Bordering the Deschutes National Forest with access to bike and hiking trails, a home in Tetherow was a perfect match for a family looking for a mountain abode.
The homeowners, avid skiers who also reside in Palo Alto, settled on Bend because of its vibrant community and range of year-round activities from fishing to rock climbing.
Arrowood Development constructed the contemporary, Northwest-style home with a cedar and black basalt stone exterior. Inside, Arrowood’s brand and design director, Femke van Velzen, curated a material finish palette that stages dramatic contrasts: taupey, luminous surfaces set against saturated, ebony tones to amplify spatial depth and accentuate daylight and shadow.
The homeowners were drawn to the family-friendly layout, featuring four bedrooms on the ground floor and ample space for entertaining, including a large great room, gourmet kitchen and outdoor fireplace. They purchased it in April 2023, in time to make changes to the finishes, fixtures and landscaping before it was completed eight months later—just as the ski season began.
Lived-In Feel
House of Milo interior designers Sarah Westhusing and Emily Abbassian were brought in to create a family retreat that felt elegant and organic, but durable enough to accommodate hosting visitors and friends.
From vintage terra cotta vases and bowls in the dining room to woven fixtures, the designers chose pieces to infuse each room with character. Furniture needed to be stylish but functional to suit the family’s lifestyle.
Layered Look
The entry, with a tall wall covered in deep blue grasscloth, grounds the space, while a ratan light fixture provides delicate and natural illumination. A console styled with rustic floral arrangements complements the design. To the right of the entry, a custom bench is upholstered in a black-and-white striped fabric.
“These clients weren’t afraid of layering patterns like plaids and stripes, which adds a fun pop of their personality,” said Abbassian.
The home has a touch of hygge—a Danish concept that includes creating a cozy and comfortable living space—particularly in the dining room, where chairs draped in sheepskin throws surround the wooden RH (formerly Restoration Hardware) table. “I love how they create warmth and absorb sound,” said homeowner Michele of the throws.
The homeowners wanted the great room with a vaulted ceiling to be both beautiful and usable, which Westhusing and Abbassian achieved by layering textures and patterns and selecting comfortable furniture, such as two high-backed blue lounge chairs.
The primary bedroom, with forest views, is a calming space featuring a king-size bed and a cool, blue-toned headboard. The main bathroom, featuring two separate vanities, a herringbone-patterned porcelain-tile floor and a standing tub, feels both timeless and modern.
Hobbies and Hosting
With inky blue walls and preppy, plaid wallpaper, the second-floor rec room above the three-car garage is a stylish space for watching movies and listening to music. A camel-colored leather ottoman lends contrast to the dark color palette. Michele’s husband, an executive coach, is also a DJ in his free time. Westhusing and Abbassian incorporated his DJ equipment into the design. Instead of books, records from artists like Pearl Jam and LCD Soundsystem line the walls.
It’s not uncommon for multiple people to cook at once in the large kitchen, one of the home’s most frequently used spaces. Two dishwashers can handle larger groups, and the kitchen island’s satin finish doesn’t show fingerprints. The look is polished—with leather bar stools, a Blanco farmhouse sink and bronze dome fixtures. Throughout the home, decorative elements add soul to the decor: a vintage chessboard sits on the ottoman in the rec room and a hanging ceramic art installation in a guest bedroom hums when it catches the breeze.
Reflecting on the project, Michele said she’s most proud of how the home’s warm design facilitates family togetherness. She shared whether coming in from a day of skiing or fishing, “we all end up hanging out together.”
Architect: John L. Muir, Arrowood Development | Builder: Arrowood Development | Interior design: Femke van Velzen, Arrowood brand and design director; Sarah Westhusing and Emily Abbassian, House of Milo designers | Landscape architect: Mike Szabo | Landscape company: LandEscapes
