This modern ranch house offers a peaceful sanctuary in Oregon's high desert

Rear exterior of ranch house with stone accents overlooking pond and lawn

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This modern ranch house, called “The Sanctuary at Varekai Ranch,” was built for real life by architect Bruce Rosenquist together with builder Copperline Homes, nestled on 25 acres near Tumalo, Oregon. The homeowners, a family of five with three dogs, wanted an Alice in Wonderland feeling, where everywhere you turn there is a surprise. Bringing the owners’ vision to life took two years, and along the way the scope expanded beyond the 6,120-square-foot, two-story main dwelling.

The property also includes a new pole barn with rustic accommodations and a medical stall for horses, a remodeled carriage house, and extensive landscaping around a pond and surrounding structures. Step inside to discover how every room has a surprise of its own, bringing the homeowners’ Wonderland-inspired vision to life…

DESIGN DETAILS

ARCHITECT Bruce Rosenquist
BUILDER Copperline Homes
INTERIOR DESIGN Kate Darden Interior Design
CUSTOM CABINETS Bladt’s Custom Woodworking
FINISH CARPENTRY Outback Finish & Trim Co.
ARCHITECTURAL STEEL Iron Environments
RECLAIMED WOOD Forged Elegance
TILE INSTALLATION Harlan Manley Tile Inc.
LANDSCAPE Outdoor Innovations

Aerial dusk view of dark wood ranch house with circular driveway garden

Light, views, and room to gather. From morning coffee to late-night fires, the heart of the home opens to a pond-side deck and a sheltered courtyard. Life moves easily between inside and out. Spaces are scaled for company and quiet—an easy kitchen for long meals, a loft to read, and living areas that frame pasture and mountain horizons. The property is also home to Varekai Ranch Horse Rescue, supporting daily care, rehab, and turnout—just steps from the house.

Side exterior view of stone and wood house with landscaped path at sunset

A Two-Story Entry with Hand-Forged Ironwork

Two-story foyer with steep staircase, terracotta tile floor, and cowhide rug

Above: The entryway features hand-forged ironwork on the staircase railings. A narrow indoor catwalk is constructed of see-through steel flooring, enabling light to filter down into the entry.

Staircase with patterned tile risers, wood bench, and dog sitting on steps

Above: A unifying element found throughout this home is a handcrafted tile sourced from Kibak Tile in Sisters, Oregon. All of the bathrooms have accent tiles, as do many of the other rooms in this home. The designer selected an earthy color palette (found in the high desert) to compliment the owners love of turquoise and clay.

A Powder Room with a Hidden Hookah Lounge

Powder room with western-themed wallpaper and carved wood vanity

Above: The powder room is cleverly tucked beneath the staircase and features a vanity sourced from India with a black vessel sink. The unique cowboy wallpaper holds a fun surprise for those who look closely: hidden among the scenes are images of punk rockers and surfers. An even greater surprise in this space is a hidden door leading to a hookah lounge, featuring low-profile seating upholstered in plush fabrics and rich hues, including Middle Eastern-style poufs.

Open loft hallway with plants along iron railing and tall windows

What We Love About This Home

This modern ranch house in Oregon is filled with delightful surprises, from hidden doors and a cozy hookah lounge to a beautifully detailed fabric-paneled ceiling in the dining area. Throughout the home, tile adds warmth and character, while the owner’s bath and powder room embrace a bold, maximalist aesthetic. Set on 25 acres, this one-of-a-kind sanctuary beautifully balances family living, horse rescue, and inspired design in Oregon’s breathtaking high desert.

Tell Us: What details in this Oregon ranch house do you find most appealing and what would you change if this were your personal residence? Let us know in the Comments below!

Note: Have a look at a couple of other fabulous home tours that we have featured here on One Kindesign in the state of Oregon: Tour this gorgeous Oregon lake house on the serene shores of Lake Oswego and An organic modern home frames breathtaking mountain views in Oregon.

Living room with stone fireplace, beamed ceiling, and tufted leather sofa

Above: The Artisan hand-forged fireplace grate and tools were custom fabricated by Ponderosa Forge in Sisters, Oregon. They also handcrafted other ironworks around the home.

Sitting nook with carved console table, decorative wall niches, and patterned armchairs

Above: In the living room, arched built-ins provide a shrine to the Mustangs.

Kitchen island with built-in gas cooktop and wood-trimmed pot rack overhead

Kitchen and dining area with serape-patterned ceiling and farmhouse views

A Dining Nook with a Peruvian Fabric Ceiling

Breakfast nook with colorful striped ceiling and round table on patterned rug

Above: A dining nook adjacent to the kitchen is defined by a multicolored striped fabric ceiling. The Peruvian textile was sourced in Santa Fe by the homeowner, who fell in love with it and bought yards of it without knowing exactly how she’d use it — she just knew she wanted it incorporated somewhere in her home. She handed it off to the designer, who originally planned to use it for curtains but came up with the unique vision of using it on the ceiling instead. The designer built frames with magnets, allowing fabric-covered panels to snap into place.

Kitchen with farmhouse sink, tiled backsplash, and wall of hanging cowboy hats

Close-up of cowboy hats hung on wall beside reclaimed wood barn door

Living room with wood-paneled walls, leather sofa, and skull mounted above dining table

The Barn Room’s Juliet Balcony

Two-story great room with stone fireplace and open loft above

Above: The barn room (or family room) is where the family gathers for meals or hangs out on the leather sofa in front of the Montana Moss rock fireplace on game day. It has a soaring vaulted ceiling and, despite its mass, feels warm thanks to the wood cladding on the walls and ceiling, timber frame trusses, large light fixtures, and a “Juliet” balcony used as a cozy reading nook. This space also includes a hidden door!

Pond Views from the Living Room

Living room view through sliding glass doors to deck and pond

A Deck with Hanging Chairs Overlooking the Pond

Deck with hanging chairs and rocking chairs overlooking pond

Above: An outdside deck features a pond deep enough to jump into. A pair of wicker chairs are suspended from a large ceiling beam, a favorite spot to relax.

Overhead view of sunken living room with sectional sofa and circular light fixtures

A Cozy Reading Nook Lined with Books

Cozy reading nook with sheepskin chair and rustic pipe bookshelves

A Spiral Staircase Seen from Above

Aerial view down a wooden spiral staircase

An Owner’s Bedroom with Mountain Views

Bedroom with leather armchairs, stone fireplace, and mountain view

Hallway leading to bathroom with patterned tile floor and houseplants

A Maximalist Owner’s Bathroom with a Copper Tub

Bathroom with copper soaking tub, patterned tile, and green velvet chairs

Above: In the owner’s bathroom, you can see how tile has been used effectively to represent a maximalist design. The space features a freestanding copper tub, a coconut shell chandelier, a spacious shower, and a mirror from Santa Fe flanked by custom Apparatus Talisman wall sconces. The space also includes a private balcony.

Bathroom with copper tub, ornate chandelier, and black patterned tile floor

Above: The water closet features vintage-inspired wallpaper by Anna Hayman Designs, beautifully complimenting the rest of the bathroom with its pattern and color. A Victorian Tête-à-Tête Loveseat adds the perfect finishing touch to this space.

Carved wooden doors opening to kitchenette with patterned rug

A Courtyard Fire Pit and Soaking Pool

Covered patio with fire pit and barrel chairs overlooking mountain view at dusk

Above: The courtyard was constructed between the home’s two main wings, providing a cozy retreat at night. String lights offer a magical atmosphere alongside a fire pit and a soaking pool.

Backyard patio with fire pit, hot tub, and string lights at dusk