A Black-and-White Midcentury Home in a Lush Oregon Forest Asks $705K

A crisp color update helps this 1965 gem connect with its wooded site just south of Portland.

This recently listed home in Lake Oswego, Oregon, has all the hallmarks that make the midcentury style so beloved. From the street, there’s the low-slung roofline and deep exterior eaves. Inside, a vaulted wood ceiling caps the post-and-beam framework, and abundant windows overlook the forested site.

This well-maintained 1965 midcentury in the Forest Highlands neighborhood of Lake Oswego has a single-story floor plan.

This well-maintained 1965 midcentury in the Forest Highlands neighborhood of Lake Oswego has a single-story floor plan.

The home’s landscaping includes mature maple trees, ferns, and grasses, which complement the inky hue of the front facade. 

The home’s landscaping includes mature maple trees, ferns, and grasses, which complement the inky hue of the front facade. 

Inside, preserved clerestory windows usher in natural light.

Inside, preserved clerestory windows usher in natural light.

The 2,216-square-foot home unfolds over a single level, making it an ideal forever home, and it has four bedrooms and three bathrooms, including an entirely separate suite for guests. The kitchen is separate from the living and dining rooms, which are both lined with large windows that frame views of the tree canopy. A covered deck is nestled between the guest suite and main living areas, providing separation and a protected spot to dine outside when the weather turns drizzly.

A series of windows connect the interior with the forested park that borders the .34-acre property.

A series of windows connect the interior with the forested park that borders the .34-acre property.

Large panes of glass visually connect the indoor dining room to the covered eating area.

Large panes of glass visually connect the indoor dining room to the covered eating area.

A wood fireplace cozies up the living room.

A wood fireplace cozies up the living room.

The kitchen is neatly separated from the main living spaces by an open doorway capped with an interior window.

The kitchen is neatly separated from the main living spaces by an open doorway capped with an interior window.

The kitchen is made light and bright with a skylight at the ceiling.

The kitchen is made light and bright with a skylight at the ceiling.

The black exterior and white interior frame a serene retreat where the focus is on the nature outside. The home abuts Tryon Creek State Natural Area, which has 658 acres of second-growth forest, eight miles of hiking trails, a horse trail, and a three-mile paved bicycle trail. Sitting just above Nettle Creek, the new owners can enjoy the park from the comfort of home, listening to birdsongs and the gurgling creek after it rains. Keep scrolling to see more of the home, currently listed for $705,000.

A view into the utility room, with its contrasting cabinetry.

A view into the utility room, with its contrasting cabinetry.

The utility room has abundant storage.

The utility room has abundant storage.

The vaulted ceilings continue in the main bedroom.

The vaulted ceilings continue in the main bedroom.

Shoji-style doors lend a Japanese aesthetic to another bedroom.

Shoji-style doors lend a Japanese aesthetic to another bedroom.

The covered deck has a skylight to bring more natural light into the outdoor area.

The covered deck has a skylight to bring more natural light into the outdoor area.

The deck wraps the house and overlooks the lush forest of the nearby park.

The deck wraps the house and overlooks the lush forest of the nearby park.

A bright-yellow door leads to the separate guest quarters.

A bright-yellow door leads to the separate guest quarters.

460 Boca Ratan Drive in Lake Oswego, Oregon is currently listed for $705,000 by Jeff Weithman of Where, Inc.

Project Credits:

Staging: Modern Folk Staging

Painting: Monarch Painting

Melissa Dalton
Dwell Contributor
Melissa Dalton is a freelance writer in Portland, Oregon, who has been writing for Dwell since 2017. Read more of her work about design and architecture at melissadalton.net.

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