Taralyn and Aaron’s eccentric mid-century entertaining haven.

Q: What did you love most about the house when you first walked in?

Taralyn: I remember the exact moment we walked in the house. I knew this was our house. It had just the perfect mix of great bones and opportunity. I remember us going out on the deck, looking at the stunning view of the city and Mt Hood and saying “this is our house”. It had no floors, an air conditioner built into the middle of the dining room wall, and so many other weird eccentricities. But all I could see was what we could do with the place. I also loved that it only ever has one owner before us. It washer beloved space for her lifetime and now it would be ours.

Aaron: When we first walked in the house and set foot on the deck, looked out at Mt. Hood in the early evening glow, we immediately said to each other, “This is our house.” It was our first house, out of our price range, and needed so much work, but I honestly never thought we would find such a perfect spot with so much potential. How could we pass up a mid-century… on Mt. Tabor… with a view of Mt. Hood and a balcony bigger than most yoga studios?

Q: Describe a typical Sunday morning routine – what is it about this house and its location that makes hanging at home so enjoyable?

Taralyn: The perfect Sunday morning is drinking coffee on the deck and then taking a nice long run through Mt. Tabor with the pup. Then it’s an hour of plant care, ha. And ending the day at the great wine bar in nearby Montavilla. Sometimes if it’s nice weather, we walk down to the Sunday farmers market to pick up fresh veggies or flowers.

Aaron: On the best winter Sundays, I’m up before sunrise and make tea just as the glow starts to outline Mt. Hood. I’m on the mountain for first tracks at Meadows and back at home for a soak in the hot tub and reading by the fire until someone makes me do chores.

Q: Take us through how the house lends itself to entertaining.

Taralyn: I love how conducive the house is to both summer and winter entertaining. Summer everyone coalesces outside on the deck. We BBQ smash burgers, drink rose and listen to music. In the winter the living room is the perfect entertaining space as people cozy up around the fire and play games. Then of course cap off the night with a visit to the hot tub. We seem to always be the de facto go to house for dinner parties with our friends.

Aaron: I love to cook for people, and I love to party. But I really don’t like when the party comes to the kitchen. Say what you will about agalley-style kitchen, but it keeps the riff-raff out having a great time on the deck in the summer or the living room in the winter, while I have the peace and concentration I need to get their dinner ready. (Alt) Our house has been the de-facto gathering spot for our friends for almost a decade now. In the summertime, people stop in to lay out on the deck and it inevitably morphs into a BBQ. In the winter, we host big dinners in the dining room, soak in the hot tub, and sit by the fire watching movies.

Q: You both own and have renovated other mid-century modern homes in Oregon – what is it about mid-century’s that you’re so drawn to?

Taralyn: What can I say, we go weak in the knees for wood vaulted ceilings and stone fireplaces. I think having such natural elements built into the architecture offers a really unique opportunity to be more modern and conceptual and colorful in therest of the space. The juxtaposition is where the magic lies.

Aaron: Mid-centuries to me represent the moment in American history when pleasure and indulgence in your home life wasn’t only for the rich. Like so many in that era, we love homes filled with natural light, we love open spaces that help people come together, and we love a ceiling that feels like it’s floating.

Q: What’s your favorite spot in the houseand why?

Taralyn: I basically LIVE in the dining room. Even though my office is downstairs I frequently find myself working from the dining room table. That room gets beautiful light all day. And with the full 2 walls of windows and stunning views I just feel like it relaxes me even in the most stressful moments. It’s also where I’ll do yoga in the mornings. And where I will unwind at night in the Ekstrom with a glassof wine!

Aaron: This is literally the most perfect living room I think I’ll ever experience. The cabinets and the fireplace keep things cozy and private feeling, while the windows and high ceilings make it so airy and light-filled, even in the winter.