January 2014 Walla Walla Lifestyles by Walla Walla Union-Bulletin

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T H E VA L L E Y â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S P E O PL E , W I N E & F O O D

Januar y 2014

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THE HOMES ISSUE

EnTERTaining aT HoME:

The busy holidays, and all those big, impersonal cocktail parties, are behind us. Time for gathering friends together for a small, intimate dinner party.

January 2014

Rob C. Blethen

Four local realtors gather to discuss the Walla Walla real estate market. Hint: The next five years are going to be great!

Rick Doyle

THE sTaTE of REal EsTaTE:

PUBLISH ER

EDITOR

A DV ERT ISING DIR EC TOR

all THE pRETTy liTTlE HousEs:

The latest fad in home building is the small home movement – houses that are between 300- and 800-square feet.

bEsT of THE bEsT, THE HoMEs EdiTion:

Writer Karlene Ponti picked her favorite homes from past Lifestyles and checked in with the owners to see if changes were afoot.

a viEW of THE vallEy:

Jay Brodt

PRODUCT ION M A NAGER

Vera Hammill

A RT IST IC DIR ECTOR /DE SIGNER / W E BSI T E

Steve Lenz

PRODUCT ION S TA F F

James Blethen, Ralph Hendrix, Steve Lenz, Jason Uren SA L E S STA F F

Masood Gorashi, Jeff Sasser, Donna Schenk, Colleen Streeter, Mike Waltman

Artist Monica Stobie and her husband Ted Paterson have been remodeling their 1956 home with an eye to creative design.

EDI TOR I A L A SSISTA N T

A DM INIS T R AT I V E A SSIS TA N T

THE divinE doublEWidE:

Dorothy Knudson has transformed her manufactured home into something stylish and quite liveable.

you Can CoME HoME again:

As this Walla Walla couple discovered, returning to the place you grew up can be an adventure.

Karlene Ponti

Kandi Suckow

COVER: Photo by Mark VanDonge. FOR E DI TOR I A L IN FOR M AT ION

Rick Doyle rickdoyle@w wub.com

Robin Hamilton robinhamilton@w wub.com FOR A DV ERT ISING IN FOR M AT ION

Jay Brodt jaybrodt@w wub.com

New encaustic work by

DIANNA WOOLLEY November – January

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The long, dark nights of winter beckon smaller scale dinner parties with friends new and old. A hearty menu, roaring fire, and well-crafted Walla Walla wines make for a memorable evening.

Entertaining at Home Celebrate the bounty of winter with an intimate get-together By Michael Mettler / Photos by Steve Lenz

“Let’s toast to a beautiful, prosperous and fun-filled year ahead. Cheers!” exclaims Shannon Block, raising her wineglass. Our guests had just arrived at Bryant Barn for a Sunday night dinner party and everyone was getting settled in for an evening of riveting conversation, spectacular food and local wine. Growing up, a big Sunday dinner was always a staple in my household, and was a tradition I worked to sustain throughout my college years and to this day. While at times I shrug off tradition and host my weekly dinner party in the form of a brunch, a gourmet barbecue next to the swimming pool, or grilled pizzas around the fire pit, the simple act of gathering friends together for a memorable meal has always been of utmost importance (and more importantly, enjoyment) for me. Understanding that we have just gotten through yet another busy holiday season, and you may have sworn you never want to cook for another big dinner party again; as we move into the dark months of winter and that exhaustion is fading into pine-scented memories, it is the perfect time to begin entertaining again on a more intimate scale. While it can be a more challenging to enjoy locally sourced products in the winter months than at other times of the year, it certainly can be done.

The menu for the evening’s soiree features pasture-raised chicken from Blue Valley Meats, hearty root vegetables, kale, herbs and squash from my backyard garden, Fuji apples from LeFore Orchards, cheese from the Monteillet Fromagerie, olive oil from Balboa Winery’s new olive grove in Tuscany, Leonida, and a variety of wines that reflect the unique qualities of the soils here in the Walla Walla Valley. Although the dishes at my winter dinner parties change from week to week, there is always a similar flow to the meal. After noshing on a well-appointed cheese plate featuring a variety of cow, goat and sheep cheeses of differing textures and flavor profiles, toasted nuts, dried fruit, preserves, and some simple French crudité, guests move from the living room to the dinner table. I served the first course, an aromatic curried butternut squash soup alongside a glass of Balboa Winery Merlot. When it comes to a holiday meal (or any multicourse meal for that matter) I don’t serve the soup in a dinner-sized portion, but instead in a small appetizer-sized portion to allow guests to warm their bellies with something delicious before the main event. The setting for the evening’s meal, Bryant Barn, is a spectacular recent renovation of an old storage shed into a contemporary and bright vacation rental home. Owner Janet Byerley, a pioneer of the Wall a Wall a Lifest yles 5

emily Riley pours rosé from Result of a Crush for the table alongside our pasta course. White wines and rosé’s are still perfect choices to pair with many dinners in the winter months.

Walla Walla Valley wine scene who founded Waterbrook Winery back in 1984, tied in a rustic viticultural theme throughout the property. The stained concrete floors harken back to the production spaces of wineries, the fire pit is crafted from the staves of well-loved wine barrels, and one of the bedrooms is actually a massive old oak barrel that sleeps two. Moving onto the second course of the night, linguini with portabella mushrooms, kale and pine nuts with a brown butter sauce, the conversation at the table turns warmer, as several of my guests who had not met one another before today begin to get more acquainted. I always love to have a person or two in attendance that neither I, nor my other guests, know very well. Glancing at his bowl of pasta flecked with bright colors from the wilted kale, pomegranate seeds, and fresh chévre, David Brauhn, comments on how beautiful and delicious the dish is. As Melanie Jaques opens a bottle of Roussane and refills our glasses for the main course, I plate up our roasted chicken, alongside roasted carrots, parsnips and rutabagas and drizzle each plate with a plum-white wine jus. The chicken is moist and succulent, with delicate herbal qualities transferred to the flesh from the brining process. The wine is a perfect match, its rich body and flavors of pears

Bryant Barn’s interior designer, Melanie Jaques, enjoys a glass of Balboa Winery’s Roussane with the roasted chicken.

and honey mingle beautifully with the chicken. After some debate about brining versus rubs for poultry, our main course winds down and guests enjoy a small digestif of warmed Grand Marnier as I plate dessert. Winter is citrus season, and as such I love to feature beautiful citrus fruits whenever possible in my meals. Meyer lemon, being a particular favorite of mine, was the inspiration behind the night’s finale. This Meyer lemon olive oil cake is bright, light and hearthealthy as the butter typically associated with Bundt cakes is replaced with extra-virgin olive oil. I dusted each slice with some confectioners’ sugar, drizzled them with a hibiscus flower syrup and liberally tossed slices of kumquat across each plate. Everyone agrees this simple, yet elegant dessert was a perfect capstone to the hearty dinner. After dinner, I set out a platter of clementines, apples and walnuts, opened a bottle of bubbles and gathered around the fireplace with my guests to share stories of our holiday ski trips, awkward family gatherings and our hopes and plans for the year ahead. As the logs on the fire began to wane, yet another night of sharing and discovery, making new friends and celebrating the bounty of the Walla Walla Valley was complete.

See the recipes online: www.wallawallalifestyles.com/january-recipes 6 Wall a Wall a Lifest yLes

A lengthy brining process takes the chicken to a new level. The final product is succulent, featuring rich herbal notes and moist flesh.

Host Michael Mettler dusts the Meyer lemon bundt cake with powdered sugar prior to serving guests. Winter is citrus season and is the best time of the year to enjoy these fruits.

Curried butternut squash soup is a simple and beautiful starter or main course during the cold winter months. Oven roasting the squash and apples makes the kitchen smell incredible!

Take your winter pasta dishes to a new level with a simple, yet succulent presentation including portabella mushrooms, wilted kale, toasted pine nuts, a decadent brown butter sauce, fresh chevrĂŠ and pomegranate seeds. Wall a Wall a Lifest yles 7

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Clockwise from Left: Roger Esparza, David W. Hull, Jeff Sasser, Jayne DiDario, Kris Youd, and Jay Brodt.

The state of real estate – what Realtors say about Walla Walla’s market Real Estate Roundtable Attending: 11/26/13 David W. Hull – Coldwell Banker First Realtors Jayne DiDario – Windermere Real Estate Kris Youd – Coldwell Banker First Realtors Roger Esparza – Williams Team Real Estate Jeff Sasser – Walla Walla Union-Bulletin Jay Brodt – Walla Walla Union-Bulletin

Editor’s note: On Nov. 26, 2013, representatives from the Walla Walla UnionBulletin sat down with a group of Walla Walla Realtors to discuss the state of the real estate market. Union-Bulletin Advertising Director Jay Brodt asked the agents several questions about a number of topics, including residential, construction and customhome markets, financing, the influence of real estate websites and the importance of educating buyers and sellers. Here is that discussion: 10 Wall a Wall a Lifest yles

Jay Brodt: What is the state of the Walla Walla residential real estate market? How does it compare to last year, number of residential properties sold, new homes built, inventory, and what does it look like right now? David W. Hull: I think looking at our MLS statistics showed through the end of November that there are about 100 more homes sold than last year. That’s residential Walla Walla and College Place. It’s about a 20 percent increase. Kris Youd: I can speak to new

homes being built because I work for a builder. Last year, we had built and closed nine new homes. This year we’ve closed 23, and we still have six to close before the end of the year, and 13 under contract that will close as soon as they can get finished. That’s a significant increase I’ve seen in new homes.

JB: Walking around, there seems to be more construction. Fair to say? KY: Fair assessment. Finding lots to build on has been tricky. Finding land that’s available for a builder. And financing — during the recession builders quit building so much, only two or three at a time, and when that inventory sold they would build another one. We didn’t see any builders building 25 specs [homes] because that was a risky time. JB: Overall inventory — is that up or down?

Roger Esparza: It’s down. There are currently 322 homes on the market, 69 are pending, which takes us to 253 compared to last year. There were 491 listings in October, right now there are 322. JB: So sales are happening at a pretty dramatic pace? Jayne DiDario: Yes, if priced

properly for the market, homes are selling KY: There are so many restrictions quickly. Quite a dramatic pace. with drilling a well to provide water for a Jeff Sasser: Is that comparable to subdivision. I don’t think you could get past ‘06 when the market was going pretty well? the regulations. DH: You wouldn’t do a Sydney Heights, JD: No, if we look at the statistics, we Cottonwood Glen again now. Developers are improving but not where they were are looking to the city utilities to do the in 2006. infrastructure – the cost to bring sewer lines, (JD To DH) How many houses do water lines, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, lightyou show at the end of October? ing, you have to sell the lots for a whole lot DH: Five hundred ninety three (593) more than you could get a return on. through Nov. 25 – same time last year there were 493. JD: Sales are definitely up over last year. JB: The demand for custom homes seems to have waned some in the recession. Is there enough land in the pipeline already available for new construction provided the demand is there? DH: It’s shrinking considerably. KY: I’d say no, there’s not enough land. DH: Some of the different tracts that have been planned already and gotten through city and county guidelines — how long would that take now with just a bare chunk of ground? Probably a year, because now you have more environmental impact, wetlands, other Roger Esparza and David W. Hull. issues. KY: There’s that, there are also some KY: It makes the property so expensive, beautiful areas in Walla Walla that would be it prices it out of the market. fabulous, but we have water issues – getting DH: So what a couple of the developers the water there, getting infrastructure there. like Hayden Homes and Sullivan Rowell are That’s a pretty big burden for a developer doing now is looking at little pockets of areas to bear those costs in order to build. The that have city services available and they’re developer has no choice but to pass that buying up those established lots that are expense on to the buyer, which makes the already platted. That’s running low. homes more expensive. KY: We’re running out of property in JD: I agree with you, Kris. Another key the city. We’ve done just about all the infill factor is financing for the developer. wouldn’t you say? It makes the property so KY: But the problem is, you have to be expensive, it prices them out of the market. working on your next project. You’ve always JD: Land development is a lengthy and got to have things in the pipeline to go to. In costly process. If lot development cost is a lot of communities, the city or the county high, home building costs become prohibi– somewhere there is help for this to bring tive and builders are unwilling to gamble on in the water, and doing the infrastructure. sitting with overpriced inventory. We seem to be lacking that here. KY: We’ve only got 11 more at Valley JB: Are the properties you’re talking Acres. We’re just trying to pick up lots here about within the city proper? and there to keep going while we’re looking DH: In the county or College Place. for another chunk of property that is cost JB: Is there an option to drill a well if you effective to develop. are in the county? Is it cost effective to drill? DH: If you were going to look at Valley

Acres and how many total lots were there to begin with – to find a chunk of ground to create that right now … how much more you’d have to pay per lot, to bring city utilities, concrete sidewalks … you would be at least $50,000 more per lot. If you’re looking at a $250 to $280,000 home and adding $50,000 to that, it takes it out of the crosshairs of the working people in Walla Walla who want to buy a new house. JB: Makes the used house or resale look a lot better. DH: What has suffered in Walla Walla mostly is resale houses, because people could buy a brand new $250 to $300,000 home by Sullivan Rowell. KY: When construction is down, the housing market in general is down. When they are building, the housing market is better. It’s not cost effective because of the lack of properties and the cost of developing, and that’s contributing to the housing market in general being slow. JD: Botimer and Associates homes in the Villages have been selling well. We’re in Phase 8, with only six lots remaining. These homes are being built on existing lots valued from $45,000 to $95,000. In Kensington, with the same builder, lots are $100,000. This adds $50,000 to the base price of home. Many buyers are frustrated. They want the new energy efficient homes but compromise and buy resale homes because they are more in line with where they need their investment to be. If land development was less costly the savings could be passed to the new home buyer. KY: And the same at Sullivan Rowell property. We’re selling them like crazy. People want that. We just made a deal on some property and we might be able to get 11 lots out of it. But when you figure the cost of developing here, you take that cost and multiply it by four – that’s the price of the home. When you’re at $90,000 to develop a lot, you’re pricing your homes out of the market. JB: So the sweet spot in the market is below $325,000 or $350,000 – most in demand, most sold? JD: At the end of November statistics show 142 homes priced between $150,000 and $200,000 had sold in College Place Wall a Wall a Lifest yles 11

and Walla Walla, with a median price of $201,000. High-end home sales ($500,000plus) were up this year, with many being cash sales. DH: Compared to the last three or four years. KY: We all have listings that we’re sitting on, that just aren’t selling and they’re great houses. And we reduce and reduce … DH: And some of those that are selling in the $500,000 range, five or six years ago they were in the $600 to $700,000 range. Those were hit the hardest because the people who can buy that kind of house can build what they want; they have the money. Or if they get a good enough discount, they’ll buy one and then redecorate it to suit themselves. KY: There were a lot of people who bought a lot more home than they thought they could because the prices were so low. They could make an offer and it might get accepted. JB: And maybe coming from another market, it looked like a great deal at the time. DH: Well, it was. And for the sellers,

Kris Youd and Jay Brodt.

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some of them had to sell these houses. Some could say, “Oh yeah, I’ll sell it if I can, but I don’t have to.” Whereas some of these people got transferred and they had a mortgage ticking away, plus now the cost of the new location. So they say to themselves “Well if I take $100,000 less now, in a few months that will equal my mortgage.”

JD: I agree with David. If high-end buyers can’t find exactly what they want, they can just build something. DH: But I really worry about one to three years from now when the lots are all infilled. There are no new subdivisions coming on line, and if someone wants to build a $500,000 house there’s nothing available. KY: We’ve got people right now who are looking — we look all the time for lots. These people would build, they would go under contract, but we just can’t find a place to build. DH: That’s going to change the dynamics in another few years. KY: Something else people are doing now — people are selling for lower than they want to, so that they can buy while the interest rates are still low, because if they wait till the market goes up then they have to buy with the higher interest rate – so they’re trying to weigh it out. Should I pay more later with a higher interest rate, or sell now for less? JD: And it works well for them because the house they’re buying is also selling for a little less and the interest rates are great. JB: Given the mortgage financing problems we had during the recession, what is the status of that industry now? Is the money there? Or is it a qualification problem? DH: Qualifications are getting tighter

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again. Lenders took a lot of mortgages back and lending practices got too loose. They weren’t being adhered to by some unscrupulous lenders. Now they don’t want to have that repeated.

KY: They’re checking and documenting everything and even asking for proof of what you’ve documented – supporting documents. DH: Back in the heyday, no documentation [was required] for doctors, attorneys – [all that was needed was] “stated income.” Now you won’t see that anymore. KY: And there’s practically no zero

down. They want you to have significant skin in the game.

Jd: But there is money, if you have the fortitude to go through the process with the banks.

to understand that that doesn’t set value. Ky: Another thing that makes me laugh

Ky: Everything is regulated so much, you can’t slip anything by like you used to be able to. dH: Which is nice. I wish it had been like that all along so we wouldn’t have had the downfall. Ky: Part of the problem is that when prices went up so high people refinanced and sucked out the equity, and now they cannot sell for what they owe. And that’s not the economy’s fault – to a degree. People have already enjoyed their equity – that’s what I tell them.

very good about checking the sales with the comparables, with the one-year renewals, I think subdivisions that have more sales in them, those are going to be closer to the value than some 10-acre property that was $300,000 and sold for $410,000. There are not that many sales that would allow them to pinpoint them like they did Stone Creek or Kelly Addition.

Jd: As real estate professionals, I feel it is critical to educate our buyers. In many cases they are coming from an area that is a totally different market reality. Jb: Part of what they’re seeking is your expertise. Ky: You can’t make a blanket statement. Sometimes people come in from out-oftown and say prices are down 30 percent so we’re going to come in 30 percent low. You cannot go by what you read in the paper and think it’s going to be true in every market – you have to look at what’s out your window.

Jayne DiDario.

Jd: But if someone’s qualified and they want to buy a home, there’s money. Ky: And there’s money even for people who don’t have money, there’s the Washington Bond Program. People can get loans. Jb: Is the appraised value in Walla Walla about the assessed value – is it pretty close?

dH: Unless it’s the Union-Bulletin right?

Ky: No. Jd: I agree with Kris. It seems there is

Jd: How many of you this year have had someone say to you, “Won’t you be glad when the market picks up?” People just hear nationally that there are challenges, it’s hard to buy a home, and they’re not hearing what is going on here in Walla Walla.

[Laughter]

no pattern.

dH: I was looking at some of them that closed recently. The assessor’s value – it’s all over the board – some are way undervalued on what the assessment compared to what they sold for, some others, residential types, are over what the sale price is by anywhere from five to 10 percent.

dH: There are certain neighborhoods that don’t have many homes come on the market. So when you do get a property in that type of neighborhood, it sells so quickly. Even though it’s priced higher than it should be, it’s so rare …

Ky: It really depends on the home. dH: It’s nice that it’s reviewed yearly

now because the assessor can stay closer to market value without getting it at a peak. You can trap people into a real high assessment. You never hear people complain their assessment is too low.

Ky: Buyers do go on tax records and

look at the assessed value. We have to educate our buyers that what the assessed value is may not be the true value of the home.

dH: Or [the real estate website] Zillow. Jd: I share with clients that they can

research county records and check the assessed value (and many do) but they need

David W. Hull.

is when people get in my car and say, “I looked this house up on Zillow and the “Zestimate” is … these are not trusted real estate websites. They don’t know our market. Jd: Education is the key. dH: And the assessor is charged by the state to tax at market value, so they’re

Read the whole conversation online:

What attracts buyers? “i hear more often than not it’s the weather and lifestyle. i think what the wine industry has done is raise awareness. We are no longer just known for our Walla Walla sweet onions.” Jayne didario

www.wallawallalifestyles.com/january-realtors Wall a Wall a Lifest yLes 13

This Magnificent, Custom Built Alan Ashmore, 5 BR, 4.5 Bath Home in one of Walla Walla's Premier Neighborhood is unmatched in beauty, style and elegance! From the Grand Entry w/ Brazilian Cherry Hardwood flooring & staircase w/ wrought iron railing. 8 foot doors lead to the outside entertainment area w/ hot tub, fire pit & Pergola covered patio. A must see gourmet kitchen w/ 6 burner Wolf gas range, sub-zero refrigerator & sub-zero icemaker, Miele Dishwasher, and of course granite counter tops and tile back splash.

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Extraordinarily Beautiful Home!! Potential Walla Walla Winery or Bed & Breakfast. WATER RIGHTS for landscaped 10.92 Acres!! STUNNING Foyer w/ authentic Italian Chandelier; EXQUISITE Gourmet Kitchen with Viking & Sub Zero Appliances; Wine Cooler in Island; Marlin Bechtel Custom Cherry Cabinetry Throughout; 360 DEGREE VIEW!! FABULOUS Master Suite with One-Of-A-Kind Master Bath w/ HUGE Tiled Shower and Raised Bathtub; 50 yr. Roof; Separate 2800sf Insulated Building, Could Be Wine Storage/ Shop/ Barn, etc.

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Average Monthly Inventory Walla Walla Valley Single Family Residential Homes

Perched on top hill in La Montagne with breathtaking views and unmatched style and craftsmanship.

2339 Palisades Lane

440/ month

430/ month

420/ month

410/ month

400/ month

2010

2011

2012

2013

Data is from source deemed reliable, but is warranted by WWAR members. All information compiled from MLS Statistical Reports. listing and Selll brokers are not responsible for errors in data. October 2013. Courtesy of Windermere Real Estate.

Average Monthly Closing Walla Walla Valley Single Family Residential Homes Gorgeous custom-designed

50/ month

and built, one-level home on 1.45 acres. Built in 2009. 3 Bedrooms / 3 Bathrooms; 3347 square feet. Luxurious master suite with courtyard access, heated limestone tiling and custom walk-in closet. Gourmet kitchen with crushed granite counters, maple cabinetry, Wolf range/ oven, Sub-Zero refrigerator and two pantries. Enclosed courtyard with infinity edge heat pool and automated cover, hot tub, outdoor shower, and outdoor kitchen. Guest house wth full kitchen, bathroom and laundry. MLS#112226

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$1,250,000

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40/ month

30/ month

2010

2011

2012

2013

Monthly Average Residential Sales Price Walla Walla Valley Single Family Residential Homes 2010 2011 2012 2013 $300,000

$250,000

$200,000

$150,000

$100,000

$50,000

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

June

July

Sept

Oct

Nov

Dec

Average Sales Price Walla Walla Valley Single Family Residential Homes $300,000

$250,000

$200,000

$150,000

$100,000

$50,000

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

1301 Detour Road • $479,000 The panoramic views will never cease to amaze you. Custom built home on 10 acres. 3 bedroom, 2-1/2 bath rambler with fine finishes throughout. Open kitchen adjoins the family room and covered patio making it a great place to have gatherings. Formal living & dining. A steel 60x40 dream shop with slider and overhead doors. Large hay storage shed that could accommodate just about anything big. Home has a great blend of privacy, functionality, and liveability. Easy commute to town or even Tri-Cities. Some Noble fencing will stay. A view from every room. MLS #111298

2784 Morning Glory Lane • $349,900 Quiet setting between Walla Walla and College Place off Taumarson Rd. 4 bedrooms, 3 baths. Room for couple horses with noble panel fences and feeder shed. Has a 30’ x 60’ insulated shop with heating & A/C. Main floor recently updated in kitchen with wood laminate flooring, recessed lighting, like new throughout. Main floor bathrooms updated with granite tops and tile in main bath. Daylight basement with kitchen, could be a duplex. Nice size pool with solar heating, slide & diving board, fenced for children’s safety. Beautifully landscaped and manicured lawn with deck above and patio below. MLS #111389

1915 SE Clover Court • $269,900 Wow!!! You gotta see this house!!! Located on the west end of Taumarson Rd. in the quiet setting of Harvest Meadows subdivision. Cottage style home with 3br./3ba., large back yard on oversize lot. Water feature, garden space and lots of running room for the youngsters to burn off all that energy. Have your friends over to watch the latest movies in your own theater in the basement and serve them beverages from your wet bar. Give us a call or have your agent get you in. Either way you need to see. MLS #111753

7345 Mill Creek Road • $289,000 Custom built home on Mill Creek Road teaming with wildlife, atmosphere, and peace of mind... Fantastic layout with 4 bedrooms and 3 baths. Great family area and huge kitchen. The meticulously maintained grounds lend a perfect venue for outside fun and get togethers. Two masonry fireplaces, dumbwaiter for delivering wood to the main floor. The rear deck sets in against the hill and allows a grade access to the main level of the house. This is a must see opportunity for a bit of close-in country. MLS #111754

Lloyd’s Real Estate… Your trusted source since 1929.

1295 Bussell Road • $370,000 Livestock property or premium building sites located on Bussell Rd. Already subdivided for 4.22 acres with house, one 2.74 acre parcel and one 2.53 acre parcel building sites. Or just keep it as is with 9.46 acre gentleman’s farm. Close to College Place and Walla Walla. Hay shed, electric fenced pasture and outbuildings. Complete sprinkler irrigation system, nicely maintained 2 bedroom 2 bath Manufactured Home. MLS #111289

1236 Forrest Lane • $457,500 This mid-century modern home sits on nearly an acre. 3 bedrooms, 3 baths on main floor plus 2500 sq. ft. basement. Expansive living space inside and out to entertain guests. The lawn flows gracefully toward the different focal points, pathways to natural privacy areas. Trees here and there provide shade, color spots are formed by mounds of flowers, large rocks, and pond. The large patio provides room for socializing and outdoor living. Space for RVs and ample covered parking throughout. MLS #112261

To view any of these amazing properties, contact David Corbett: (509)386-8550 or david@lloydsinsurance.net 103 S. 2nd Avenue Walla Walla, WA 99362 (509)525-4110 385647-385650V

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All the Pretty Little Houses by Karlene Ponti / Courtesy photos

Sometimes a small home just makes sense. Less to clean, less to maintain, less to worry about. In the United States, where family homes have been averaging between 1,780 to 2,500 square feet, a few people were thinking small. With the recent recession, their timing was excellent. Whitman College graduate Lina Menard loves tiny houses. “The time to clean it is much less,” she says. According to Menard, these houses range in size from 90-to 200-squarefeet. Some have lofts with a ladder and some are one level for those who don’t want to climb. The benefits, she says include leaving a smaller ecological footprint, since the homes use fewer materials to build. “Over the life of the house you use fewer materials for lighting, energy. If you live in a small space you don’t consume as much. It’s a tiny house on wheels; so you can travel with your home. It can move. You can change states but you’re never out of your home.” Menard says living in a smaller home enhances her desire for simplicity. “You can focus on the objects and the activities (you like most). Hone in on the most important, which is the people that A tiny house nestled in a garden. are the most important to you.” Affordability is a factor also. Menard says you can have a place of your own for about $30,000. If you build your own and salvage the materials, she estimates it might cost about $10,000 to $15,000. Although the costs vary considerably, depending on what you want, the contractor, the home’s design and the quality of materials.

It can be very therapeutic, building your own and clearing out the clutter, Menard says. She tells people the best way to pare down a lifestyle is to “Pay attention. Consider what you really love. Keep what you want. The things you feel obligated to keep, let them go.” It’s sometimes easier said than done, however. “Create a goodbye story,” Menard says. “You have a story about how it came in, create a story about how to let it go.” Menard has a master’s in urban planning, and she likes the idea of using less space, wasting less. “Maybe when you use less space, you have more life,” Menard says. “The Tiny House movement is pushing the envelope. Ask what do we need and want from our housing? It makes economic sense. It’s environmentally sound. It can help you get out of the rat race of consumerism,” she says. Contractor Sharon Read, owner of Seattle Tiny Homes in College Place, says she loved design and wanted to see buildings that were spatially efficient. “I was always aware of wasted square footage,” Read says. Inspired by Jay Shafer’s “Four Lights” houses, Read went to work designing smaller homes. “It’s very intuitive, she says. “I work with a draftsman and an architect. They put the design into CAD for me,” Read says. In addition to being a general contractor, she’s licensed as a Wall a Wall a Lifest yles 21

recreational vehicle and travel trailer manufacturer and dealer, “Window seats add a whole other couch, (and) if you put a because tiny homes are classified as RV’s. chair by it, it doesn’t seem awkward,” she says. “Everything is “It’s not illegal to park an RV on your property but they don’t premeditated, every single square inch is planned.” like you to live in it full time,” she says. The time frame for a custom home depends on the complexIn Canada, there is a class for Tiny Homes called “garden suites” ity of the design. In general it takes about a month for consulting and Read would like to see that done here. Sharon says there’s a and design, then two to four months for building. Read doesn’t huge market for smaller homes for an extended family. rush any of it. “Fifty percent of the market is a parent or grandparent living “It’s built to last a lifetime,” she says. “I do a 3-D model sketch in a backyard,” she says. of it. They will know what it will look like; then they can make Everything she designs is custom for each client. changes.” “Nobody lives the same way,” she says. “I can make the doors The Tiny House model requires Read and her crew to make three feet wide, the toilet can be what you want. It’s just in small their own trim and other finish materials. scale. It has character, warmth. You’re living in a piece of art; you “You can’t just go and buy the materials. Most of them have to just want to live small,” Sharon says. be made by the builders.” A Tiny Home Because it’s a can range anyportable structure, where from about it needs a means to 60-square-feet to travel. Read wanted 200-square-feet, these houses to sit usually with a main down inside a traillevel and a loft. It er rather than ridcan be built on one ing on top. To that level as well. end, she engineered Read has a long a trailer integrated consultation with a with a steel frame. client to learn their “The homes wants and needs. are hurricane re“If you never inforced and use bake, why have an a high-grade steel oven? If you never trailer with radial take a bath, why tires designed for have a tub?” she long trips, not just asks. “In the deto a campground sign process, I get and back,” she says. to know them. Are It needs license they right or left tabs only if it’s going handed? Then you on the road. The cozy interior is designed for efficient use of limited space. can design it with Read is also inhigh efficiency.” terested in the flow Each space has of the energy in the multiple uses. A flip-up bar is also a table and a desk. Each space home and how it feels to the client. is multifunctional. “Home is meant to be a haven and a warm place. What do Read is currently building a larger home on Plaza Way. It’s a you need to make you happy? I don’t believe houses should all be more conventional size but everything is multipurpose and practical. the same. That’s not how everybody lives, not one size fits all,” She sees many homes now trending to smaller bedrooms. In she says. “You’ll love your home when I’m done. I can relax here, her homes the bedrooms all have sinks. there’s nothing I don’t need or love. You want your home to serve “The most time you spend in the bathroom is over the sink, you, not you to serve your home. anyway. Simple sinks in the bedrooms reduce the number of bathHer focus is on quality and efficiency; she deals in square-inches rooms you need in a home,” she says. not square-feet. All of these small details add up to a large saving of square“It takes 30 minutes a week to clean it, and you haven’t stressed footage. the environment,” she says. “Under the staircase is a pantry; it’s usable space. There’s no Since 1950 the size of a home in the United States has increased large, fancy entrance. It doesn’t feel crowded and it doesn’t waste four to five times more than the international average, with seven space. In a small space — put in large windows, (having) a nine-foot tons of construction waste, Read says. Going small can be a very ceiling makes it feel larger,” Read says. healing experience. They are highly insulated and energy efficient with elegant, “There’s something freeing about it. It has only what you need practical details. and nothing more.” 22 Wall a Wall a Lifest yles

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Editor’s note: Lifestyles featured the following homes in issues published between 2009 and 2013. Writer Karlene Ponti picked these as her favorites and checked in with the owners to see if there is anything new to report.

The home at 1236 Forrest Lane was extremely innovative when it was built in 1955.

Looking Forward: From 1955 Published October 2011: 1236 Forrest Lane, owned by John and Dione Youtz. Photos by Greg Lehman.

John and Dione Youtz fell in love with their home at 1236 Forrest Lane long before they bought it, having lived in the neighborhood years ago. The 5,000-square-foot home on two levels was very innovative for a 1955 structure. The living room has two full walls of windows that join at a corner so one has a sweeping view of the large garden. It has plenty of storage, a wide stairway into the basement and they’re tickled with some of the conveniences that were built in,

such as the light that comes on when they open the door to the storage room. They are happy with the home as it is and haven’t made very many changes since they purchased it in 2005. “We’ve made little changes in the yard,” Dione says. “We had soil brought in and had wildflowers for awhile. We took out a whole bunch of trees and we are having the house painted. We also put up a new fence; the old one fell apart.”

The deck is a great place to relax after working in their large yard, say John and Dione. 24 Wall a Wall a Lifest yles

Everything is Close at Hand

Left: Bob and Mary Jo Fontenot have made many upgrades to their home at 1142 Isaacs Ave. Right: Dark Mahogany laminate flooring was used throughout the main level.

Published May 2013: 1142 Isaacs Ave., owned by Bob and Mary Jo Fontenot. Photos by Greg Lehman.

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Bob and Mary Jo love their 1903 twostory home. It was the right house at the right time — and, most importantly, in the right place: close to their teaching jobs. Now they are retired and the house still suits them. They’ve made plenty of upgrades recently, although Mary Jo says nothing has changed in the home since the article was printed. They’ve kept most of the original leaded glass windows, such as the ones in the entryway. Since most of their antique furniture is dark, they put in dark mahogany laminate flooring throughout the downstairs. The home has a southern flair to it, from the wide wraparound porch to the formal dining room, known as the “Magnolia Room.” This grace and style appeals to the couple, and they’ve maintained the character of the home throughout the renovations.

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Judith Johnson’s home at 209 N. Clinton has a former ballroom upstairs.

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The home at 209 N. Clinton was built in the 1920s, according to owner Judith Johnson. It has two floors of living space as well as an attic and basement. The rooms on the main floor are accented by woodwork and high ceilings. “It was built for entertaining; it has a ballroom upstairs,” Judith says. The former ballroom is now the master bedroom, with east-facing windows and ample natural light. She’s still comfortable and enjoying her home as it is, no remodeling needed. Nothing has been changed since the article was published. Judith has perennials in the garden, bulbs and plants that are very low maintenance.

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Dan and Tana Park are fascinated by the history of their home at 327 Locust St.

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Great House, Great Neighbors Published December 2011; 327 Locust St., owned by Daniel and Tana Park. Photos by Greg Lehman.

Dan and Tana Park love their 1913 home, the location and the great neighbors. Tana says nothing really has changed since the home was featured, although they have some plans hovering on the horizon. “We have plans for a kitchen remodel, and we want to paint the exterior. We want to do some things on the outside,” she says. The history of the home is constantly unfolding for them. The home was in the Drumheller family for decades. “We had an amazing experience this past weekend,” Tana says. “We met Linda and Adam Drumheller. Adam grew up in this house. Adam’s parents were married in the living room. He brought photographs for us to see.”

Comfort and elegance combine in the living room of the 1913 home.

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Left: Vicki Lloyd’s 1905 home at 643 Pearson St. is the purple color she always wanted. Right: Lloyd enjoys the comfort of the large front porch.

Living history: A 1905 Beauty Shows its True Colors Published August 2009: 643 Pearson St., owned by Vicki Lloyd. Photos by Colby Kuschatka.

Vicki loves old houses: their character, their lines — the “good bones.” The three-bedroom home has a main level, second story, attic and basement. On the main floor, large windows brighten the living and dining rooms, accenting the arched design of the interior French doors. Another striking feature of the home is the exterior color — bright purple. “I just wanted a purple house,” Vicki says. Since the article was published, she has continued to work on the interior.

30 Wall a Wall a Lifest yles

“I took all the wallpaper off in the hall and the living room; it’s a huge project. I had to take off 80 layers of wallpaper. I’m working on stripping the woodwork. ” A challenge she faced was calcimine, a water-based paint used 100 years ago. “When you get it wet, it turns to mud,” Vicki says. “The guys from Gary’s Paint came and diagnosed the problem for me. When you try to wash it off, it’s horrible.” She has more work to do with the house, but she’s on a break right now.

Vicki’s main floor living room has an array of windows to catch the morning sun.

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A View of the Valley by Karlene Ponti / Photo by Greg Lehman

Artist Monica Stobie has lived outside of Dayton at 610 N. Touchet since 2000. What originally drew her here was the quiet setting, the Valley, the trees and the view. She and her husband of five years, Ted Paterson, love the location and its peacefulness. “The country is so beautiful,” she says. The view of the valley Ted’s favorite area is the main floor living room with the specfrom the large picture window in their living room is something that tacular view. It’s rustic and elegant with hardwood floors throughout immediately captures attention. The home is positioned overlookthat add warmth. ing the valley to take advantage of the view. Every season offers The lower level is a daylight basement, with the laundry, office its own color and feeling. and TV room. Monica loves the natural setting and the windows. “The hillside’s The back brown in the hot deck gets plenweather but at ty of use in the 2,000 feet ... it’s warmer months. cooler here,” “We pretty Monica says. much lived on The home is the deck last tucked away in summer,” Monthe shade of evica says. ergreen trees. The “barn” The back deck was added five is actually built years ago. It’s around several now a spacious huge trees, keepart studio for ing the deck and Monica. back yard in comThe couple fortable shade are pleased in the summer with the work months. they ’ve done The home on the home to The home at 610 N. Touchet Rd., outside Dayton is shaded by trees and overlooks the Valley. has a graceful date, but projspiral staircase ects keep arising. that leads to the lower level from the main floor. Throughout the “This year it’s landscaping,” Ted says. house they’ve used green and earth tones. Further down the road, they may upgrade the loft and bathroom. “We both like color, design and creating,” Monica says. They considered taking out the circular staircase but decided against “It’s a 1956 home. It’s been added on and added on and re- it. Ted says they basically just opened up the house and made it modeled,” Ted says. “There have been plenty of upgrades in the lighter and cleaner looking. last three years.” “When you tear things up you create a hum all the time,” Monica He enjoys the magnificent sunsets. They sit in the living room says. So right now it’s nice to just settle in and relax. and watch the weather or nature unfolding in front of them. Monica “None of this is my design,” Ted says. “She’s the design lady. and Ted have the space to settle in and relax. The property includes She has fantastic talent and taste.” several acres used for boarding mules. Monica loves the loft and the deck. Some of the changes the couple made to the home were com“It’s like living in a tree house.” pletely practical in nature. There used to be a wood-burning stove When there are no extra lights they can see the stars and the on the main level, Ted says, but with the large trees around the full moon very clearly. home and branches over the roof, the potential of sparks out of “We reduced the size of the master bedroom and added a the chimney made it necessary to remove the stove. walk-in closet and bathroom,” Ted says. The home is on three levels: the main level, the loft and downNow with the designated art space, everything works more stairs, or “the dungeon” as they call it. smoothly. The studio has a kitchen, enough space for art students Monica’s favorite area is the main floor bathroom. and a guest area upstairs. “It’s very ’80s,” she says. “There’s a deep soaking tub — you “Life is art; you just paint your dreams,” she says. “The studio can look out into the woods and the meadow.” really changed my life.” 34 Wall a Wall a Lifest yles

Monica Stobie’s art studio gives her enough room to create and host workshops.

Left: The back deck of Ted and Monica’s home provides a view of nature in any weather. Right: Earth tones are used throughout the home.

Left: Monica matched the home’s colors to the polka dot fabric of the chairs. Right: The spiral staircase leads to the daylight basement, the couple calls “the dungeon.” Wall a Wall a Lifest yles 35

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Wall a Wall a Lifest yles 37

Light fills the expanded living area of Dorothy Knudson’s home.

Changes to a Manufactured Home by Karlene Ponti / Photos by Matt Zimmerman Banderas

Dorothy Knudson decided she wanted a home all on one level, with a much smaller yard than her previous home. In October 2012 she moved into a manufactured home, a 1996 double-wide model, #250 in Rancho Villa. “It didn’t have a huge yard,” Dorothy says. “I didn’t want to do much with it.” However she did want to make some changes to the home itself. “When I moved in, it looked like most manufactured homes,” she says. So she didn’t settle for the home as it was — she discovered an owner can change a manufactured home, revamp and remodel just like a stick-built home. “I had two non-bearing walls taken out,” she says. That opened up the space tremendously; the living area expanded and so did the kitchen. Like most manufactured homes, she says, it had white, fluffy carpet everywhere. Dorothy had that taken out and put in Swiss Pear laminate flooring. “It also had killer garden (large, soaking) tub, a bad design from the beginning,” she says. The tub was converted to an easy-access shower. Dorothy bought cherrywood cabinets at an auction and repurposed them for her kitchen. She took out the existing cabinets and 38 Wall a Wall a Lifest yles

upgraded the kitchen. In addition to the removal of the non-load-bearing walls she also removed an island in the kitchen. This freed up more space and opened up the room. “It’s very open. The high ceiling in the kitchen has a skylight,” Dorothy says. The open wall space gives her a showplace for the folk art she enjoys. She says credit goes to many for the work they did; she is very pleased with the upgrades. Jerry Miller built the bookcases, and Mark Rodighiero installed the cabinets. “I was fortunate with every person who worked on this house,” Dorothy says. Most wall seams have been plastered, and those that aren’t have a divider that looks like part of the design. The home is about 1,680 square-feet, with three bedrooms and 2½ baths. “Now it’s all on one level,” she says. “In a manufactured home park, a home can look nice. The houses are well built, tight and snug. They have a lot going for them.” Dorothy was drawn to this home because of the stream flowing

through the backyard. There’s a deck on the back of the home a blue and white color scheme. Both rooms are fresh, crisp and where she can watch squirrels, rabbits and other creatures near comfortable. the stream. The dining “It’s right off the bedroom is spacious room, I can be outside with with 12-foot caa cup of coffee,” she says. “I thedral ceilings love being in the bedroom in i n t h e c e n t e r. the morning. I read my Bible; Dorothy says it it’s my private time.” was cosmetic reThe entire home has modeling; nothlarge windows so she gets ing structural was lots of sun. The guest room changed. When is bright and cheerful. “The the bathroom was cats follow the sun through updated, Dorothy the house during the day.” took out the linen Some small changes may closet. still be done but as far as Although Dorthe big remodeling projects othy served as the she says, “I’m done. In four general contracmonths we put in a lot of tor for the huge work.” remodeling project, she says she She wanted wainscoting behind the cabinets. The got plenty of help Rooms are spacious and decorated with the artwork Dorothy loves. cherrywood cabinets accent from the people and highlight the kitchen. She at Home Depot, has a marmoleum floor and sea glass Formica countertops, both Gary’s Paint & Decorating, Pro-build, A-1 Plumbing, the Sustainin colors that coordinate perfectly with the blue-green wall color. able Living Center, Mark Rodighiero, Jerry Miller and others. “I had a vision of what it would look like,” Dorothy says. She wanted a nice size sewing room and a separate office with Wall a Wall a Lifest yles 39

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All Roads Lead Home by Karlene Ponti / Photos by Matt Zimmerman Banderas

Jim and Michele Crislip and Mack, their cocker spaniel mix, unexpectedly ended up on the fast track home. Originally from Walla Walla, the 1973 Walla Walla High School graduates had gone on to careers in education, and retired in Longview, Wash. Coming home to Walla Walla was something they had on the back burner for awhile. “We had talked a long time about moving back here,” Jim says. of the work themselves. “We love to restore homes,” Michele says. “I always thought One of the first things was to take down the heavy drapes. about a Victorian.” “I need the light,” she says. These interests “We put in a new and thoughts all kitchen. I was here came together in by myself when eva big way. A series erything was being of events led to the hooked up. They couple purchasing came and hooked and restoring the up the gas. The gas 1882 Butler House stove was difficult to at 207 E. Cherry St. turn on. Then it went They purchased it on and there were Sept. 6, 2012, which huge flames — evwas their wedding eryone was yelling, anniversary. ‘Turn the gas off!’ So “George Hofer we got a new stove,” was our Realtor,” Jim Michele says. says. “He and I grew The kitchen was up a block away from upgraded but they each other. My father wanted to maintain had a 1935 Studethe look of the home. baker. He put it up “It’s a Shaker kitchfor sale and George en,” Michele says. bought it. It was up The traditional look for sale again and I with simple lines fits ended up buying it Jim and Michele Crislip have refurbished much of their 1882 home at 207 E. Cherry St. with the style of the back. It turned out home. The kitchen is we had this shared white with plenty of history beyond buying the car back and forth. He happened to natural light. know of this house. Because the electrical and the plumbing was “The cupboards were so tall,” Michele says. “Those Victorian done, it had already been brought up to code.” people were so small, she (the owner) must have been on a ladder “And the day he was here the price dropped,” Michele said. every time she wanted to get something out of the cupboard.” Michele was at home in Longview at the time Jim was in Walla The main floor was the first to be updated. They renovated the Walla looking at the house. downstairs bathroom, then they worked on the rest of that floor. “I sent up this flare to God,” Michele says. “If it was the right A lot of work was done in a short time. house, to have Jim call me and have me come right away.” Most of the purple and green wallpaper was taken off. The Then Jim called and asked her to come right away. textured wallpaper in the entry room was kept and painted a “So she drove over that day and we signed the papers,” Jim says. much lighter gold/cream color. The overall effect brightened the The Crislips put their Longview home up for sale and it was entire home. purchased by the first couple who came to look at it. So the process The couple did the painting and Jim did the trim and wood they thought would take a year became a week. working. They moved out of Longview and into the Butler House by the Putting in new lighting proved to be a chore. end of September. The whole move took 30 days. “That was fun,” Jim says wryly. Then they started the refurbishing of their home, doing much By the end of March they started work on the front porch. Wall a Wall a Lifest yles 41

Upstairs they fixed a front balcony that had separated from the wall of the house. The area was reinforced so now it’s safe to go out onto the balcony and enjoy the view without being afraid of tumbling to the ground. The home had been empty for about a year and every flower bed was overgrown. “With 6-foot tall weeds,” Michele says. Much of the garden is original and they have high hopes for it once it’s weeded and trimmed. “It was designed by an arborist. We’ve saved as much of the plantings as we could. The bulbs are fabulous, bulbs everywhere,” Michele says. The updates are continuing. “Now we’re painting,” he says. It’s a large home with quite a bit of space to cover. They estimate the The main floor was stained a lighter color to brighten the whole area. home is about 2,100 square-feet between the main floor and upstairs, the unfinished basement bumps it up to nearly 3,000 square-feet. The home has two baths — one upstairs, one downstairs — two bedrooms, an office and a studio. Michele’s favorite area is the formal dining room with the bay window. Jim’s favorite room, also on the main floor, is the office. “The living room I really do love, but it’s not quite finished, it needs more work,” Michele says. The upstairs is on their radar for finishing. Future projects could include refinishing the original floors that were protected under carpets on the second floor. The main level flooring couldn’t be saved. The home had so many different heat sources in it over the years that all kinds of things were hauled up through the floors, causing plenty of wear and some outright The formal dining room with the bay window is Michele’s favorite room. damage. Jim says they put in Pergo lami“Just shined up a bit,” Jim says. nate flooring in a dark-colored wood, something sturdy enough They adore the woodwork in the home and were fortunate it to survive a dog’s toenails and family wear and tear. had never been painted. At one time the home was two residences and post World War Jim will convert the large office closet into a built-in bookcase. II the ceilings were lowered. Jim and Michele have uncovered the They found the glass knobs and other hardware in the basement high ceilings, giving the home a more spacious feeling. for cabinets in the bathroom. The main living room has the original woodwork, which was Jim and Michele have a great work space in what they call the in pretty good condition. “barn room” in the back of the home. It’s a more recent addition, 42 Wall a Wall a Lifest yles

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Left: Attention to detail gives the home more character. Right: The couple is still deciding how they want to upgrade the second floor.

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and the couple think it probably enclosed a porch or the original kitchen. In the era the home was built, the kitchen was often separate from the main house. The design upstairs includes stained glass and a large landing beyond the staircase. There is a fascinating small room near the upper balcony that neither of them quite understand. It’s about two feet by three feet and opens out onto the balcony. The upstairs also has a room Michele uses as her studio, where she paints Byzantine church icons and makes quilts. Part of what made the renovations so challenging is the age and structure of the home. “Nothing in the house is actually square,” Michele says. A good example is the upstairs bathroom ceiling that has an obvious slope to it. They love the little details, such as a tiny closet upstairs, and the ornate metal doorknobs and plates. While they contemplate renovations to the upstairs, the two say they’re ready for a breather. “It’s not the time yet,” Michele says. “I think we’re ready for a break.”

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