High Desert Hideaway
If High Desert Hideaway by Hawkins Interiors and Wright Design Studio were a person, it would be the quietest, gentlest soul in the room – one that radiates calm.
Inspired by the natural beauty and inherent tranquillity of the Pacific Northwest, this holiday home in Bend, Oregon, is a haven of hushed tones, fluid forms and mountain panoramas that together evoke a deep sense of peace and serenity. High Desert Hideaway was first a reverie in its owners’ minds, long before it took shape in stone and timber. Originally from the Bay Area, they had spent years holidaying in Central Oregon with family and friends, gradually drawn to the region’s quiet allure. Here, they envisioned a retreat for themselves and their children – an oasis set apart from the world. That vision crystallised when they discovered a 56-hectare parcel of land, its sweeping meadows, natural water bodies and uninterrupted views of the Cascades bearing all the hallmarks of a sanctuary. The site offered a rare equilibrium: untamed yet inviting, a landscape waiting to host the clients’ dream.
Following a comprehensive survey of the land, the owners enlisted architect Rick Wright of Oregon-based Wright Design Studio and designer Julie Hawkins of Napa Valley’s Hawkins Interiors to lead the architecture and interior design, respectively. They came armed with a detailed vision board that included a fishing pond, glamping grounds, a party barn to host as many friends as possible, and – last but not least – a private residence set apart from the other areas. Hawkins approached the home with the same reverence she would bring to a luxury resort, weaving comfort and sophistication into every corner while ensuring the structure remained deeply attuned to its rugged, high-desert surroundings. “Often windy and with frequent shifts in the climate, the interior spaces are meant to feel like a warm hug, inspiring one to curl up on the couch with a blanket while taking in the breathtaking views,” she says.
The owners and Hawkins prioritised local partnerships, collaborating with a finish carpenter on hardwood flooring and intricate woodwork, a concrete fabricator for the countertops and cabinetmakers for all the custom casework – each sourced from within the area. Along the way, the owners’ wish list took on a life of its own, growing to accommodate an elevated bunk room that sleeps up to eight guests, a locker-room-style bathroom ideal for game nights, and a game room outfitted with a billiards table, ping pong, cards and a vintage arcade-style Pac-Man game.
Hawkins describes the owners as “outdoorsy and adventurous”, which explains the property’s array of water activities, dirt biking, hiking trails and its sport court. The party barn is an extension of that same spirit – a convivial hub designed for late-night gatherings, impromptu sleepovers and those celebrations that spill from indoors into the open fields. It features an industrial chef’s kitchen connected to the expansive great room through pocket doors. “[The connection] is perfect for large family-style meals and gatherings around the long dining table,” reflects Hawkins.
Ultimately, the project is less a holiday home and more a living landscape – one that celebrates adventure, togetherness and the enduring beauty of the high desert, all while offering the family a sanctuary they can truly call their own.
Architecture by Wright Design Studio. Interior design by Hawkins Interiors. Build by CS Construction. Landscape design by Heart Springs Landscape Design.
