The Cascade Mountains are the Perfect Backdrop for a New Getaway

The deck’s welcoming sitting area is the place to be in the warmer months. The framing holds screens that can be lowered to protect from bugs and breezes. | Photo: Andrew Giammarco

A house in the Mountain Modern style made aesthetic sense to Jill and David Brown. They were, after all, building their dream getaway in Tumble Creek, a resort community tucked into a valley in the Cascade Mountains, where they had been vacationing for years. They had found a perfect piece of land, three-quarters of an acre perched on a woodsy ridge with the double bonus of endless views and a sense of privacy. “We wanted the house to blend in with the forested area,” Jill says.

Designed by 4D Architects, the house has traditional mountain elements that foster its connection to the environment, from its cedar-and-stone exterior to the exposed beams of the living room and the fireplaces of rugged stone. An open floor plan and abundant windows provide the contemporary angle. A house can blend in yet still stand out, and this one does just that, thanks to Stacy Becker’s thoughtful interior design. The Browns come from South Africa and wanted their home to reflect their roots. “You can’t get much further away, geographically,” Becker says. “I thought it was a provocative idea, and such a treat, to incorporate elements that pay homage to their homeland.”

The tribal motif of the dining table’s pedestals and the living room rug are subtle nods to the homeowners’ South African roots. The quiet color scheme and low-profile furniture keep the focus on the views. | Photo: Andrew Giammarco

Jill Brown recalls, “I told Stacy I wanted elements of South Africa, but not a cheesy, curio-shop look. She chose pieces that speak to our heritage, but not too loudly.”

Becker, principal designer of Seattle-based White Label Interiors, set the tone in the foyer with a trio of hand-carved African shields above a console table with a base that looks like a haphazard collection of tree branches. “There’s something a little wild, a little thorny about it,” she says. “It reminded us of being in the bush.”

A patio off David Brown’s office holds roomy chairs paired with side tables of petrified wood. | Photo: Andrew Giammarco

Subtle nods to Africa are sprinkled throughout the house. The custom living room rug in shades of smoky blue, burnt sienna and a range of beigy neutrals has a bit of a tribal feel, as do the geometric pedestals of the dining/game table that separates the kitchen and living room.

Becker kept the palette neutral in most rooms, adding shots of dusky blue, forest green, burnt sienna, mustard and burgundy per Jill Brown’s request. “I like pops of color in the things you can change when you want something different,” Brown says. A second-floor space that serves as a hangout for the couple’s two teenage daughters is the exception to the neutral scheme: a bright blue rug, side tables and pillows and playful wall art in vivid primary colors add youthful energy.

The broad deck holds a built-in grill and a teak dining table surrounded by chairs of teak and rope. Heating elements in the ceiling keep guests warm as evening sets in. | Photo: Andrew Giammarco

In every room, the furniture has a clean, transitional look that complements the home’s architecture. And every piece, the designer says, was chosen for comfort. She points to the faux leather chairs that surround the dining table by local craftsman Jason White. “I designed them so guests can linger for hours,” she says. Becker and her clients agree their collaboration was a resounding success. “I don’t have the vision,” Jill Brown confesses. “I see elements that I like, and I rely on Stacy to bring it all together. She did that beautifully.”

INTERIOR DESIGN – WHITE LABEL INTERIORS
ARCHITECTURE – 4D ARCHITECTS

As seen in ML’s July/August 2025 issue.

Black upper cabinets accented with frosted glass panels are a contemporary companion to the rich walnut lower cabinets. Counter stools of sky-blue leather add a pretty punch of color to the kitchen’s neutral palette. | Photo: Andrew Giammarco

The primary bedroom wraps the homeowners in warmth with its custom rug in moody hues and a plush upholstered bed set against a woodsy mural wallpaper. | Photo: Andrew Giammarco

A stone tub wall and walnut cabinetry add a rustic touch, while the sleek tub and contemporary vessel sinks provide the luxe in the spa-like primary bath. | Photo: Andrew Giammarco