The older I get, the more connected I feel to this place we call home. The other morning, I noticed my daffodils were blooming. Every year, I crouch down to admire them. Their color, the delicate petals, the simple beauty. It feels like a little miracle each time. Those first blooms always make spring feel official here in the Columbia River Gorge. With a few sunny days recently and longer evenings thanks to daylight saving time, we’ve been hiking, running, and soaking it all in. I’m already looking forward to getting my mountain bike out for the season. Living here makes you notice the seasons in a way you can’t anywhere else. Winter is quiet and reflective. Spring brings hope and life. Summer stretches long into warm evenings. Fall fills the valley with color and crisp air.
Family and Roots
Lately, though, my thoughts have gone beyond the seasons. I’ve been thinking about my grandparents, who lived here too. This landscape with the orchards, hillsides, and river, was part of their everyday life, just like it is ours.
The other day, it hit me. My daughter now goes to the same school where my grandmother once dropped off my mom. Generations of my family have grown up here. That realization filled me with gratitude.
Design and Lifestyle
Designing homes is what I do, but my connection to this place is personal. The Gorge shapes how we live and how we design our homes. Large windows frame the view, natural materials like wood and stone echo the landscape, and outdoor spaces become just as important as the rooms inside.
But it’s more than design. Gorge homes see muddy boots after hikes, skis and bikes through the seasons, friends gathered in the kitchen after a day outdoors. Spring reminds us of that connection. Doors and windows open, fresh greenery replaces winter textures, and the house fills with light.
Why This Place Matters
Spring always reminds me how lucky we are to live here. This place has shaped generations of families, including my own. While I love creating beautiful homes, what matters most is helping people make spaces where life happens, homes where kids grow up, traditions are built, and memories are made.
As the owner of Neff Designs here in the Columbia River Gorge, I feel grateful to help families design homes that reflect both their lives and the landscape around them. If you’re planning a new home or renovation and want a space that feels connected to this place we call home, you can learn more at neffdesigns.com.
Ashley Neff-Hinkle is a local White Salmon resident servicing clients design needs in new construction and remodeling. To learn more, visit www.neff-designs.com.
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