Ashley Neff-Hinkle
Principal Designer at Neff Designs
I recently attended a designer workshop in Sonoma. It was filled with beautiful estates, refined interiors, and impeccably dressed designers. It was inspiring, but it also gave me a lot of clarity about the kind of homes I believe in most.
Designing for Life in the Gorge
Living in the Gorge shapes everything about how I design. Homes here are not separate from our lifestyles. They support them. I am always thinking about how people actually live day to day. How they gather, move, come in from the river or a bike ride, and settle in together.
Over time, I have realized my version of luxury looks a little different. I am drawn to natural materials that wear in, not out. Spaces that feel grounded instead of overly polished. Homes that get better with time.
Spaces That are Meant to be Used
I love designing kitchens that are meant to be used. Really used. Spaces for family dinners for years to come, with kids and grandkids in the mix. Places for baking, cooking, and making a bit of a mess. Not just something that looks good in photos, but a space people fully live in.
The materials I come back to again and again are the ones that tell a story. Leather that softens, brass that develops a patina, and stone that shows signs of daily life. I have never been that interested in perfection. Character is what makes a home feel like home.
When materials are chosen this way, spaces naturally feel collected over time rather than overly styled. Nothing feels too precious. Everything settles into a quiet, easy comfort that only gets better with age.
A Home That Works for Real Life
Even the practical spaces matter. Mudrooms should handle muddy boots, sandy towels from the spit, and dog paws without losing their sense of beauty. To me, that is part of luxury. It is durability, function, and comfort all working together.
Around here, life flows easily between the outdoors and home. Days on the river and long rides turn into dinners gathered around the kitchen island. The best homes make that transition feel effortless.
And while a white sofa can be beautiful, it is not always the right choice for real life. I care deeply about designing homes that actually work for the people and pets living in them. Our furry family members are just as important as the people!
The Kind of Luxury That Lasts
The older I get, the less interested I am in homes designed to impress. Instead, I am drawn to spaces that feel honest, welcoming, and deeply personal. Homes where life unfolds over time, where materials soften, and where memories are made year after year.
To me, that is the kind of luxury that does not have to try too hard.
It is also the kind of home I feel lucky to help create here in the Gorge.
Ashley Neff-Hinkle
Interior Designer of the Gorge
360.909.9503
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