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4 | Oregon Home EDITOR’S NOTE OVER THE LAST FEW weeks, I’ve entered the high-stakes world of exterior house painting. Home projects often carry an outsized level of emotional and financial investment, but painting my house, in particular, has unleashed a kind of worry that makes me not recognize myself. Normally, I advise others on what hues to pick for exterior paint and often suggest colors from Portlandbased Rodda-Miller’s Northwest Collection. These greyed-out hues harmonize so well with the landscapes in Oregon’s changing light, and with each other. But would they work for us, for our particular constellation of colors and the direction of our home? My husband and I love green, so we chose “On the Rocks” for our base color, “Fallen Fir” for the accent and “Blurred” for an update to the trim. As the color went up on the first walls, my nerves settled down and that icky feeling turned to elation. Isn’t this emotional journey the way of all big house projects? Engaging professionals helps take down the stakes, as we see in our Oregon Home summer issue. Here we celebrate the best outdoor projects of the season in our story about inspiring outdoor projects (“What’s Your Oregon Summer Vibe?” p. 42) as well as how the season can bring out the best in life, like in our glass house story (“Clear Vision,” p. 32). Grab those rays but also your garden shovels, paintbrushes and all the tools for getting the most out of your home life in summer. Above all, enjoy the ride! Emily Grosvenor, Editor editor@oregonhomemagazine.com @emilygrosvenor PHOTO BY ADAM DIESBURG Fresh Take ON MY SHELF The Food Forward Garden: A Complete Guide to Designing and Growing Edible Landscapes By Christian Douglas Artisan, 2024 The Spirited Garden: Creative Private Retreats By Doreen Wynja and Lorene Edwards Forkner Rizzoli, 2025 Gardens for Modern Houses: Design Inspiration for Home Landscapes By Beth Dunlop Rizzoli, 2025
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Oregon Home (ISSN-1536-3201) is published quarterly by MEDIAmerica Inc., at 12570 S.W. 69th Ave. Ste. 102, Portland, OR 97223; 503-445-8811. Send address changes to Oregon Home, 12570 S.W. 69th Ave. Ste. 102, Portland, OR 97223. All rights reserved. Oregon Home is a registered trademark of MEDIAmerica. Copyright ©2025 by MEDIAmerica. Printed in Portland, Oregon. Subscription inquiries should be directed to Oregon Home, 12570 S.W. 69th Ave. Ste. 102, Portland, OR 97223 or call 503-445-8811 (Mon. to Fri., 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Pacific Standard Time). TO SUBSCRIBE or change your address online, go to our website, oregonhomemagazine.com. chairman André W. Iseli president/ceo Andrew Insinga secretary William L. Mainwaring treasurer Win McCormack publisher Andrew Insinga editor Emily Grosvenor project manager Greta Hogenstad art director Ali Kattleman account executive Evan Morehouse sta photographer Jason Kaplan cover photographer Kaitlin Green contributing photographers John Curtis, Adam Diesburg, Kaitlin Green, Lisa Haukom, Dorsey Kilbourn & Seppi Ramos copy editor Morgan Stone circulation manager Andrew Insinga event manager Craig Peebles controller Bill Lee Don’t forget, you can have Oregon Home stories sent right to your inbox! Sign up for our weekly newsletter at oregonhomemagazine.com Tag us in your home decor photos! #oregonhome FOLLOW OREGON HOME ON INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK @oregonhomemag
CONTENTS 10 | Oregon Home 42 58 WHAT’S TRENDING The Latest Dish Max Humphrey brings nostalgic delight to the table—and the picnic. 25 CUSTOM FIT Start to Finish Schulz Design + Build helps all the way from design through construction. 15 LET’S GO SHOPPING The Summer Spot Inspiration for creating the perfect summer oasis. 16 LANDSCAPE DESIGN Constant Gardeners An urban family loves its wild and wonderful patch of land. 32 ON THE COVER Clear Vision A Portland designer finds joy in a glass house. 42 FEATURE What's Your Oregon Summer Vibe? Outdoor living projects for a season at home. 53 CHEF AT HOME Cathy Whims The celebrated chef of Nostrana plans a Dolce Vita summer. 16 32 DESIGNING JOY INTO SUMMER Backyard Bliss
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16 | Oregon Home Landscape Architect: BETHANY RYDMARK Team Landscape Designer: ABIGAIL LEONARD Carpentry: JOSÉ A. VILLEGAS Patio Installation: RAÚL GONZÁLEZ, Red Valley Landscapes
Oregon Home | 17 Constant Gardeners For a former chef and an ER doctor, a garden is a lifetime—and a lifeline. By EMILY GROSVENOR
18 | Oregon Home “It’s so important to gauge how much a client wants to maintain a garden,” says landscape architect Bethany Rydmark. “We always leave space for them to have fun or change things out.”
Oregon Home | 19 KEVIN AND DANIELLE WARD moved into their home in 2014, a time when there wasn’t much to choose from on the Portland real estate market. The house they found, a 2,400-square-foot home in the Mocks Crest neighborhood of Northeast, came with a small yard that couldn’t exactly be called a garden. “There was really nothing there,” says Kevin Ward, a longtime pastry chef at the Heathman Hotel and currently a stay-at-home dad. “Just a sun-burnt rhododendron, a larger sweet gum in the back and a whole lot of blackberries.” The house had been a flip, so the couple started their early years as homeowners with an interior remodel, working with Guggenheim Architecture + Design Studio (then Fig Studio), to build out the second story. They left the garden for later. In the meantime, the couple traveled extensively, picking up global influences that would find their way into their garden. When they were ready to tackle that space in 2019, they knew what elements they liked: outdoor spaces that feel wild and produce food, gardens that grow and change with the gardener and the times, and places that have the peacefulness of rural settings. Like so many design relationships these days, Kevin Ward first connected with landscape architect Bethany Rydmark through Instagram. With Rydmark’s team, they set out to create an overall plan. “He tapped me on the digital shoulder,” Rydmark says. “Kevin already had these evocative themes—the connection to
20 | Oregon Home About that front-yard meadow… The Wards’ neighborhood is home to mostly manicured front lawns, but their neighbors are always curious about the wild, sometimes 3- to 4-ft. grasses as tall as their youngest child. “We wanted to create a planted landscape that looked like a painting,” Kevin Ward says. There, he annually switches out grasses based on whim and what changes, since some natives, like fireweed, crowd each other out. “I get tired of certain colors,” he says. “And some plants are bullies.”
Oregon Home | 21 Denmark and Italy’s Puglia region, and his background as a food person who loves growing things.” The challenge? How to create an overall design plan that met their needs for a fun and functional outdoor living space, a living meadowscape and a sense of privacy while maintaining a connection to the neighborhood. By then the Wards had become a young family, so they also wanted to create a play space for the kids, install buffers from southern sun and rain, and to accommodate raised vegetable beds. Rydmark is known for her elegant landscapes designed to be lived in and lasting, with every design emerging from curiosity about the natural world and sensitivity to the larger ecologies of sites. “Even a tiny space is full of possibility,” Rydmark says. Kevin, Rydmark shares, is a more involved client than most. As a former chef, he has a deep relationship to growing his own food and a hosting spirit well known in the neighborhood. He grew up in Eastern Pennsylvania and worked landscape jobs throughout high school and college, often on expansive private gardens where the sky was the limit, or on tree farms and organic vegetable farms. “Kevin jumped right in and was deeply involved,” Rydmark says. “He really took the bull by the horns and started running.” The first thing they did was remove the entire front lawn, replacing it with a no-mow pollinator-friendly native meadow with multi-season colors and textures, featuring native wild grasses. Through it, they introduced a meandering cross-path to add some organic lines. “That was a fun contrast to the simple box nature of the home,” Rydmark says. “We put all sorts of beauty all around it.” Rydmark connected with José A. Villegas to build out the Designer Abigail Leonard brought the design forward by placing the outdoor dining area on a diagonal in the property.
22 | Oregon Home “There is a big logjam these days between instant gratification and working with the natural world,” Rydmark says. “It’s a long game—we are planting things that can and will grow and change as the landscape evolves.”
Oregon Home | 23 family’s dining area, a cold frame, the shed and the play structure. The team kept the view of the neighbor’s shed at the back of the yard, which opened up more possibilities than having a plain fence line. The change in materials, space and scale creates a completely different feel to the backyard. “You feel connected, but you also feel removed,” Rydmark says. “There is a little mystery to it.” Both side yards accommodate paths to the back, where design lead Abigail Leonard planned for zones for outdoor living and a kitchen setup including a pizza oven. Near the back of the property, a small eco-lawn becomes a perfect spot for romping or a picnic. The produce garden allows for the family to supplement their meals. This year there’s garlic, snap peas and other snacking vegetables. “Our girls like to play farm-to-table restaurant,” Kevin says. Overall, the family’s garden achieves a sense of play and wildness not often found in urban settings and a living space they use all day long. It’s a place to drink coffee in the morning at 5 a.m., water in the late morning, for his wife to reset from long nights in the ER and for the neighborhood kids to play all day in the summer. “I feel much more grounded in places like this,” Kevin says. bethanyrydmark.com | redvalleyllc.com “I love being a partner and a visionary,” Rydmark says. “Let me see your space and let me help you bring about the reality that’s floating around, whether you can picture it or not.”
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Oregon Home | 25 CUSTOM FIT: Schulz Design + Build START to FINISH SCHULZ DESIGN + BUILD IS THERE ALL THE WAY, FROM DESIGN THROUGH CONSTRUCTION.
26 | Oregon Home EMODELING A HOME can be both exciting and daunting—especially for homeowners who don’t have an established relationship with a trusted contractor. Designer Melissia Schulz saw this challenge again and again: the moment when a carefully crafted design was handed off to a contractor, and something got lost in translation. Instead of watching her clients’ visions become diluted by a fragmented process, she set out to change the model entirely. Schulz became a licensed general contractor and founded Schulz Design + Build, a fully integrated firm that unites design and construction under one roof. Her goal was simple but profound: to preserve the integrity of every project by being involved from the first sketch to the final detail. “We’re the same team from start to finish,” Schulz says. “It helps clients get exactly what they’ve envisioned, because we know their goals from day one. And because of that continuity, the relationship becomes collaborative, not transactional. We form a real connection—and that’s something we truly value.” With more than 30 years of experience in interior architecture and construction management, Schulz leads a women-owned firm that is both design-led and client-driven. Her team is backed by a carefully selected network of vendors and tradespeople who share her high standards and passion for craftsmanship. Together, they collaborate to protect design intent and uphold quality—never compromising for convenience or cutting corners for cost. “At Schulz Design + Build, a client’s trust is everything,” Schulz says. “We don’t take that lightly. Every decision is guided by listening first, then leading with honesty and care. It’s about building spaces—and relationships—that last.” Their motto, Built by Design, is more than branding. It’s a promise. A recent kitchen renovation in Lake Oswego offers a striking example of their philosophy in action. The existing footprint remained, but the transformation was dramatic. At the center of the kitchen is a sculptural island, featuring a 3-inch beveled quartz countertop, dark fluted wood detailing and generous seating for entertaining. Above, chandeliers with ice-like R
Oregon Home | 27 globes create a subtle glow and visual texture, while recessed task lighting ensures functionality throughout. Custom cabinetry in stained Rift white oak pairs with whitepainted uppers in a slim Shaker style, all crowned with a satin-gold inlay that lends understated elegance. A subtle hint of industrial edge is introduced through a glass hutch with slim metal doors and integrated lighting—an eye-catching feature that draws the attention of guests. Beside it, open wrought-iron and wood shelving showcases the homeowners’ love of houseplants. Completing the look, a marble-penny tile backsplash climbs around the kitchen window, adding a soft, timeless layer of texture and charm. “The whole kitchen strikes a balance,” says Schulz. “It’s sophisticated yet approachable, refined yet inviting—elegant with just the right touch of casual ease.” By staying involved at every stage, Schulz and her team delivered not just a beautiful kitchen but one that felt personal and complete. “The process runs much more smoothly this way,” she says. “The thoughtful details that matter most to our clients are not only preserved—they’re brought to life. And through that process, we build a foundation of trust that often turns clients into friends— and into repeat customers. We build trust that lasts well beyond the final walk-through.” schulzdesignbuild.com
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32 | Oregon Home Clear Vision DESIGNER ALANA SPEARS REINVENTS BACKYARD LIVING WITH AN IMPORTED GLASS HOUSE.
Oregon Home | 33 ByEMILY GROSVENOR•PhotographyKAITLIN GREEN
34 | Oregon Home Spears chose to plant using terracotta pots to enhance the feeling of an outdoor living room and to make the space more easily cleanable.
Oregon Home | 35 PEOPLE WHO LIVE in glass houses—well, maybe people should live in glass houses. At least that’s what designer Alana Spears learned after importing a glass-room structure from France through a Portland company and installing it in her backyard. “Spending time outdoors is essential for our mental wellbeing,” Spears says. “It grounds us, soothes our minds and brings a quiet kind of joy.” Most of the time, Spears’ design work focuses on bringing the sunshine inside through windows, material choices and a restrained use of color. But for her own home, a 1947 Tudor in the Montavilla neighborhood that couldn’t easily accommodate a more modern covered outdoor space, Spears saw an opportunity to try something really different, with a historic appeal. “I envisioned slow mornings with coffee and journaling, mid-afternoon naps, hosting friends and family, projector movie nights, and maybe even a little stargazing,” Spears says. Deciding where to put the glass house in the family’s backyard was easy. She chose a sunny spot with east-to-west exposure near her home’s back door, positioned to allow for easy access from the house. “I loved the idea of walking directly into it,” Spears says. “I wanted it to feel like a seamless extension.”
36 | Oregon Home Cleaning Tip Spears cleans the windows of the glass house twice a year and hoses it off every so often. A spray-down window cleaner, or just a squirt of dish soap with a bucket of water, work well.
Oregon Home | 37 But where to source the glass house? Spears explored all of the common options available in the Pacific Northwest, most of them made from plastic or polycarbonate, which wouldn’t hold up long-term in rainy climates. But then she heard from a friend about Versailles Gardens, a Portland-based supplier of French-made LAMS greenhouses crafted from aluminum, stainless steel and tempered glass. She chose the Luxia model in slate blue, with added features like automatic skylights, a retractable shade system, and sliding-glass doors on both sides. “These glass houses are elegant, durable and built to last,” she says. Inside, Spears treated the room created by the glass house like any other designed for happiness and comfort. She chose a green sofa to create a monochromatic connection with the surrounding garden, a rust-and-white washable checkered rug for pattern and warmth, and terracotta planters that complement both the color palette and her family’s planting needs. She set up a workstation where she can take Zoom calls. For lighting, she worked in cordless, rechargeable fixtures by Visual Comfort. SO YOU WANT A GLASS HOUSE? WHAT TO KNOW... Where do you source? Versailles Gardens, based in Portland, imports LAMS greenhouses from France, inspired by designs from the 19th century. What are the materials? Aluminum structures come in matte or glossy finishes and in 14 colors, with stainless-steel hardware. A base is included. Where should you put it? If you use your glass house to raise plants year-round, you will need to place it in a sunny spot. How long do they last? The manufacturer guarantees materials for 10 years. Where can I see a glass house? By appointment at Versailles Gardens, 1820 NW Vaughn Street, Portland. How do you prep for the kit? Install pavers that are 100% level.
38 | Oregon Home Spears found rechargeable lighting options in Visual Comfort’s Nevis Accent Rechargeable Table Lamp (above) and the Melange 8" Rechargeable Accent Lamp (below). “The bistro table and chairs—they are also from Versailles Gardens— bring a cohesive, European-inspired feel,” Spears says. Spears and her husband planted summer produce like tomatoes, peppers and citrus in terracotta pots (since the space runs about 10 degrees warmer than outside). Eventually, Spears hopes to turn the glass househis into a year-round retreat by removing a pane of glass from the roof and adding a woodburning stove. But for now, this summer, it’s her family’s favorite spot— and where you’ll most often find her and her husband with their two fur babies, Augie Doggie and Frances Freckles. “My plants finally have a protected place to grow—our dogs and the neighborhood squirrels usually beat us to the berries!” Spears says. alanaspearshome.com | versaillesgardens.net
PLUG IN TO Our advertising plug in program includes print, web, e-newsletter and social media. FOR MORE INFORMATION Contact Evan Morehouse 503-445-8820 evanm@mediamerica.net We are Oregon’s leading shelter magazine for Oregonians. Your benefits appear in both the print and online version. 1. MAGAZINE Site-wide banner ads and guest blog posts on oregonhomemagazine.com. 2. WEBSITE Exposure in our weekly e-newsletter and Instagram feed. 3. ENEWS + SOCIAL luxur CREATE YOUR OWN 503.644.3153 | CANYONGLASS.COM Are you an interior designer, remodeler or home builder based in Oregon? We want to see your work! Register for the2025 Oregon Home Structure + Style Awards, recognizing the outstanding work of local companies across a variety of categories, including new residential construction, remodeling and design. Winners are selected by a panel of industry professionals. Style THE BEST IN BUILDING, REMODELING AND DESIGN 2025 AWARDS PRESENTING SPONSORS: FOR MORE INFO VISIT OHSSAWARDS.COM SUBMISSION DEADLINE: AUGUST 8, 2025
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42 | Oregon Home What’s Your Oregon Summer Vibe? These outdoor living spaces help homeowners harness the best of the sunny season. By Emily Grosvenor
Oregon Home | 43 FORM DEFINITELY follows function—in this case, happy hosting—for a backyard transformation focused on outdoor living and entertaining in Lake Oswego. “This family has a deep passion for being outdoors during the beautiful Oregon summer and shoulder seasons,” says design studio manager Steven Kurvers of Drake’s 7 Dees. “We designed the landscape to reflect that style—refined, warm and casually elegant,” he says. The property, which has direct access to the reservoir, capitalizes on the mid-century home’s strong indoor-outdoor connection, extending living to a backyard dining area, lounge with fire table, a synthetic turf, as well as a grill and prep station. The designers employed landscape lighting and subtle built-in speakers to extend gatherings well into the evening. “The flow is intentional,” Kurvers says. “It’s a space designed to adapt to the vibe of any gathering.” drakes7dees.com Happy Host PHOTO BY JOHN CURTIS
44 | Oregon Home Swing Kids “WHAT IS IT?” is the common question fielded by Kristien Evans of Fusion Landscape Design about the curved beam she designed for the backyard of Amy and Randall Thomas’ 1923 Colonial in Laurelhurst. “We investigated a wood dining pergola, but the scale didn’t work, so we played around with something that would not feel so dominant or create weird angles,” Evans says. The design team found inspiration in a public park in New Hampshire and a partner to pull it together in Joel Shimmin of Manx Design and Build, who fabricated the beams. Oǧuz Y lmaz created the structure’s custom hardware and knife plates. The curve, edged with lush plantings, sets off a happy, lighthearted and relaxed dining area as well as a perfect hanging spot for hammocks by Eno. “It’s an absolute family oasis,” Evans says. “The space it creates really holds you.” fusionlandscapedesign.com
Oregon Home | 45 PHOTO BY SEPPI RAMOS
46 | Oregon Home WHEN DESIGNER Emily Henderson went looking for a year-round backyard swim spot for her family’s home in Portland, she landed on a Soake pool—a smaller, pre-constructed pool system that can be heated in the winter months or kept cool in summer. “It’s a luxury that we use the heck out of,” Henderson says. “It’s so fun—and we use it even more than I thought we would.” Built off-site and shipped via truck, the Soake has a smaller footprint (7 ft. x 13 ft. in this case) and is less expensive to maintain than a traditional pool. “I’m way less nervous about them all being in there since it’s small and not deep,” Henderson says. stylebyemilyhenderson.com | soakepools.com Super Soaker PHOTO BY KAITLIN GREEN
Oregon Home | 47 WORKING WITH the seasons—especially Oregon’s hot, dry summers—was paramount to Blossom, the designers behind this full design/build landscape project in the Cully neighborhood. The house and property, home to a former Waldorf school and now the Sunblossom community floral garden and workshops, features a man-made seasonal creek that runs dry in summer but that helps maintain moisture to the entire landscape. “We chose the plantings for drought tolerance and year-round palette,” says designer Todd Blossom. The client’s travels to Japan served as inspiration for the Zen-inspired moon gate/ portal, which frames views of the gardens. Throughout, Blossom built in ample shady spots. “Landscapes are always an interesting opportunity to work with what you have,” Blossom says. blossomearthworks.com Dry Desert Darling PHOTO BY DORSEY KILBOURN
48 | Oregon Home FOR MEGANand Kyle Dougherty, a backyard wellness space balancing deck areas, hot tub and sauna was the perfect addition to their 1915 Craftsman home in the Laurelhurst neighborhood. “We love to travel and draw inspiration from the various places we’ve visited,” says Kyle. “Japan and Iceland are the primary sources of inspiration for this space in particular.” The Doughertys designed the project themselves, using Composite Cladding by WoodPlank to give the sauna and rec room a modern, natural look (their top priority was to find something that could withstand the Pacific Northwest rainy seasons without ongoing maintenance). The couple worked with Tim Ackley of Pearce Building on the project’s custom sauna and installed a Nordic Crown XL hot tub. For the softscape, the couple engaged Smiling Gardens to identify low, creeper-style plants that will fill in the area around the footpath between spaces over time. “The best part is simply being able to spend more time outside together, in a place we find calming and restorative,” Kyle says. woodplank.com | smilinggardens.com Well Wisher
Oregon Home | 49 PHOTO COURTESY OF WOODPLANK
50 | Oregon Home THE GAZEBO was already there down next to the water when Lisa Haukom, a creative director, and her husband, Mike, a screenwriter, bought their 1985 Florence home on Mercer Lake 10 years ago. Shrouded in shadows from towering conifers, the structure didn’t get much use until Lisa and Mike turned it into the ultimate setting for late-night summer movies. “Musicals are in high rotation—Grease, The Music Man, anything by John Waters,” Lisa says. “Pop culture and movies are really our shared language.” As the sun sets, the air cools and the stars come out, the Haukoms open up the accordion-style screen, light up a fire table, air-pop some popcorn and cue up the next perfect-for-the-season hit. “We call it summer camp,” Lisa says. thegoldenbrand.co Starlight Cinephile PHOTO BY LISA HAUKOM
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Oregon Home | 53 CATHY WHIMS never really liked zucchini until one late spring in Oregon when she came across some perfect specimens at the Portland Farmers Market. “They were tiny, beautiful, and firm, and tasted like the freshest-possible thing,” said the chef and owner of the beloved Italian bistro Nostrana, known for its simple, regional dishes made with in-season produce. Whims worked eight zucchini recipes into her new cookbook The Italian Summer Kitchen: Timeless Recipes for La Dolce Vita, which pairs summer-perfect Italian recipes with evocative watercolor illustrations by Kate Lewis. “I wanted readers to feel like they were on a dream trip,” Whims says. “In summer, people want to live like they do on vacation in Italy.” Here, Whims shares a full meal of dishes she loves to enjoy in her backyard. athy hims CHEF AT HOME:
54 | Oregon Home ucchini ri ers MAKES 8 FRITTERS Ingredients: • 8 ounces medium zucchini (2 to 4 zucchini), grated (to yield 2 cups) • Sea salt • 1 large egg • ¼ cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves, 2 tablespoons fresh tarragon leaves, or a combination, chopped • ¼ cup (30 g) all-purpose flour, plus more as needed • 1 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano • Freshly ground black pepper • Extra-virgin olive oil for frying Preparation: Toss the grated zucchini with a generous pinch of salt in a colander. Allow to sit for 5 minutes, then squeeze the zucchini to remove the excess water until it is as dry as possible (you should end up with about 1 cup of zucchini). Whisk the egg in a medium bowl. Add the zucchini, herbs, flour, cheese, 1 teaspoon of salt, and several grindings of pepper. Stir until well combined. Line a baking sheet with paper towels to drain the fritters after frying and place near the stove. Heat ½ inch of olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat until it reaches 350°F. Drop heaping tablespoon portions of the batter into the skillet, gently flatten with a spatula, and fry until golden brown, 2 minutes. Turn them over and repeat on the other side. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and sprinkle lightly with salt while still hot. Repeat with the rest of the batter. Serve warm.
Oregon Home | 55 Ingredients: • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken hindquarters, or 4 drumsticks and 4 thighs, or 8 thighs • Salt and black pepper to taste • 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed • 4 cloves garlic, lightly smashed • 2 ounces pancetta or bacon, chopped (optional) • 3 red bell peppers, skin peeled with a U-shaped peeler using a sideways sawing motion; cut out and discard the stem and seeds, then cut into 2-inch wedges • ½ cup dry white wine, preferably Frascati • 1 ½ cups tomato puree • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh marjoram or 1 teaspoon dried, crushed marjoram Preparation: Season the chicken all over with salt. Arrange in a single layer on a plate and refrigerate uncovered overnight. (This is a technique called drybrining and will ensure moist, flavorful meat.) Preheat the oven to 350°F. Pat the chicken dry and season with black pepper. Heat the oil in a large, 12-inch saute pan with a lid or a Dutch oven. Working in batches, place the chicken skin-side down in the pan and brown until golden, about 10 minutes. Turn over, add the garlic, and brown the chicken on the other side, turning the garlic as needed to lightly brown and keep it from burning. Remove the chicken and garlic and repeat with the remaining chicken. If using pancetta, add it to the pan and gently cook until the fat renders and the meat is crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add pepper wedges to the pan. Saute over medium heat until peppers begin to wilt slightly, about 10-15 minutes. Return all the chicken to the pan skin-side up, along with the garlic and white wine. Cook over low heat until two-thirds of the wine has evaporated, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato puree and marjoram. (The liquid should just come up to the skin of the chicken. If necessary, add a little water.) Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat and place in the oven. Bake for 1 hour until the meat is tender. Check every 15 minutes and add water (¼ cup at a time) if it looks like the mixture is drying out too much. When the chicken is tender, add the pancetta if using. Cook for another 10 minutes, stirring a few times. Serve the chicken hot or at room temperature, along with crusty bread or polenta. If the skin did not crisp and you prefer crispy skin, transfer the chicken pieces to a baking sheet and set under the broiler for a few minutes until crisp, watching carefully to make sure it doesn’t burn. ollo alla omana ( hicken with omatoes and ed eppers) SERVES 4
56 | Oregon Home Preparation: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water by about 1 inch. Bring to a boil over high heat and salt generously. Lower the heat to medium and cook until just tender, 6 to 7 minutes. Drain in a colander and let steam until dry, about 5 minutes. Transfer the potatoes to a large bowl and toss with the olive oil, garlic, sage, parsley, and rosemary. Season with salt and pepper. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast for 30 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy on the bottom. Ingredients: • 2½ pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into 1½-inch chunks or wedges • Sea salt • cup extra-virgin olive oil • 4 garlic cloves, minced • 5 fresh sage leaves, minced • 4 parsley sprigs, minced • Leaves from 2 rosemary sprigs, minced • Freshly ground black pepper talian oasted otatoes SERVES 4 TO 6
Oregon Home | 57 iedmontese aked eaches ith mare i and acao SERVES 4 TO 8 Ingredients: • 4 large, ripe, sweet, freestone peaches • 2 tablespoons sugar • Eight 2-inch amaretti cookies, crushed • 2½ tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus more for buttering the dish • 1 large egg yolk, at room temperature • 1 teaspoon Dutch-processed unsweetened cocoa powder, preferably Valrhona brand • Crème fraîche, mascarpone, or ice cream for serving (optional) Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 9-by-13- inch baking dish. Cut the peaches in half around the equator and twist to separate; wiggle the pit to loosen and discard. Carve out the center of each peach to make a slightly larger hollow (about the diameter of a golf ball), and finely chop the removed flesh. Combine the chopped peach with the sugar, half of the amaretti cookie crumbs, butter, egg yolk, and cocoa powder in a small bowl. Place the peach halves in the baking dish and fill each with a mound of the amaretti mixture. Sprinkle the remaining amaretti on top. Bake until the peaches are soft, about 45 minutes. Serve warm alone or topped with crème fraîche, mascarpone, or ice cream (vanilla or almond would complement nicely). Recipes courtesy of The Italian Summer Kitchen: Timeless Recipes for La Dolce Vita by Cathy Whims, Countryman Press, 2025.
58 | Oregon Home PHOTO BY KAITLIN GREEN LIGHT IN WEIGHT, big on personality, and always ready for a party, designer enamelware is making a big scene in outdoor dining. Case in point: Max Humphrey’s new collaboration with Crow Canyon of bold plaids and dainty florals, which bring a sweet nostalgia to dishes, mugs and bowls ideal for picnics and barbecues. “I love plaid because it’s so versatile,” Humphrey says. “It was my goal to create the perfect plaid—not too big, not WHAT’S TRENDING: Designer Enamelware too small—with just the right texture to make it look like it’s been there forever.” Though enamel housewares grew in popularity in the United States in the 1950s, and had high collectability beyond, newer versions have become trendy in recent years due to the material’s durability and sustainable, easy-to-clean nature (no paper plates to throw out). “It’s cool to think that my pieces will be future heirlooms,” Humphrey says. crowcanyonhome.com Latest Dish The
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