A larger-than-life image of Will Rogers peers out over the great room. It sets the tone for many design choices that Nike shoe designer Tinker Hatfield and his wife Jackie made for their newly completed residence in Bend. [Photo above by Benjamin Edwards]
Jackie’s connection to Rogers, an American humorist, vaudeville performer and Oklahoma native, dates back to the early 1990s when she saw “The Will Rogers Follies,” a Broadway musical celebrating his life and legacy. Jackie’s degree in recreation and park management from the University of Oregon influences how she hosts family and friends, and how she envisioned a home. When the couple visited Rogers’ historic ranch in Pacific Palisades, both its spirit and style left a lasting impression. (It was destroyed by fire in 2025.)
Tinker, a University of Oregon-trained architect and the designer behind many iconic Nike sneakers like the Air Jordan series, used his laptop stylus like a brush to create the image of Rogers. Set in the American West, Rogers is wearing jeans, boots and a cowboy hat, and holding a lasso.
A rope coils across the living room table, a temptation to throw it around “Rusty,” the metal steer just beyond the sliding glass doors. A replica of Rogers’ cattle brand leans against the stone fireplace, its shape echoed in architectural details and ironwork throughout the residence.
Designing a Modern Ranch House with Character
“Apart from the Will Rogers story, there’s a design story,” Tinker said. As the home’s architect, he faced the challenge of a triangular lot on a sloping hillside set in an older neighborhood off Portland Avenue. “Simplicity was the driving factor in design,” he said, adding that Bend architect Thomas Fagan partnered with him to create design plans. Another challenge was trickier: getting Jackie’s approval. “I spent five months [on various designs]. She was the most difficult client I think I’ve ever had,” he joked. “It’s a compliment because most people don’t really know what they like.” In the end, the couple found shared inspiration in the world of Will Rogers, blending western motifs with modern design that pleases both.
The modern farmhouse, rectangular in form, has a great room anchoring one end. A stone fireplace, wood ceiling and exposed steel cross supports lend a rustic feel with a touch of contemporary grit. Tinker gave the room expansive windows to take in views of the surrounding neighborhood, while Jackie chose curtains, rather than blinds, similar to those in the Will Rogers house.
The other end of the home contains the private quarters: a bunkroom behind the kitchen that sleeps nine grandchildren, and above it, a second story with the primary suite, a guest bedroom and a “flex” room that serves as an office and guest space, complete with a Murphy bed. One last-minute addition from Tinker during construction was a playhouse outside the primary bedroom, cleverly tucked into a hidden space.
“There is a story behind every corner of the house, from the hammered stairway ballasts to the wheel-brushed hemlock trim and the custom fireplace stonework,” said Sarah Westhusing, House of Milo founder and interior designer. “This project is a beautiful showcase of local craftsmanship and modern architecture.”
A Welcoming Home
Renowned for their hospitality, the Hatfields chose the location not just for its walkability to downtown, but for the open-door lifestyle it supports. Their daughter lives across the street with two of their grandkids, who are always running back and forth between the two homes. “Friends can stop by unannounced on their bikes and hang out on the porch or have something to drink,” said Jackie. “That’s the way we want it to be here. That’s why we didn’t build in a gated community. We want to be part of the neighborhood. It’s an invitation to connect.”
It’s easy to imagine friends milling around the firepits beneath a large solar tube, holding plates of home-cooked food Jackie prepares and sets on a buffet counter near the grill. When it’s time to eat, she assumes the role of a camp counselor—a position she actually held at Colorado’s Sanborn Western Camp—and rings the dinner bell.
The scene wouldn’t be complete without the Hatfield’s grandchildren barreling out of the bunkroom, a space designed just for them, with built-in cubbies, wall niches for reading lights and spots for a favorite toy or stuffed animal. “It’s perhaps everyone’s favorite room,” said Westhusing.
Not Just a House
From the Robert Wesley Amick painting Tinker found at a garage sale—now hanging over the fireplace and inspiring the design of his Nike Air Mowabb sneaker—to the many custom, often quirky details, the home reflects his creative spirit. “[That] combined with Jackie’s consistent vision, everything works together,” Westhusing said. “The house feels full of life and personality.”
Whether they’re hosting friends, watching their grandkids play or gearing up to ski, cycle or stroll into town for morning coffee, their Bend home is a lived-in expression of creativity, connection and warmth. As Will Rogers once said, “Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip.” With its open-door charm and personality-infused character, the Hatfields’ home speaks volumes—no parrots necessary.
Modern Mirage
Privacy and personality coexist in a screenwall that creates both a sanctuary and an evocative dreamspace. Here, the Painted Hills in Eastern Oregon were the inspiration for laser-cut metal art with high contrast and low tones that is also functional, sliding open for a real-world view.
Architect/Designer: Thomas Fagan, Studio Mas / Interior Design Studio: Sarah Westhusing, House of Milo / Fabrication: Skye Kimel, Downtown Ornamental Iron
