By ADAM TANOUS
Express Staff Writer
Even in an area replete with expansive and beautiful homes, there are gems that stand
out. Trust The Community Library Association to identify and showcase some of the
Valley’s finest works of architecture, interior design, and landscape design when
they present the 22nd Tour of Homes Saturday, Aug. 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Tour of Homes is the major fund-raising project of the Community Library
Association. The library in Ketchum, which receives no tax money from local, state or
federal agencies, is a nonprofit organization supported solely through contributions and
fund raising events.
This year’s tour includes five homes, all of which are north of Ketchum, from Big
Wood to Fox Creek Rd. From the sleek, contemporary home of the Montupet family to the
Blinken’s elegant home that emulates an old Belgian hunting lodge, the Tour will
offer a wide variety of architectural styles and materials.
One common theme among the homes this year is art. All of the owners of these
residences use their homes to display extensive collections of art. The works range from
the large paintings of Squeak Cornwath, to de Kooning prints, to Henri Cartier-Bresson
photographs. The owners of these homes each have found a unique aesthetic balance between
architectural style, the outdoor environment, and fine art. These factors all work
together to create homes that offer a sense of peace and beauty.
Opening the tour is the Allison home on Clubhouse Dr. in Bigwood. Envisioned as a
country French style home that incorporates the natural elements, the Allison home exudes
a sense of permanence and history.
The stone exterior is comprised of a mixture of stone colors and types, all from a
glacial moraine quarry in Colorado. The paned glass windows are framed by wire-brushed
wood.
The stonework continues inside with flagstone floors and stones on interior walls. Iron
accents in the form of fireplace screens, and stair and balcony railings have been done by
Allen Kloer of Idaho Ironworks. Warm colors and hand-blocked floral fabrics from England
give the bedrooms a sophisticated country look.
Downstairs, one finds the mechanical room and wine cellar, both worth noting. The
mechanical room features two French boilers which use a radiant-hydronic heating system to
provide heat for all the floors, the domestic hot water system, and for melting snow off
of the driveway and patios. The wine cellar is 200 square feet, complete with sound system
and antique English farm table.
From the entry level, one steps down into a 22-foot-high living room. It is decorated
in warm colors of rose, red, green, and yellow to give the room a comfortable, country
feel. Allison wanted to keep the house intimately connected to the outdoors so there are
few draperies in the house. She did have a motorized mesh shade incorporated into the room
to reduce the heat and glare in the afternoons. Displayed near the entertainment center is
a watercolor by Boise artist Divit Cardoza.
The kitchen offers the practical mix of modern appliances with an elegant Old World
feel. Dark, gray-fired clay sinks are set in polished granite countertops. On one wall is
a trompe l’oeil mural by Leslee Jago.
Stepping outside, one finds a number of terraces and courtyards which take advantage of
spectacular views. A morning-sun patio, surrounded by perennial gardens and a waterfall,
is particularly noteworthy.
The home of Jean Paul and Isabelle Montupet offers a stark contrast to the Allison
home. The Montupet’s have built a contemporary home overlooking Bald Mountain. It is
situated among three lovely ponds. Throughout the house, the Montupet’s have used
concrete flooring, aluminum hardware, and smooth white paint to achieve a modern look.
Another key feature of the home is the use of hand-selected, Honduran mahogany throughout
the house.
The living room features two works of art: a contemporary painting by Robert Kelly,
"Siberian Love Letters III, " and a single playing card editioned by J. Maeght.
The master bedroom, a room with lower ceilings, provides a more intimate space just off
the living room. It is somewhat of a focal point for the art of the house. Upon entering
the room, several Henri Cartier-Bresson photographs come into view. A work of Oliver Debre
adorns one of the walls and prints of Andre Masson are exhibited on another. Newer prints
by Georges Baselitz are also displayed in the room. The concrete floor in the room,
colored to look like French limestone, serves to accent the fine art.
The kitchen and dining rooms are just to the right of the living room. The former
features concrete countertops and mahogany cabinets that reach to the 12-foot ceiling. The
dining room is centered around a massive glass table that seats 12. The dining chairs and
barstools have all been designed by Phillipe Starck.
A mahogany staircase leads one down to the family room, guest room, and children’s
quarters. These rooms are all at pond level and have wide views of Baldy. Stepping
outside, one finds a small stream and stone benches, all surrounded by sandstone rock
walls.
Looking from a distance upon the home of Michael and Joan O’Neil, one can imagine
being in Tuscany or perhaps the Mediterranean. With its emphasis on space, natural light,
and comfort, the home appeals to all the senses.
Entering the large living room at the O’Neil’s, one is immediately struck by
the flood of sunlight coming in through the ridged skylight running the course of the
room. Complementing the natural light are soft yellow walls and furniture upholstered in
yellow, floral tapestry fabric. Adorning the walls are two works of art: one large oil
painting and one charcoal piece, by Bay Area artist, Squeak Carnwath. The charcoal piece
hangs above the dining table and chairs, early reproduction Chippendale mahogany owned by
Joan O’Neil’s grandmother.
Leaving the living room, one passes through an archway to the kitchen and family rooms.
The kitchen can accommodate cooking for an intimate party or a larger, more elaborate
catered affair. Hanging above the center island is an overhead lighting designed by Mark
Sheehan. It was inspired by a large box of nails left behind by a carpenter. The piece is
forged in metal. All of the counters in the kitchen are granite and complemented by black
crackled cabinets.
The master bedroom offers grand views to the west, north, and east. The room is painted
a soft green with white trim and incorporates floral and geometric fabrics in greens,
pinks, and reds. The master bath features polished and tumbled marbles and a greenhouse
window surrounding the tub. A large watercolor nude by John Burke hangs by the dressing
table.
Heading back out to the courtyard, one will find a swimming pool that is heated during
spring, summer, and fall. During the winter, the pool heater warms the courtyard and
provides a nice space for lunch in winter.
Ray and Wendy Cairncross designed their home on Fox Creek Road with their Northwest
Masters art collection specifically in mind. The first steps one takes into the home are
into the 52-foot-long gallery hall with vaulted ceilings. It is filled with art by Guy
Anderson, Ambrose Patterson, William Cumming, Ed Musante, and Kenneth Callahan.
Off the gallery is the master bedroom, a room filled with natural light. The
Cairncross’s have decorated the room with textured walls and a vibrant Oriental
carpet. A fireplace hearth and an English canopied bed further enhance the space. A
bedroom terrace overlooks the pond and stone waterfall outside.
The living room is appointed with a unique mix of contemporary and antique furnishings.
In one corner of the room is a Chickering grand piano. A painting by Guy Anderson,
"Persian Philosophers," hangs over the mantle. The high, pitched ceiling is made
of black oak as are the floors throughout the house.
Formal dining is done at an antique English table with matching chairs. Ray
Cairncross’s mother did the needlepoint work for the chairs. A painting by William
Cummings, "Seattle Park," dominates the room. Several other figurative paintings
by Cummings also adorn the walls of the dining room.
Needless to say, the kitchen is outfitted for gourmet cooking with a large center
island, Viking stove, and custom refrigerator. Keep in mind that this very functional
kitchen has panoramic views.
Other parts of the home include a children’s wing, fitness room, spa, and library.
The final stop on the tour will be at the home of Ambassador and Mrs. Alan Blinken.
This 12,000 foot home in Flowers Mill was designed by the Blinken’s after they had
spent five years in Belgium when Blinken was the U.S. Ambassador to that country. Many of
the materials used in the construction are beams, flooring, furniture, and art hand
selected in Belgium.
To enter the Blinken home, one passes through a massive, 18 foot high hardwood door.
Such doors are found throughout the house. Just off the main entry is the master bedroom
that overlooks Griffin Butte and groves of Aspen trees. The room has a fireplace and built
in library. Much of the art displayed here is 18th and 19th century
hunting and fishing imagery. The master bath is done in light and dark marble and includes
a large walk-in shower.
The living room is dominated by a large stone fireplace on the north facing wall. The
beams in the ceiling of this room were all taken from a Belgian chateau. Peruvian, Eskimo
whale bone, and African art adorn the west and east sides of the room.
The kitchen and informal dining room should also be noted. Of particular interest is
the 200-year-old terra cotta tiles and fireplace with a 17th century solid wood
mantle.
Just off the kitchen is the pool room. The room boasts a lap pool and Jacuzzi, as well
as large wooden benches from old Belgian churches. A contemporary painting by Jennifer
Bartlett and large effigies from New Guinea and Africa are displayed here.
The children’s wing at the Blinken home is designed for fun and entertainment.
There is a large playroom with hardwood floors and big activity tables. An original
illustration from E.E. Milne’s "Winnie the Pooh" hangs on one of the walls.
Bunk rooms done in denim blue and reds and whites offer plenty of sleeping space from
visiting grandchildren.
The Blinkens have woven together themes of family and the traditions of the country in
which they spent a good part of their lives. This vision of old Belgium is spectacular
addition to the tour.
Due to the overwhelming popularity of last year’s "Tea," the Community
Library Association is offering a similar event at the Blinken’s, the last house on
the tour. Guests will be invited to have a beverage in the Blinken gardens from 12 to 3
p.m.
Tickets for the event are $40 and available at The Community Library, the Gold Mine,
and Chapter One in Ketchum. They are also available at Read All About It Bookstore in
Hailey.
