An Idaho Homestead with Sprawling Sunset Views

In profile amid a grassy field, this stunning linear home’s interior matches the overhead glow of the sunset, one of the owner’s favorite times of day. | Photo: Paul Lavold

“What I love about our home is the feeling you get living there, of the open concept, the windows, the constant views,” says Bryn Haws, the owner of a 4,000-square-foot, four-bedroom home in southern Idaho she shares with her husband, Luke, and their three children, Cole, Finn and Brooks. “I see every part of every day, every sunrise, every sunset. I never miss anything.”

The concept of the home evolved gradually upon moving to Idaho from Alaska in January 2018 and renting for several years as the couple, both doctors, settled into their new jobs. Connecting with architect Mitch Blake, who happens to be Bryn’s uncle, was a natural. Following his work for a long while on his website, she and Luke came upon a home in Idaho that they loved. “It was exactly what we wanted our home to feel like, like ar­t­work that we wouldn’t have to decorate much,” she says.

The living room is oriented toward the fireplace. Furnishings, including Cade black leather chairs, a Metro linen sofa and a Parsons high console table, are from Room & Board. | Photo: Paul Lavold

Set in the middle of an 11-acre alfalfa field, the home was sited to capture distant views to the south. “The concept of the floor plan was to orient the major interior spaces toward the mountains and sand dunes and over the top of the neighboring structures,” Blake says. “Bryn and Luke gave me license to guide them, to integrate the home into the site and capture views from the best vantage point.”

A 16-inch-thick thermal mass concrete wall along the north side absorbs passive solar energy and separates the main living spaces of the house from the  garage, a powder room and the library. Finishes, including a clear coat on the exterior wood, were relatively simple, following the biophilic principle of keeping things in their natural state. “It’s a kind of raw feeling that helps the house relate to all the nature surrounding it,” Blake says.

From the highest point of the home, the roof-line slants gracefully downward and features floor-to-ceiling windows revealing interior living spaces. Garden and seating areas provide a respite. The outdoor furniture is from Terra Outdoor. | Photo: Paul Lavold

Bryn marvels at the consideration that went into the home’s design. “It was all centered around letting the light in,” she says. “It was calculated to hit the house every minute of every day.”

Initially, the floor-to-ceiling windows prompted her to consider installing window shades throughout the house. But with some prompting from Blake, she changed her mind. “It was a tribute to the house and the great solar orientation of the carefully orchestrated large roof overhang that the influence of the sun could be controlled via the architecture rather than shades,” Blake says.

Opening onto each other, the high-ceilinged dining room and kitchen feature black leather chairs from Cassina. Mitch Blake fabricated the steel-and-glass dining table, which has cherrywood accents on the legs. | Photo: Paul Lavold

Furnishings, too, were influenced by Blake, who designed pieces including the custom-finished steel-and-glass dining table. Other pieces were carefully curated by Bryn and Luke, all with the intention of allowing the architecture to shine. “The home was already so beautiful,” Bryn says, “we didn’t need to do too much.”

DESIGN DETAILS

ARCHITECT – Ward | Blake Architects

As seen in Mountain Living’s July/August 2026 issue.

A private patio area at the far end of the home offers the family another opportunity to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Playful outdoor furniture is from Terra Outdoor. | Photo: Paul Lavold

Beneath high cedar ceilings and with endless outdoor views, the open plan kitchen, dining and living areas allow the family, as well as invited guests, to relax, cook and recreate. The flooring is scored concrete. | Photo: Paul Lavold

Another angle of the home is viewed at dusk from the field. | Photo: Paul Lavold

The primary bedroom offers nonstop views to the outdoor greenery beyond. Subtle bedding includes a beige linen duvet from Morrow and an alpaca throw from Trésart Caché. Tucked in a corner is a petite cherrywood and black leather chair from Thomas Moser. | Photo: Paul Lavold