The House
Built to last, located to amaze, designed to nest
This custom-built, well-insulated straw bale house with radiant floor heat can be fireplace-heated, maintaining warmth without a dry, noisy furnace. Nestled into the mountain to protect it from northern winds, the house is 70 degrees in summer without air conditioning, due to the insulation and design. It’s never too hot to enjoy the hot tub.
Built by a team that specializes in straw bale houses, the objective was to create a true everyday home, not only a luxury getaway. Ease of maintenance along with durable materials were priorities, and it shows. From the no-paint stucco exterior to the full wood frame and stem plywood walls that prevent swaying, this is a house built to last. Treated and engineered for fire, water and insect protection, the hard work is done.
Still, durability isn’t everything. We chose materials not only for beauty and for energy efficiency, but for sustainability and lack of toxicity. A location like this deserves no less.
A world away from town, but always connected. Unlike many “outside of town” homes, two DSL lines facilitate any remote work you do, or just keeping in touch with the people you care about. And, of course, the Post Office, UPS and FedEx deliver whatever you can’t get in town.
This isn’t a “house with a view.” This is a view with a house. You can see birds, deer, moose and other forest creatures all around you. What you can’t see is your closest neighbor, five minutes away.
Know thy neighbors. Good neighbors are important. From 16 years of experience, I can tell you that yours pitch in, are there when you need them, and appreciate the forest as you do.
I saw an opportunity 16 years ago to make a full, healthy life in this house, and I have. Now that circumstances take me elsewhere, if you are looking for a similar opportunity, let’s talk.
Note: Some online listings for this address have outdated information. The basic specs are: 3 bedrooms + upstairs studio, 1.75 baths, for a total 2218 sq. ft. livable space.
Location is only part of the story. Sited on 14 acres, with only forest between you and the Canadian border, the home is adjacent to Carr Creek, which is fly-fished for trout, and runs year-long. Year-round trails are 200 feet from your door, but Sandpoint’s beaches and commercial districts are 13 minutes away.
Nature isn’t rectangular. Why should your home be? This “adobe” home uses curves instead of corners wherever possible to create a lush, organic look and feel. The open living area, for example, features a curved wall and soffit, bumped-out south-facing window in the living room brings the forest inside every day. Bullnosed drywall corners throughout the home add to the sense of being within the mountain, not on top of it.
Basics include a private well, septic tank, and propane-powered generator, as well as a circular driveway and two-car heated garage. Upgrades include a central vacuum and wiring for everything you need, automatic irrigation, and complete organic gardening setup (along with deer fencing), to 18″ window sills and a design that maximizes southern light.
The upstairs studio with a Murphy bed and a master bedroom, complete with dormers for a greater sense of height, offer many configuration options, along with two other bedrooms.
The studio is a beautiful space for work, hobbies and play. After a refreshing hike or snowshoe excursion on trails just outside the door, the lanai area with hot tub is the perfect place to be.
