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Valspar ‘Black Evergreen’ covers the beams, doors, and trim. The perimeter counters are concrete, by Cement Elegance.

A simple, hardscaped back patio is the site of many summer parties. The steps lead down to the firepit, where one feels increasingly embraced by the forest.

The roofs were designed to guide water to the steel channels, which run the entire width of the house. Joan’s painting studio sits nears the back door, where she can easily step out for fresh air or inspiration.

At the back of the house, an extended steel downspout is positioned over a boulder to create a waterfall every time it rains. Over the years, moss will grow on the stone, further propagating the local plant life.

Joan has always admired midcentury design and architecture, so Signal added a slatted fir divider between the dining room and the guest wing, giving nod to the iconic era without straying from the home’s contemporary, Northwest appeal. A trio of George Nelson Bubble lamps follows the aesthetic lead.

Cedar ceilings throughout are a nod to the cedars in the old-growth forest surrounding the house. A window over the sink gives the homeowners a peek-a-boo view to the front of their house, so they can catch glimpses of foliage, even while washing the dishes.

During site excavation, a collection of large, glacial boulders was discovered. Ken, who is interested in geology wanted to keep them on property, so Signal Architecture worked as many as they could into the landscape. The slatted fir wall separates the home’s dining area from the guest wing.

A walkway of pavers leads from the garage to the front door; it’s covered with a steel canopy meant to amplify the sound of North Bend’s frequent rainfall.

The back patio and fire-pit area are central entertaining spaces. When the weather is nice, homeowner Joan and Ken wheel their dining room table outside for parties and dinners with friends. The fire pit was built using a steel cut-off from a natural gas tank.

"The solid oak floor is like its own piece of horizontal furniture, blending perfectly with the natural feel, as the soft oak planks flow together throughout the entire apartment,” says Vibeke Jenssen.

The "appliance garage

The "bird's nest

Chandigarh Chairs by Pierre Jeanneret furnish the living space beyond the double-height entrance doors.