This modern home with stunning territorial views also functions as a private art gallery
Builder: Gunder Building Group
“Life beats down and crushes the soul, and art reminds you that you have one,” said Stella Adler, renowned American actor, acting teacher and director.
A more common saying is “art is in the eye of the beholder” – put simply, art is subjective. How a piece is interpreted or valued can be affected by a change in person, time of day or even one’s mental state. Art is an invitation to examine your soul.
When it came time to build their next Liberty Lake home, Kevin and Sandi Gunder knew they wanted something special. They wanted art. They wanted soul.
“We wanted something that was really open and airy, with a lot of walls so that we could acquire art by local artists,” said Kevin, owner of Gunder Building Group.
Most of the pieces on display throughout the home are by Christy Branson, a Spokane-based encaustic and mixed media artist. The couple’s collection also includes pieces by Peter Lik and Ben Joyce.
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The Gunders were already familiar with the “Street of Dreams” at Legacy Ridge in Liberty Lake, having previously built and lived in the area. The couple spent a lot of time designing for and siting the 3,506-square-foot house on the 0.72-acre site to maintain privacy while maximizing the views of Liberty Lake, downtown Spokane and Mount Spokane.
An artistic, 800-pound cold rolled steel door with chevron patterns welcomes guests to the main foyer, with guest rooms to the left and an open living area to the right. The couple chose Douglas fir, tongue-in-groove wood soffits for the main living area’s vaulted ceiling to lend a driftwood, coastal aesthetic to this modern farm home.
“We call this room the church room,” Kevin said, gesturing at the 21-foot ceiling with white wooden beams. “You take all the furniture out and the cabinets out, you can throw some pews in here.”
Light, neutral tones accentuate the art and natural lighting in the main living area, while large windows showcase views of Liberty Lake. Eight-foot glass doors open to the covered patio, which features a gas fireplace, built-in barbeque, hot tub and overhead heaters in addition to the views.
Different lighting fixtures from Restoration Hardware define the cooking, dining and living spaces within the main living area. Aside from the art, a cold rolled steel fireplace is the focal point of the living room, while the kitchen is centered upon a matching range hood.
“I was just trying to make it as timeless as possible,” Sandi said, gesturing to the kitchen’s quartz countertops and white cabinetry. “I wanted to keep it all white and accessorize with color. I didn’t want to clutter with stuff on top; I wanted to keep things clean and simple.” N
By Michaela Delavan
Photography By Joel Riner
As Featured In: Summer/Fall 2022
