HIGH DESERT MODERN
Landscapes in motion
Manufacturing high-end metal cabinets for garages, shops, car condos, hangars, and kitchens since 2000.
by AVAD Production, by Peyton Myhre
Photos
$364,900 | MLS 220209061
883 NE 6th Street, Prineville
2 bed, 2.5 bath | 1099 SqFt Kris Warner | 541-480-5365
$1,195,000 | MLS 220200928 636 NW Portland Avenue, Bend 3 bed 2.5 bath | 1,904 SqFt
Endries | 541-419-5025
$1,499,000 | MLS 220214526
$1,199,000 | MLS 220165169
64837 Collins Road, Bend | 40 acres Kris Warner | 541-480-5365 | Kim Warner | 541-410-2475
$599,000 | MLS 220212250 19154 Baker Road, Bend
3 bed 2 bath | 1,488 SqFt
Panton | 541-420-6545
$634,900 | MLS 220215874 63249 Peale Street, Bend 4 bed 2.5 bath | 2,322 SqFt
Warner | 541-480-5365
$2,200,000 | MLS 220200900 8101 Mill Creek Road, Prineville | 4,088 SqFt 5 bed 4 bath | 200.33 acres | Pete Van Deusen | 541-480-3538
$499,000 | MLS 220215106 8855 SW Canyon Wren Court, Redmond 3 bed 2 bath | 1,328 SqFt
Warner | 541-480-5365
$275,000 | MLS 220210352 17322 Kingsburg Road, Bend | .49 acres
Quinney | 541-213-8026
Builder: Timberline Construction of Bend
Architect: Olin Architecture
Photographer: Chris Murray Productions
In Bend, Oregon since 1999
WHERE EXTRAORDINARY HAS BEEN THE NORM SINCE 1977.
High Desert Hideout
Discover premium Hunter Douglas blinds, shades, shutters, and motorized solutions at Classic Window Coverings. Our experts handle everything—from consultation to flawless installation.
Visit our Bend showroom or schedule your in-home consultation today!
FEATURES
28 A RIVER RUNS BY IT
Pacific Northwest style meets coastal cottage in a timeless family home on the Deschutes River.
52 HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT
Natural light and discreet design create a haven for an active Bend couple in The Tree Farm.
60 IN THE MIDST OF IT ALL
A row house near the Box Factory is reminiscent of a big city brownstone with the beat of Bend at its doorstep.
66 ROOM TO GROW
Playful tiles informed the design of bright spaces that celebrate the wonder of childhood.
72 A SPACE FOR ENTERTAINING
Thoughtful touches complement an inviting layout for festive gatherings in a home on Awbrey Butte.
PUBLISHERS
Heather Huston Johnson
Ross Johnson
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Cheryl Parton
EDITOR
Lee Lewis Husk
MANAGING EDITOR
Katie Henry
STAFF WRITER
Siena Dorman
CUSTOM PUBLICATIONS EDITOR
Heidi Hausler
COPY EDITOR
Stephanie Boyle Mays
EXECUTIVE CREATIVE & BRAND DIRECTOR
Jon Taylor Carter
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Cali Clement
SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Jeremiah Crisp
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Libby Marsden
SALES MANAGER
Ronnie Harrelson
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Susan Crow
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Bootsie Boddington, Bob Gorham, Kim Molnar
SALES & MARKETING ASSISTANT
McKenzie Klecker
OFFICE ASSISTANT
Kim Page
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Heather Renee Wong
WEB DEVELOPMENT
Zack Jenks - Litehouse Tech
CIRCULATION MANAGER
Amara Spittler
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Cathy Carroll, Casey Hatfield-Chiotti, Buddy Mays
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Page Bertelsen, Alyson Brown, Laura Davidson, Ariel Dawn, Anna Jacobs, Tambi Lane, Tim Lyden, Buddy Mays, Cheryl McIntosh, Tina Paymaster, Adam Rouse, Whitney Whitehouse
Seeds of Change
Spring is a time of optimistic change, and at my house, that means a greenhouse is coming. In our marriage, my husband Dave made me a deal: If he buys something of value—most recently, a vintage red convertible sports car—I get something of equal value. Last summer, after wildlife and insects dined on my vegetables in the raised beds, I pulled everything out in complete submission to the forces of nature. The path forward would be walls, glass and a door that closes, making me giddy with anticipation of a smorgasbord of juicy tomatoes, Blue Lake green beans, sugar peas, zucchini and fresh herbs for the kitchen.
Spring also brings a season of renewal for Bend Home + Design and its publisher, Oregon Media.
A year ago, Katie Henry joined Oregon Media’s editorial team as managing editor of publications, bringing years of experience in magazine publishing. After working side by side with her, I’m confident she’s ready to step into the role of editor of Bend Home + Design. While most people my age might be considering retirement, I’m grateful to continue as editor at large, where I’ll guide content and remain part of the home and design community.
Katie isn’t the only new addition to our team. We recently welcomed Jon Taylor “JT” Carter as executive creative & brand director for Oregon Media’s new O.M. Studio. He brings extensive experience as a creative director for major retailers and publishers across the country and joins Katie, me and the rest of the Bend Home + Design team responsible for showcasing the best of Central Oregon’s architecture, quality construction and thoughtful design.
As we look ahead, we invite our community to be part of the magazine’s future. If you have story ideas, design projects we should see or feedback about the magazine, we’d love to hear from you. Bend Home + Design has always been shaped by the people and creativity of this region, and your input helps guide what we do next.
As spring changes into summer, Dave can expect to enjoy my vegetables, and I’ll happily take my reward in the passenger seat of that red convertible, wind in my hair as we cruise around town.
Lee Lewis Husk, Editor
From Your Local Experts
KRISTIAN WILLMAN BUILDER
Founder of Timberline
Construction of Bend, Kristian Willman builds a variety of custom homes. Page 28
KIM SCHROEDER DESIGNER
Creating homes that are a reflection of her clients is the ultimate goal of Design Associate Kim Schroeder of Tebbs Design. Page 66
JUSTIN NELSON WOODWORKER
Founder of Fernweh Woodworking, Justin Nelson specializes in small-batch, hand-crafted furniture with sleek lines and curves, such as his signature Sling Chair and Tripod Table. Page 88
LAURA DAVIDSON CHEF
Creator of
A Beautiful Plate, a website built to inspire home chefs, Laura Davidson is passionate about sharing her love of cooking and baking. Page 92
CASEY HATFIELD-CHIOTTI
WRITER
The words of Casey Hatfield-Chiotti can be found in Marin Living, The New York Times, Travel + Leisure and Forbes As the daughter of an architect and designer, HatfieldChiotti has a deep appreciation for architecture and the stories within. Inside this issue, she wrote about a home on the river designed and built in a collaborative partnership between the homeowners and builder. She also shared the story of a reimagined great room in a home on Awbrey Butte. Pages 28 and 72
ANNA JACOBS
PHOTOGRAPHER
Raised in Vermont, Anna Jacobs has spent a decade in Bend. She divides her time between projects that indulge her passion for photography, real estate and marketing, and has an eye for architectural detail and interior spaces. She and her husband also operate Mountain Modern Airstream. In this issue, Jacobs showcased a home on the river for a growing family and highlights a home suite created for those young and young at heart. Pages 28 and 66
BUDDY MAYS
WRITER + PHOTOGRAPHER
A resident of Bend since 1996, Buddy Mays is a vertebrate zoologist by education and a writer by trade. He is a former contract photographer for the Chevrolet Magazine Group and The National Geographic Society, and was a field editor and fishing and hunting writer for Outdoor Life Magazine. He is the author of 24 books including The Butterflies of Central Oregon. In this issue, Mays wrote about and photographed butterflies around Central Oregon. Page 77
CHERYL MCINTOSH
PHOTOGRAPHER
An architectural photographer based in Bend, Cheryl McIntosh collaborates with builders and architects to create narrative-rich visuals. McIntosh approaches assignments with an eye toward design integrity and brand clarity, giving clients work that feels refined, timeless and unmistakably their own. In this issue, she documented the transformation of an industrial row house near the Box Factory into a layered and warm space ideal for social gatherings and quiet nights for a Bend couple. Page 60
ADAM ROUSE
PHOTOGRAPHER
Adam Rouse is an architecture and design photographer based in California. As a trained architect, he brings a unique understanding of light, structure and space to each assignment. He received the Award for Best Art Installation from the European Cultural Centre for his photography shown at the 18th Architectural Biennale in Venice, Italy. In this issue, Rouse photographed the modern designs of a home in The Tree Farm. Page 52
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF CRAFTING DREAM HOMES IN CENTRAL OREGON
CHECK OUT OUR NEW BONUS PROGRAM
Refer a friend and when they close on their dream home, you’ll both receive $5,000. malacehomes.com/referral
LOCALLY Found
Inspired by the freshness of spring
In the Box Factory, Borgo Rosati is an extensive home and lifestyle showroom offering an array of globally sourced pieces. The shop unfolds as a series of spaces where visitors can see how furnishings, decor and entertaining pieces might live together in the home. In the showroom, plush seating, dining tables and armoires are paired with lighting and textured rugs. Vintage and artisan finds include glassware, candles and cutlery suited for hosting. Western motifs and canvas artwork add warmth and personality, while curated women’s knits, jewelry and pantry goods introduce a boutique element. With greenery, outdoor furnishings and vintage details throughout, Borgo Rosati is a destination for discovering pieces that feel curated for comfortable living.
BORGO ROSATI
550 SW Industrial Way, Ste. 175, Bend borgorosati.com
Iris & Stout, $139
EVERLY OUTDOOR PENDANT
Borgo Rosati, $2,909
NEST BOWLS
BeOak Northwest, Inc., $294 856 NW Bond St., Bend
550 SW Industrial Way, Ste. 175, Bend
$50 1017 NE 2nd St., Bend
Green,
COMMUNITY Pulse
Touchmark at Pilot Butte
INTRODUCES INDEPENDENT LIVING COTTAGES
Touchmark at Pilot Butte is introducing independent-living cottage homes for adults 55 and older. Built by CS Construction, the development will include 12 duplexes and one freestanding home in four architectural styles. “It’s based on a NorthWest Crossing model of creating a neighborhood where each home is a little different,” said Kim Blackwell, retirement counselor at Touchmark. Each townhome has 1,300 square feet, two bedrooms, two baths and a one-car garage. Residents will also enjoy access to the Touchmark amenities, including meal plans, pool and social activities. Cottages are expected to be move-in ready in August 2026. See touchmark.com.
Library at Stevens Ranch
TARGETS AN AUGUST GRAND OPENING
The Central Library at Stevens Ranch is nearing completion, with a grand opening planned for August. The 100,000-square-foot facility, designed by The Miller Hull Partnership, aims to achieve LEED Silver certification. The design team prioritized the use of mass timber to reduce the building’s carbon footprint by relying less on concrete and steel. Acknowledging Central Oregon’s intense sunlight, the exterior uses a shingle facade to filter heat while improving comfort inside the building. The sloped roof helps to create areas with varied ceiling heights. One such space is the atrium at the library’s entrance, inspiring a grand sense of arrival. See deschuteslibrary.org.
Heart of Oregon Corps
RECEIVES $300,000 FOR A YOUTH WORKFORCE CAMPUS
The Ford Family Foundation has awarded Heart of Oregon Corps a $300,000 grant to support construction of Central Oregon’s first youth workforce development campus in Redmond. Set to open in fall 2026, the 3.4acre campus will be the first of its kind in Oregon and will serve as a hub where young people can access hands-on training, mentorship and career exploration in conservation, construction, childcare and warehouse logistics.
Heart of Oregon Corps annually hires and trains more than 200 young people ages 16 to 24 from rural communities across Central Oregon.
The campus project has a total construction budget of $7.3 million, funded primarily through major and individual donations. Fundraising is underway for the remaining $765,000 needed to complete the project. See heartoforegon.org.
Real Estate SNAPSHOT
Statistics represent combined closed transactions for residential homes in Bend, Redmond, Sisters and Sunriver for the 12-month period prior to publication.
$789,468 AVERAGE SALES PRICE
98%
AVERAGE LIST TO SALES PRICE
Inventory Overview
1,165 TOTAL ACTIVE LISTINGS IN FEBRUARY 2026
383
98
AVERAGE SOLD PRICE PER SQUARE FOOT AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET
1,000 2,000 3,000 SOLD LISTINGS NEW LISTINGS ACTIVE LISTINGS
Let us do the work ... ...You do the play
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• Purchase or Refinance
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• Competitive financing options for Primary, Second, Vacation and Investment properties.
• Non-QM products for borrowers or transactions that may not fit conventional financing. From Pre-Approval to
A
River Runs By It
Industrious homeowners create a warm and inviting residence on the water
WRITTEN BY CASEY HATFIELD-CHIOTTI | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANNA JACOBS
Building a new home from the ground up isn’t for the faint of heart. Learning new skills to turn a dream home into a reality may be even more daunting. Mike and McKenna* dove headfirst into a building project with Timberline Construction of Bend to create a coastal-cottage meets Pacific Northwest Craftsman home on the Deschutes River in Bend’s Whiskey Flats neighborhood.
Avid surfers who met living and working in Southern California, their time on the water during a visit to Central Oregon left an impression.
“I thought, ‘I can surf, but [also] live in the mountains and be surrounded by nature. I want to live here,” said McKenna.
“The fact that we can live on the river and literally paddle up [stream] to surf here is very cool,” added Mike.
They put in an offer on the property with three structures, including a dilapidated main house, even though it wasn’t on the market. When it was eventually accepted, the couple decided to replace the older home with a slightly elevated residence because of the property’s flood plain designation.
Mike took on the role of home architect and learned Chief Architect software to create technical drawings and blueprints. McKenna, whose mom had a career in interior design, took on the bulk of interior design duties, researching and selecting furniture, fixtures and lighting.
NATURE INSIDE AND OUT
Rather than building a more modern home, the couple, who are both originally from the East Coast, sought a timeless
aesthetic that felt like it had always been part of the neighborhood. Using Mike’s family Cape Cod home as inspiration, they worked with architects and Timberline owner Kristian Willman to create a coastal-influenced abode with an earthy color palette.
“The exterior is dominated by cedar shingles, which deliver the classic, weathered texture the owners wanted,” Willman said.
The three-bedroom, two-and-a-halfbath home was positioned to maximize connection to the outdoors and river views. “We want [visitors] to see the river when [they] walk up,” said Mike. The main living area has a 24-foot folding glass door that opens fully to a covered deck with a Cement Elegance firepit and landscaped yard. The homeowners preserved as many trees on the property as possible. Second-story
rooms—including the primary bedroom, where oversized doors lead to a calming, light-filled space with a vaulted ceiling and a balcony—feel connected to nature with views of the river and mature oak and cedar trees. Plants serve as the main pop of color in many of the rooms. “I wanted it to feel like a greenhouse,” said McKenna.
The front yard, designed and installed by Land Effects, is one of the homeowners’ favorite features; in summer it bursts with sunflowers, hydrangeas and cornflowers.
GOING THE EXTRA MILE
In the living room, with decorative beams and a see-through fireplace with Montana Moss natural stone veneer, McKenna chose a deep sectional sofa by Crate&Barrel that invites gathering and lounging, and a distressed Artissance Long Amalfi Console Table that feels plucked from a chic beach house. Mike and McKenna fell in love with the farmhouse-style communal dining table at Viaggio Wine Merchant and ordered a custom, reclaimed-wood table from the same maker, Aragon Signature Designs
in Medford. The bouclé and oak dining chairs are delicate yet functional. The librarylike nook and window seat between the dining room and kitchen is one of McKenna’s favorite spaces. “It came together very cohesively, everything from the wood floors that we picked and the cabinets to the colors,” she said. “And I loved doing the lighting.”
Favoring a mix of metals to avoid a matchymatchy look, McKenna had fun picking out unique pieces for every room, like the sculptural McGee & Co. Elliott Pendants with a gray cement finish in the kitchen.
RIVERSIDE LIVING
Just as much care was extended to outbuildings and outdoor spaces. The double-sided fireplace warms not just the living room, but also the
sunken hot tub outside, where the homeowners created an outdoor spa with a cold plunge and an outdoor shower. “We’re in the river, into the hot tub, then into the shower,” said McKenna. The construction project also included a light remodel of an existing ADU into a sunny guesthouse with a kitchenette stocked with antique glassware, and the conversion of a standalone garage into a flexible office space.
Mike and McKenna have turned their attention to putting the finishing touches on one last room, the nursery, with a starry skies rug and a whimsical hot air balloon light fixture by Leanne Ford. The couple is welcoming their first child soon.
“We want to live here forever,” said McKenna.
Architect: Jason Todd Home Design
Builder: Kristian Willman, Timberline Construction of Bend
Interior Designer: Ronda Fitton, Cascade Design Center
Landscape Designer: Tim Schmidt, Land Effects, Chris Hart-Henderson, Heart Springs Design
Cabinets: Tom Rupp, Brian’s Cabinets
LOOKBOOKS
The following pages feature a collection of inspired projects highlighting developers, builders and designers leading the way in Central Oregon.
40
DISCOVERY WEST
Developed by Brooks Resources and Tennant Developments, Discovery West is growing with retail, gathering spaces and lodging.
44
DUKE WARNER REALTY
Founded in 1967, Duke Warner Realty grew from a husband-and-wife startup into one of Bend’s most established brokerages, with deep Central Oregon market expertise.
48
TOTAL HOME SOLUTIONS
Led by founder Ryan Freitas, Total Home Solutions specializes in custom renovations, specialty installations and, the latest addition, Embers Sauna.
BROOKS RESOURCES
Discovery West
Live, Stay, Gather
At Discovery West, the next phase of a growing residential community on Bend’s west side is unfolding, led by the team behind NorthWest Crossing—Brooks Resources and Tennant Developments. Adjacent to NorthWest Crossing, the neighborhood is anchored by Discovery Corner, a compact hub of vacation rentals, livework townhomes, retail space and neighborhood gathering spaces. Surrounding the corner plaza is Aerie by AvantStay, a collection of 20 luxury overnight rentals above ground-floor storefronts, where guests mingle with residents for coffee, wine, Pilates, beauty services and fresh local food.
Romy Mortensen, vice president of sales and marketing at Brooks Resources, says the vision has always been to create a retail and commercial space that complements nearby NorthWest Crossing, while maintaining Discovery West’s own identity. With businesses opening around the plaza, such as Sparrow Mercado and the addition of Locavore in summer 2026, Discovery Corner is emerging as a neighborhood destination defined by walkability, accessibility, convenience and connection.
For visitors, it offers a rare chance to stay within a vibrant west-side neighborhood rather than a resort setting. For residents, it adds daily services and gathering places just steps from home. Together, the mix of lodging, retail and community events is shaping Discovery Corner into a lively focal point for the growing neighborhood.
Q&A
Romy Mortensen, vice president for sales and marketing at Brooks Resources, updates recent activities at Discovery West and Discovery Corner.
What is Aerie, and why did you bring overnight rentals to Discovery West?
When we were master-planning Discovery West, we saw there weren’t short-term rental options on Bend’s west side outside of places like Tetherow or downtown. We felt there was room for something different—overnight accommodations in an accessible neighborhood setting. Aerie by AvantStay is that product. It includes 20 short-term rental residences at Discovery Corner and gives visitors a way to stay close to trails, parks, NorthWest Crossing and all the west-side amenities.
How are the rentals integrated into the neighborhood?
We designed Discovery West with a density gradient similar to concentric circles, known as a transect. The highest density is at the center, at
Discovery Corner, where the live-work townhomes and Aerie units are located. Around that are for-sale townhomes and cottages, and then farther out are larger, single-family homesites. Buyers know from the beginning that overnight rentals are part of the plan, so it’s not something added later that would surprise anyone. Our hope was that residents would use Aerie for visiting family and friends, and that’s exactly what’s happening.
What kinds of guests are staying there?
We’ve had families visiting residents, people staying while their homes in Discovery West are being completed, bridal showers, reunions and business retreats. It’s been a really nice mix. Guests can book through AvantStay, Airbnb, Vrbo, and other platforms, making it easy to access.
What role does Discovery Corner play in that experience?
It’s the heart of the neighborhood. We wanted it to feel like a small plaza, or piazza—a place where people naturally gather. The ground floor of Discovery Corner includes 10 retail spaces, and nine are now spoken for. The tenants create daily convenience for residents, but also make the overnight stay experience much richer.
Who are the new tenants?
Sparrow Mercado was our first and is really the anchor. It works beautifully as a coffee shop, grab-and-go market and neighborhood meeting place. Guests can pick up coffee, pastries, wine, pasta, milk, eggs or a hostess gift, and residents use it as their regular coffee stop. Put A Cork In It Wine Bar is also
becoming a neighborhood favorite. We also just announced Locavore at Discovery West, which is very exciting. It will function almost like a year-round farmers’ market, with fresh produce and products sourced directly from local farmers and ranchers. That’s a great complement to Sparrow.
Other tenants include Anna Salon, MCD Homes, Form Pilates, Harper House Design, Bluebird Skin Therapy + Aesthetics, and Harcourts The Garner Group, which serves as the Discovery West sales office and neighborhood information hub.
What makes this mix of businesses work?
It’s small-scale, easily accessible and service-oriented. You can get coffee, take a Pilates class, meet a friend for wine, browse design ideas, book a skin or hair treatment or stop in for information about the neighborhood—all within a few steps. It supports residents, but it also gives guests at Aerie a much more connected experience than a typical vacation rental.
What’s next for the plaza?
We’re continuing to activate the remaining available retail space with popups, including clothing, art and seasonal markets. We also host Food Cart Fridays, PorchFest and other community-building events in the plaza. And on July 3, in honor of the United States’ 250-year anniversary, we’re sponsoring a drone show in lieu of fireworks. The goal is for Discovery Corner to keep evolving as a place to gather, stay and discover something new.
REALTY
Local Market Authority
Founded in 1967, Duke Warner Realty is one of Bend’s oldest real estate brokerages, with more than five decades spent shaping and serving the Central Oregon market. It began as a locally owned firm and remains so today, growing from a small husband-and-wife operation into a business known for its community roots, long-term market expertise and client-first service. Founders Duke and Kitty Warner built the company through economic cycles, geographic growth and multiple generations of brokers, and expanded Duke Warner’s reach across Central Oregon, offering expertise in everything from bare land and ranch properties to contemporary homes and luxury estates. Today, the firm remains an icon of Bend real estate, with about 40 brokers under its umbrella.
One such broker, Jason Boone, has lived in Bend for 23 years, arriving before the run-up to the 2008 housing crisis and staying through every market phase since. For architecture- and community-minded homebuyers, Boone offers a clear-eyed look at the area’s market and the culture driving it.
DUKE WARNER
Q&A
Jason Boone, principal broker with Duke Warner Realty and Bend resident for 23 years, shares his perspective on current trends and historical shifts in the housing market.
Duke Warner Realty has a long history in Bend. Why does that matter today?
Duke Warner Realty was founded in 1967, and that local lineage still matters. The company was built on the idea of service—guiding people toward decisions that serve their long-term interests, not just closing transactions. Bend has changed dramatically, but that ethos still resonates. This is a place where relationships, reputation and local knowledge carry real weight.
How would you describe Bend’s real estate market right now?
Historically, Bend has been a boomand-bust town, but during the past 10 to
15 years, we’ve reached a more mature phase of growth. That doesn’t mean we’re immune to cycles, but the extreme volatility of the past is less pronounced. Inventory is still relatively low—around 350 homes on the market currently [in February]—but we expect it to rise toward 650 or 700 by summer, which would still be far below pre-2008 levels.
What price points are most active?
Our highest concentrations of inventory are roughly between the mid$500,000s and the low-$700,000s, and then again above $1.4 million. What used to be considered “a starter home” now often starts around $600,000, which is a hard reality for many buyers. It’s still competitive, but not in the unhealthy way we saw during the COVID years.
Are most buyers primary residents or second-home owners?
The majority of buyers I work with are primary, owner-occupied residents. There are certainly second homes in Bend—particularly in resort or exclusive neighborhoods—but it’s not as universal as people sometimes think. Most people move here because they want to live here. There’s no major military base or corporate relocation engine driving demand. That choice-based migration deeply influences the culture.
How does that affect design and architecture?
People arrive with expectations shaped by other regions—Los Angeles, Austin, Seattle—and that elevates design sophistication over time. We’re seeing strong demand for contemporary layouts and finishes, though not necessarily
ultra-modern architecture. Trends cycle, just like fashion: Wallpaper is back, mixed metals are popular, and design has become more expressive again.
What about new construction versus resale homes?
We’re building a lot of single-family homes, but nowhere near the pace of the mid-2000s. Interestingly, we still tend to have more new construction inventory than resale. Perception can be misleading. You see framing everywhere and assume we’re overbuilding, but permit data tells a different story.
Where can mid-income buyers realistically look today?
In the $500,000 to $700,000 range, buyers are largely looking on the east side of Bend. Westside neighborhoods like Discovery West or NorthWest Crossing are desirable, but typically push into higher price brackets. That said, there are emerging and established neighborhoods across Bend that offer strong design, livability and value, just not always in the places people first expect.
What’s the biggest challenge buyers and sellers face right now?
Anxiety. Sellers are anchored to peak COVID pricing, and buyers are anchored to historically low interest rates that were never sustainable. That disconnect makes counseling critical. The healthiest transactions happen when both sides are realistic and flexible—when perfection isn’t the enemy of a good, well-located home.
DUKE WARNER REALTY
1033 NW Newport Ave., Bend dukewarner.com
MORE ROOM FOR WHAT MATTERS™
TOTAL HOME SOLUTIONS
Built with Precision
Total Home Solutions, which began in 2016 as a one-man property maintenance operation, has grown into a full-service remodeling company. Founder and owner Ryan Freitas says the company is known for high-end kitchens, baths, whole-home renovations, additions and ADUs. With roots in artisan carpentry and fine furniture-making, Freitas built the company on craftsmanship, creativity and doing things right. Today, Total Home Solutions employs a highly skilled team
of 20 carpenters, project managers and estimators, along with a trusted network of subcontractors and specialty crews. Its niche appliance installation division serves many of the region’s custom builders, while its in-house steel fabrication department produces custom rails and architectural metalwork. Most recently, its offshoot company, Embers Sauna, has taken on a life of its own—bringing handcrafted cedar barrel saunas to backyards across Oregon and beyond.
Q&A
Owner Ryan Freitas, with his wife Melissa Rizzo-Freitas and their dog Merci-Roo, tells of the company’s history and future.
How did you get into this business, and when did you start Total Home Solutions?
I’ve been building most of my life. About 30 years ago, I was an artisan carpenter focused on fine furniture and detailed finish work. Honestly, fine furniture is harder to build than most houses—it teaches precision and patience. When we moved to Bend, I saw a need for skilled craftsmanship. The city was coming out of the Great Recession, and many contractors had left. In 2016, I started Total Home Solutions as a oneman operation of property management and maintenance for rental homes. We then moved into kitchens, baths, full remodels and preparing homes for sale. It kept growing—eventually expanding from one employee to a team of 20.
How did you build it into such a large team?
We focused on quality and relationships. Over the past decade, we’ve worked hard to surround ourselves with masters of their trades. We also developed specialty divisions. For the past six years, we’ve had a niche appliance installation crew that handles high-end, complex appliances for many custom builders. Three years ago, we added a steel fabrication department for custom handrails, deck rails, structural steel and decorative metal for residential and commercial projects.
What types of projects are keeping you busiest?
Our mainstay now is mid- to highend bathrooms, kitchens, full-house remodels, small additions and ADUs. We focus on highly customized work—when a client wants something creative and unique, we’re the team to call. When projects get especially
inventive, that’s where I personally step in to help think outside the box and make something special happen.
Who are your typical clients?
About 85% of our work is residential. Our primary clients are homeowners, often people who just moved to Central Oregon or families who’ve lived in the same house for 20 years and are ready to make it relevant again. We’re a full-service remodeler, handling everything from architectural planning and permitting to the final clean.
What
is Embers Sauna?
Embers Sauna started about two years ago as a small, almost accidental project in our warehouse. We began building cedar barrel saunas, and Central Oregon fell in love with them. It’s grown rapidly—now you’ll find them in backyards, near rivers, at hotel pools and in neighborhoods. It’s become my passion project, and it’s exciting to see it take off.
What advice do you have for homeowners?
Choose a contractor you trust, and focus on craftsmanship. Trends change—right now, we’re seeing natural wood cabinetry, flush-inset styles, detailed tilework and even wallpaper making a comeback. Most people remodel once in a lifetime. Make it meaningful, and hire a team that treats your home like their own.
Our long-term vision is to build a company that feels like home to skilled tradespeople and becomes a trusted household name in Central Oregon.
TOTAL HOME SOLUTIONS
20729 Brinson Blvd., Bend mytotalhomesolutions.com
Hidden in Plain Sight
Concealed from the street, a home opens to mountain views and a courtyard pool
WRITTEN BY LEE LEWIS HUSK
The newly completed home in The Tree Farm neighborhood doesn’t announce itself from the driveway. It takes visitors along a low concrete wall, whispering of possibilities hidden from sight. Adjacent to the driveway, a covered entry offers a moment of intimacy and shelter before stepping inside. That initial restraint gives way to revelation: An expansive wooden door pivots inward, opening the interior like a wide-angle lens. In the great room, broad panes of glass frame a pine forest and slivers of mountain beyond.
That approach reflects the shared values of Feldman Architecture based in San Francisco and of homeowners, empty nesters who relocated to Bend during the pandemic.
Together, they prioritized privacy while embracing a modern design attuned to an active, outdoor-focused lifestyle. The project is the firm’s first in Central Oregon, an expansion into mountain environments for founder and CEO Jonathan Feldman, who recalls Bend as one of his favorite towns during graduate school at the University of Oregon.
NESTING TWO WINGS
Rather than building upward from street level, Feldman’s team nested the structure into the site. The layout is organized into two wings linked by a glass-walled breezeway. “Where they had neighbors, we created courtyards instead of windows facing them,
so we could form a protected outdoor space,” Feldman said. The couple’s private quarters form a linear arrangement beneath a flat roof, with a primary suite, three guest bedrooms, an office, gym and sauna. An open courtyard shares space with a lap pool set discreetly behind the concrete screening wall. Heated year-round and covered during colder months to retain warmth, the pool supports one of the homeowner’s regular workout routines and has become a favorite spot for visiting guests.
Perpendicular to the private wing, the great room sits beneath a sloped roof that spans the living, dining and kitchen areas, supported by a large diagonal black metal beam.
PHOTO
The beam “rises toward a corner where your eye naturally wants to follow,” said Humbeen Geo, Feldman’s senior job captain. Emphasizing the corner glazing and the view to the field beyond, he added, was better than creating a broader wall of glass, which would have drawn attention to the neighboring home.
Large windows dissolve into a patio, where the family often dines.
He also describes an early decision by the homeowners “to pick our one place” to spend on glass and views—west, downhill through the pines—and then mitigate glare and heat with layered solutions. Large windows and sliding glass doors along the room’s west side dissolve into an outdoor patio, where the family often dines on summer evenings as bright sunlight softens into dusk.
A COMPLICATED BUILD
While the architecture reads as calm and uncomplicated, achieving that clarity required significant coordination. “There’s an enormous amount of glass in the house,” said builder Josh Wilhite of Copperline Homes. “The more glass you add, the more complicated the structure becomes, even though the end result looks simple.” In the great room, a horizontal band of black metal above the sliding doors conceals roller shades, bug screens and indirect lighting. Vertical sliding wood slats
“The finished result had to be perfect.”
outside—and found in similar places on both wings of the home—provide an extra buffer against the sun and heat. Balancing the harder elements are wood ceilings throughout the home, which introduce warmth and soften expanses of concrete and steel.
If glass is the home’s extrovert, concrete is its grounding introvert. Though it appears simple, radiant heat is embedded in the floors, and long, exposed concrete sections demanded precision. “The finished result had to be perfect,” Wilhite said. Even the dramatic black metal exhaust tubes above the cooktop—a strong design element in the great room—required a total rebuild after the first fabricated pipes system failed.
The home is a cohesive composition that explores the homeowners’ lifestyle and love of simple lines and neutral tones in a dwelling that settles quietly into its wooded setting rather than competing with it. As one homeowner put it, the design “doesn’t disrupt the natural environment, but fits into what’s already there. Feldman did a fantastic job. This house really fits our profile and what we were looking for.”
Architect: Jonathan Feldman, Tai Ikegami, Heera Basi, Humbeen Geo, Drew Curran and Norman Wong, Feldman Architecture
Builder: Josh Wilhite, Copperline Homes
Landscaping: Cahill Design Studio
Landscape Installation: Outdoor Innovations
Metalwork: Iron Environments
Lighting Design: Kim Cladas Lighting Design
Civil Engineer: Sun Country Engineering
Structural Engineer: Walker Structural Engineering
A row house designed for connection
WRITTEN BY SIENA DORMAN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHERYL MCINTOSH
Living near downtown Bend means coffee runs turn into river walks, live music can be heard from the patio, and errands can be done totally on foot. Tucked into the outskirts of the Old Mill District, the row house of Jeff and Ellina Campbell embodies city living. On Bend’s Bond Street, a row-style residence recalls East Coast brownstones, the kind where passersby catch just enough of a glimpse to imagine life inside. This home tells a personal story that trades acreage for community and transforms a collective design into something layered and inviting.
“The classic look of a brownstone exterior begged for more soul inside.”
Originally built in the early 2000s, the row house’s first iteration leaned into a then-popular blend of industrial and craftsman influences. For the Campbells, the mix was too modern. The classic look of a brownstone exterior begged for more soul inside.
Before landing downtown, the couple spent years on acreage outside of Sisters. First on 5 acres, then on 67 acres in a log home. The long drives gave way to a sense of isolation and desire for walkability and connection. They found themselves spending more time in Bend than anywhere else and were ready for a home integrated into daily city life.
The Campbells found this row house quickly, and within 15 minutes of touring it, they knew it was theirs. To bring their vision of city living to life, they partnered with Lisa Arballo and Jeannie Legum of Legum Design, who approached the redesign as a restoration and reinterpretation of the space’s essence. The goal wasn’t to create a period piece, but rather a home that felt as if it had evolved over a century, layering references from different eras while maintaining its place in modern living. “[They] wanted something warmer and more fluid for entertaining,” said Legum.
The ground floor, long and open, became the project’s anchor. Painting the original stark white ceiling a deep charcoal visually grounded the space, while a dropped woodclad ceiling above the kitchen added subtle zoning. The design redirects the eye downward, making the long, narrow footprint feel intimate and intentional.
A brick-clad feature wall, one of the home’s most convincing illusions, adds a rustic touch that blurs the line between inside and out. The effect is so persuasive that it has neighbors wondering if they, too, might uncover hidden brick in their
own homes—though they won’t have such luck.
Entertaining was a guiding principle from the start of the project. The bar and lounge design now delivers everyday comfort for spontaneous gatherings. Jeff’s whiskey collection, around 250 bottles, anchors the lounge. The space adapts easily from a cozy two-person retreat to a social corner for eight.
Upstairs, the primary suite is one of the most transformed spaces. Once dark and compartmentalized, the bathroom now features a tub alcove beneath a window that brings in natural light. Arched details soften the architecture, while rich wallpaper, layered textiles and curated furnishings create old-world warmth—what the homeowners describe as stepping into another era.
A rooftop deck offers views of Mount Bachelor and the Central Oregon horizon. The basement level features a two-car garage, a gym and secondary street access. Deceptively modest from the street, the home is larger and more nuanced than it appears.
General Contractors: Rick Rider, R. Rider Construction | Django Holt, Ridgeback
Storage was dramatically improved, including a discreet desk area illuminated by stairwell light. Even the entry was maximized, incorporating a custom nook for the Campbells’ dog, Bode, offering him a perch to enjoy the happenings on Bond Street outside a nearby window.
The row house has reshaped the couple’s experience of Bend. They walk to cafes, concerts and the river. During shows at Hayden Homes Amphitheater, music drifts to their rooftop, and neighbors carry drinks between patios. The city itself has become an extension of the home. “There is nothing else like this,” said Ellina.
Interior Designers: Jeannie Legum, Lisa Arballo and Taelor Lang, Legum Design Team
Builders
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALYSON BROWN
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Rooms to Grow
Durability meets imagination in spaces designed for kids
WRITTEN BY LEE LEWIS HUSK | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANNA JACOBS
Though children may be young, designing spaces for them can still be sophisticated while fun. Inspiration for the children’s room in a new home came when the client saw an ad featuring an orange, blue and white tile. “She absolutely fell in love with it,” recalled Kim Schroeder, interior designer at Tebbs Design Group in Bend. “I giggled because when you’re doing fun rooms like this,
you want some kind of inspiration that can jump start the rest of your design decisions,” she said, adding that the tile really was the basis of the entire room.
BRIGHT SPACES
The color white governs the bright space: walls, built-in kitchenette cabinets, bathroom counters and even a sofa and chairs. It’s a choice that can be kept clean, even if play can be messy.
Sailor-blue bunk beds pop against the creamy backdrop, while the tiles’ dominant orange sends a strong current of color through the shower, bunkroom wall, and across the kitchen counter backsplash. “The whole room was meant to be light and bright and fun,” said Schroeder.
“The Smeg refrigerator ... adds a bit of whimsy while giving easy access to drinks and snacks.”
Despite the playful spirit, durability drove every decision. “When you’re doing a kid’s space, you want materials that are indestructible. There should be a reassuring feeling that a mess can be made, and it won’t a big deal.” The tile is a concrete product from Concrete Collaborative. The curved Lexington Home Brand sofa softens the room’s straight lines and is upholstered in a “performance” fabric. “The construction of performance fabrics is like a carrot versus a radish,” said Schroeder, explaining that the dye color goes all the way through each thread. “You can clean it with bleach and water.”
Carpet tiles that snap into place underfoot can be swapped out individually if spills occur. The retro-style Smeg refrigerator in the
kitchenette adds a bit of whimsy while giving easy access to drinks and snacks.
Schroeder resisted scaling fixtures down for children. “The difficulty with a kids’ room is children grow up, as do their tastes and preferences. A well-designed room should be able to grow with them,” she said. For example, lowered countertops could mean a costly remodel later. Instead, she advises clients to invest in a strong, timeless foundation and let bedding, pillows and accessories evolve over time.
BUNK BEDS FOR GUESTS AND KID SLEEPOVERS
When Tebbs Design began planning the custom Tetherow home, the clients made one request that has become increasingly common in Bend: They asked for space for future grandchildren and visiting friends. “It’s very common for people to want a bunk space for future littles,” Schroeder said, “or for when their grown children come back and bring friends. Bend is such a great place to visit.”
The children’s suite includes four full-size bunk beds facing one another, each with its own reading light and charging station. Schroeder cleverly designed lockers that double as extra storage for duffel bags and shoes.
“Bunk rooms are such a high request,” she said. “I would say probably 70% of our projects have one.” In addition to sleeping multiple people, they are also places to add custom touches, which Schroeder attributes to “a Pinterest craze gone wild.” However, they’re not inexpensive. Built-ins typically require skilled trim carpenters or cabinetmakers, and costs can climb quickly. In this case, the bunks were designed by Schroeder and built by the client’s brother.
The room opens onto a west-facing deck with mountain views, reinforcing its role as a gathering spot. Built-in pocket shades temper afternoon glare, and a pivoting coffee table by Ashley Childers for Global Views adapts easily from coloring station to cocktail perch.
For Schroeder, the lesson in designing a space for young people is simple. “If you see something and it brings you joy, and you feel strongly about it, then it’s a safe decision,” she said. “Find that one piece that really speaks to you. Everything else can build from there.”
Our large indoor slab yard and tile showroom features not only a collection of unique and exotic slabs but also the highest quality tile manufacturers from around the globe. Architects, builders, designers and homeowners are sure to find the perfect surface from 1000’s of natural stone and tile products.
Come in and shop our slab yard, consult with one of our expert team members and find the perfect products to complete the FORMATION of your dream.
A Space for Entertaining
Two
designers merge styles to create a great room and kitchen for the ultimate hosts
WRITTEN BY CASEY HATFIELD-CHIOTTI
When Karen and Shane Steffen were about to give up on their search for a new home, they happened to stumble on a house in the clouds up a steep driveway on Awbrey Butte.
“We saw the open house sign and decided to drive up. We loved it instantly,” said Karen, who works as a cell and gene therapy biotechnology consultant.
The large two-story home with mid-century mountain vibes and a cement tile roof came with a name—the Panorama Lodge.
The Steffens could envision hosting their annual Kentucky Derby party and other large gatherings in the open layout living area leading to a sprawling terrace with a panoramic view of snowcapped mountains. But with signs of wear and tear—it had been a rental for years— and dated 1980s details, the home needed updating.
The Steffens hired House of Milo founder Sarah Westhusing and long-time Bend interior designer Michele Schnake to renovate much of the ground floor, including the main living area. They merged their distinct but complementary aesthetics to create a light and airy great room and a well-appointed kitchen, where each space flows thoughtfully into the next.
GOOD BONES
Many of the home’s original features were worth preserving, such as the bright fir ceilings in a light stain, the lodgelike rounded columns—each made from a single fir tree—and the oversized lava rock fireplace that anchors one end of the great room. “It was definitely built by someone who was a craftsman,” said Westhusing. The designers ripped up the subfloor and inlaid carpeting and added hardwood floors. They created greater openness by removing the builtin banquettes and the rounded cabinets with beveled edges in the kitchen.
To create distinctive spaces in the open floor plan, the designers embraced the purpose of each room, such as creating a cozy place to gather in the sunken living room.
“We knew everyone would huddle around the fire. We wanted to lean into cozy furniture and a fluffy rug with 1970s flair,” said Westhusing. The shaggy Loloi rug in black, cream and taupe adds warmth and texture, while the functional Four Hands Lyla chairs swivel to enjoy both the views and the fire.
Schnake and Westhusing emphasized the dining table with a linear Alora mid-century dining pendant. In the small, outdated kitchen, the designers dropped the countertop, added open shelving and Thermador appliances and created a pullout pantry. The quartz-topped kitchen island is not as large as some, but it is functional with built-in shelving for cookbooks and other items. The windows wrap around like the prow of a ship, providing endless views of mountains and trees.
BUILT FOR ENTERTAINING
such as leather and bar stools in a textured pink terracotta bouclé fabric.
“We wanted the furniture to be young and fun, comfortable and not too serious. Karen and Shane are really fun people,” said Westhusing.
MIXING STYLES
One of the Steffens’ main requests was a bar with an ice machine and a wine refrigerator. A designated entertaining space was created by removing an old wine rack. They added a built-in bar with hidden bottle storage and a Zellige tile backsplash next to the kitchen with easy access to the dining room for bringing drinks to the table.
“It has a nice open flow,” said Karen. “It’s conducive to hanging out.”
Because the Steffens like to have people over, Schnake and Westhusing chose furniture in durable, wipeable materials
The home feels open and free, with its high ceilings, large deck with a hot tub, and the way the space layers different styles and eras. Schnake has an eye for mid-century style, while Westhusing favors natural finishes and both wood and stone accents.
“It’s more fun to have someone to run ideas past who has a background in this. I think more houses should be designed collaboratively,” said Westhusing.
On any given day, Shane might be barbecuing outside, Karen prepping food in the kitchen and friends and family lounging in the living area. The design fits their lifestyle: casual, natural and inviting like the homeowners themselves.
BY PAGE
PHOTO
Building & Remodeling
We are a purposely kept small business, with a hands-on approach by the owner of the company, working from the very early stages of design and pre-construction all the way through construction and post-construction. Our goal is to provide an intimate, pleasant experience along the way that exceeds expectations in both quality and craftsmanship, while providing an unparalleled working relationship.
Flight of the Butterflies
Find nature’s flying flowers in Bend’s backyard
WRITTEN BY BUDDY MAYS
pringtime weather in Central Oregon can sometimes be a bit dicey, but in early May when daytime temperatures finally claw their way into the 70s, and clusters of wildflowers—in preparation for their annual color jubilee—start popping from the ridgelines and creek beds in the Cascades and the Ochocos, butterfly lovers can be sure that the butterflies are
The mountain slopes and high desert landscape of the region are a butterfly lover’s Eden. Often called nature’s flying flowers, butterflies are enigmatic miracles of the natural
A WEALTH OF BEAUTY
Because of an abundance of uncultivated (and unsprayed) National Forest and BLM land and its infinite profusion of spring wildflowers, Central Oregon is home to 100-plus recorded species of butterflies, ranging in size from giant Tiger Swallowtails with four-inch wingspans to dime-sized Cedar Hairstreaks so small they are hard to spot even when basking on a flower. Central Oregon is celebrated not only for the number of these exquisite creatures it produces each year (in the multimillions), but also for the wide variety of species that live here permanently.
During average weather years, the butterfly season begins in early May when large flights of California Tortoiseshells erupt from their winter chrysalises and scatter across the snow-free lower shoulders of the Cascades by the millions. Commonly called Torts, these medium-sized orange-and-black insects are easily recognizable and often hatch in uncountable numbers. They are the critters that land on a car’s windshields as yellow goo during drives over Santiam and Willamette passes. As temperatures rise in late May and early June, Mourning Cloaks, Hairstreaks and Swallowtails appear, patrolling corridors up and down ravines, creek beds, riverbanks and lake shores looking for love and food. In mid-June, elegant, multicolored Lorquin’s Admirals follow the swallowtails, along with dozens of species of fritillaries, checkerspots, blues, coppers, sulphurs and whites.
During many years, by mid-June, a good portion of the Central Oregon landscape is bustling with butterfly life in every size, shape and color imaginable.
Butterflies are heavily dependent on flower nectar and mineral-filled mud for survival, so wherever a combination of wild or domestic flowers, moisture in the form of groundwater, and an air temperature of 75 degrees or higher exists, you’ll usually find butterflies. One such spot is the Metolius River canyon along the river trail from Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery north to Lower Bridge Campground. It is an exceptional observation area, often containing dozens of species and thousands of individual butterflies per mile.
The eastern slope of nearby Green Ridge, a volcanic uplift overlooking Camp Sherman, is another first-rate area, especially near wet spots such as Bear Springs, Thorn Springs and Prairie Farm Meadow. Similar to the Metolius River region—though with an entirely different collection of butterfly species—is the streamside riparian area bordering the Fall River southwest of Sunriver. From the Fall River Guard Station east (downriver) to the Fall River Fish Hatchery, most of the river can be easily accessed on angler’s trails.
Where: Ochoco and Cascade mountains
Favorite Food: Minerals from muddy riverbanks
Fun Facts: Of the five species of swallowtails found in Central Oregon, Indras are the smallest and rarest.
Where: Throughout Central Oregon in the sunny clearings of pine and fir forests
Favorite Food: Wild violets, penstemons, yarrow and thistles
Fun Facts: This butterfly is named for the mythological Indian river god Hydaspes.
Where: Ochoco meadows and canyons
Favorite Food: Buckwheats and wild onions if available
Fun Facts: They lay eggs on flower blooms; once the caterpillars hatch, they consume the blooms.
Indra Swallowtail Papilio indra
Hydaspe fritillary
Speyeria hydaspe
Lupine Blue Plebejus lupini
Four Steps for a Pollinator Garden in Central Oregon
In Sisters, artist and owner of The Wheatfield, Katie Daisy (pictured right), gardens the way she paints—with vibrant color and joyful abundance. Behind her home, swallowtails drift through zinnias and sunflowers in a thriving high-desert pollinator haven. Her approach proves that, even in Central Oregon’s challenging climate, beauty and habitat can flourish together. See katiedaisy.com..
1. Build Healthy Soil
Loosen soil and amend generously with locally sourced compost to create a nutrient-rich foundation for strong roots and abundant blooms.
2. Plant at the Right Time
It’s best to wait until mid-June to plant tender annuals, as late frosts are common, especially in higher elevations.
3. Choose Season-Long Blooms
Combine nectar-rich favorites like zinnias and salvia with hardy natives such as yarrow and Oregon sunshine to ensure continuous color—and pollinator food—from early summer through fall.
4. Support Pollinator Lifecycles
Install drip irrigation, avoid pesticides, include host plants like milkweed, and leave some garden areas standing through winter to shelter overwintering insects and provide seeds for birds.
Once the snow melts at higher elevations (usually by mid-June) the lupine- and fireweed-dotted meadows of the mountains burst with butterfly life. Between Santiam Pass and Marion Fork on Highway 22, for example, most of the Forest Service roads branching west lead to subalpine meadows and substantial populations of various checkerspot, fritillary and sulphur species. The situation is much the same in the Ochoco Mountains east of Prineville. One popular area for both hikers and butterflies is the Lookout Mountain Trail off Forest Service Road 42 where observers can find lots of smaller species: coppers, blues and one of Oregon’s rarer butterflies, Silver Spotted Fritillaries. Other excellent Ochoco locations are the high, grassy meadows along upper McKay Creek north of US Highway 26 and the flower-filled meadows near Walton Lake off National Forest Road 22.
DISCOVER A NEW HOBBY
For a closer look at Central Oregon butterflies, buy an inexpensive butterfly net, a butterfly field guide, a magnifying glass and a couple of small plastic containers; then head for Central Oregon’s outdoors. Tread carefully and watch where you’re stepping (broken ankles are not a happy ending to any butterfly excursion). And be sure to release whatever you catch back to the wild once you’ve identified it. Butterfly wings are incredibly delicate, so avoid touching their wings as much as possible—many species live only a week and need all the time they can get to fulfill their natural cycle.
ON VIEW NOW
WRITTEN BY SIENA DORMAN
TORIIZAKA ART
LIM KHIM KATY
Cambodian-Vietnamese painter Lim Khim Katy builds her work from observation and compassion. After two decades of exhibitions across Asia and internationally, her figurative paintings continue to center on everyday people, shifting in recent years toward intimate family scenes marked by tenderness. Katy’s landscapes offer a parallel language of calm that expresses hope for peace and stability. Balancing palette knife work with finely detailed brush painting, Katy’s realism
reflects technical maturity and emotional depth—shaped by migration, resilience and a commitment to growth.
“Daydream” oil
“Summer Brook ” oil
“Perfect Sunlight” oil
“Happiness” oil
Vietnamese artist Lieu Nguyen Huong Duong paints as if translating his dreams into physical form. Duong works through a meticulous process of dropping paint rather than brushing it across the surface, constructing layered fields of color that introduce luminous landscapes. The accumulation of thousands of dropped marks creates a pixelated atmosphere. Duong’s work reflects a deeply personal visual language
in which seasons, light and place are filtered through introspection and wonder, rooted in his upbringing in southern Vietnam and years of academic training.
NGO VAN SAC
Hanoi-born Ngo Van Sac creates wood-burn portraiture shaped by fire. Using untreated wood as a surface, he employs controlled burning to reveal faces that emerge from grain, shadow and subtle painted detail. The process marks a turning point in his practice—experimenting with flame and discovering a more honest artistic voice. Inspired by encounters with Vietnam’s diverse communities, his portraits emphasize expression and invite viewers to consider identity, memory and the layered histories carried within subjects.
LIEU NGUYEN HUONG DUONG
“Spring Garden” acrylic
“Hanoian” mixed media and torched wood
“H-Mong Girl” mixed media and torched wood
“Autumn Pond” acrylic
MOCKINGBIRD GALLERY
DAN CHEN
Painter and sculptor Dan Chen merges Eastern training and Western experience to communicate his appreciation for nature. Born in southern China and later settling in Oregon, Chen moved from early success in commercial ceramics to a contemplative fine art practice focused on wildlife and landscape. His approach of multimedium art results in paintings and sculptures that champion energy and emotional presence over fixed representation. Chen’s work displays technical discipline and spiritual inquiry shaped by his belief that artistic ability is a responsibility to be shared.
LAYOR ART
ALEXA OXENRIDER
SILAS THOMPSON
Raised in the backcountry of central Idaho, Silas Thompson paints landscapes inspired by his encounters with beautiful and unforgiving terrain. Early experiences exploring mountains, valleys and high desert environments continue to shape his work. Thompson’s paintings aim to evoke sensation rather than documentation. He captures scenes of both risk and stillness that define remote wilderness. Apprenticeships following his formal education strengthened Thompson’s craft and perspective, and allowed him to create pieces of solitude and adoration for the pull of untamed spaces.
Central Oregon painter Alexa Oxenrider approaches the American West with the perspective of an outsider and devotee. Oxenrider was initially drawn to a life she longed for rather than one she inherited. She immersed herself in ranch work across the high desert while studying full-time, translating her lived experience into oil paintings
MOCKINGBIRD GALLERY
869 NW Wall St., Ste. 100, Bend mockingbird-gallery.com
LAYOR ART
1000 NW Wall St., Ste. 110, Bend layorart.com
that feel intimate and expansive. Cowboys, horses and open landscapes anchor her compositions, where heightened color and gentle movement elevate Western scenes into something more personal. Oxenrider’s work speaks to the pursuit of belonging, shaped by blue skies, quiet terrain and the enduring romance of the land.
“Flamenco” bronze
“Poetic Gathering” oil
“Promise Land” oil
PETERSON CONTEMPORARY ART
SHAR COULSON
Chicago-based painter Shar Coulson’s compositions layer drips, gestures and tonal shifts that suggest botanical, animal and figurative references without settling into one interpretation. Trained in classical realism and shaped by a career in design, Coulson employs structure and spontaneity, where fragility and strength coexist. Her paintings feel fluid, allowing for perception shifts, and personal associations become part of the work itself.
DAWN EMERSON
Central Oregon artist Dawn Emerson’s practice reflects decades of curiosity shaped by dramatic geographic change. After growing up along the rocky Massachusetts coast and working as a book designer, she relocated west, where the scale and openness of the high desert redirected her artistic path. Known for pastel work that blends drawing, printmaking and mixed-media experimentation, Emerson treats her studio as a site of continual discovery. Teaching, writing and developing new techniques remain integral to her process—work that is exploratory and rooted in the movement of landscape.
EMILY FOX KING
Ogden, Utah-based painter Emily Fox King creates lush floral and still-life compositions that speak as reflections on femininity, motherhood and domestic life. King builds layered oil arrangements. Formally trained in painting, printmaking and drawing, she brings technical clarity and personal narrative to her work. Alongside her studio practice, King teaches at the university level. Her paintings have been exhibited nationally and are held in museums and private collections.
PETERSON CONTEMPORARY ART
550 NW Franklin Ave., Bend pcagallery.com
“Far-out Eden” mixed media
“Flourish” oil
“Three Friends” oil
Designing the Curve
Justin Nelson redefines high-end craft through micromanufacturing, putting Fernweh Woodworking onto the national stage
WRITTEN BY CATHY CARROLL
“[Nelson] realized even that early piece held the DNA of his work: a pull toward curves, softness and flow.”
Justin Nelson remembers his first woodcarving: a tobacco pipe. He’d taken up the hobby while serving in the Marine Corps in his 20s, more than a decade ago. Recounting that memory recently from his shop and design studio in Tumalo, he realized even that early piece held the DNA of his work: a pull toward curves, softness and flow.
His self-taught experiment has evolved into a studio operating on a national stage. Fernweh Woodworking now shows in New York alongside some of the country’s most accomplished furniture makers—proof that Nelson’s team has not only refined a sculptural design language, but mastered the manufacturing discipline required to produce high-end work at scale. The studio built a national presence via New York City, exhibiting annually during NYCxDESIGN and showing at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair four times. Today, Fernweh maintains showroom relationships in New York, Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Bainbridge Island, Washington, placing its Bend-made furniture in some of the country’s most competitive design markets.
“I had no business starting this business. I wasn’t a woodworker. I didn’t have an artistic background at all,” said Nelson, who grew up in Indiana, where he studied business at Purdue University before joining the Marine Corps and deploying to Afghanistan. After the military, he and his wife moved to
Redmond in 2014, and Nelson joined the Prineville Hotshot elite wildland firefighting crew. He started Fernweh the next year, during the off-season, making bud vases, planters and some cabinetry when he discovered the work of renowned
In 2023, Nelson launched his Fjoon Collection. With local architect Alex Collins, he patented a system that allows the seat to be removed for reupholstery, ensuring the chair can be repaired, not discarded.
American contemporary furniture craftsman Sam Maloof and his sculptural rockers in 2017. “That changed everything. I didn’t know you could do that with furniture,” he said.
That year Nelson designed his Sling Chair, with its handshaped, quasi-skeletal wood frame, sleek joinery and supple leather sling. The Danish and Scandinavian design influence is also apparent in the piece that followed: a sleek yet organic, handcrafted Tripod Table that balances aesthetics and everyday function.
“When I designed those two pieces, that’s when I knew: This is what I want to be doing,” said Nelson. The challenge was how to make a living at it. His daughter had just been born; his wife was in graduate school, and he worked until 2 a.m. most nights, earning well below minimum wage given the hours he worked. “It was brutal,” he said.
Two years later, at the Architectural Digest Design Show in New York City, the showroom FAIR Design discovered Fernweh and became its primary partner in the city. About 80% of Fernweh’s sales are through interior designers and architects in their partner showrooms.
A pivotal moment came in 2023, when Nelson traveled to Europe to see a refurbished 3D parts duplicator—rare in the United States. “It was such a big investment, I wanted to see it in person before we shipped it across the ocean,” he said. After training on the machine in Italy, he confirmed it could translate complex curves into precise, repeatable components. From there, he went on to Denmark, visiting admired manufacturers, including PP Møbler, which produces high-end Hans Wegner designs. He’d assumed that level of craftsmanship and efficiency wasn’t replicable in the United States. Instead, he saw that his studio could evolve into a medium-scale microfactory.
That realization dovetailed with Nelson’s hiring of Production Manager Aaron Johnson, trained at Maine’s Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, who could further the operation by blending problem-solving with classical woodworking expertise. Last year, Nelson hired woodworker Matthew McDermott from the same program, rounding out a collaborative team producing world-class furniture at scale.
Nelson’s dream is to grow thoughtfully, hiring craft-school graduates—a vision reflected in the studio’s name. In German, fernweh means homesickness for a place you’ve never been.
The idea mirrors where his company is headed—and where it began. He feels the thrill of it when designing chairs: “I have an inkling or an inspiration or constraints that are defining an imaginary chair in my head, and it feels like being homesick for something, somewhere I’ve never been in the design process, and I need to get there.” See fernwehwoodworking.com
Where A Beautiful Plate Begins
Laura Davidson inspires confidence with her recipes for home cooks
WRITTEN BY SIENA DORMAN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAURA DAVIDSON
Laura Davidson’s kitchen is where her work begins. From her Bend home she tests, refines and shares recipes that prioritize flavor, reliability and longevity. What starts as a meal at her own table often becomes a favorite in thousands of other homes.
Davidson is the founder and voice behind A Beautiful Plate, a website that launched in 2010 as a passion project and took off into a full-time career within five years. Today, the site is a go-to for home cooks looking for recipes grounded in culinary fundamentals, clear instruction and plates meant to be cooked time and time again.
Quality ingredients and kitchen smarts meet to make Davidson’s kitchen a useful and beautiful workspace any cook can admire. Olive oil and vinegar stay within reach. Onions, shallots and garlic are constants. Lentils, beans, grains and pasta
anchor meals, and the pantry is curated with care. “I try to keep ingredients that can flex in a lot of directions,” said Davidson. “That’s what makes everyday cooking feel doable.” Meanwhile, open countertops, tall windows and just-right storage—a shallow cabinet made for canned goods and a pull-out pantry tailored to the dimensions of her essential equipment—create ideal conditions for any recipe to begin.
A well-loved Dutch oven, stainless steel bowls, a sharp chef’s knife, sturdy sheet pans and a bench scraper handle most tasks. It’s a collection she both relies on and encourages others to build: practical, hardworking pieces chosen for longevity over trend. Recipes on A Beautiful Plate are designed to become staples, with seasonal produce taking charge. Davidson encourages cooks to begin with what looks best at the store or farmers’ market. When ingredients are fresh and of high quality,
preparation can be simple. A sauté of spinach or a pot of winter greens asks for little embellishment when the raw materials are at their best.
“If someone understands why a recipe works, they’re much more likely to trust themselves in the kitchen.”
Her background as a professionally trained chef supports her work, but her content is approachable. She has worked as a baker, cooked on the line at an award-winning Washington, D.C., restaurant and held roles within the specialty food industry. These experiences, plus more than 16 years of recipe writing, inform her online platform, which beautifully inspires and empowers any cook. The most meaningful feedback, Davidson said, comes from readers who return to the same recipe year after year.
When she guides readers through recipes online, Davidson wants home cooks to assemble a repertoire of skills that allows them to follow recipes with confidence and, if they choose, to be used as flexible guides. Her writing includes detailed notes, substitution ideas and explanations for particular techniques. The goal is to build competency. “I care about clarity,” she said. “If someone understands why a recipe works, they’re much more likely to trust themselves in the kitchen.”
See abeautifulplate.com
RUSTIC TOMATO AND RED LENTIL SOUP
INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 large yellow onion, diced
2 leeks (about 6 ounces), white and pale green parts only, rinsed well and diced
2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
3 medium carrots (about 8 ounces), peeled and diced
5 small celery stalks (about 6 ounces), diced
1 ½ cups red lentils, rinsed
1 15-ounce can crushed tomatoes
2 bay leaves
INGREDIENTS continued
1 to 2 Parmigiano-Reggiano rinds
2 quarts low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion and leeks, tossing to coat. Season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft and translucent, about 15 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about one to two minutes, stirring often.
2. Add the carrots and celery. Cook for an additional three to four minutes, stirring often. Add the red lentils, crushed tomatoes, bay leaves, Parmigiano-Reggiano rinds and broth. Stir and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, until the vegetables are tender and the lentils are soft and beginning to break down, about 45 to 50 minutes. Stir every 10 to 15 minutes. The soup should be thick and hearty. Note: If using older lentils, the total cook time may be longer. Discard the cheese rinds and bay leaves.
3. Optional: For added body, blend a small portion of the soup with an immersion blender, and return to the pot.
4. Serve hot, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with grated ParmigianoReggiano cheese.
CREAMY MUSHROOM PASTA
INGREDIENTS
16 ounces oyster mushrooms, cleaned, trimmed and chopped
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 medium shallots, finely chopped
3 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
12 ounces orecchiette (or fusilli) pasta
4 ounces mascarpone cheese
½ cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, plus more for serving
2 teaspoons fresh lemon zest
¼ cup finely sliced chives, divided Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. In a 12-inch sauté pan, heat oil and butter over medium heat.
3. Add shallots and a generous pinch of salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until soft, four to six minutes. Add garlic and stir for one to two minutes until fragrant.
4. Add mushrooms and spread the mixture across the pan. Cook, stirring infrequently, for six to eight minutes until the mushrooms release their moisture. Season with salt and pepper, and keep warm over low heat.
5. Boil the pasta until shy of al dente. Reserve 2 cups of the cooking water, then transfer pasta into the sauté pan.
6. Increase heat to medium-low. Add mascarpone cheese and a splash of the reserved pasta water; toss gently. As the mascarpone begins to melt, add grated Parmigiano-Reggiano in small handfuls, stirring constantly to “marry” the sauce to the pasta for a smooth, silky finish, adding more water if necessary.
7. Remove from heat. Fold in lemon zest and 2 tablespoons of chives. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately, garnishing each bowl with remaining chives. Serve with grated cheese on the side.
RHUBARB SCONES & ORANGE GLAZE
INGREDIENTS
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
¾ teaspoon ground cardamom
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
4 ounces cold unsalted butter, cut into ½-inch cubes
1 cup, plus 2 tablespoons cold heavy cream, divided
7 ounces (2 medium stalks) fresh rhubarb, cut into ½-inch dice
1 tablespoon turbinado sugar for sprinkling
ORANGE GLAZE
¾ cup powdered sugar, sifted
½ teaspoon fresh orange zest
1 tablespoon, plus 1 to 2 teaspoons fresh orange juice, as needed
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Heat oven to 425°F with a rack in the center. Line a rimmed half sheet pan with parchment paper.
2. In a large food processor with a blade attachment, combine flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, cardamom, cinnamon and salt. Pulse to incorporate. Add the butter and toss with your fingers until the pieces are lightly coated in flour. Pulse 10 to 12 times, or until the pieces are pea size. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
3. Create a well in the center of the bowl. Add 1 cup cold heavy cream. Using a large fork, stir the cream into the mixture. As the dough begins to come together, stir in the diced rhubarb. Scrape the shaggy dough onto a lightly floured countertop. Gently press and fold the dough together, being careful not to overwork it. Pat the dough into an 8-inch round, roughly 1-inch thick.
4. Using a sharp knife, cut the dough into six even wedges. Transfer them to the prepared sheet pan, spacing them apart by several inches. Brush the tops with the remaining heavy cream and sprinkle generously with turbinado sugar. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack to cool before glazing.
5. Prepare the Orange Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the sifted powdered sugar, zest, and 1 tablespoon of orange juice. The glaze should be thick but pourable; if it is too stiff, add orange juice 1 teaspoon at a time until it reaches a drizzling consistency.
6. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled scones and allow to set slightly before serving. These scones are best enjoyed fresh. To make them in advance, store the scones unglazed. When ready to serve, reheat unglazed scones on a parchment-lined pan at 350°F for 10 minutes, cool and then glaze.
“In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.”
—MARGARET ATWOOD
PHOTO BY TAMBI LANE
A riot of color in a Bend backyard.
STYLE in every home.
SOUL in every street.
STRENGTH in every connection.
Find your happy place here. On Bend’s west side, Discovery West is more than a neighborhood—it’s a place where neighbors linger over coffee at the community plaza, and shops, parks, schools, and trails come together seamlessly to make everyday life better. Here, joy is in the little moments, and the best of Bend is right outside your door. Learn more at discoverywestbend.com, visit the Sales Center at Discovery West or call (541) 383-4360.
