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The DeBoers use the word “important” to describe the mature, dwarf trees and the ancient Japanese stones placed throughout the property with as much care as the trees. Stephanie describes the imported stones as “little mountains” in the landscaping. Several of the trees originated from the prestigious Iseli Gallery in Oregon where they planted from seed in the 1970’s. The gallery typically sells 1 or 2 trees every year for use in Japanese gardens around the world–and only then if there is a good chance for the tree’s survival based on the destination’s climate. When the gallery owners got to know the DeBoer’s heart for agriculture and their vision for mirroring the park, the grower sold them an unheard of 6 trees from the collection as part of their commitment to beautifying public spaces. “Once they realized we were serious and had an important place to put them–and could afford it–only then did they let us even see the trees which were ‘maybe, kind of’ for sale. We feel very responsible for the success of these trees.” Stephanie DeBoer

The DeBoers describe running inside the house to look out the windows and adjust the orientation of trees and plantings within view as they were being planted. Every window view was crafted to bring joy to the beholder. The DeBoer’s call the basement level guest suite the “Garden Room”. The landscape architect suggested a window well on the street side of the home which adds natural light but is invisible to passers by. The DeBoer’s decided to turn the well into a hidden zen garden–beginning with their 15 year old, moss covered statue which was craned into the space.

Main floor guest suite

Lithia Park hosts the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and thousands of tourists will walk along the sidewalk in front of the home, never seeing that beyond the swinging doors to the driveway, a lower level garage is nestled into the basement level. A high speed garage door welcomes the owners’ performance vehicles, then a commercial grade glass firewall separates the basement den from the garage while inviting natural light into the space.

Basement level bar and lounge area

Wine cellar

As avid wine collectors, the homeowners installed in a custom cellar and twostory q-curve bottle display system. The q-curve, designed to have a more organic feel than a traditional grid, was the first of its scale from Genuine Cellars. The staircase forms the core of the home and follows the line of the cellar and q-curve as a central part of the home’s design. The DeBoers wanted the cellar and display visible from multiple locations throughout the house. Heavy, reinforced glass on the floor of the main level dining reveals a view below into the basement cellar.

Q-curve wine system by Genuwine Cellars

Kitchen view

The top floor of the home is dedicated to the master suite which includes the bedroom, two bathrooms, workout room and generous walk-in closet.

Master bathroom exists to wrap around path and private seating area

Backyard fire pit and intimate seating area surrounded by mature trees.

Main floor bar adjacent to kitchen

The south facing outdoor dining area looks out over Lithia Park while a wrap around concrete path makes nature easily accessible from multiple points throughout the home.

Kalamazoo BBQ and kitchenette

View from main patio into the dining and living area.

A sampling of the mature plantings include dwarf conifers, pines, cypress and Japanese maples. Even the small bushes average 20 years, giving the impression the home has been there much longer than it really has. “The whole home was intended to be a botanical endeavor. We wanted it to feel as if it were a part of the park.” Bryan Deboer

The front exterior faces Lithia Park in downtown Ashland, OR. The home provides a natural, free flowing transition between public and private. The mature plantings disguise any hint that the home is new construction.

Kalamazoo BBQ and kitchenette