authors and contributors to Sun Valley Property News are not necessarily those of the editor and publisher.
melanie crandall WRIteR
melanie has been writing for as long as she can remember for a range of lifestyle and business publications. In this issue of SVPN melanie looks at the evolution of the Sun Valley architectural style.
sabina dana plasse WRIteR
Sabina Dana plasse has been a writer for more than 15 years working in publishing, film and television. Five years ago she moved to Idaho from the east Coast to change her life. In this issue, Dana taps into her passion for the arts to cover the fine art market in the Sun Valley area.
Postmaster, please send address changes to: SVPN 371 n. main, suite 201, Ketchum, id 83340 or SVPN Po box 8009, Ketchum, id 83340
Printed By Let Us KnoW What yoU thinK of this neW magazine we love to hear from our readers! email us your feedback and comments at feedback@sunvalleypropertynews.com on the coVer: (l to r) Peggy thomas, brentina, debbie mcdonald, bob mcdonald and Parry thomas at river grove Farm PhotograPhy: hillary maybery
dennis higman
WRIteR
Dennis Higman has written for the Wood River Journal, Idaho Mountain Express, Newwest.com, and has published two novels. In this issue of SVPN Dennis showcases some of southern Idaho’s best hunting haunts.
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Grass Fed, Grass Finished. No growth hormones. No antibiotics. No feedlot. Taste the difference.
3 Generations of Service, 3 Convenient Valley Locations, 1 Proven Reputation for Quality and Service. KETCHUM
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news Mia James’s roundup of the latest news in the
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valley, from real estate sales to the best things to see and do in our neighborhood this month
views
of the Best…Fixer-Uppers
Photography: Photo by Gail Dwyer/GLD Interiors
There are plenty of reasons to consider a fixer-upper when you’re shopping for real estate. Homes ready for renovation can offer great values, and as a buyer you’re able to make changes to suit your personal taste. In the Sun Valley area, fixer-uppers have one particular appeal—some of them sit on the most coveted properties around. Naturally, people who built here decades ago chose prime locations, and when these older homes come on the market, you have the opportunity to own one of these special properties.
Sun Valley • 105 Saddle Lane With one of the most prized locations in Sun Valley, a remodel of this older home promises big rewards. Hike the White Cloud trails, walk to the Pavilion and the Sun Valley village, consider a Zenergy membership, or take a quick trip down the bike path to the center of Ketchum. $1,495,000 Jim Figge, Sun Valley Associates www.svassociates.com West Ketchum • 601 Wood River Drive With privacy and access to town, this peaceful corner lot has all the makings of the ideal Ketchum home site. The two-bed, one-bath home with a two-car garage is an attractive rental and can produce income until you’re ready to remodel. $659,000 Cindy Ward, Sun Valley Real Estate www.sunvalleyrealestate.com
Development
News
On Thursday, October 13 there will be a public Planning and Zoning Commission hearing at the Sun Valley Council Chambers of City Hall at 9.00 AM. Ponescea LLC has submitted an application to develop four large lots on 166 acres north of Lane Ranch, laying east of and adjacent to Weyakkin. The hearing will cover a number of amendment requests submitted by Ponescea LLC including a revision to the comprehensive plan and the Sun Valley zoning map as well as requests for a conditional use permit and a preliminary plat request.
The Fairways • 101 Hard Rock Lane • Sun Valley This older five-bed, five-and-a-half bath home with a threecar garage has been updated for comfortable living. With the property’s stunning baldy views and sunshine, however, it’s primed for a make-over that does justice to its spectacular setting. $1,895,000 Scott Mary, Windermere Real Estate www.windermere.com
SVPN will follow the developments in this story and will bring you an update in our December issue.
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The Courtyard | 360 East Ave, North, Unit #6 | Ketchum, ID 83340 | 208.726.0987 | www.soundwaveinc.com
oct
news
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calendar of events
Oct 7–9
Photography: jim grossman / Lucy fuller
Trailing of the Sheep Festival Celebrate Idaho’s sheep ranching heritage during this three-day festival, which marks its fifteenth anniversary this year. Events include storytelling, music and dance, a folklife fair, championship sheepdog trials, and the Trailing of the Sheep parade through downtown Ketchum. www.trailingofthesheep.org
Oct 9
Author Jonathan Franzen Acclaimed novelist Jonathan Franzen, author of The Corrections and Freedom, kicks off the Sun Valley Center for the Arts 2011–2012 lecture series. www.sunvalleycenter.org
Oct 12–16
Sun Valley Jazz Jamboree From big band and swing to blues and zydeco, the Sun Valley Jazz Jamboree has performances to please any jazz fan. www.sunvalleyjazz.com
Oct 13–17
October 29
The Music Man Theater lovers won’t want to miss the St. Thomas Playhouse production of The Music Man, October 13–17. www.stthomassunvalley.org
Trail Creek 12K Run Smooth trails and stunning views make this event suitable for novice to veteran trail runners. Lace up those shoes for a beautiful fall run! www.sunvalleyrunning.com
Oct 18–30
November 12
The Velveteen Rabbit In the Company of Fools production of this family classic, actors share the stage with puppets and the play is set to original music. www.companyoffools.org
>>>
SVSEF Fall game dinner and auction This annual fundraiser supports the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation. Enjoy a game dinner, live and silent auctions, dancing, and appearances by some of SVSEF’s past, current, and future stars. www.svsef.org
Check out our Builders’ Buzz on page 74 to find out more about building “green.”
why would I want to build “green”?
+ It doesn’t cost much more than standard building. Although each situation is unique, a green home costs perhaps 5 to 10 percent more, depending on which features you would like to include. Federal tax credits are available for certain materials and equipment. + Energy efficiency. If you include solar, wind, or geothermal energy, you’ll save even more, but even without these alternative energy sources a green home will reduce your energy bills because it is more efficient. + A healthier home for your family. Green building codes and guidelines call for the use of products made with few or no toxic chemicals, like formaldehyde-free plywood and VOC-free paint. This helps improve indoor air quality. + Your home will last longer. Green techniques, durability, and high-quality construction tend to go hand-in-hand, giving your home a useful life of a century or more, compared to the average 30-year lifespan of many standard homes. These factors also reduce maintenance costs. + It matches your values. Though not every family makes its carbon footprint a high priority, most of us want to do what we can to keep the planet—and Sun Valley—a great place to live for coming generations. Building green is one way to make that impact.
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news
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DOUBLETAKE
properties so special they deserve a second look This three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath charming in-town home looks and feels like it was built yesterday. The open floor plan features beautiful oak flooring, slab granite counters, topof-the-line kitchen appliances, a Utah sandstone fireplace, a very attractive dining area, and a three-car garage. A beautiful and spacious first-floor master and walk-in closet complement this wonderful home. Call Bob Kesting (208.720.0496) or Cindy Kesting (208.720.4770) for more information.
$1,495,000
This is the perfect Sun Valley home beautifully situated in Lane Ranch. With 4,795 square-feet, four bedrooms, four bathrooms, an office, a family room, open-vaulted ceilings, a formal dining room, a gourmet kitchen, and a three-car garage, this home is a must-see. The wonderfully landscaped two-acre lot features panoramic views of the Lane Ranch Cliffs. Call Bob Kesting (208.720.0496) or Cindy Kesting (208.720.4770) for more information.
$3,495,000 This home sits on the signature 17th hole at The Valley Club golf course with a large lake and mature landscaping, With four bedrooms and four bathrooms, this spacious home features high ceilings and new upgrades throughout, The open great room is styled with hardwood floors and a gorgeous fireplace; the gourmet kitchen includes a Wolf range and the master suite offers a newly remodeled bathroom. Enjoy an outdoor grill and private pickle ball court as you watch the golfers go by. Call Joanne Wetherell for details at 208.720.0916.
$2,246,000
oops + We reported that a Seattle-based “architectural” firm
Schuchart/Dow purchased the historic Bobbie Burns building, and now we know that Schuchart/Dow is really a construction firm. We encourage you to call them, give them some construction business, and help us make it up to them. Check out their website at www.schuchartdow.com or call John Hoedemaker at 206.633.3003. We also had an embarrassing typo in that section (Thanks Grady for the heads up!)
+ We apologize to Roberta Morcone, one of our own production mavens, for mispelling her last name. 12
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We admit it. We are not perfect. There, we said it... No need to gloat. Now we need to make some apologies. We are really embarrassed and we promise we have submitted to a proper flogging.
+ And to the folks at Windermere, we apologize and promise to never forget that ‘r’!
+ And finally, the editor admits that she made a minor mistake
in her “Life on the Links” article. As her father enjoyed pointing out, a golfer does not “tee up on a green.” The editor, while properly humbled, still thinks that writing “tee up at the tee box” lacks poetry.
If you see us make a mistake, please let us know at editorial@sunvalleypropertynews.com.
Flash
sun valley
6 @ sochi
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Winter sports worshippers of all stripes came out to support the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation’s quest to place six Elite Developement Team athletes on the US Olympic Team in Sochi, Russia, for the 2014 Winter Olympics. Who can argue with great grub, dance-worthy tunes, and a dunking booth? 1 L to R: Bob Rosso, owner of The Elephant’s Perch and Morgan Arritola, an Elite Development Team athlete. 2 Nappy Neaman takes one for the team. 3 Espen Schernthanner, future Elite Development Team member. 4 L to R: Bob Disbrow, a SVSEF supporter and Don Wiseman, director of SVSEF.
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battle of the blades On September 10 nine local celebrities and nine skating professionals took to the ice to compete in the name of local charities. The town came out in full force to support the good causes. 1
1 Battle of the Blades champion Langley McNeal showing her superb athletic ability and questionable fashion sense.
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2 Liz Brown, chair of the Company of Fools’ board, living it up on the ice. 3 David Holmes, head of Community School, channeling his inner-Elvis.
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sun valley property news
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photography: josh wells
4 The Sun Valley Suns treat fans to a special performance while the judges tallied the scores.
enrolling
for
this
winter
the sun valley ski academy at community school
offers winter-sport athletes world-class coaching, training and competition together with an outstanding college-preparatory program in beautiful sun Valley, idaho.
:: residential boarding at the base of warm springs in our new residence hall.
:: Alpine, cross-country, freestyle skiing and snowboarding.
w w w. s u n v a l l e y s k i a c a d e m y. o r g • 2 0 8 - 6 2 2 - 3 9 6 0 e x t. 1 1 7
center stage
LEFT TO RIGHT: Meet six representatives from the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation’s Elite Development Team. We asked each athlete a set of questions and here’s a highlight reel: Tanner Farrow (alpine skier) has been clocked skiing 130 km/h, but he knows he’s gone faster than that; Teagen Palmer (alpine skier) says her sports heroes are her dad and her uncle, Terry and Tyler Palmer, who were both accomplished skiers and have been generous with support; Tai Barrymore (freestyle skier) says the best advice he ever heard from a coach was from Ben Verge who said, “Go bigger and land everything.
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sun valley property news
Sun Valley is populated by world-class athletes, artitsts, thinkers, writers, and doers. Here we tip our hats to those of you who take center stage. by Ryan Waterfield • photography Hillary Maybery
LEFT TO RIGHT: Matt Gelso (Nordic skier) is currently slogging his way through, and enjoying it, the book Gravity’s Rainbow; Morgan Arritola (Nordic skier) thinks that the meal of a champion is CK’s carrot cake; and Mike Sinnott (Nordic skier) has a hard time picking a favorite anything (let’s hope he makes an exception for the ladies), but he ranks Atlas Shrugged orThe Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy at the top of his book list. Being elite is expensive, so if you would like to support the Elite Development Team, please contact: SVSEF Development Office PO Box 203, Sun Valley, ID 83353 208.726.4129 sun valley property news
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architectural trends
By Melanie Crandall
style
Some homes, like the people who inhabit them, have their own stories. Such is the case with one classic Sun Valley residence. Built in the early 1980s with massive timbers, locally quarried “stubby stone,” and wood siding preferred by architects and builders of the day, this home has been transformed over the years. What makes it special is the integration of classic local mountain style with more contemporary exterior and interior features increasingly prevalent today. But let’s get to the story.
Above: The kitchen and side sitting area of this remodeled Elkhorn home offer evidence of the home’s previous era. The timbers from the Triumph mine recall the past but work seamlessly with the modern character of the home today.
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sun valley property news
A local duPont family, Brooke Shields (and her mother Teri), and local architect Mike Barker have all owned the home on Lupine Street in the Twin Creeks area of Elkhorn, bringing their unique contributions to its running narrative. When you’re inside the home, you understand the appeal. While striking, it’s not the home alone that provides the drama. The setting and the views are jaw dropping. And that’s where the story begins. Local architects Dave Barovetto and Jim Ruscitto built the home for Chris duPont and managed to get
Photography: Fred Lindholm
evolutions in
“
Photography: Fred Lindholm
Chris’s passion for the outdoors and his desire to employ artist friends resulted in unusual, stunning craftsmanship rarely seen in any home.
approval to move the building envelop to the top of the site. There were very few homes in the area, and the privacy and direct views of the Baldy bowls immediately attracted Chris. As his wife Holley says, “It was a giant bachelor pad and Chris let every local artist loose on the house.” It may have been home to many wild—you might say legendary—parties, but Chris’s passion for the outdoors and a desire to employ his artist friends resulted in unusual, stunning craftsmanship rarely seen in any home. From stained glass, giant inlaid bird carvings, and glass etchings to the steam room for 12 and cold plunge, the house emerged with a distinct character. When Chris and Holley had their first child, priorities changed. The house that was so wonderful for entertaining was not so workable for
a family. They sold the home to Brooke Shields in 1986. After her marriage to tennis great Andre Agassi, Brooke spent less time in Sun Valley and quietly transferred ownership to her mother Teri. When architect and current owner Michael Barker (along with two partners) bought the residence in 2005, it was “dark and chopped up” and included a state-of-the-art motion detection system and steel safe room installed by Shields, but also much of the home’s original handcrafted elements. His idea was to “salvage the history of the house” while improving and adding. He set about opening up the residence, diminishing the home’s many levels for a more livable space, modernizing and tearing down about 1,000 square feet of the house and adding 4,000 square feet more. He cut the safe room’s
plate steel into pieces and used them for structural beam brackets in the new part of the house. Barker retained some of the home’s most unique interior features. The hand-carved, blended wood staircase— crafted by renowned sculptor and now Vail-based Larry Lefner—that winds from the main living level up to the upper level bedrooms is spectacular. The bar next to the original dramatic floorto-ceiling fireplace is made of exotic-looking South American “blood wood” no longer available and features a roll-top cover and smooth
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LEFT to right: The exterior of the home at dusk; The rock fireplace from the original duPont home is another slice of the past that lives on in this home. sun valley property news
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Like what you see? C. Michael Barker, AIA 208.720.3690 cbarker@cox.net David Barovetto 208.726.8620 david@barovetto.com
above: The master bath offers stunning views from the soaking tub, plenty of light, and clean design.
rounded surfaces. The home’s towering old timbers from the Triumph Mine are a nod to the past. These features somehow strike just the right balance with concrete floors, aggregate concrete countertops made to look like the bottom of the river, and the unique combination of mahogany and sustainable bamboo used in the kitchen. Mike often created his own materials for the look he wanted, and those one-ofa-kind formations add to the unique nature of the home. Upper bathrooms feature counters made of aquarium rock with amber resin for a fully functional surface with a decidedly cool look. He reused original “Glulam” (short for glue laminate) beams and made them into powder room sinks, creatively rustic materials formed into contemporary curved shapes. Some local architects will 20
sun valley property news
tell you that 25 years ago, there was no Sun Valley architectural style, but the wood siding and locally quarried stone and beams were the beginnings of the area’s signature look. These homes can still be found all over the Wood River Valley. They are being updated and modernized to artfully blend our time-honoroed architectural style with more contemporary features. They may not all have a story like this gem, but they are treasures in their own right, waiting to be re-imagined.
F E A T U RE D
Photography: Fred Lindholm
architectural trends
Jim Ruscitto 208.726.5608 rlb@rlb-sv.com
Want to add your own chapters to the story of this house? This home is currently on the market for $4,900,000. Contact Sue Engelmann at 208.720.0680 for more details about this gem.
reinvented property This completely remodeled four-bedroom, four-and-a-half bath Big Wood home designed by Janet Jarvis features a stunning pool, Jacuzzi, and rockwork in the back yard, as well as exceptional interior millwork and detailing, sun, and views. Contact Suzanne Williams at 208.720.3951.
$4,495,000
architecture | real estate | lifestyle | action | special events Joshua R. Wells | www.alpinfoto.com | 801.560.1918
sv living
spaces
Photography: Josh wells
inviting
By Ariel Hansen
In Sun Valley we love to entertain. Whether family around a holiday table, friends after a long day on the mountain, or a fundraiser for our favorite charity, gathering for food and drink and laughter could rival recreating outdoors here. And while formality has its place, it’s the casual entertaining spaces that elicit both admiration from first-time guests and a sense of comfortable camaraderie from those who are invited over often.
ABOVE: The Flanigans’ home sits north of Ketchum and offers an inviting elegance that is perfect for entertaining.
Chris and Jackie Flanigan’s home north of Ketchum has that casual elegance. On the way to the front door, you may get a hint of what awaits inside: a grill built into the stone exterior is fired up, winter or summer, for Jackie’s famous meals, so if you see her step out to tend it, you know you’re in for a treat. Drop off your dish for the potluck— one of the Flanigans’ favorite styles of parties—on one of two islands that define
the otherwise open kitchen space, then grab a drink from the butler’s pantry. From here you can look up to see the beams that add character to the ceiling, made of reclaimed wood from a warehouse built in Salt Lake City in 1910, or down to the wide hickory floorboards that were once part of a Pennsylvania barn—vintage elements in a modern home, which the Flanigans built in 2006. sun valley property news
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ABOVE: The Flanigans salvaged two cabins that are perfectly perched next to the pond and add a rustic touch to the property.
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sun valley property news
But what will probably catch your attention first are the views. The south walls of the home, and most of the north walls as well, are simply window after window, creating frame upon frame for the fields, trees, and mountains that first attracted the Flanigans to this property. “It’s sort of a magical space because you feel like you’re a million miles from town,” says Toni Breck, a friend of the family. “The way they’ve landscaped it, there is no sense of being near the road.” To amplify that feeling, the house sits on the edge of a pond that curves away toward the hills. You might see the family’s cats stalking prey on the far bank, and beyond, their horses grazing or even the deer and birds that wend through on wild errands. Along the eastern edge of the pond, two old outbuildings—a tiny smokehouse and barely larger guesthouse —have been relocated from elsewhere on the property, subtly renovated, and set together with a short dock between to create an unusual entertaining space. Jackie often sets up hors d’oeuvres
in one and a bar in the other, giving guests a choice of indoor seating or Adirondack chairs on the dock. “One of my favorite places is the walk out to the little cabins,” says Anita McCann, a family friend. “You feel you’re on a ranch someplace; you can watch the fish jumping. [For the dinner hour] in the summertime we’ll move over to the patio where [Jackie] has a table set up for us, or if there are a lot of people, she’ll do a buffet.” That patio also features two seating areas: one circling a dining area near a fireplace set into the exterior wall of the house, and the other around a fire pit where cut-log rounds serve as side tables. To one side of the patio is Jackie’s kitchen garden, in summer overflowing with the greens and herbs that are de rigueur in her salads. And when the weather—or the winter—forces the party indoors, that sense of openness doesn’t disappear. “The biggest thing for us was light. We wanted the outdoors to be a part of the house,” Jackie says. Winter’s sun, low in the sky, shines directly in, while a wide overhang
Photography: Josh wells
sv living
Photography: Josh wells
protects the big living space from overheating in the height of summer. Neutral-tone furniture doesn’t compete with nature’s splendor of color, while ruddy wood detailing and complementary reddish stone maintain a visual warmth. A nook on the west side of the main room comfortably holds smaller dinner parties, and the table expands into the center of the main space for larger meals. “It’s an expansive and yet very homey space that you feel comfortable in; you don’t feel crowded,” Anita says. This is quite a trick when the parties get big—Jackie says that one Christmas she hosted 90 guests. But most of the Flanigan gatherings are a little smaller now that the couple’s three boys, Tanner, Bobby, and Wesley, have all headed off for higher education and new adventures. Their friends’ shoes no longer accumulate in piles in the hall and the pool table in the boys’ rumpus room isn’t seeing much action these days, but Jackie is looking forward to welcoming them back—with friends, and eventually families of their own. The space “facilitates fellowship,” says
Jo Hayes, wife of William Hayes, the home’s architect. It was designed to fit the landscape and the specific site, but also to fit the Flanigans’ lifestyle. The home “incorporates kids, animals, and nature. They belong there as much as the aspens,” Jo says. The home is a perfect representation of the family according to the Flanigans’ friends. “Ultimately it’s the way Chris and Jackie are as people, so welcoming and gracious,” Toni says. Anita echoes, “It’s not frou-frou, there’s no uptightness to it whatsoever. You’re just guaranteed when you go over there that it’s going to be fabulous food, lots of laughs, and really good mingling… The space they’ve created is who they are, and they’re just such genuine, real, fun people.”
Like what you see?
Some of the people responsible General Contractor The McNamara Company - 208.720.0977 or 208.788.2372
Architect Frank William Hayes - 208.726.2181 Landscaping Webb Landscape - 208.788.2066 LEFT to right: Because the Flanigans wanted the outdoors to be a central focus, entire walls retract to open the house up to the beautiful mountain scenery; Jackie, the consummate hostess, adds a spot of color to the room before a dinner party. sun valley property news
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hunt
the
Whether you are a serious big-game hunter or a casual hunter on the prowl for scenery as much as game, the Sun Valley area boasts some of the best hunting in the world. It’s no accident that Ernest Hemingway, the consummate gentleman hunter, chose to call Ketchum and Sun Valley home for years. Join Dennis Higman as he elaborates on the prime hunting that beckons in the Sun Valley area.
By Dennis Higman photography david stoecklein
ABOVE: Southern Idaho is home to some of the best hunting opportunities in North America. The scenery is stunning and the game is plentiful.
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sun valley property news
open spaces
Ernest Hemingway helped to put Sun Valley on the map, and he loved the fall because it marked the opening of hunting season when he could indulge one of his many passions. A casual perusal of historical photographs will confirm the fact that game— both trophy big animals and birds—was plentiful in those days and Mr. Hemingway was a pretty darn good shot. Times and attitudes toward hunting have changed, of course, although the beauty of the fall certainly hasn’t. And the Sun Valley area is
still a place where hunting can be combined with spectacular, unpopulated, backcountry scenery under those famous “high blue windless skies.” One of the most respected sources of hunting information in the Sun Valley area is Joe McKinnon at Silver Creek Outfitters in Ketchum. “The big advantage of Idaho and Sun Valley in particular is that we have the greatest variety of game plus the most public access of any state in the Union,” says Joe, who has hunted here all his life. sun valley property news
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open spaces
LEFT to right: Birds in flight; morning coffee before the day’s hunt begins; a hunter takes aim.
That big game ranges from elk, whitetail deer, and moose to pronghorn antelope, mountain goats, and bighorn sheep. Upland game birds include blue (dusty) grouse, chucker, pheasant, wild turkey, quail, and Hungarian partridge. And as for water fowl, a wide variety of ducks and geese abound at lower elevations. Depending on one’s expertise, time, budget, and interest, there are any number of ways to hunt for meat or a trophy here, according to Joe. “We can help with licenses, maps of good areas with public access, and equipment. We can also direct people to outfitters and hunting clubs, as well as real estate agents who specialize in hunting properties,” he explains. In addition to open public land, wing shooting is supported by a number of private clubs and outfitters. For example, 7 Mile Ranch (208.720.6195), a private preserve just south of Sun Valley, offers customized hunts for upland birds. Sun Valley Outfitters offers both bird and trophy big-game hunting on week-long hunts in some of central Idaho’s most spectacular mountainous regions. The guides at Little Wood River Outfitters provide extended biggame hunts in the scenic area between Carey and Mackay. And for those who would prefer to own a hunting ranch of their own, there are still classic properties available in the Sun Valley area. Those properties fall into two categories, according to Mark Brown of Pioneer Associates (208.726.4005), who specializes in area ranches. “You basically have two choices,” 46
sun valley property news
he says. “A large ranch that supports, or is capable of supporting with improvements, its own resident big-game herd—elk, deer, or antelope—or a bird population. Equally attractive is a smaller rural property with easy access to hunting on public land.” One of Mark’s properties in the spectacular Pahsimeroi Valley is the 640-acre Double Springs Ranch that supports world-class big-game, primarily elk. He also lists smaller properties near the Copper Basin area, where one can literally step across a fence to hunt on public land. Another potential hunting property near Gooding is the 560-acre Gwin Springs Ranch listed by Jason Buck (208.720.4859) and Jed Gray (208.720.0575) of Sun Valley Associates. It is a working ranch that raises organic hay, but it’s also licensed as a bird hunting preserve. In addition, Gwin Springs is completely “off the grid,” which means it is energy self-sufficient and runs on wind and solar energy.
F E AT U R E D
“I should point out,” Mark emphasizes, “that a lot of these ranches, once considered prime hunting property, are now drawing buyers more interested in observing wildlife than hunting, more into taking photographs than shooting, and dedicated to improving habitat for all species.” “As a broker, I welcome this change,” he says. “It’s good for everybody concerned, fulltime ranchers, hunters, and those who simply want to enjoy one our best assets: the last wild, wide-open landscapes in the lower 48.” For more information on hunting in the Sun Valley area, call one of these helpful retailers: + Little Wood River Outfitters: 208.309.2127 + Sun Valley Outfitters: 208.720.6668 + Silver Creek Outfitter: 208.726.5282 For information about the 7 Mile Ranch, a private hunting club, please call: 208.720.6195
hunting property Sand Springs Ranch, Hagerman This 1,555 acre ranch, 10 miles from Hagerman, offers abundant spring water, irrigated cropland, and Snake River frontage. The ranch is home close to unmatched upland bird hunting and spring creek trout fishing. Call Trent Jones at 208.622.4133 for more details.
$12,500,000
of harmony a history
The long-running Business Partnership of Thomas Parry and Robert McDonald
Sitting a hair north of Hailey, River Grove Farm and its world-champion horses testify to the success of the 47-year partnership between Parry Thomas, the “quiet kingmaker” of Las Vegas, and Bob McDonald, the man with the Midas touch in the equestrian world.
B y rya n wat e r f i e l d • p h ot o g r a p h y b y h i l l a ry m ay b e ry
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svpn feature
OPPOSITE: The long-lasting business partnership and the long-time friendship between (L to R) Debbie and Bob McDonald and Parry and Peggy Thomas thrives at River Grove Farm in Hailey, Idaho; THIS PAGE: Horses enjoying the good life on River Grove Farm. sun valley property news
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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: River Grove Farm is home to many accomplished horses, and training there is a dream for many hopeful riders. Here Chrissy Clemons takes Wizard out for a scenic ride; the sign outside River Grove; the tack room at River Grove; Debbie McDonald and Brentina come out of retirement to perform for Parry Thomas’s 90th birthday bash; the sublime beauty of River Grove Farm; Chrissy and Wizard heading out for a Saturday afternoon ride; awards and memories line the walls of the main barn at the farm.
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“
When I walked into the main barn at River Grove Farm to meet with Parry Thomas, the owner of the farm, and Bob McDonald, the manager of the farm, I was greeted by Parry, a gentleman who had just celebrated his 90th birthday, walking along the stalls greeting his horses, some champions past and some sure to be champions in the future. As this stately gentleman stood among his horses, he introduced each of them with fatherly pride, slipping in details about each horse, information that hinted at the special place they held in his heart. But, when we got to the end of the line, standing with her groom, was this proud papa’s very favorite—Brentina, two-time Olympian, World Cup Champion, and the most decorated dressage horse in America— River Grove Farm’s pride and joy. Parry Thomas owes a lot to horses. When he was in college at the University of Utah, he lucked into a blind date with his nowwife Peggy who told me as an aside that she “never would have considered going on a blind date under normal circumstances, but he was into horses” so she reconsidered. Years later, he and his wife Peggy bought their young daughter Jane a four-year-old thoroughbred named Bo Valentine straight off the racetrack. Parry laughs when he recalls his nine year-old daughter’s headstrong refusal to leave Las Vegas without her new horse for the family’s annual summer in Newport Beach. Listening to Parry remember how a little girl’s tantrum over four decades ago started all of this—River Grove Farm, trips back and forth to Germany for the famous Hanoverian horse auction in the city of Verden, indoor and outdoor arenas, grooms, tack rooms, walls and walls lined with photos of champion riders atop champion horses—it’s hard to imagine Parry in his other life. There’s been a book written about him entitled The Quiet Kingmaker of Las Vegas, a book by Jack Sheehan that
illuminates the ways that Parry Thomas the banker forever changed the way things were done in Vegas—for the better. One of the city’s favorite sons, Thomas not only changed the way business was done in Vegas, but his generosity and stewardship in the city set new standards for philanthropy. But that’s not the Thomas I’m here to meet. I’m here to meet the Parry Thomas who has helped realize this dream of a farm, and he’s the first to recognize that he couldn’t have done it alone. With a meaningful glance across the table, Parry points to the visionary behind the operation. Bob laughs thinking about a nine-year-old with a thoroughbred off the racetrack saying, “Bo Valentine. That was a lot of horse for a little girl.” Peggy, walks into the office at this point and Parry doesn’t miss a beat; he gestures toward his wife of 64 years and credits her for finding Bob. Bob laughs quietly, signaling a charming humility. Peggy takes her cue and tells me about arriving in Newport Beach and setting off on a quest to find the right trainer for her daughter and her new horse. Parry chimes in, “She came back after that first day during which she visited five different barns to watch five different trainers at work and announced that she had found the trainer for Jane.” Curious about the qualities she saw in a 19-year-old Bob that first day, I asked her how she knew he was their choice. She didn’t hesitate before saying, “I was looking for someone who used subtle aids and not a lot of punishment and not a lot of strong reign. I wasn’t all that knowledgeable, but I knew the kind of people I wanted Jane to be around.” Parry adds, “She looked at five different trainers in the Costa Mesa and Newport area and out of all of them, she said that Bob was the most direct, the most understanding of children. He used proper language and didn’t smoke.” Again, Bob laughs, almost to himself; I get the sense that he’s heard this before.
svpn feature She looked at five different trainers in the Costa Mesa and Newport area and out of all of them, she said that Bob was the most direct, the most understanding of children. He used proper language and didn’t smoke.
”
At this point, I haven’t heard much from Bob aside from clarifications on details. I look around the walls and it sinks in that he’s the man behind most of the trophies and the pictures of champions. He’s the man with the eye for a good horse and Parry is the first to tell you that Bob is the man with the Midas touch when it comes to horses. The barn is really a cathedral to what Bob has achieved, and it’s a testament to the absolute faith Peggy and Parry Thomas have in him. Bob is a warm, welcoming man, and you’d never know the heights he has scaled in his career or how absolutely versatile he is if Parry weren’t there to brag about him. Parry is quick to point out that Bob is the “architect” behind the entire layout of the farm and the “designer” of the world-class barn. “There’s not another working barn like it,” he says as he looks around the world they’ve created together. Bob adds, “Some barns are ‘show’ barns but this one is a working barn—it’s about practicality. But the grounds here, they blend the natural wildnerness setting with a culitvated park landscape. This farm may be the secret to Peggy and Parry’s longevity and health. They are out here every day walking the grounds, checking on the horses. It’s kept them young.” In their horse venture, this partnership isn’t complete without Bob’s wife, Debbie McDonald, the decorated hunter/jumperturned-dressage champion who is Brentina’s other half. Officially retired from competition since 2009, she was away during the course of our interviews as the trainer for an up-and-coming dressage star, also sponsored by the Thomas family. Even though Debbie
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svpn feature wasn’t present during our conversations, she’s always at the heart of every story about their horse venture. Parry says, “What makes this relationship work is that Bob and Debbie are absolutely trustworthy. Add that to their talents…” At that point Parry trails off as if there were no words to describe the value of the McDonald package. The four of them, Peggy and Parry and Debbie and Bob, have traveled the world together, going to the Verden horse auction in Germany since 1984 and eventually going to the Olympics in Athens (2004) and in Hong Kong (2008). Their first trip to Verden was inspired by a curiosity about the famous auction and its culture because as Parry says, “We had never been to the German auction and we’d read about it and we’d heard about it, so we wanted to go to it.” Throughout the years they’ve been traveling to Verden, the Thomas/ McDonald team has gone from having no seat at the auction because they were complete unknowns in that world to being seated with the serious bidders. Bob recounts, “Oh yes, by the third trip to Germany, they knew our names and we had respectable seats.” Parry points out that they did not make a life out of buying “made” horses—horses already trained and ready for competition. Bob specialized in recognizing young horses with the athletic potential to be champions. In fact, when Parry first entertained the idea that they might one day take a horse and rider team to the Olympics, he approached Bob to ask if such a dream were possible and how An
unrivaled
they might do it. Bob’s response? “We’re going to start with buying three young horses, the low man sells until we have the right one. That was our plan anyway. We didn’t know how long it would take us to find the right horse who responded to both the training and the rider. Brentina was in that first group of horses.” On my last visit to the farm, Parry treated me to a few videos of some of the most memorable auctions, including the last one they attended a few years ago when they bid on Argentinia, the prize horse of the auction. As Parry narrated the video for me (it was all happening in German after all), the suspense built with each bid and as the gavel came down, Parry didn’t need to translate any longer—the music that immediately played, rocking the auction arena, left no room for doubt. Elvis’s “Viva Las Vegas” blared and everyone except the unsuccessful bidders cheered on the Americans who had over the past 30 years become beloved fixtures on the German auction scene. After nearly half a century together, the three of them finish each other’s sentences and seem to serve as each other’s memory bank. Asking for clarification on dates calls up a storm of personal markers they hold in common—markers that anchor events to a particular time in history. Their history together is bound by their shared love of horses and a palpable respect for each other and it is this combination that nourishes their Olympic-sized success. partnership
debbie mcdonald and brentina 1999 – Gold Medal for Individual Dressage Pan Am games in Mar del Plata, Argentina 1999 – Gold Medal for Team Dressage Pan Am games in Mexico City, Mexico
ABOVE: The dynamic duo, Debbie McDonald and Brentina.
In 1994 the Thomas/McDonald team traveled to Verden in search of the young horse that might eventually take them to the Olympics. They had one horse in mind, Brentina. However, they knew they had stiff competition‑Margit Otto Crepin, an Olympic dressage champion who rode for France in the 1988 Seoul Olympics‑was also there for Brentina. That particular year, it wasn’t a dramatic bidding war that won Brentina; rather, it was fate. Because the auction organizers like to begin the auction with one of
2002 – Silver Medal for Team Dressage World Equestrian Championships in Jerez, Spain
the star horses as a way to
2003 –World Cup Champion Goteborg, Sweden – the first American to ever win a World Cup in dressage
out the event, Brentina was
2004 – Bronze Medal for Team Dressage Olympic Games in Athens, Greece 2006 – Bronze Medal for Team Dressage World Equestrian Championships in Aachen, Germany Debbie is currently the US Developing Dressage coach
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betting on brentina
sun valley property news
ensuring high bids throughthe first auction lot. Thanks to traffic on the Autobahn, Margit Otto Crepin was late to the auction and missed her chance; that’s how Brentina came to call Idaho home.
style watch By Melanie Crandall
interiors
This issue we pull back the curtain to reveal the talent not always front and center in the property world— those behind the scenes of interior spaces, from the designers who select the furnishings and fabrics of the fabulous homes we profile in our pages to the retailers who make them available to all of us. Often style trends cut across boundaries. Think the Native American motif. Fringe and blanket patterns have adorned everything recently, from pillows to ponchos to purses. We reached out to local stylemakers for their take on upcoming trends and those late fall must-haves. Welcome to the rich world of interiors. Take a peek at the talent brimming in our midst.
Rob McGowan + owner, Architectural Resources 330 N Walnut Avenue, Ketchum | www.arsunvalley.com | 208.928.6379 Rob is the force behind Architectural Resources. He distributes designer lines such as Poliform and B&B Italia and offers design services from a sales office located next to Tully’s. Rob recognizes a move toward contemporary design inside the home, along with a less-is-more attitude.
Photographs by dev khalsa
“I see a trend toward simpler and cleaner design. The old saying ‘less is more’ has never been more true. And I think people have started to look closely at the sizes of the homes they build. Smaller, more thoughtful and intimate spaces will be the next big trend when designing a home.”
+ Ray chair from B&B Italia
Jan Todd and Kathy Rothgeb + Owners, Todd & Rothgeb Interior Design 371 N Walnut Avenue, #C, Ketchum | www.toddandrothgeb.com | 208.726.9899 With 25 years of design experience between them, this duo has been designing homes and commercial spaces in and out of the valley for nearly a decade. Known for their attention to detail, Jan and Kathy enjoy layering color and texture to let their clients’ personalities show through. The Todd & Rothgeb mantra? Love life, live well, and decorate!
+ Sumptuous living space of a Todd & Rothgeb-designed home
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It may be hard to believe, but shag, that groovy symbol of the sixties, is back again in a big way, especially for rugs. “They’re fun and cozy. We used a shag for what we call the ‘flop room,’ really an entertainment room, of a Big Wood home. The owners re-designed the space for their college-aged boys who were bringing home fraternity friends to stay. It has a TV screen that descends from the ceiling, a microwave, a fridge, and extra sleeping beds tucked behind curtains like sleepers on a train.”
space Planning
Furniture & antiques
Interior Design
Charles stuhlberg gallery Marcie Royle
Marghee Scott 208.726.4568
Shelly Brehmer
Megan Dawson
Julia Sullivan
corner of fifth street and east avenue north
Charles Stuhlberg
ketchum, idaho
ribkoff.com
Comme Les Filles
Women’s Clothing, Accessories & Intima Lingerie 621 Sun Valley Road • Ketchum, Idaho 83340 208.622.2771
style watch
FAsHion
SVPN plans to bring you full fashion spreads four times per year. For the months in between, look for snapshots of current can’t-live-without items from a range of valley fashion mavens. As we move toward winter, outerwear in varied forms and bold colors takes center stage along with boots, from equestrienne and fur-accented to booties and platforms. Jewelry and accessories, of course, always play a pivotal role in fashion. Take a deep breath before the holidays are upon us and see what’s in stores now.
susIe RIng + co-owneR (wITh husband TeRRy), sIlveR cReeK ouTfITTeRs 500 North Main Street, Ketchum | www.silver-creek.com | 208.726.5282 Silver Creek Outfitters may be known for all things fishing, but it also offers clothing, shoes, and accessories for men and women from names like Lucchese, Tory Burch, Patagonia, and Longchamp. Browsing through the iconic, sprawling log structure is a treat in itself, its two levels brimming with fashion and gifts that celebrate the sporting life.
“To me, nothing is better than a cashmere or wool sweater wrap, a great pair of boots, and a scarf this time of year. It’s a versatile, easy look to put together and a style you can make all your own.”
+ Studded suede boots from Ugg
baRRy and candIce PeTeRson + owneRs, baRRy PeTeRson JeweleRs 511 Sun Valley Road Ketchum | www.barrypeterson.com | 208.726.5202 Barry Peterson has been in the valley for 39 years and in his present location—now a recognizable Sun Valley destination—for the last 20. One-of-a-kind pieces designed and fabricated on site, designer lines, and his signature Sun Valley Sun collection keep customers coming back year after year.
Bellissimo owner Terry Murphy is spearheading the second holiday design competition in downtown Ketchum. This year’s Winter White Wonderland theme is meant to inspire all businesses to create festive exteriors. “We owe it to visitors to provide that holiday experience,” says Murphy. Those who do can earn Most Beautiful kudos and a cash award; those who don’t may get the Lump of Coal award. Better start decorating and have it done by Thanksgiving. Otherwise, beware the judges. contact Terry at 208.726.0702
“Because of the price of gold, silver has been huge, and I expect that to continue. Buying gold has become a choice for specific reasons, like weddings. For those making the choice, “halo” and colored diamonds continue to be extremely popular.”
+ Peterson-designed diamond and sapphire snowflake pendant sun valley property news
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fine art market A r t s
N e w s
+
by Sabina Dana Plasse
V i e w s
SVPN’s update on the must-attend events going on in the Sun Valley area’s world-class fine art market. In addition, SVPN brings you must-read features and interviews with the hottest artists, collectors, and gallery owners connected with our valley.
c a le n d a r o f e v e n t s photography: courtesy of broschofsky gallery
SECOND ANNUAL BELLEVUE OPEN STUDIOS October 14–15 Green Antelope Gallery www.greenantelope.net or call 208.788.2353 ERNEST HEMINGWAY SYMPOSIUM October 20–22 The Community Library www.thecommunitylibrary.org or call 208.726.3493
Middle Fork Oil Painting by Michael Coleman. Oil on canvas 28 x 36 inches at the Broschofsky Galleries. The fall show at Broschofsky Galleries in Ketchum will feature paintings and sculpture by Michael Coleman. Michael’s paintings are rich in detail and muted in tone, true to the remote landscapes he chooses to illustrate. The Indian encampments, wildlife, and hunting subjects portrayed against these magnificent areas are rendered to give the viewer a sense of gazing into the past. His work is influenced by such 19th nineteenth-century painters as Henry Farny, Thomas Moran, George Inness, and well-known animal painter Carl Rungius. Michael captures the mystique and power of the tradition and lore of the West—an aspiration for many Western painters. Broschofsky Galleries is located at 360 East Avenue, in the Courtyard in Ketchum. For details, visit www.brogallery.com or call 208.726.4950.
+
art et cetera
ART C L A S S E s Sun Valley Center for the Arts in Hailey will present Developing Your Workflow and Creativity with Jennifer Spelman October 17–21 For details, visit www.sunvalleycenter.org or call 208.726.9491. SHirley Barer of first avenue contemporary offers instruction in figure drawing, mixed media, and art appreciation. For details, contact Shirley at 208.309.0565 or call 208.726.9491.
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SUN VALLEY CENTER FOR THE ARTS
The Center’s new exhibition, Awkward Stage: Adolescence and Identity, will feature the installation Flock by Wood River Valley artist Pamela DeTuncq. Flock will be on display through December 2. The installation is comprised of five life-sized, body-cast sculptures of teenagers wearing sheep’s wool hooded sweatshirts and needle-felted wool pants. Each teenager is “wired” to an electronic device such as an iPod or cell phone. The installation is arranged in the gallery surrounded by panels of graffiti created by teens from The Center’s September teen workshop led by graffiti artist Percy FortiniWright. The exhibition also features photos by Hailey-based photographer Matthew Hayes and nationally acclaimed photographers Jona Frank and Lauren Greenfield alongside other work about the teen years. Visit www.sunvalleycenter.org or call 208.726.9491
photography: roland lane
GALLERY WALK SPONSORED BY SUN VALLEY GALLERY ASSOCIATION November 25 Stroll Ketchum art galleries from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. www.svgalleries.org
The Way Home, Acrylic on Canvas, 48” x 48”, Ricco DiStefano, $6,900
Ricco DiStefano captures the ambient sounds that color a moment, as well as the visual. The shadow a reflection of one’s spirit. Shakespeare wrote in Macbeth – “Life’s but a walking shadow.”
3 60 F irs t Aven ue, Ket chum • 208.3 0 9 . 0 5 6 5 • fir s t a ve n u e c o n t e m p o r a r yg a lle r y@g m a i l . c om
“I seek to create richly evocative, emotional images from nature, reflecting the mood, form, colors and patterns of a scene.” —James Bourret
Mountain Images Gallery features landscape images of Idaho and beyond as well as limited edition fine art photographs. Photographer James Bourret travels into the wilderness areas of the West and strives to capture the transcendant experiences that only wilderness can offer us.
Gallery located at 400 E. Sun Valley Rd., Ketchum, ID 83340 prints may also be ordered by phone at 208.725.5801, or at jamesbourret.photoshelter.com
fine art market A r t s
art et cetera
N e w s
+
V i e w s
(continued)
GALLERY DENOVO Gallery DeNovo in Ketchum sold the second set of 500 Faces from Rein de Lege’s 2000 Faces at his March exhibition in Ketchum to the soon-to-open Santa Barbara Hermitage museum. In addition, Gallery DeNovo sold Jaehyo Lee’s sculpture 01211110=110048 to the City of Bellevue, Washington, public art collection. Visit: 320 1st Avenue Ketchum or
photography: courtesy of gallery denovo
www.gallerydenovo.com
Rein de Lege standing in front of his 2000 Faces/2 at his March exhibition in Ketchum.
+
OCHI GALLERY
0121-1110=110048 by Jaehyo Lee, 2009. Pine Wood 51 1/8 x 23 5/8 x 62 1/4 inches.
The Seattle home and art collection of part-time Sun Valley residents John and Shari Behnke graces the cover of ART + AUCTION for the July–August issue. + Ochi Gallery artist Molly Larkey will have a solo show at Human Resources in Los Angeles from October 30 through November 11. + Ochi Gallery artist William T. Wiley will be included in Under the Big Black Sun: California Art 1974–1981 at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, The Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, through February 13. William will also be included in the Locus Solus: Impressions of Raymon Roussel at the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, Madrid, Spain, from October 25 through February 27. + Ochi Gallery artist Erin Rachel Hudak has an installation Love You Forever at the New York City Dumbo Arts Festival, under the Brooklyn Bridge. + Artists Laddie John Dill and Peter Alexander, also Ochi Gallery artists, have work on exhibition at the 54th International Venice Bienalle. Visit: 350 Walnut Avenue Ketchum or 119 Lewis Street Ketchum or www.ochigallery.com
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fine art market
back
by Sabina Dana Plasse
Gilman Contemporary is a gallery with a vision beyond its cutting-edge style and art appreciation. It’s a gallery where art meets not just art lovers, collectors, and artists but also a civic-minded, generous community.
ABOVE: Great art and good works happen at Gilman Contemporary on Sun Valley Road in Ketchum.
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L’Anne Gilman, owner of Gilman Contemporary, opened her gallery doors more than four years ago with a mission to support the Sun Valley community through art and her gallery space. It is this sense of community that makes Sun Valley a standout among other mountain resort towns in the West and one of the reasons L’Anne wanted to set up shop here. “What I have found in four years is a new viewpoint about the economic environment we live in,“ L’Anne says. “It has forced me to be more creative and in doing so, I realize I can play many roles as a gallerist, and I can hold fundraisers and open my space to others. I work with artists happy to give a percentage of their proceeds to local organizations. When I don’t have the funds myself, at least I can donate something. This community has a big heart. We
tend to be disconnected to the larger world. Art can expose us to the world, and it also gives us the opportunity to change it.” L’Anne came to Sun Valley more than 17 years ago at the whim of a girlfriend who invited her along. At the time the Chattanooga, Tennessee, native was a recent graduate from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Within three days of her arrival, she began working for the Gail Severn Gallery, and her immersion into the art world in Sun Valley began. “I learned from two amazing women— Barbie Reed and Gail Severn, “ says L’Anne. L’Anne’s passion is photography. She has an extensive collection of images, which range from rare prints from the fifties and sixties to the most contemporary in the art market today. Works by husband and wife Laurie Victor Kay and Charles Kay Jr. are exquisite contemporary images, as are
photography:roland lane
fill ing spac e & g i v i n g with gilman contemporary
Flyfishing in Monet’s Pond
Sue Dumke Images fine art photography
Large scale aluminum and metallic images New collections: Hemingway in Paris a collection of images of Hemingway’s favorite locales in the City of Lights Monet Collection a collection of impressionist-style photographs from Monet’s garden in Giverny, France
Also available at:
Cafe de Flore I
sdumke@mac.com
208.720.0299
suedumkeimages.com
“this community has a big heart. we tend to be disconnected to the larger world. Art can expose us to the world, and it also gives us the opportunity to change it.” —L’Anne Gilman
photography: roland lane
ABOVE: L’Anne Gilman in front of her gallery.
works by Julie Blackmon and David Burdeny and the highly collectible images of Ormond Gigli, Frant Horvat, and Melvin sokolsky. that said, L’Anne recognized a niche missing in the valley and opened her doors to represent not only photography, but also mixed media works, painting, and sculpture by emerging to mid-career artists with hopes to educate the community about contemporary art. when the economy took a downturn in L’Anne’s second year of business, and with its slow recov-
ery to follow, she understood the need to expand her business model. she asked herself what a gallery could really be, beyond exhibiting great art. the answer came when she combined her passions: art and philanthropy. Gilman Contemporary now prides itself on opening its door to various fundraising efforts and offering a space where the community can gather. when asked about the changes the gallery has made over the years, Gilman Contemporary Director Casey Hanrahan says, “we realized
we needed to grow in different directions to sustain ourselves, and the changes we have made have been very rewarding.” Gilman Contemporary prides itself on being different from other galleries. the space is open with an inviting lounge area, and L’Anne’s glass office set toward the back almost appears to be an art piece itself—sleek but not intimidating, a very important factor in the mission of the gallery. Large open wall space leads a viewer around the gallery. this open, inviting space welcomes the casual viewer and the serious art collector alike; it sets a stage where at any time a casual onlooker may ask questions about a work of art without feeling bothersome or intrusive. “we like people who enter in the gallery to feel surprised,” Casey says. “it is art you would see in major metropolitan cities, but it is here, and it is not what you will find in the other galleries here.” Gilman Contemporary is located at 661 Sun Valley Road in ketchum. For details visit www. gilmancontemporary.com or call 208.726.7585. Gilman Contemporary’s exhibition through November, expect the Unexpected, is a thank you to its patrons and the community. The show will feature playful and exciting work including photographs by Sun Valley resident Sun Dumke.
photography: nIck brandt
BiG LiFE F O U N DAT i O N AT G i L M A N C O N T E M P O R A R Y
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BiG LiFE FOUNDATiON, ViSiT www.BIgLIFeAFRICA.ORg.
when L’Anne opened Gilman Contemporary in 2007, she knew her gallery could be more than just a place to show beautiful work. excited to turn ideas into action, L’Anne called fine art photographer Nick Brandt to exhibit in her new gallery even though she had not secured her space. Her admiration for his work prompted her to organize this early exhibition around his images. Nick recently returned to Gilman Contemporary at the end of August this year to do a fundraising event for his Big Life Foundation, which he founded in 2010 to help protect Africa’s wildlife and ecosystems. the event featured a preview of Nick’s most recent photographs in Africa, which are available at Gilman Contemporary. Born and raised in London, Nick Brandt lives in California. in December 2000 he began photographing in east Africa. Nick’s first book of photographs, On This Earth, was published in October 2005 by Chronicle Books with forewords by Jane Goodall, one of Nick’s heroes, and Alice sebold. He has had numerous one-man exhibitions around the world between 2004 and 2006, including shows in London, Berlin, New York, Los Angeles, Hamburg, santa Fe, sydney, Melbourne, and san Francisco. Big Life Foundation is helping to bring an end to the rampant poaching of animals in the Amboseli ecosystem that straddles Kenya and ttanzania. Poaching has devasted the elephant population as well lions, giraffes, zebras, and other wild animals in that ecosystem. Nick understands that art can make an impact and says that 90 percent of the funding for Big Life has come from Americans concerned about the health of Africa’s ecosystems. He says, “Photography is the best medium to express the feelings about animals,” says Nick. “Africa isn’t Africa without its animals. it’s a continent being stripped of its soul.” sun valley property news
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art interview
Geoff has an affinity for glass art, a passion evident in his long-running support for and involvement in UrbanGlass, an artist-access glass center. The first center of its kind, UrbanGlass was founded in 1977 by artists Richard Yelle and Erik Erikson as the New York Experimental Glass Workshop. A popular success, UrbanGlass is now the largest artist-access glass center. Geoff has taught at UrbanGlass and Parson’s School of Design. He is also a prolific writer on glass art.
under glass
photography: Charles Lindsay
Geoff Isles recently Brought to Friesen gallery a showcase of some of the best glass artists working today in a show entitled curated by geoff isles. friesen said she was, “honored to host the body of work, and while i am not surprised, I have been thrilled with the accolades the exhibit continues to receive.”
with geoff isles
by Sabina Dana Plasse
TOP TO BOTTOM: Glass art collector Geoff Isles; Breathing by Sybille Peretti. Mixed media on glass, paper 15.5 x 60.5 inches. Image courtesy of the Friesen Gallery.
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Glass art is more than a reflection of time and space; it is complex, unusual, haunting, and beautiful—all at once. Curator, artist, collector, teacher, and writer, Geoff Isles adores glass and all its fascinating qualities including its potential to break. Geoff loves glass art so much he is one of the medium’s largest collectors and supporters. Contemporary, fine art, and ancient glass fill his personal collection. He recently amassed several fine art glass works for the August 2011 Friesen Gallery’s exhibition, Curated by Geoff Isles. Geoff assembled an international group of eight dynamic artists working in glass for the Friesen Gallery show. Featured artists included Nicole Chesney, Richard Jolley, Martin Klimas, Beth Lipman, Sibylle Peretti, Erica Rosenfeld, Pamina Traylor, and Ann Wolff. The exhibition gave a clear and cutting-edge perspective on the top glass artists shining in the fine art’s glass world. These
glass artists experiment with what is possible with glass and cross boundaries with their glass art; the artists presented new dimensions and appearance to glass art: glass tapestry, explosive photography, and double-imposed imagery. A “glass world patron,” Geoff presented Curated by Geoff Isles as an education and exploration of today’s most intriguing glass art. The exhibition even included a defiant piece by Geoff, Nuclear Jesus. Created in 2005 with hydrostone, steel, copper, lead, and glass, which is 60 x 48 x 5.5 inches, Nuclear Jesus not only focuses on the dilemma of the disposal of nuclear fuel rods, but it also comments on Reverend Jerry Farwell needing his own cross to bear. Because his concept needed powerful symbols, Geoff created a nuclear cross, and it depicts what nuclear energy might look like if captured in glass.
photography:courtesy of FRIESEN GALLERY
by Sabina Dana Plasse
G ro u p e x h i B i t i o n s o C to B e r - n ov e M B e r
M a r k s a n d C o n v e r s at i o n s i i squeak Carnwath • raphaëlle Goethals • Jun kaneko • Margaret keelan Gary komarin • Cole Morgan • Julie speidel
a sense of plaCe xvi victoria adams • James Cook • laura Mcphee • Jane rosen • ted Waddell
n at u r e ed Musante • Brad rude • Chris reilly • allison stewart
GAIL SEVERN GALLERY 400 First Avenue North • PO Box 1679 • Ketchum, ID 83340 208.726.5079 • 208.726.5092 Fax • info@gailseverngallery.com W W W. G A I L S E V E R N G A L L E R Y. C O M Monday - Saturday 9am-6pm; Sunday 12pm-6pm
art interview
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Tell me about your life with glass? I’m involved in the glass world in many aspects. UrbanGlass is the longest running public glass space. I’ve gotten to know lots of artists through the glassartist society, which is about 1,000 artists. I’ve been involved in Glass magazine since the mid-eighties. Everyone has come through the studio.
photography:courtesy of FRIESEN GALLERY
Q
What was your inspiration behind the Friesen Gallery show Curated by Geoff Isles? For this show it’s the good, bad, and the ugly. The purpose of this show was to do glass as art. This is art. Glass art is not so popular. I brought to this show artists who most people have never heard of or seen before. The show has traditional pieces and work that has never been seen before. Artist Ann Wolf of Sweden is 75 years old. Her work is in the show. She received the 2011 Glass Art Society Lifetime Achievement in Glass Award.
with glass, although he is not interested in what he can make from glass. Martin takes photographs using a high-speed camera, capturing vessels at the moment they are destroyed. Martin’s work is about destruction, and Beth Lipman’s photos are about creation—they are still lifes composed from hand-sculpted glass she has created. New Orleans-based artist Sibylle Peretti creates paintings with glass featuring figures trapped in dream states. They are images of feral children who people ignore all over the world. If you look at all glass collectors, they go for all pretty colors. See a piece and want the glitter. This is for the fine arts collector. I wanted to introduce Sun Valley and Andria Friesen to new artists.
What is it about glass? It’s a unique material you can do anything with and when used properly, can do very creative things. It has amazing qualities. Many materials do not have the reflective or transparency qualities that only glass encompasses. It is the most important material in the world. There is not an area of life where glass does not exist. It took 5,000 years to become an art form. The glass-art movement is true fine arts.
Q A
What are some of the interesting glass-art ideas in the Friesen show? Nicole Chesney is a true minimalist. She chooses glass as the canvas to take advantage of glass’s ability to bend and reflect light, capturing an otherworldly quality that other materials wouldn’t allow. Martin Klimas is an artist who works
sun valley property news
What is the state of glass art? I am always learning about glass everywhere possible. For instance, China is just beginning to pick up on the idea of collecting glass as fine art. There is a new museum of glass art in Shanghai. I specifically formed a connection with a woman who lives in Hong Kong to be the eyes and ears in China for the growing glass fine art scene there. She may report to me what is happening with glass in that part of the world.
TOP to bottom: FULTON ST. 1:30 AM by Erica Rosenfeld. Glass, fabric 24 x 36 inches. Image courtesy of the Friesen Gallery; Lathyrus Latifolius by Martin Klimas. Pigment print (ed. of 5) 31.5 x 23.5 inches. Image courtesy of the Friesen Gallery.
To view works by Geoff Isles and his collection, visit www.islesglass.com
builder’s buzz
green
By ariel hansen
doesn’t take a lot of green
We in Sun Valley like to think of ourselves as fairly “green” folks. We recycle, bicycle instead of driving around town, buy local, and support the Environmental Resource Center. And though we’re a little behind the curve when it comes to building environmentally friendly homes and businesses compared to other resort towns, we’re catching up fast. Increasingly, new construction is going green, as owners realize how much efficiency can be had for relatively little investment.
THIS PAGE AND NEXT: Building green doesn’t mean building without style. These homes by Idaho Mountain Builders blend style and home efficiency.
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It’s not as expensive to build green as you might assume, local builders agree, and if you make high-quality construction a priority you’re probably already building greener than you might think. “Most of the building that happens here is pretty green already; it’s mainly details and verification,” says Joe Marx, co-owner of Idaho Mountain Builders in Ketchum, talking about the various environmental building certifications available, including the most common,
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). Joe and his business partner, Tim Carter, built the first LEED-certified single-family home in Ketchum in 2009. The builders say the area’s cold climate and the willingness of owners to buy high-quality materials means homes here are already more efficient and have smaller carbon footprints than those in other areas. However, owners who are inter-
“ photography: courtesy of idaho mountain builders
The annual savings sure don’t hurt. For the 4,500square-foot ranch, his highest monthly heating bill was $175; that compares to $500–$800 for comparable non-LEED homes, he says.
ested in jumping through a few more hoops—primarily paperwork-related, say owners and builders—can earn a nod from LEED, BuildSmart, National Association of Home Builders, and other groups. These certifications are a point of pride, and give future buyers an easy way to understand just how green the homes are. Ken Ward says the LEED certification of the home he built south of Bellevue in 2006, Play Fair Ranch, attracted interest when the time came to sell. The recent buyers were especially interested in the home’s healthy aspects, he says. “It was a selling point that none of my competition had,” Ken says. And though qualifying for the certification took some planning—particularly because LEED was fairly new when he built—he says any future homes he builds will follow either LEED or comparable guidelines. “The green things you can do are so simple and so easy, I recommend it to everybody. You can build quality and you can build big and still build green,” Ken says. And the annual savings sure don’t hurt. For the 4,500-square-foot ranch, his highest monthly heating bill was $175; that compares to $500–$800 for comparable non-LEED homes, he says. However, cutting energy costs isn’t the primary reason most families opt
”
for green homes. Most are like Molly and Tom Page of Hailey, whose LEEDcertified home was built in 2009. “We really wanted a house that was healthy to live in, that used nontoxic paint and nontoxic glues and those type of things. We have small children, and we wanted to make it as good an environment for them [as possible],” Molly says. “A lot of what I learned about LEED certification is it’s really building best-practices.”
Choosing your guidelines Not everyone is a fan of LEED, though. “In itself it doesn’t necessarily make smarter buildings or better architects,” says Dale Bates, principal architect with Living Architecture in Ketchum. “It makes you think you’ve done well when all you’ve done is fill out a checklist and meet certain requirements.” Dale favors thinking more holistically about homes, including what he sees as the trend toward self-sufficiency. Following the several-day power outage over Christmas 2009, he began hearing from people who wanted to have more faith that their homes would support them even if the energy and supply grids failed. “I’m getting a tremendous sense that people are looking to do something that will provide them with resilience as they move forward,” he says, describing both financial return and energy use.
“Homeowners are [going green] for the preservation of their lifestyle first and to match their values second.” For those who prefer other guidelines, they’re available. BuildSmart, a checklist created by Florida Power & Light, for example, was one of the bases for Blaine County’s new building standards, passed in March 2011. These standards are designed to meet or exceed most expected elements of the 2013 revision of the International Building Code. Builders have several parallel paths to meet the county code, including LEED, BuildSmart, National Association of Home Builders, or the county’s own guidelines. They are based primarily on the Home Energy Rating System (HERS), developed by the California Energy Commission, and are increasingly harder to meet as home size grows, leading many builders of large homes to opt for the National Association of Home Builders’ regulations. “How you meet the standards is up to you, but meeting the standards is mandatory,” says Blaine County Commissioner Larry Schoen. He says he is proud of the efforts the county has made to promote energy conservation and efficiency, including regulations allowing solar and wind power. The county will revisit the new standards in May 2012 to ensure they’re helping and not hindering builders who want to go green. sun valley property news
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builder’s buzz Whether following a set of guidelines or not, many homebuilders are thinking about the healthy qualities and environmental impact of their projects. “A lot of people want that level of green, but they don’t want to pay for the certification,” says John Lee, principal and builder with Lee Gilman Builders, Inc., in Ketchum. “It’s client-specific; everyone wants to be green, but on their own level and on their own terms.” He says compromises have to be made at many steps of the process. For example, a builder could buy bamboo flooring grown in China, which is considered a quickly renewable resource—but once you factor in the cost and carbon footprint of getting that bamboo to Idaho, it might be more environmentally friendly to purchase locally grown wood. “It’s a balancing act,” John says. Although geothermal heating is, pun intended, a hot topic right now, Idaho isn’t the most cost-effective place to put it into practice. Like solar electric, the payback takes several decades. And though John would love to see solar panels on every home in the state, he knows the 5- to 8-year payback of a solar hot water system is easier to sell to some clients. But for some products, the difference in cost is negligible. VOC-free paint, for example, isn’t much more than
photography: courtesy of lee gilman builders
Getting a little greener
traditional oil paint, and many of his firm’s clients prefer it over traditional oil paint despite a slight decrease in durability and difference in appearance. Tom Harned and Kirsten Ritzau opted for nontoxic products like that VOC-free paint because Kirsten has environmental allergies, and they wanted to raise their kids in a home with good indoor air quality. Tom describes their LEED-certified home, built in Hailey in 2007, as exactly what he was hoping for, despite a price tag about 10 percent higher than a similar, less-green home. “It’s daunting to us to ever think of leaving it, because it’d be a step backward to live in a normal home,” he says. “There’s no doubt about it, that’s extra money on there, and people wonder, is it worth it. … What you do when you build green is you pay for a
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where can i see LEED locally?
+ RockyMountain Hardware in Hailey www.rockymountainhardware.com/green + The Sweetwater development in the Woodside neighborhood of Hailey www.sweetwaterhailey.com + The Sun Valley Center for the Arts’ proposed new center in Ketchum www.sunvalleycenter.org/support/the-new-center.html
builders in the know
Lee Gilman Builders: 208.726.3300 • Idaho Mountain Builders: 208.726.1603 76
sun valley property news
lot of that stuff up front instead of on the tail end.” All the builders agreed that it is difficult to tell whether exceptionally green building is getting more popular in the Wood River Valley because there is currently little being built. It’s also hard to assess whether the market favors green homes because so few of them have come up for sale. But with concerns about indoor health, climate change, environmental sustainability, and self-sustainability unlikely to ebb any time soon, Sun Valley homes will only get greener.
helpful links + Home Energy Rating System (HERS), from The California Energy Commission: www.energy.ca.gov/HERS/ + Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), from US Green Building Council: www.usgbc.org/leed + National Green Building Standard, from the National Association of Home Builders and International Code Council: www. nahbgreen.org/NGBS/default.aspx + BuildSmart, from Florida Power & Light: www.fpl.com/residential/energy_saving/ buildsmart/index.shtml + Blaine County’s new building code: www.blainecounty.org, then click “New Energy Build Code” on the left.
Joe in the Lower Bowls, March 2011. Photo by Tim Carter
Here’s the deal Take if youthe don’tleap hire these Hire Idaho builders Mountain toBuilders do a project for your next for construction you, there will be project save some noand fresh tracks left for powder you for the rest us.year. on Baldyofthis
T im C a r te r • J o e M a r x Ketchum, Idaho • www.idahomountainbuilders.com • 208.726.1603
market
outlook
oct/nov 2011
“Have We Hit tHe Bottom Yet?”
by Ryan WateRfield
In order to understand if we are at the bottom of the market yet, there are two issues to investigate: loan accessibility and the impact of incremental price reductions on the market. availability of Financing
Neil Siegel of Wells Fargo Private Banking gives the following insight into the current lending atmosphere. He attributes the decrease in loan activity nationwide to the shift from “stated income loans” to a much more rigorous loan application process, as well as the FDIC’s tightening of standards for loan qualification. Banks are also expecting at least the full 20 percent down payment or more in order to approve a loan—a marked shift from the lending practices across the nation from 2003 to 2008. Neil reminds readers that a bank will look for a 45 percent or better debt-toincome ratio before considering lending, and that all of one’s debt is included in that equation. He says that in this current market, buyers are looking for long-term property investments whether for a family home or an investment property, and that will ultimately help stabilize the market. Real estate agents in the Sun Valley area have mixed reports about whether or not their clients are finding it difficult to come by a loan these days because many of the agents we spoke to deal mostly, if not exclusively, with cash-only buyers; however, those who work with buyers looking to finance their purchase do report increased scrutiny on the side of the banks and report that this scrutiny often results in the bank declining to loan, even when the borrower has 20 percent down and a respectable credit score. However, there is anecdotal evidence that if your personal balance sheet is solid and the loan to value is a minimum of 20-25 percent down, there is a good chance of securing a loan. For this market to continue to gain momentum, lending is a key component. But for the market to sustain longterm 78
sun valley property news
health, it’s also key that banks maintain standards for lending and that buyers are realistic when they set their sights on a loan.
the impact of incremental Price Reductions on the market
Let’s put some perspective on the current market in comparison to last year’s market. Year to date we are up 15 percent in singlefamily homes sales (by volume) while the average sales price is down by 12 percent. The fact that the average sales price is down by 12 percent points to a trend of consistent incremental price reductions. Todd Conklin (Coldwell Banker) reports that the number one question he hears from potential buyers is “Are we there yet?” as they wonder if we’ve hit the bottom of the market. As sellers reduce prices at regular intervals it feeds this wait-and-see psychology because buyers are resistant to pull the trigger before they are sure they are getting the best deal possible. “The truth,” Conklin says, “is that no one can predict an end to this troubled market.” He adds, “The market will pick back up when buyers feel confident again.” His take? Real estate agents should advise their clients to set their asking prices at realistic levels to avoid the incremental price reductions that don’t serve them or the market well. Mike Murphy (McCann-Daech-Fenton) has also noticed the buyer “are we there yet” obsession and has this bit of advice: “Focus on the most important part of the real estate experience: What will the monthly payment be?” He adds, “Interest rates are low right now, and that makes it a great time to buy. Any small increase in the interest rate will wipe out any reduction the buyer was hoping for on the sales price. Instead of focusing on the reduction, look at your resources, find out if you’re qualified for a loan, and
focus on the monthly payment.” As of press time, the Fed is talking about employing “Operation Twist.” The New York Times explains that the Fed is considering “shifting the bonds within its own portfolio to bring down longer-term interest rates even further than they have already dropped.” If Operation Twist works, this could mean good things for the potential homebuyer and would certainly bolster Mike’s sage advice. So, the “Are we at the bottom of the market?” question might be irrelevant. Ultimately, it’s wise to look at a property purchase as a long-term asset; looking over a 10 to 15 year cycle is a more realistic way to view your returns.
SVPN’s
411
The Real esTa TaT Ta aTe MaRkeT by The NuMbeRs 2005 – 2011
suzanne Williams (sun Valley Real estate llC) provided us with Mls data offering a comparative look at the local market from 2005 – 2011 ResideNTial sold VoluMe
CoNdo/ ToWNhoMe
2003 - $302M 2004 - $382M 2005 - $456M 2006 - $287M 2007 - $296M 2008 - $149M 2009 - $117M 2010 - $155M 2011 ytd $99M
2003 - $133M 2004 - $190M 2005 - $212M 2006 - $200M 2007 - $154M 2008 - $83M 2009 - $63M 2010 - $75M 2011 - ytd $58M
(consistent with 2010 year to date)
(ahead of 2010 pace $45M at this time last year)
area focus
north & south valley Ketchum • Sun Valley • Hailey • Bellevue It’s a noticeably quieter time throughout the valley. Yet for many full-timers and visitors, late fall is a favorite time of year. Cool—okay, maybe downright cold—mornings and nights bracket stillwarm days. Hiking, biking, and fishing still abound. So cozy up in your Patagonia and venture out for longer hikes and rides to take in the breathtaking October leaves before the snow arrives. It’s also a perfect time to enjoy the area’s yearround arts and cultural activities. Broaden your mind with a lecture or exhibition at The Sun Valley Center for the Arts or experience the magical “The Velveteen Rabbit” at Hailey’s Company of Fools theater (throughout October).
Three Ten Main: 208.788.4161 310 Main Street in Hailey. Monday night is “Noche de Inez,” or Mexican Night as it’s known to locals. Get there early; it’s muy bueno.
schools
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KETCHUM Community School: 208.622.3955 Ernest Hemingway Elementary: 208.578.5050 Pioneer Montessori: 208.726.9060 SteppingStone School: 208.726.5818 Big Wood School: 208.726.9053
we love
HAILEY • BELLEVUE Bellevue Elementary: 208.578.5080 Hailey Elementary: 208.788.5070 Woodside Elementary: 208.578.5090 Wood River Middle School: 208.578.5030 Wood River High School: 208.788.5020 The Sage School: 208.788.0120 The Mountain School: 208.788.3170
This year’s festival, honoring women and their contributions to Idaho and the West, is packed with writing and cooking workshops, lamb feasts, dog trials, children’s events, and a folk-life fair, highlighted by a parade of sheep down Main Street in Ketchum.
sun valley property news
our rural roots!
The Trailing of the Sheep Festival— a sight to behold and part of our heritage
The Trailing of the Sheep Festival www.trailingofthesheep.org October 7-9 • Ketchum and Hailey
Photography: JIM GROSSMAN
this month’s SVPN restaurant pick
A step-by-step guide
how to use mls In order to see further details of any property listed in this magazine Go to www.google.com and search for “Sun Valley Board of Realtors.�
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1. Click on Sun Valley Board of Realtors MLS. 2. Once on the home screen, enter the MLS number in the search bar to the left. 3. Wait for the property listing to be found then click the Photos tab in the upper right. Browse photos of your listing 4. Click the Map tab in the upper right and view your listing on a map
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open house
Our member real estate agents would like to invite you to their weekly open houses. Check out the schedule below and stop by to check out the great real estate deals in the valley.
Permanent Open House Schedule Wednesdays 11am-1pm: North Ketchum, Ketchum, Warm Springs Wednesdays 1-3pm: Sun Valley, Elkhorn, Mid-Valley (North of Greenhorn Gulch Bridge) Thursdays 11am-1pm: Mid-Valley (South of the bridge), Hailey Thursdays 1-3pm: Bellevue, South Blaine County
sun valley property news
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swag
Anyone up for a superfood salad? Or how about an Asian citrus spice roll or a southwest grain bowl? (I’m getting hungry just writing this). If so, tell us where this photo was taken and you will have a chance to win a $100 gift certificate from Glow Live Food Café.
How to enter
Email us at competitions@sunvalleypropertynews.com with “Glow” in the subject line telling us where this happy couple is and win some swag!
The winner will be chosen at random from all entries by the editorial team on Monday, November 7, at 12 p.m. The winner will be notified by email on Friday, November 11. The lucky participant wins a $50 gift certificate from Glow Live Food Cafe. Closing date for all entries is November 7, 2011, at 11 a.m. Prize is not transferable. Last month’s winner recognized Lane’s Trail and won golf for two at Bigwood. Congratulations!
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sun valley property news
Photography: hillary maybery
win a $100 GLOW gift certificate
phillip lim Exclusively at
Elle Rose 641 Sun Valley Road Ketchum, ID 83340 208.726.8873