This Bend, Oregon House Was Designed to Feel Like a Warm Hug

The owners of this home in Bend, Oregon, are self-described extroverts who love to travel but also love to host friends and family, so it was important for them to create a warm and welcoming space for their community.

Dina Avila

“They are a family family, and in my experience working with them, they have always made it a priority to create a home where their kids and kids’ friends can hang out, but also where they, as parents, can spend time together and interact with their kids—really being present and available for them,” explains Heylen Thienes of Tricorn Black.

Dina Avila

Heylen says the house had a beautiful form from the start—the material palette gave it a modern mountain flair. And the floor plan had an easy flow, but the spaces were almost too merged together, particularly when it came to the great room, dining room, and kitchen. Plus, the tall ceilings, hard surfaces, and original light fixtures gave off what they called a “medieval castle vibe.”

Dina Avila

Heylen’s clients loved the architecture of the house, the floor plan, and the entertaining opportunities—both inside and out—so ultimately, they wanted to be able to use the space in a way that would feel home to them and welcoming to guests. 

“The challenge was then to work with all these qualities in a way that would enhance them, make them feel intentional, contemporary, and welcoming,” Heylen adds.

Dina Avila

For the color palette and interior design, Heylen and team brought in vibrant hues that would bring in warmth and complement the wood tones. They layered textures “that would feel like a hug,” like soft and textured velvet on furniture, wool and sheepskin rugs, and light fixtures that played with movement. Indoor plants were also brought in to add an ethereal layer that completed the design, Heylen says.

Dina Avila

In the great room and dining room, they created zones that took advantage of the house’s layout. “While they loved the open floor plan, they wanted the different spaces to have more of a ‘separate but together’ feel—for example, someone could be having a bite at the dining table, someone else could be playing games by the window and someone could be reading in the living room. Giving each other space but maintaining a sense of community was perfect,” Heylen explains.

Dina Avila

The family room used to be a space for live music and then a home theater—and now it’s a versatile family space. “The challenge was to redesign it in a way that felt intentional and connected to how the family lives now,” Heylen says. “We used its history as a starting point, keeping the existing AV setup while creating a layout that feels like a natural extension of the outdoors. The kids can easily move between the backyard and pool or stay inside to play games, lounge, and hang out with friends. It can also transform into a cozy spot for family movie nights. Not to mention that when you walk past this room it looks and feels anything but like a kid hangout, in the best possible way.”

Dina Avila

The team also transformed the primary bedroom, which was made to feel like a retreat. While the rest of the house was designed for gathering and socializing, the bedroom was designed for rest and recharging.

Dina Avila

The homeowners wanted to host guests for longer visits and provide them with a relaxing escape, so they also decided to add a guest house that would serve as a space for overnight guests and another space to entertain poolside.

Dina Avila

Originally, the guest house was supposed to mirror the main home, but the owners decided they wanted to give it a different feel. “The clients realized they had this precious opportunity to create a slice of heaven for themselves and their guests,” Heylen says. “One of their favorite places to visit is Kauai, which became a big source of inspiration for the materials, furnishings, and decor. We wanted it to have a delicate rhythm, so that it would feel like a walk on the beach echoed in the bedroom wallpaper, a romantic dance as seen when the living room pendant softly sways on a breezy summer day, and then at the same time feel connected to the outdoors when the bifold doors open to the saltwater pool.”

Dina Avila

To connect the space to the main house, Heylen and team worked with the furniture maker who built the marigold armchairs in the great room to design a custom sofa for the living room, creating a subtle connection.

Dina Avila

The finished project—the five-bedroom, seven-bathroom main house and the two-bedroom, one-bathroom guest house—caters to the family’s lifestyle and passions. It’s a space to host and hang out, but also a place where anyone can relax and feel rejuvenated.