Oregon Home | 33 orchard and the hills beyond,” Boyer says. The two families understood from the beginning that it was a site that could pose a challenge for most, but they brought to it their backgrounds in architecture and general contracting. The property had recently undergone a land-use review before being put up for sale. It would need septic, had no electricity and needed many considerations to protect it from flooding. “It was pretty clear that it wouldn’t be a site that most people could work with,” Boyer says. Together, the team planned for a sleek, modern retreat reminiscent of the barns of Hood River’s Fruit Loop. Their overall goal was to create a serene space connected to nature but within a smaller budget, one that could accommodate a group while allowing for solitude. “There’s something about a valley that makes me feel at home and relaxed,” Boyer says. Designing the floor plan, Boyer accounted for both families’ needs and preferences, deciding on a setup that would accommodate two couples and, together, their three kids, while allowing each group to have some privacy. A sense of calm pervades the home inside and out. Boyer sank the living room to create a spot perfect for rest—reading, lounging, morning coffee, afternoon naps and evenings around the fire. In the kitchen, Boyer set a long window at eye level that carries around with a view to the woods. Inside, she repurposed leftover tile from another project, and went with IKEA cabinets and countertops for their functionality. “This is the second IKEA kitchen we’ve done,” Boyer says. “They are durable, and for the cost, it’s a great deal.” “It’s really nice to go out there and have the calm of zero clutter—it really looks just like the photos when we go there,” says Risa Boyer. Materials in two similar bathrooms were kept simple and functional with slate floors and a minimal palette to enhance the calm factor.
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