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Call Building Solutions, we have the people, service and products to build your ideas into a home that’s stylish and functional.
Designed by Tebbs Design Group
Photos by Blake Woolen
WHERE EXTRAORDINARY HAS BEEN THE NORM SINCE 1977.
West Bend’s newest neighborhood is taking shape.
3 MIN to Shevlin Park to NW Crossing to Downtown to Old Mill District to Mt.Bachelor
A premier place to call home.
Derived from the “tall line” of the Cascade Mountain Range, the Talline development was created as a neighborhood, not only for the family, but for the whole community to call home amongst the mountains. Talline will feature a 5 acre mixed commercial core anchoring the neighborhood with some diverse commercial tenants as well as an 8 acre park nestled into the heart of Talline to better accommodate your family needs. This vision for the Talline community is being shaped by a few of the best builders in Bend coming together as partners to develop this last remaining large parcel of land on Bend’s Westside, placing Homeowners in close proximity to many of the area’s best amenities.
Whether you’re a seasoned real estate investor or a first-time homebuyer, let us help you find the loan to fit your needs. With our local presence in the region, established relationships in the real estate community, and a trusted national platform, we have a suite of loan products for you to choose from.
• Purchase or Refinance
• Jumbo, Conforming, Portfolio, and Government
• 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 Closing...Let us Guide you Home.
Building extraordinary custom homes for over 40 years
A DEDICATED CUSTOM HOME BUILDER YOU CAN TRUST
We provide a hands-on and personalized approach to custom home building without sacrificing the core values of trust, relationship building and accountability. Over two hundred completed homes later, every west side neighborhood in Bend is home to the Leader Builders name.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec fringilla placerat nulla vitae lobortis. Sed fringilla tristique erat, maximus varius ex semper quis. Vestibulum purus quam, fermentum at sapien at, sodales hendrerit est. Nunc rutrum auctor ligula, at fringilla tortor finibus vel. In vestibulum egestas ligula, nec dignissim metus vulputate nec. Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis If you can dream it, We can
Ready to start a new project? (541) 480-3547
| (541) 410-3682
SCULPTED FOR THE SEASONS
An outdoor retreat is reimagined into a sculptural gathering space. 72
JUST LOOK UP
Whether providing additional support or a design element, there’s no question beams play an important role in architecture in the Pacific Northwest.
88
METAL BY DESIGN
Artist Alisa Looney creates work inspired by nature and her roots in theatrical dance.
92
THE HEART OF THE HOME
Kitchen Heartbeet’s Stephanie Rooker offers a weekly meal service focused on the healing power of food.
FINDING PEACE IN PERENNIALS
A home gardener transforms high desert soil into fertile grounds filled with blooms.
PHOTO LEFT BY
CHRIS
MURRAY
BOTTOM BY TAMBI LANE
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
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Kelly Alexander
SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Cali Clement, Jeremiah Crisp
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Libby Marsden
SALES MANAGER
Ronnie Harrelson
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Susan Crow, Amy Landgraf
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Bootsie Boddington, Kim Page
ADVERTISING COORDINATOR
Gretchen Sortor
MARKETING DIRECTOR
Cali Clement
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Heather Renee Wong
WEB DEVELOPMENT
Zack Jenks - Litehouse Tech
CIRCULATION MANAGER
Amara Spittler
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically or mechanically, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without the express written permission of Oregon Media. Articles and photographs appearing in Bend Home + Design may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written consent of the publisher. Bend Home + Design and Oregon Media are not responsible for the return of unsolicited materials. The views and opinions expressed in these articles are not necessarily those of Bend Home + Design, Oregon Media or its employees, staff or management. Proudly printed in Oregon.
EDITOR’S LETTER
It’s summertime in the high desert, and taps are flowing. Whether you’re here on vacation or call this place home, there’s plenty to appreciate in the creative brews and ciders pouring around Central Oregon. We love those, too. At Bend Home+Design, we tap into something different–a deep well of creativity and craft that’s propelling Bend in new and exciting directions, thanks to the architects, designers, builders, landscapers and makers reshaping what’s possible in this mountain community. Take fireplaces, for example. When my parents built their home in 1982, they used bulky lava rock for the fireplace—a typical choice for Bend at that time. We’ve come a long way since then. Check out the four-sided, glass-enclosed fireplace in a Westgate home, which offers complete transparency between rooms (page 28). Or take the fluted, three-sided concrete fireplace in a Tetherow outdoor patio (page 52). This showpiece gave its creator, Francois Schneyder, sleepless nights before the massive, single piece of concrete was moved
from his shop and safely installed. Often overlooked—because, hey, you’ve got to look up—are the beams that support our homes. There’s no ignoring the beams in a house designed by architect Brandon Olin for a couple who asked him to fill their home with wood. It’s a warm hug to the Pacific Northwest’s love affair with forests and lumber products (page 72).
Sometimes it’s the little things that tap our spirits. The colorful garden grown by Gabrielle West proves that the high desert doesn’t have to be barren (page 77). Enjoy a bit of whimsy with metal artist Alisa Looney, who dances before she welds, making art inspired by the ponderosa (page 88).
Whatever you’re tapping into this summer, may it connect you to the creative energy thriving all around us.
Lee Lewis Husk, Editor
From Your Local Experts
LYNNANNE LIKENS & LANEY HAYES BUILDER/ DESIGNER
Blending experience in building and design, Lynnanne Likens and Laney Hayes of Likens Interior Design specialize in exceptional spaces for custom homes. Page 28
PJ HURST INTERIOR DESIGNER
Owner of PJ Hurst Design, an interior architectural design firm, PJ Hurst creates thoughtful and livable custom spaces, both indoors and out. Page 52
TIM MCGOWAN
METAL FABRICATOR
Tim McGowan, co-founder of design firm Iron Roots
Design, crafts tailor-made firepits for homes, commercial spaces and events such as WinterFest 2025. Page 66
BRANDON OLIN ARCHITECT
Olin Architecture owner Brandon Olin works closely with clients, creating contemporary designs to fit the vision and the landscapes on which he builds. Page 72
CONTRIBUTORS
SUZANNE BELL
WRITER
Suzanne Bell is a creative journalist, educator and a twodecade marketing veteran. She has a master’s degree from Syracuse University and began her career as a freelance journalist for The Miami Herald She’s been an adjunct professor at University of Oregon and COCC. She lives in Bend, and when she’s not writing, you’ll find her at the top of a mountain. Here, she shares the story of a desertscape turned garden of Eden. Page 77
CATHY CARROLL
WRITER
Cathy Carroll loves telling the stories sprouting in our greater backyards. She has reported on people, places and businesses around the world for media including Travel + Leisure, Travel Weekly and Forbes. Join her in this season’s issue as she explores the forged steel and glass sculptures of artist Alisa Looney. Carroll brings Looney’s journey of celebrating the earth to life, from riverbed clay to kiln-fired heirlooms. Page 88
CASEY HATFIELD-CHIOTTI
WRITER
The words of Bend’s Casey HatfieldChiotti can be found in Marin Living , The New York Times, Travel + Leisure and Forbes As the daughter of an architect and designer, Hatfield-Chiotti’s appreciation for architecture makes her a natural to cover home design. For this issue, she writes about a Westgate home that blends warmth with modernity, and shares tips for inviting firepit areas. Page 28 and 66
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 she has an eye for architectural detail and interior spaces. Beyond photography, she and her husband Damian Schmitt also operate Mountain Modern Airstream. Her images this issue present an outdoor space artfully reimagined. Page 52
CHRIS MURRAY
PHOTOGRAPHER
Specializing in architecture, design and sciences, Chris Murray of Bend began shooting in 1988 with a Pentax MG he bought in a pawnshop in Ketchikan, Alaska, while helicopter logging. He was Patagonia’s lead photographer and has traveled internationally for many top outdoor brands. In this issue, Murray photographs the artistry of contemporary warmth in a Westgate home. Page 28
Award-Winning Central Oregon home builder designing + building quality, luxurious homes for clients to enjoy for generations to come. We turn your home dreams into reality. Contact us today to learn about our distinctive home building process.
LOCALLY Found
Inspired by the dreamy days of summer
Visiting Tumalo Home, located just across from the bustle of The Bite in Tumalo, is stepping into a space where beautiful design is considered and deeply celebrated. Founded by Dahli Brant, who brings more than 30 years of interior design experience, Tumalo Home offers a carefully curated selection of artisanmade items and statement pieces. Offerings include hand-woven baskets, coffee table books, classic ceramics, centuries-old furnishings and luxurious personal objects such as cashmere scarves. Each piece adds warmth and character to the shop’s repertoire—such as a Swiss grandfather clock from the 1700s. Tumalo Home also provides custom design services that reflect Brant’s belief that homes should feel personal and enduring. By extending her design expertise to the public, the shop invites clients to bring their own spaces to life with beauty, intentionality and style. It’s design that reflects how you live, a philosophy woven into every detail.
Skyliners Club, a 50,000-square-foot facility, is in the development phase off Skyliners Road. The athletic facility plans to be a central hub for both active living and neighborhood connection. Amenities include an indoor pool surrounded by glass windows, featuring a splash pad and hot tub, as well as various sports courts and low-impact classes, such as strength training and yoga. Community connection continues outdoors with a parklike area featuring food trucks and picnic tables, plus an elevated deck with panoramic views of the mountains beyond.
Bend High School's AUDITORIUM
IS IMAGINED
Renderings for the new auditorium set to begin construction on the Bend High campus in June 2026 have been released, and the project to replace the former building—torn down last summer after structural damage was found—is underway. The new building will occupy the same site as the former one and will have the same number of seats (1,400) as the previous auditorium, the largest indoor auditorium in Central Oregon. The project is forecast to be completed by fall of 2028 when the rest of the high school’s remodel is finished.
Skye Design Interiors and Co.
OPENS UPSCALE BOUTIQUE
The owners of Skye Design, a full-scale design company helping to transform interiors, have opened Skye Design Interiors & Co., a shop featuring luxury furnishings, light fixtures and finishing touches to reimagine the home’s living spaces. The Galveston Ave. showroom highlights designer collections, hand-selected finishings and elevated items for every room. Co-owner Malia Mathis carefully considers each item in the shop and is on hand to help customers choose items that will inspire luxury living.
Market TRENDS
Statistics represent combined closed transactions for residential homes in Bend, Redmond, Sisters and Sunriver for the 12-month period prior to publication.
68
98%
$4,950,000 HIGHEST SALES PRICE
AVERAGE LIST TO SALES PRICE
Inventory Overview
3.1
4,325
19,459 TOTAL SOLD LISTINGS TOTAL ACTIVE LISTINGS MONTHS OF INVENTORY
A Getaway Every Day
It’s a special place that can make you feel like you’re on vacation every day. The Eight is that place. Nestled in the Old Mill District and just steps from the Deschutes River, this exclusive collection of townhomes offers resort living just minutes from Central Oregon’s finest restaurants, shops, galleries, golf, skiing, hiking, and so much more.
Step inside The Eight and you will find three floors of luxurious living spaces with a perfect mix of industrial elements and natural materials. Expansive balconies invite you to entertain, relax, and enjoy the sweeping views. Every detail has been considered, from designer lighting to high-end appliances to cozy fireplaces.
Each home at The Eight is zoned for nightly rental, making it a fantastic investment opportunity whether you choose to rent the entire space or just the first-floor lockout ADU. Then again, with everything it offers, we won’t blame you if you choose to keep it all for yourself.
Stephanie Ruiz, Broker 541.948.5196
Jordan Grandlund, Principal Broker 541.420.1559 www.theeightattheoldmill.com
HOME FEATURE
Blending Styles
A mother and daughter design team balances warmth and modernity in a Westgate home
WRITTEN BY CASEY HATFIELD-CHIOTTI | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS MURRAY PRODUCTIONS
On a corner lot in the
Westgate neighborhood, a sleek and angular home with abundant steel and glass is an elegant example of organic modernism.
“It’s an amazing site,” said architect Jason Todd. “Of course, it has views of the Cascades, but also looks both south and east to Paulina.”
To capture the views, Todd oriented the main spaces to the west, framing the mountains with floor-to-ceiling windows. Living spaces are infused with creativity, natural elements and personal touches.
“When the house was being built, there was a lot of talk about how could we add warmth and make it inviting,” said homeowner Lynnanne Likens. A builder in Bend for more than a decade who established the interior design company Likens Interior Design in 2017, she shares the home with her husband, Randy.
Likens and her daughter Laney Hayes were the interior designers on the project; it was essential to get it right.
“There are nice textures and colors that don’t feel stereotypically modern or too harsh and cold,” said Hayes.
Earthy touches begin in the entryway, where a green planter filled with pothos and ZZ plants sits next to the angular floating staircase. Eventually, the plants will grow enough to wind their way up the stair railing to create a living wall of sorts.
Cedar paneling under the exterior eve was continued on the living room’s ceiling to bring the outside in.
Chinoiserie-style wallpaper in Randy’s office draws a connection to the inner courtyard, inspired by a natural hot spring. The zen space has a plaster spa pool surrounded by flagstone, a running stream into a koi pond and a boardwalk.
CUSTOM TAILORING
Likens and Hayes’ complementary dynamic is displayed in the main living space, which offers many examples of ingenuity. Hayes, who served as the lead designer on the project, is a creative with a bold vision, while Likens’ superpower is solving problems.
The furniture was designed to harmonize with the large Turkish rug containing flecks of blue purchased on a visit to Istanbul. Hayes dreamed up the twotoned black and tan sofa (she jokes that the colors match the couple’s German shepherd Cleo perfectly) and two creamcolored chairs, and had them custommade. The two side tables by Milk Shop in Portland were also custom-designed to coordinate with the coffee table. The floating glass, stone and steel fireplace was a challenge to create because of venting, but worthwhile. It is a focal point in the space and creates separation between the living and dining rooms.
“There are so many details that go into taking your vision and making it a reality,” said Likens.
One such example is the light fixture in the dining room. Hayes worked with custom New York-based lighting company Shakúff to get the white oak and blown-glass fixture just right. The piece was lengthened and staggered to better suit the size of the table.
Likens and Hayes pulled the reeded tambour panels on the kitchen island onto the oversized hood above the Wolf Range. The jewel-box pantry balances beauty and functionality with open shelving tucked behind a wall, a dark soapstone countertop, decorative wallpaper and shelving for Randy’s collection of Baccarat glasses. A dog dish is concealed in a side drawer on the stone island with a waterfall edge.
A SERENE SUITE
Many of Likens’ favorite parts of the house are on the second floor, which is entirely devoted to the couple’s suite. “It’s an exclusive space,” said architect Todd. “That’s where the mountain views get supercharged.”
The bedroom, with wood-beamed ceilings and another silk Turkish rug find, sports warmer sunset tones. “The colors, the softness, the romance of it; it makes me feel joy,” said Likens.
Likens uses the coffee bar next to the bedroom every morning as an important part of her daily routine.
The raised bathtub in the main bathroom has expansive views of Mount Bachelor. A glass-beaded chandelier dangles from above. The natural aqua bella quartzite counters add depth without being overwhelming.
DISTINCTIVE SPACES
“I’m most proud that the house has some color,” said Hayes. Her favorite tile is the blue marble with scalloped edges in the ground-floor guest suite bath.
The home’s other distinctive features include a pickleball court, a wine cellar, Likens’ and Hayes’ office, a wildlifefocused art collection and an intuitive home control system called “Josh.” Users turn lights and other controls on and off with voice commands and texting.
The house is an oasis of calm and originality. “Knowing each other so well helps that creativity, that trust. There are no bad ideas or options,” said Likens, and Hayes added, “We have better ideas because we work together.”
Architect: Jason Todd Home Design | Interior designer: Likens Interior Design | Builder: Madrone Construction | Landscape design: Kristin Georgeton | Landscaper: Mike Limke
Laney Hayes and Lynnanne Likens
LOOKBOOKS
The following pages feature a collection of inspired projects highlighting developers, builders and designers leading the way in Central Oregon.
40
DISCOVERY WEST
The thoughtfully designed neighborhood connects nature, community and lifestyle where Bend meets the forest line.
44
BUILT TO LAST
Hydes Custom builds handcrafted wood furniture that blends comfort, durability and all-season design to elevate outdoor living spaces.
48
DISTINCT DESIGNS
Curtis Homes takes a collaborative approach to custom building, ideal for homebuyers seeking a more personal experience.
BROOKS RESOURCES
Discovery West
Living on the edge isn’t for everyone. But at Discovery West, the edge means something different—it’s where Bend meets the wild. Stepping outside your back door leads into the calm of the Deschutes National Forest, where you can spin your wheels at Phil’s Trail or scout for osprey nests in Shevlin Park. The same team behind NorthWest Crossing—Brooks Resources and Tennant Developments—has created another thoughtfully planned neighborhood that connects community, nature and lifestyle.
Discovery West offers mixed-use retail and a diverse array of housing, including an area for short-term overnight stays, an option not offered in NorthWest Crossing (fondly referred to as NWX by locals). When fully built out, it will be half the size of neighboring NWX, but residents and visitors will still enjoy walkable access to the neighborhood's amenities, such as restaurants, wine bars, the Grove Market Hall, a bookstore and the popular summer Saturday farmers market.
At the heart of Discovery West is Discovery Corner, a circular plaza and retail hub opened in 2024, designed for gathering around a firepit sculpture and mosaic mural, encouraging relaxation, connection and community.
Q&A
Valerie Yost, director of marketing for Brooks Resources and Discovery West, delves into the new neighborhood
How does Discovery West differ from NorthWest Crossing?
The most noticeable difference is its smaller scale, but also its layout with mixed-use housing and retail organized around Discovery Corner, a central plaza with businesses oriented toward foot traffic rather than along busy streets. We placed townhomes and attached cottages near the plaza to create a sense of density in the urban core. As streets fan outward, singlefamily homes populate the landscape. Breaking new ground from NWX’s traditional approach, Discovery West is introducing 20 luxury townhomes above street-level retail in the plaza for vacation rentals in a neighborhood setting. AvantStay, a national company specializing in short-term rentals in more than 100 cities, hosts Aerie by AvantStay at Discovery Corner. Each fully furnished unit has two or three bedrooms and a bird’s eye view over the
neighborhood, expansive decks with hot tubs, outdoor furniture and BBQs for relaxing in a quiet setting. And they’re pet friendly!
Discovery Corner was designed as a gathering space and venue for neighborhood events. We integrated power and water access for vendors and entertainment, including a stage, and ample infrastructure for food trucks and services, all without needing to close roads. From our experience in NWX, we learned the value of a dedicated event space that minimizes disruptions to nearby businesses and residents.
What’s the vision behind the art installations in Discovery West?
Honoring our theme of discovery, we embrace opportunities to celebrate its spirit through public art thoughtfully placed throughout the neighborhood. Oregon artist Jenny Ellsworth created a 600-pound steel firepit sculpture that anchors Discovery Corner where people can gather year-round, warming up by the fire or sipping a favorite beverage while listening or dancing to live music at neighborhood events. Encircling the firepit is “Mechanical Waves,” a nearground mosaic by Bend artist Rochelle Rose-Schueler inspired by sound waves, hydraulic waves and tectonic energy. Another ode to the arts can be found on the lower side of Discovery West in the green zone, where walkers and cyclists may be surprised to find the Discovery Park Labyrinth. In partnership with Bend Park and Recreation District and with support from the Bend Sustainability Fund, the labyrinth was created by designers Lea GoodeHarris and Marilyn Larson of Creative Labyrinths to make a serene place to wander and connect with nature.
Collaborative projects like this welcome the entire community.
Our theme of discovery first emerged when naming streets. We quickly realized most of the explorers we first thought to name streets after were men. That sparked a deeper journey: uncovering remarkable women whose contributions to science, space and exploration deserved to be celebrated. Today, our Women of Discovery are honored throughout the neighborhood in street names, art, bronze medallions around Discovery Corner and banners—proof that discovery can mean so much more. Among them are Annie Londonderry, the first woman to bicycle around the world in 1894; Marie Tharp, a geologist and oceanographic cartographer who provided proof for the theory of plate tectonics; and Ellen Ochoa, the first Latina in space and former director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center
How is buying a home in Discovery West different than buying in other areas? We work with a hand-selected group of talented builders—our Discovery West Builders Guild—known for exceptional craftsmanship and a strong grasp of our design vision. We offer our builders finished homesites in each phase, and they bring them to life with a mix of 10 approved architectural styles, from classic craftsman and American farmhouse to sleek mid-century modern and minimalist Scandinavian. This thoughtful variety gives the neighborhood a timeless, custom feel, like it’s been here for generations. Whether families are looking for a beautifully designed spec home or want to build something truly custom, our builders can make it happen.
mission to combine ultimate comfort with stylish designs. That’s why we handcraft each piece using only the best materials and meticulous attention to detail. With furniture and decor for every room in the house, La-Z-Boy can create a seamlessly beautiful home.
HYDES CUSTOM Handcrafted Furniture
Summer invites us to slow down and linger at the picnic table after dark, swapping stories with friends, or sinking into a bench chair while the kids chase the dog across the yard. Helping families make the most of these moments, Joshua Hyde of Hydes Custom builds handcrafted wood furniture that blends comfort, durability and all-season design. With a background in high-end residential and commercial carpentry, Hyde has built everything from custom cabinets to large-scale home renovations. It was at a music festival where he created pieces for seating areas that ignited a vision for a business handcrafting patio furniture out of reclaimed and sustainably sourced wood from local mills. He likes to say that the moments spent on furniture may only be seasonal, but the memories created will last a lifetime.
Hydes Custom operates out of a expanding workshop near Prineville. He continues to enlarge the scope of his furniture line as well as offering woodworking and outdoor design services for clients.
Q&A
Joshua Hyde, founder and owner of Hydes Custom, spoke about his background in woodworking and his vision for an outdoor furniture business
How did you get started in this line of work?
I started in carpentry at 17 after graduating high school early. I enjoyed being outside and working with my hands. After a few years of college in Salt Lake City, I realized I wasn’t built for office work. I needed something more creative, more physical. I joined a custom home builder at 22 and began working on high-end projects in Bountiful, Utah. That’s where I really found my love for creating something from nothing. Over time, I took over a commercial door and hardware business, but after doubling the revenue in just over a year, I returned it to the original owner and resumed my career in residential carpentry, which felt more fulfilling.
What led you to focus on custom outdoor furniture?
About eight months ago, after years of doing siding, decks and exterior work, I sponsored a music festival and built unique patio pieces for the event. That reignited the spark I had back in my 20s: building for creativity, not just construction. I realized furniture was a way to merge design, sustainability and craftsmanship. Now I’m focusing on handmade patio furniture using salvaged fir and cedar from Oregon wildfire zones, all locally milled.
What sets your work apart from massproduced outdoor furniture?
Every piece is hand-built, using mortising, routing and planing techniques not found in big-box options. Our fasteners come with a lifetime warranty and won’t rust. I use glues and predrilled holes to ensure tight fits that won’t loosen or squeak. We use rough-sawn wood for better UV protection and offer multiple coats of high-performance stain, urethane or even shou sugi ban burning for triple the lifespan. These are legacy pieces built to last, not seasonal throwaways.
Who are your typical clients?
A lot of our clients come from the high-end market—people building or renovating homes who want outdoor furniture that feels as custom as their houses. They’re looking for quality, timelessness and something that invites people to gather. These are heirloom pieces designed to last 20-plus years.
Where are your products made?
Our shop is located just outside Prineville near the mills and suppliers we work with.
We’re scaling up our operations and using materials from reclaimed forest cedar to Oregon walnut and cherry. Our steel table legs are manufactured in Prineville by RRCo. MFG, and we’re now incorporating more metal-wood hybrids into our designs.
What’s your long-term vision for Hydes Custom?
I want to offer a full suite of outdoor solutions, from decks and siding to pavers and furniture. I still hold my general contractor license, so we’re not just selling products, we’re designing entire outdoor experiences. I want to be coaching each project like it’s a championship game: hands-on, thoughtful and cost-conscious, without compromising quality.
CURTIS HOMES
Distinct Designs
For homebuyers seeking a more personal experience, Curtis Homes takes a collaborative and transparent approach to custom building. With eight years of experience in Bend and a newly relocated headquarters in the city, the company has established a strong presence
in Central Oregon. Founder and CEO Cameron Curtis believes the building process should be as rewarding as the finished home. “We walk with clients through every step, from design and budgeting to schedules and finishes,” he said. “It should be a fun and meaningful experience.”
This summer, the company is showcasing five distinct residences in the sought-after Discovery West neighborhood. These homes, from move-in ready to fully customized, reflect a variety of architectural styles, including prairie, modern Tudor and mid-century modern.
One of the homes, a Scandinavian-inspired one, will be featured on the Central Oregon Builders Association’s 2025 Tour of Homes. A member of the Discovery West Builders Guild, Curtis Homes’ portfolio is as diverse as the buyers it serves.
Q&A
Cameron Curtis of Curtis Homes and Legacy Development describes his journey into home building and this year’s Discovery West offerings
Tell us about your work in Discovery West.
We’re wrapping up five one-of-akind custom homes in Discovery West, all of which will be available for sale this summer. We’ve really leaned into this community because of how well it’s designed: walkable, connected, familyfriendly and amenity-rich. It’s a great match for our buyers. The homes range in style and layout, but all offer strong architecture, livability and quality finishes.
What types of homes does Curtis Homes offer, and how do you tailor them to meet your clients’ lifestyles?
We focus on three types: move-in-ready
spec homes, presold semicustom homes where buyers can still make selections and full custom homes. This summer’s lineup includes all three. They’re loaded with architectural detail and reflect an understanding of how people actually live. We take the time to learn about our clients’ lifestyles and then design homes that cater to their needs.
Can you highlight a few of the homes?
This summer, Curtis Homes’ lineup features a modern Scandinavian home showcased on the COBA Tour of Homes, a prairie-style home with floorto-ceiling windows and a floating steel staircase, and a single-story Scandinavian design with two primary suites and vaulted ceilings. There’s also a modern Tudor with dramatic rooflines and an atrium-style dining space, and a singlelevel mid-century modern home. All are crafted with thoughtful layouts, indooroutdoor living features and architectural details that reflect Curtis Homes’ commitment to quality and value.
We understand that Curtis Homes is part of the Discovery West Builders Guild. How does that work?
Discovery West developers hold builders to high standards consistent with their vision of a neighborhood with tree-lined streets, architectural diversity and quality craftsmanship. To achieve that goal, they formed a Discovery West Builders Guild based on the success of a similar concept in NorthWest Crossing. Curtis Homes applied and was accepted into the guild after a rigorous review and assessment. Guild members enter a lottery for each phase of development, giving them the right to purchase homesites and build
either spec or custom dwellings. Builders can sell directly to a buyer or use their own realtors for marketing a property.
How did you get started in homebuilding? I learned the trade working alongside my grandfather. That early experience taught me not just how to build, but how to care about the people you’re building for. The idea that a home can offer safety, stability and hope took root in those early years.
What inspired you to turn that into a business?
During my first year at Corban University [a Christian college in Salem], Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. I went there to help with recovery and ended up gutting and rebuilding homes, making 14 trips over the course of two years. It was incredibly humbling. That’s when I realized this work is about more than construction—it’s about helping people move forward. Out of that experience, I got my contractor’s license and started Curtis Construction & Remodeling in 2008, not the best time to start a business as the economy was crashing. In 2009, we changed the name to Curtis Homes and by 2012 had built our first home. We created Legacy Development as part of Curtis Homes to focus on project management. We built homes in The Dalles, White Salmon and Hood River before coming to Central Oregon. The move to Bend has been a wild ride, but also exciting.
CURTIS HOMES
2738 NW Potts Ct., Ste. 120, Bend curtishomesllc.com
HOME SPOTLIGHT: TETHEROW
Sculpted for the Seasons
An artful outdoor retreat reimagined
WRITTEN
BY
LEE LEWIS HUSK PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANNA JACOBS
At first glance, it was hard to tell if the remodeled patio was truly outdoors. With a ceiling and three enclosed sides, it appeared to be a living room—until a closer look revealed a built-in BBQ and the fourth side completely open to the elements. Interior designer PJ Hurst and the homeowners had pulled off a kind of design alchemy, transforming a once stark, chaotic covered patio into what Hurst described as an “outdoor sculptural entertaining retreat.”
“We loved the house when we bought it, but we never liked the patio—it was unusable,” said Jenny Lanker, who, along with her husband Greg, purchased the home in west Bend in 2019. The home’s covered patio “had no charm, felt cold, had stainless steel counters and a metal fireplace that was already rusting,” she added.
The upcoming wedding of their son sparked a year-long burst of activity to make over the existing patio into a prewedding party space, as well as a place
“We reimagined the outdoor entertaining patio to blend sculptural artistry, modern luxury, function and natural beauty seamlessly.”
for family and friends to gather around the fireplace or watch football on TV. As owners of Area Rug Connection, the Lankers had helped many clients beautify their homes. However, they sought an expert for this project to collaborate on the design and functionality.
CONNECTING TWO OUTDOOR
ENTERTAINMENT AREAS
“We reimagined the outdoor entertaining patio to blend sculptural artistry, modern luxury, function and natural beauty seamlessly,” Hurst said. Both outdoor spaces, one covered and the other open air, are connected with a thoughtfully designed kitchenstyle peninsula island between them. With
bar stools all around, the island creates a central hub where guests can interact from multiple vantage points—whether facing inward to converse with someone tending the built-in grill or outward toward the exterior dining table.
MAKING A DULL SPACE SPARKLE
The design team preserved the covered patio’s original walls and ceilings, but little remains of the former design. Anchoring the space is a hand-fluted fireplace—a concrete wonder, designed by Hurst and created by Francois Schneyder of Coalesce Concrete in Bend. “It’s sculptural artistry and a focal point,” Hurst said. “Two windows flank it with beautiful, serene views to the outside.”
Schneyder cast the fireplace, including the front and two sides, as a monolithic piece. “Such intricate pieces require a massive investment in time,” he said, noting that he lost sleep for weeks leading up to its transport from his shop to the Lankers’ home. “So much time and love go into producing something like that, and you put it on the line when you move it into place. But it went off flawlessly.”
He also crafted concrete benches that curve along the walls, with fluting that echoes the fireplace design. That same vertical fluting carried over to the chair slats and the island’s support and lower “kick,” tying together key elements throughout the remodel. “Projects like this are fun because you create something unique and irreplaceable,” Schneyder said.
To extend the seasons in the covered outdoor zone, Hurst and the homeowners chose materials designed to withstand
the elements. They installed a rough, hammered quartzite for the rounded peninsula island countertop and cabinetry explicitly rated for exterior use.
“It looked like a crazy, complicated remodel at first, but when you break it down step by step and have the right team in place, it really wasn’t that challenging,” said general contractor Ryan Frank of Upright Build Co. The project was completed in time for the a family wedding and has become what Frank referred to as “a perfect blend of outdoor living for Oregon that can be enjoyed year-round.”
Architectural elegance and natural wonder converge
in Terrebonne
WRITTEN BY HEIDI HAUSLER
With the jagged peaks of Smith Rock framing its easterly windows, a home in Terrebonne’s Ranch at the Canyons is the definition of “location, location, location.”
Far from the rolling hills of northern Italy, this Tuscan-inspired retreat blends Old World charm with the rugged beauty of the high desert, its warm, earthy palette complementing the natural surroundings.
“We wanted the eye to move effortlessly through the interiors, to be ultimately drawn to the stunning views of Smith Rock,” said lead designer Jennifer Gooding of Domaine Design House.
MEANT TO BE
Homeowners Joe and Mardi Mahar happened to stumble upon the Ranch at the Canyons on a fateful hike in Smith Rock State Park. Drawn to the
lakes, ponds and waterfalls dotting the neighborhood perched on a canyon rim above the Crooked River, the couple fell in love with the area. A private, working 1,700-acre ranch and farm, Ranch at the Canyons is a gated residential community with 46 individual lots. The gentle bustle of agricultural life sets the tone as residents enjoy the serenity of the landscapes amid sweeping views of Smith Rock and the snowcapped peaks of the Cascade Range.
With expertise in building and land development, Joe knew they had discovered a gem in Ranch at the Canyons. The Mahars’ vision for a private oasis surrounded by the natural beauty and wildlife of the high desert began to take form. “We also wanted elbow room for our beloved labs, Hatch and Winston,” Mardi shared. With the Crooked River 230 feet below the lot’s 6.5 acres, the home’s dramatic geological setting was only the beginning.
CREATING WARMTH
The estate’s entrance is accessed through a stone courtyard, forming the center of the home’s design. A fountain and sitting area in front of a brick fireplace welcome visitors. Large arched doorways, adorned in brick and Italian-style ironwork, open into the home’s foyer and spacious living area. The interiors are intentionally layered in texture that combines natural materials, linen, wood and subtle patterns to create depth and dimension. A stone fireplace anchors the home, set beneath vaulted ceilings defined by dark wooden beams and a large iron candelabra chandelier.
PEACE OF NATURE
The homeowners’ love for plants inspired the breezeway design, an inviting place for bringing the outdoors in. A rustic wooden table offers a space to display and pot an impressive collection of plants, creating a sanctuary for tranquil moments. “It’s not just a pass through,” designer Gooding said. “It’s a quiet, light-filled retreat that brings joy—a special space to unwind and connect with nature.” Plants are scattered throughout the home. From the primary bathroom flooded with light to the serene, refreshing bedrooms, carefully placed splashes of green provide a natural rootedness in every room.
Designed to create a seamless connection to the home’s surroundings, multiple outdoor spaces invite reflection. A pool lined with Italian tiles and complemented by a brick fountain and patio offers a place to pause, with the iconic Monkey Face of Smith Rock towering in the background. To the east, a firepit creates an outdoor gathering spot for stargazing and listening to the Crooked River below. Here, beneath stone archways and desert skies, time surrenders to beauty.
Builders: Mahar Homes, Sunrise
Construction of Oregon
Architect: Mount Bachelor Design Studio
Interior designer: Domaine Design House
PHOTO TOP LEFT BY ROSS CHANDLER BOTTOM LEFT AND RIGHT BY KAYLA MCKENZIE
7. SILVERWARE: Ginkgo Flatware and Cutlery, $3.95 per piece. Pomegranate Home & Garden, pomegranate-home.com
8. COASTERS: Set of four, $19.25. Sisters Apothecary, 541-233-8419
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALYSON BROWN
SPACES Gather Around
Local design experts share tips for firepits that encourage mingling throughout the year
WRITTEN BY CASEY HATFIELD-CHIOTTI
There’s nothing quite like sitting by the flickering light and warmth of a fire, enjoying the company of friends and family. Having a wellthought-out patio or terrace with a heat source can make all the difference for enjoying evenings in the high desert comfortably, where even in the summer nighttime temperatures can dip into the low 40s.
“I think the firepit is quintessential Central Oregon. It is warm and cozy. It draws you outside. It extends the season,” said Ani Cahill, a Bend-based landscape designer known for creating spaces that seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor living, and often incorporate modern or natural elements.
There are important considerations when creating a functional and aesthetically pleasing outdoor space involving heat, according to Cahill, including keeping it as close to the house as possible without it being a fire danger. Keeping fire safe should always be top of mind when planning where to install a heat source. Consider what surrounds the firepit, including trees or bushes that
“Fire is an interesting medium to manipulate, and to do it safely and effectively gives me a lot of pride, because it can be fairly complicated.”
overhang, along with what surface the heater is placed upon.
At a recent project in the Highlands at Broken Top, Cahill chose to place a steel fire bowl on a decomposed granite patio within easy reach of the main living space through glass doors. Cahill notes a trend toward sunken outdoor living spaces and firepits, which create coziness and preserve panoramic views.
INNOVATION AND AESTHETICS
Bend is home to concrete designer and fabricator Cement Elegance, known for high-quality, heat-efficient firepits, and residents have many options when it comes to selecting heat sources, including custom work.
Metal fabricator Tim McGowan, also the cofounder of full-service interior design and build studio Iron Roots Design, has created multiple firepits and installations for homes, events and commercial spaces. Examples include an octagon-shaped firepit he originally made for WinterFest that now sits in front of the Prineville—Crook County Chamber of Commerce and a 14-foot-long firepit for Cheba Hut “Toasted” Subs in Bend.
“Fire is an interesting medium to manipulate, and to do it safely and effectively gives me a lot of pride, because it can be fairly complicated,” said McGowan. Nearly every aspect of his firepits, from the cases to the burners, is custom-made. When a residential client wanted a
firepit with foot warmers, he added glass pockets on the lower sides of the firepit and pumped flames in. He used a combination of mediums like cement and stone to echo the existing patio.
“I tried to incorporate those textures and colors into the firepit so the whole yard looked like it was designed as one installation,” said McGowan.
Cahill gets most excited about firepits that are both beautiful to look and functional. In one of her favorite landscape projects, at a home in Caldera Springs, the firepit sits dramatically at the edge of a patio covered in Catalina pavers. Large moss-covered boulders serve as the backdrop with views of ponderosa pine trees beyond. “It’s beautiful to see night and day,” said Cahill.
Photos by Riley Visuals
ELEVATED DESIGN
Just Look Up
Beams are the muscle in many homes
WRITTEN BY BY LEE LEWIS HUSK PHOTOGRAPHY BY KAYLA MCKENZIE
Whether adding style or providing structure, beams are key elements of residential construction, deserving more than a passing glance. Titans of the architectural world, they carry weight loads across roof lines and from foundation to upper levels. Beams can be hidden inside walls, ceilings or roofs or showcased in full view. Some look good just as they are, while others are disguised by wood or fauxwood “wraps” that conceal the hardworking support within.
In the Pacific Northwest, beams play a big role in the design vernacular, often appearing as solid-sawn logs or, more commonly, as glulam. Short for “glued laminated timber,” glulam is a structurally engineered beam made by layering and bonding pieces of lumber together. The result is a strong, efficient material well-suited for the region’s range of architectural styles.
Though used less often, steel beams have greater weightcarrying capacity and confer an edgy, industrial aesthetic to modern home styles. Together, steel and wood lend a weighty and striking pose to a home.
BUILT TO BEAM: WOOD AND STEEL ANCHOR A BEND HOME’S DESIGN
Both wood and steel feature prominently in a Tetherow residence. The homeowners approached Brandon Olin of Olin Architecture with a clear vision, shaped by their previous loftstyle condo in Seattle. “They loved the look and character of the exposed wood beams and ceilings there,” Olin said. “That aesthetic became the starting point for the home they envisioned in Bend. We don’t often get to start with a material as an aesthetic inspiration, which then drove the design of the home and made the project unique from the get-go.”
The roofs over the two major wings of the home are lowslung shed styles, supported by exposed glulam beams,
“The overall goal was to make the aesthetic and the structure feel as one and the same.”
identical in size, height and spacing, and lined up with the precision of soldiers at attention. Where wood beams extend from interior spaces to exterior deep overhangs, Olin integrated steel beams for added strength.
To create an open floor plan, the design required long, clearspan beams over the kitchen, dining and living rooms, thereby eliminating the need for vertical supports in the middle. “This project was fun because we used more beams than you’d typically see in a home. We wanted to take advantage of the character of the beams: their warmth, the way they express structure and the repetition with all those lines,” said Olin. “Additionally, the ceiling between the beams uses tongue-and-groove cedar boards to complement the glulam beams. The overall goal was to make the aesthetic and the structure feel as one and the same.”
The roof is unusual, according to Olin, because the structural beams are exposed, requiring a two-layer system: one structural layer visible from the interior and another layer above it to house the insulation. Together, these layers span the roof, allowing it to perform thermally as needed without compromising the exposed design.
The wood-centric, exposed-beam design prevails throughout the house. A flat roof section with a more traditional ceiling connects the home’s two wings with rows of wood beams. They’re even found in bedrooms and several bathrooms, as well as the front entry, where they create a large overhang that visually synchronizes with the rhythms of the rest of the home. Wood-framed construction remains the primary method of building in the Northwest due to the availability of the material and more sustainable forestry and manufacturing practices, Olin said. “Expressive wood construction is both our identity and our legacy.”
OUTDOORS
Finding Peace in Perennials
A home gardener finds fertile ground in the high desert.
WRITTEN BY SUZANNE BELL | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TAMBI LANE
For Gabrielle West, solace blooms from her garden in supple, baby rose buds, sweeping hops vines and fuzzy, white viburnum snowballs. The problem: West’s home is in Central Oregon, where local gardeners affectionately call its dehydrated, dusty topsoil “cat litter.”
Gabrielle and Andrew West, her architect husband, built a custom mid-century modern home off Bachelor View Road on a manzanita-draped knoll near Southwest Century Drive.
A master gardener, floral designer and owner of Chasing Flowers, Gabrielle knew the uncanny challenges of growing a beautiful flower garden in the high desert.
“I wanted to plant the things that I love,” she said, swaying in her hammock with one leg swinging over the side, rocking her back and forth. Her slip-on garden shoes dangled; a faded, wide-brimmed cap crumpled behind her head; and her garden pants spilled open with pockets and loops for pruners, hand trowels and weeders. Tall, lean and now reaching retirement age, Gabrielle has a natural radiance that belies her age or lifetime of shredding black diamonds and cresting mountain tops.
She and Andrew divvy up responsibilities: he tackles the hardscapes and she dreams up solutions for growing her flora wishlist.
“I’m so grateful. This is my happy place.”
“The thing about gardening is it’s on the ground,” she said. Rather than fight the boulders spilling out of the volcanic rockscape, Gabrielle built her oasis using large metal containers she could fill with flowers to forage for clients and her home. To make the boxes, she leaned on her adult son Aaron, an engineer destined for welding, according to mom. Now with a natural patina, the containers raise the beds off the ground to almost counter-height. It saves Gabrielle’s back and showcases the blooms. “The flowers are right at your face,” she said.
Gabrielle oversimplifies her planting strategy to water, sunlight, fertile soil and keeping out pesky deer.
Andrew taps into the property’s main waterline for a feature that is more like a small babbling creek than a dainty fountain accent. Drips and timed mists keep everything drenched
Seasonal Checklist
You don’t have to be a master gardener to create an Eden at home, according to Amy Jo Detweiler, professor and extension horticulturist at Oregon State University
1. Starting Seeds
Use a seedling mix to start seeds, then transplant them outdoors into larger containers filled with appropriate potting mix.
2. Use the Correct Soil
“Do not use native soils,” says Detweiler. For containers, purchase potting soil at garden centers, and make sure the vessels have holes for good drainage.
3. Fence Your Containers
While some claim plants such as Russian sage, lavender and even bosomy ranunculus deter deer, Detweiler recommends fencing your containers for best protection. Deer snacking is directly related to plant availability, and “young deer will try anything once” she said.
4. Hydrate Your Plants
Keep plants well watered, and consider using an automated drip system, and then, like Gabrielle, sit back and smell the roses.
when rain disappears in the scorching summer months. Gabrielle programs most of the watering cycles right from her phone.
When you walk into the garden, past the flagstone paver patio, you cross a small bridge over the brook into an expansive, modern garden with rock ground cover and seven weathered and bronzed metal containers measuring 4 feet by 4 feet and 4 feet by 8 feet. A giant pussy willow tree drapes with soft puffs of white flowers, and the containers rotate blooms for months. Two were planted with tulip bulbs in the fall and dahlia tubers in May. In two others, cold-hardy but striking flowers such as sweet pea and Japanese anemone were planted from seed to withstand Bend’s cool evenings. She saved another container for her favorite bouquet flower, ranunculus. Gabrielle enclosed the area with a modern wire fence anchored by wood posts to keep the deer out. The coup d’état is the black, metal-framed greenhouse where Gabrielle cultivates blooms from seed and uses last season’s dried cuttings to decorate the wooden shelves lining the walls.
“I’m so grateful,” said Gabrielle, referring to her hardwork in the garden. “This is my happy place.”
ART + EXHIBITS
WRITTEN BY SIENA DORMAN
LAYOR ART + SUPPLY
BENJAMIN MOSER
Benjamin Moser’s large-format abstractions study emotional duality through layered landscapes and structured chaos. With a background in furniture design and roots in Baltimore, Maryland, Moser now works in Bend, painting with both architectural minimalism and raw, uninhibited energy. His compositions fuse tactile strokes and symbolic lines—a meditation on gravity, identity and perception. Moser’s canvases are immersive and on a human scale, encouraging a dance of what is visible and what is felt.
ERIK HOOGEN
Acrylic painter and globe-trotting muralist Erik Hoogen transforms everyday spaces into immersive visual experiences. From snowboard graphics to café walls, Hoogen’s art reflects his nomadic lifestyle and deep connection to music and community. His “SMB Mixtape” mural at Silver Moon Brewing, featuring 99 iconic musicians, shares his signature monochromatic realism. With his hometown on Vashon Island, Washington, Hoogen draws from environmental inspiration. His art is a form of gratitude, spirituality and global storytelling.
LAYOR ART + SUPPLY
1000 NW Wall St., Ste. 110, Bend layorart.com
Benjamin Moser
“As it once was”
Erik Hoogen
“The Bend Oregon Feeling”
TUMALO ART CO.
DANAE BENNETT-MILLER
From her Tumalo ranch studio, Danae BennettMiller sculpts animals in bronze using an organic wax-flow process that captures their energy in motion. Known for deer, elk and farm animals, her work is a fixture in Bend’s public art landscape. Alongside sculpture, she creates resinlayered monotypes built from torn prints, glass and texture. Some of her latest work blends these forms, offering a fresh look at familiar creatures through tactile and intuitive composition.
SARAH B. HANSEN
Mixed-media painter Sarah B. Hansen creates grounding landscapes founded on wilderness exploration. Using acrylic, watercolor and gouache, Hansen builds textured compositions on birch panel with layered gesso, collage and foliage imprints. Circles echo birdsong, while embedded lyrics and paper shapes reference clouds, rocks and trees. Raised on a farm in Colorado and now based in Terrebonne, Hansen pulls from a lifelong connection to the outdoors—her art a story speaking to place and memory. A signature member of the Northwest Watercolor Society, she teaches workshops internationally and exhibits throughout the Pacific Northwest.
TUMALO ART CO.
450 SW Powerhouse Drive, Ste. 407, Bend tumaloartco.com
Danae Bennett-Miller “Love Stories”
Sarah B. Hansen “Clarity”
MOCKINGBIRD GALLERY
MICK DOELLINGER
Mick Doellinger’s bronze sculptures celebrate the spirit of animals through an easygoing, expressive hand. Informed by decades of experience in wildlife management and taxidermy, Doellinger avoids overworking clay, preserving fingerprints and smudges as evidence of his process. Born in Germany and raised in Australia, Doellinger now lives in the United States, sculpting from memory and field study. His work captures form, but also the lived moment between animal and observer.
RON HICKS
Incorporating abstraction and realism, Ron Hicks creates emotionally resonant portraits that explore human connection. Forgoing preparatory sketches, Hicks paints intuitively, layering uninhibited strokes and subtle hues to evoke mood and dialogue. His minimalist compositions elevate fleeting moments into timeless expressions. A winner of multiple national awards, including the RAYMAR Traditional Art Award, Hicks continues evolving his approach from his Denver studio, where he views painting as a spiritual inquiry and emotional release.
MOCKINGBIRD GALLERY
869 NW Wall St., Ste. 100, Bend
mockingbird-gallery.com
Mick Doellinger “Wind Shift”
BELOW: Ron Hicks “The Melding”
PETERSON CONTEMPORARY ART
JERRI LISK
Rich with both structure and serenity, Jerri Lisk’s acrylic paintings reinterpret wilderness through vibrant linework on sanded aluminum. Drawing from field sketches and photography, Lisk distills sweeping landscapes into multifaceted abstract compositions. Her minimalist trees and rhythmic rock forms reflect her lifelong devotion to nature and her background in decorative painting. With roots in Idaho and multiple book projects to her name, Lisk’s work offers quiet moments of clarity amid layered terrain.
WENDY CHIDESTER
With adoration for forgotten objects, Wendy Chidester paints relics of the past—vintage cameras, projectors, pedal cars—through a contemporary realist lens. Her oil paintings elevate the mechanical charm of eras past, framing items as treasures of ingenuity and nostalgia. Based in Utah, Chidester has earned national acclaim, including awards from the Springville Museum of Art in Ohio. Her textured surfaces and precise compositions invite viewers to rediscover the beauty in what we’ve left behind.
VALERIE WINTERHOLLER
Rooted in the terrain of Central Oregon, Valerie Winterholler paints the shifting moods of wild places through acrylic and mixed media. Her abstract landscapes reflect hikes, descents and moments of stillness, each piece recalling a memory and inviting viewers on a journey of their own. Working on clayboard, she emphasizes texture and light to capture movement and place. A top-selling artist at Peterson Contemporary Art, her work channels a life lived outdoors into immersive, enduring impressions of nature.
PETERSON CONTEMPORARY ART
550 NW Franklin Ave., Ste. 178, Bend pcagallery.com
Jerri Lisk “Lakeside Whispers”
Wendy Chidester “Yellow One Cent”
Valerie Winterholler “Memory Unnamed”
ARTIST PROFILE
Metal by Design
Artist Alisa Looney creates public and private works inspired by nature and ritual
WRITTEN BY CATHY CARROLL
Today, artist Alisa Looney fabricates metal into large, flowing sculptures and commissioned, functional pieces for the home, but she can trace her journey back to the simplest of childhood memories. Growing up beside the Spokane River in northern Idaho, immersed in nature and sculpting with sand, sticks and the riverbed’s clay, she was meant to be an artist. That early connection to the earth never left, and after years in Portland, she yearned to reconnect with it.
In 2018, when she and her husband, woodblock printer Wade Womack, discovered a small, red cabin style home beside a canal off the Deschutes River—surrounded by
towering ponderosa pines in Three Rivers, just south of Sunriver—she cried. It reminded her of her childhood; she knew they’d found their home.
In her matching red studio, she draws on nature to create works rooted in a belief that engaging the body and the earth together helps us remember how to care for the planet, each other and ourselves.
“That is a really essential part of my artist self and my purpose… to make work that speaks to the care of the planet and the care of each other,” said Looney, adding that “instead of just moving through and taking, actually giving back and creating messages of nurturing and remembering what’s important.”
“Winter Soar”
“I love dancing like the bark of the ponderosa—just follow the lines—take your whole body and play with the lines.”
Movement has always been central to her work. Early in her artistic life, Looney studied theatrical dance, which became integral to her creative process. “Dance was the thing that brought it all together for me. I love dancing like the bark of the ponderosa—just follow the lines—take your whole body and play with the lines,” said Looney. “I capture snapshots of these qualities in my mind as I am moving, and then draw or brush lines and washes of color on paper to document the movement and feeling.”
When a sketch calls to her, she builds a three-dimensional paper form, scans and enlarges it, often redrawing it with digital software for laser cutting or further 3D modeling.
“Contact II”, a bench for people to gather, pause and connect with each other
The most challenging and physically demanding part of her work is grinding the steel to form and weld it, which she does over days or weeks. Looney then sprays layers of glass onto the steel, kiln-firing each one. Scratching sgraffito lines and painting imagery, she builds up detailed, narrative surfaces. “When the glass adheres beautifully, and all of the layers fire and build up to a bright colorful finish, that creates wonder and will never fade,” she said.
Looney is working on a range of projects, such as a memorial sculpture commissioned by a local man to honor his late wife. Capturing her playful nature and affinity for river otters, the piece depicts the couple as river otters within a flowing steel wave. Its spiraling, open shapes create the otters’ movement and essence. The mantle piece will be enameled with colorful glass, incorporating cremains in the wave’s whitewater. “I always light a candle and say a prayer with deep respect during this process,” said Looney. “Memorial and gratitude pieces are truly an honor to create as heirlooms for families to pass down through the generations.”
In her studio practice, she’s excited about using a new technique for creating large wall-mounted forms. Subjects such as birds and salmon are finished with matte black porcelain enamel with fused, iridescent micas for a shifting, light-responsive finish. These works are designed to float off the wall and cast dynamic shadows. Sculptural work—both freestanding and wall-mounted—remains the core of her practice, with commissions for public spaces, private homes and businesses.
Whether she’s following the lines of ponderosa bark with her whole body or coaxing form from metal and fire, Looney’s art is both a personal ritual and a public offering; a call to reconnect, to remember and to move through the world with more attention and empathy. See alisalooney.com
“Raven over the Cascades” LEFT: Looney kiln fires her work, fusing mica onto glass-enameled steel.
“Body Memory”, part of the Memory and Gratitude Series
CHEF'S KITCHEN
Kitchen Heartbeets
Locally made, soul-fueled meal delivery for Central Oregon
WRITTEN BY SIENA DORMAN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY BENJAMIN EDWARDS
Stephanie Rooker is rewriting what it means to eat well, one menu drop at a time. Kitchen Heartbeets, a weekly meal service delivering dishes free from gluten, dairy, soy and inflammatory oils to Central Oregon doorsteps. She offers rotating menus full of organic meats, wild fish, local produce and serious flavor. “I don’t want people to worry about what’s in their food,” Rooker said. “I just want them to know it’s good.”
Before becoming a business owner, getting married and raising her two boys, Rooker spent four years teaching the first grade, a job she loved. While teaching, she simultaneously led a middle school cooking elective once a week. A student in her cooking class once asked if she’d gone to culinary school. She hadn’t—but the question was enough to encourage a reconnection to Rooker’s long-standing passion for food and wellness.
That summer, Rooker enrolled at Le Cordon Bleu College of
Culinary Arts in San Francisco. She came prepared—she had already earned a certificate from the Institute for Culinary Nutrition while teaching. Her dual education opened the door to two distinct culinary perspectives: the refined techniques of classical French cuisine and the holistic approach of food consumed as medicine.
After culinary school, Rooker’s work in restaurants, corporate catering and as a personal chef—paired with her own health challenges related to diet—prompted her to explore the healing power of food more deeply. “I was my own guinea pig,” she said. That journey led her to a food philosophy grounded in joy: comfort food that fuels the body.
The name Kitchen Heartbeets came from a personal chef client who once told her, “You’re bringing the heartbeat back into my kitchen,” while ‘beet’ felt like the perfect play
on words—part nourishing vegetable, part kitchen rhythm, and all heart. Her business has continued to carry on as a soul-led project.
Now, Rooker integrates her education to make nourishing food accessible.
“The thing that people bump up against isn’t that they don’t want to eat food that fuels their body, it’s getting it on the table,” Rooker said. Better yet, Rooker has made it her mission to meet nourishment and accessibility with a deeply enjoyable culinary experience.
“People sometimes associate satisfying food with not being able to be healthy. I wanted to flip that on its head,” she said. “You can have both.”
Inspired by the seasons, Rooker will look to a single ingredient or even the weather when building a menu. She loves the exciting work of creating something new every week: “A lot of what motivates me is doing something I haven’t done.” Naturally, this makes the farmers markets her happy place—with their reliably seasonal and diverse offerings. A Kitchen Heartbeets menu may feature Indian-inspired cuisine rich with spices. Or a menu may begin with the mission to master a dish that is new to her repertoire, such as phở, leading to a Vietnamese theme for the week.
While she cooks to fuel the community, Rooker is most motivated by the team she’s assembled along the way. Rooker didn’t start Kitchen Heartbeets with friends; her employees joined her business specifically to amplify her mission. One assistant Rooker mentors told her that she “loves working toward something that feels bigger than us.” That declaration hit home. “Apparently,” said Rooker, “I’ve always been a teacher.”
See kitchenheartbeets.com
MARRY ME CHICKEN
INGREDIENTS
4 to 5 boneless chicken breasts
½ tablespoon dried basil, divided
½ tablespoon Italian seasoning, divided
½ tablespoon garlic powder or granules, divided
½ teaspoon salt
Sauce:
2 tablespoons avocado or olive oil
1 large sweet or yellow onion, finely chopped
1 teaspoon salt
5 garlic cloves, minced
½ tablespoon dried basil
½ tablespoon Italian seasoning
2 tablespoons garlic powder or granules
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
½ cup nutritional yeast
1 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes, well drained if in oil
2 tablespoons tomato paste
36 ounces chicken stock
1 cup full-fat coconut milk
Fresh basil, chopped
INSTRUCTIONS
Combine dried basil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder and salt. Use half the mixture to coat chicken breasts.
Heat saucepan over medium-high heat and add oil. Add onions without stirring for one minute to caramelize, then stir for three to five minutes. After the onions have softened, stir in salt and a splash of chicken stock to deglaze. Stir in garlic and cook for one minute until fragrant. Add remaining basil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, yeast and ½ cup chicken stock. Simmer until seasons are incorporated. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and tomato paste until fully blended. Add the remaining chicken stock, followed by the coconut milk. Simmer gently for three to four minutes, whisking occasionally to fully integrate.
In a separate pan, heat a little oil over medium-high, searing chicken for five minutes on each side until golden and internal temperature reaches 160 degrees. When done, pour sauce over chicken. Don’t skimp! Garnish with a handful of fresh basil. Serve hot with a favorite vegetable, a side of grains, crispy potatoes or a loaf of bread to soak up the sauce.
TAHINI CITRUS BOWL
INGREDIENTS
2 cups dried quinoa
3 of each golden and red beets
1 pound cremini mushrooms, chopped
½ head purple cabbage, chopped
2 bunches of kale, chopped
1 ½ cups walnuts
1 bunch parsley, finely chopped
1 bunch chives, finely chopped
Olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Citrus tahini dressing
⅓ cup tahini
1 garlic clove
1 orange, juiced and zested
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
¾ teaspoon salt, or to taste
½ teaspoon honey
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons chives, chopped
Quick pickled red onions
2 medium red onions, sliced thinly
2 cups red wine vinegar
2 cups water
½ teaspoon peppercorns
2 tablespoons salt
⅓ cup honey
INSTRUCTIONS
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Wash and foilwrap the red and golden beets separately, roasting them for one hour or until tender. Once cooled, rub the skins off with paper towels. Chop, season with salt and pepper and add a squeeze of lemon (optional). On a baking sheet, spread the mushrooms and cabbage, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 20 minutes at the same 375 degrees. Massage kale with olive oil, salt and pepper. When the mushrooms are nearly done, push them
to one side of the tray and add the kale. Cook for an additional five minutes.
Cook quinoa according to the package.
In a saucepan, combine the pickling ingredients, except the onions; bring to a simmer. Place onions in a jar and pour hot liquid over them. Let them cool and then refrigerate. Keeps for two weeks.
For the dressing, blend all ingredients except the chives in a blender until smooth. Lightly pulse in chives at the end. Refrigerate until ready to use.
To assemble: Start with the quinoa, then layer on roasted vegetables, beets and fresh herbs. Drizzle generously with citrus tahini dressing. Finish with walnuts and pickled onions.
“Summertime, and the livin’ is easy.”
—DUBOSE HEYWARD,
BY
PHOTO
ZEE WENDELL
IRA GERSHWIN AND GEORGE GERSHWIN
Food Cart Fridays
SUMMER HAPPENS HERE.
This summer, we’re turning Discovery Corner into the ultimate hangout. On the last Friday of each month, enjoy tasty bites from Bend’s favorite food carts, live tunes by local musicians and plenty of space for the whole family to kick back and relax. Low-back chairs encouraged, good vibes guaranteed.
JUNE 27, JULY 25, AUGUST 29, SEPTEMBER 26 | 5-8PM
Summer Pop-Up Series
All summer long, Discovery Corner is coming alive with a rotating lineup of local artists, makers, teachers, and vendors. From yoga and live drawing to metalwork, leather goods, fiber arts, and jewelry—there’s always something new to discover. Stop by each week to experience something different. You never know what might pop up!
JULY–SEPTEMBER | Hours vary depending on vendor; check website for more details
COBA Tour of Homes
Discovery West is proud to feature several homes in this year’s Tour of Homes. Explore beautifully-crafted homes showcasing cutting-edge design, thoughtful details, and the latest trends in homebuilding. Need a break during your tour? Swing by Harcourts The Garner Group at Discovery Corner each Saturday afternoon for complimentary Cuppa Yo—while supplies last!
JULY 11–13 & JULY 18–20 | FRIDAYS: 12–6PM, SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS: 10AM–5PM
PorchFest
Join us for this first-ever neighborhood event—an afternoon filled with live music, great food, and community vibes. Enjoy a variety of musical genres at three locations throughout the neighborhood, ending with a high-energy finale by Jeff Miller & The Congregation at Discovery Corner.
SEPTEMBER 13 | 3–9PM
Located west of NorthWest Crossing on Skyline Ranch Road. DiscoveryWestBend.com
