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Photography by MARE About 50 million years ago, small animals the size of a cocker spaniel roamed the primeval forests. Centuries progressed and cavemen who grew tired of walking found a way to train and ride this creature who, as it evolved over time, carried soldiers into war, pulled chariots in Egypt and was held in high esteem by the first Americans. The love affair with horses continues on in the high desert of Central Oregon as lifestyle and inspiration for home décor. Sweeping panoramic views of the Cascades from Bachelor to Hood provide an astounding backdrop for Dita and Jonathon Keith’s ten-acre farm on Bend’s east side. The couple created a 4,000 square foot, one-story home with radiant heat tile floors throughout to accommodate an ever-expanding array of pets. An existing structure was then transformed into a cozy guesthouse, perfect for company. “We wanted an informal atmosphere and planned the house with our future in mind - no stairs,” says Jonathon. “And the filtered irrigation pond is perfect for swimming in summer.” The dream of an equestrian lifestyle began sixteen years ago when the couple sought a recreational activity they could enjoy with daughters Allegra and Morgan. “While searching the classifieds for a boat, I spotted an ad for a pony, so the path diverged from the lake to the horse world,” says Dita. “Riding occupies a huge chunk of our life. We do a lot of family horse camping and tons of trail riding. Caring for the horses requires rising early and retiring late – not a responsibility to be taken lightly. They’re part of the family.” As if five riding horses, a mule and two miniature horses weren’t enough, six chickens, two goats and a menagerie of dogs and cats share the ranch. Allegra Keith, a junior at Bend High School, is on the varsity riding team and joins her mother as a member of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Posse, an organization that provides community service on horseback. Dita’s love of horses carries over to her job as volunteer coordinator for Healing Reins, a therapeutic riding center in Bend. “My avocation is part of my vocation,” she says. Realizing a dream of designing and building their own home, the Keiths combined ranch and Santa Fe styles to accommodate an easy, informal way of life. Generously oversized windows welcome the light while capturing views from every angle. Distressed beams, a neutral color palette and an eclectic mix of furnishings collected from a life of travel merge to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. For the Keith family, it’s all about being out in nature, caring for the animals they love and enjoying a chosen way of life. Nicole and Brian Murphy share a similar love for horses. The move from Tigard to Bend in 1995 was a natural fit – both visited Black Butte and Sunriver while growing up and knew it was a lifestyle they desired. “After arriving in Central Oregon, we purchased five acres of property, enabling me to realize my dream of owning my own horse,” Nicole says. Twelve years later, the couple has three children, four horses, four goats, a dog, cat and a hamster. Daughter Jesslyn’s involvement with 4-H has proven to be a worthy experience as she learns to care for her quarter horse. Younger sister Brooke enjoys riding her Islandic pony around the family farm and both are learning that along with a love of horses comes a profound responsibility. The family spends an average of an hour a day cleaning stalls and repairing fences and at least one day on the weekend devoted to working around the property. Linda Larsen, an interior designer and Nicole’s mother-in-law, describes the home which she helped design as traditional, infused with western accents. Originally built in 1970 when the region was known as Codyville, the Murphys spent the last 12 years renovating the interior space. “We like the openness of the house and the rough sawn pine beams because you can’t find them anymore,” says Nicole. “Lava rock frames the fireplace and the view from the kitchen looks out on a natural high desert landscape, always alive with deer and other wildlife.” The master bedroom boasts a décor that is distinctively western with eclectic art and accents throughout. Brian collects bronzes of elk and other wildlife and a stunning metal sculpture of horses in full gallop graces the area over the bed. An intriguing pair of equestrian lamps illuminates the entryway to the spacious great room. Nicole points to a painting of three horses in the dining room saying, “We wanted our home to blend in with the natural landscape, utilizing natural colors and designing the flow of the interior with the rock wall out back. I love being around horses, and have found a way of incorporating them into our personal living space.” Shelly Hummel describes her stunning log home as ‘an eclectic mix of my most favorite things – mountain lifestyle, Africa and horses.’ A self-described animal lover, she has been involved in raising funds for The Humane Society for the last eight years. “The western part of the house is centered around Northwest animals with elk and buffalo from the central plains,” she explains. “My hardwood floors have been trashed by the dogs but if they were beautiful I’d be tiptoeing around and that’s not what this house was built for.” A tour of the property revealed a barn and arena, built by a former owner along with a five-acre pasture and trails Hummel, her family and friends ride throughout the year. Three horses share Shelly’s lifestyle, along with four dogs and five cats that were either rescued or were animals in need of relocation. Close friend Kim McDonald boards her three horses on the property while overseeing its daily operation. Hanging from the railing high in the loft, two antique parade saddles from the 1950s flank an interesting camel blanket with maroon, yellow ochre and turquoise accents from North Africa, purchased on a recent trip. “It’s a saddle blanket for camels,” Hummel says. “The saddle itself is carved out of a single piece of wood and placed on top.” The Western room was once a dining area until it was transformed into a cozy den, the warmest room in the house. A handsome lithograph of three horses is prominently displayed, along with a Remington bronze of a cowboy. Perfect for settling in on frosty winter evenings, an oversized Timberline Lodge chair provides a welcome retreat. One cannot help but notice massive 24-inch logs that comprise the upper beams of the great room in the house. Estimated to be a century old, they were formed from a split piece of wood called a wedding tree, where the tree grows and splits at the top half. “The river rock around the hearth comes from the Deschutes River,” says Hummel. “Everyone loves the front door, crafted by a local artist. It’s composed of 450 pounds of etched glass and iron, depicting a scene of the Three Sisters.” Ah, the Central Oregon equestrian lifestyle…Suffice to say, a horse is an angel without wings. |
Spring 2008 issue
Climbing Central Oregon's Volcanoes