When Winter Shows Up… or Doesn’t
Winter in the Columbia River Gorge doesn’t always arrive with snow.
Some years bring bright alpine mornings and white hillsides. Other years, like this one, settle in with long stretches of grey skies, damp trails, and sunsets that feel way too early. I often catch myself checking the forecast, hoping snow is coming, only to watch it never quite arrive. The season can start to feel long.
Life here keeps moving anyway.
Dogs still need their walks. Kids still head outside after school. Bikes come home muddy. Skis sit by the door, ready just in case the mountain finally turns white. Even on the greyest days, the Gorge pulls us outside.
The Quiet Job of a Home
Over time, I’ve come to see that one of the most important roles of a home is to help carry us through these in-between seasons. That stretch of winter that is not quite winter. The waiting before spring. The months when daylight is short, and energy can dip.
When I design homes for mountain living, I am not only thinking about views or beautiful finishes (though we love those too). I am thinking about how a home supports everyday life, especially during the soggy, grey stretch of the year.
Where Gorge Living Really Begins: The Entry
Around here, it almost always starts at the entry.
In my experience, the mudroom becomes one of the hardest working spaces in a Gorge home. It is where dripping jackets pile up, muddy paws pause, and cold hands finally warm up. It is also where backpacks, helmets, grocery bags, and that one glove that never seems to have a match tend to live.
I love designing entries that feel ready for that daily rush. Durable flooring, thoughtful storage, and soft, welcoming lighting can turn the daily “everyone just came crashing through the door” moment into something that actually feels calm.
Winter Turns Gathering Spaces Into Anchors
Once everyone settles inside, gathering spaces naturally take on more importance.
Living rooms become places where families recharge after damp outdoor adventures. Kitchens hold longer conversations, slower mornings, and usually one more cup of coffee than planned. Windows, even when they frame mist and clouds, keep us connected to the landscape that made us fall in love with living here.
Let’s Talk About Lighting
Lighting becomes especially important this time of year and is something I often discuss with homeowners.
One overhead light just isn’t going to compete with February darkness. Layered lighting with table lamps, warm dimmers, and small pockets of glow creates comfort when the sun clocks out at 4:45 PM.
It’s one of those design choices that sounds simple, but you feel it every single day.
The Gorge Reminder: Spring Always Sneaks Back In
Even in the middle of winter, spring is always working its way back.
As I write this, we are having one of those classic Gorge bluebird mornings that instantly reminds me why I love living here. Trails will dry out. River days will return. Windows will swing open again. Evening light will stretch across dinner tables and front porches a little longer each day.
Homes That Keep Up With Real Life
Homes in the Gorge have to flex with the seasons, sometimes within the same week. The ones that feel the most loved are never designed for one perfect season. They are designed to support a full life in every kind of weather.
For me, good design has always been about more than creating something beautiful. It is about creating steadiness. It supports routines, families, hobbies, and slower moments when the days feel long and grey.
If you are starting to think about how your home could better support your life here, I am always happy to connect. Whether you are planning a renovation, building new, or simply gathering ideas, I love having those early conversations and helping people explore what is possible.
Designer Ashley Neff-Hinkle is the principal designer of Neff Designs, creating thoughtfully designed homes throughout the Columbia River Gorge and Pacific Northwest.
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