Step Inside: The Groovy, Wood-Paneled Klickitat Canyon Cabin
Head 80 miles east of Portland, Oregon, then north into Washington’s Klickitat River Valley, and you’ll come across what feels like a different world entirely. The area has a distinct high desert feel, filled with golden yellow grasses and lofty old oak trees. And it’s exactly where you’ll find Klickitat Canyon Cabin, a 1971 post-and-beam home that invites guests to slow down and cozy up with a good book.
The minute you step inside, you can tell that its owners, Beda Calhoun and her partner, Gordon, both have ties to the rural west. In addition to wood-paneled walls, ranch-inspired touches fill the the two-story retreat.
We asked Beda to tell us more about the space, brought to life with the help of interior designer Karie Higgins and captured beautifully by Alba Betancourt.
Tell us about the space! How did you find this cabin?
We’d been exploring the Klickitat River area for a few years, mostly hiking the trails and enjoying days on the river. This cabin went up for sale, and we fell in love the first time we saw it perched among those oak trees. We knew we were taking on many years of projects and head-scratching, but the timing felt right for us to dive in.
If you had to describe your interior style in four words, what would they be?
Warm. Comfortable. Western. Layered.
What was your creative vision for the space?
The cabin has so much creative energy—the depth of the wood, the circular flow, tall ceilings, and surrounding oak trees. We wanted to retain all of those elements and complement them with a design that makes everyone feel comfortable and inspired, with a dash of western kitsch to keep things light!
Like every good cabin project, the list of skills we needed to learn steadily grew over time. We were out there before work, after work, on the weekends—during any free time we had.
Can you share what it was like working with your interior designer, Karie?
Karie is absolutely brilliant. You know those people who build on an idea instead of picking it apart? She is that kind of creative thinker. We had some random things before she joined the team—blue marmoleum floors, a brown leather couch, a checkered rug, etc. Instead of replacing those things, she worked with them.
My partner and Karie met on a film set a few years ago at their house, River Cabaan, so we knew we loved her style and approach. The collaboration felt so easy—she heard us, understood the space, and ran with it.
What are some of your favorite details of the final design?
We love how comfortable the cabin feels. There are so many pillows, blankets, and books to get comfy with. The linen sheets are lovely too—a truly indulgent touch.
Probably the most special detail is a piece of textile art by Megan Ladd. Megan spent the weekend out at the cabin for inspiration and then created a large tapestry of the canyon. It hangs in the main bedroom and is a beautiful addition to the space.
Last but not least, could you tell us about a few of your Schoolhouse favorites and why you chose them for the space?
We purchased so many beautiful Schoolhouse pieces for the cabin. The texture and tones of the Anders Striped Pillow inspired the overall colors of the living room.
Of course, the Stillwater Quilt in two colors is just perfection. It feels right at home in the cabin! The perfect weight for lower temps, and a timeless pattern.
We have the Teig Lamp on our bedside table. The bellini color is so beautiful and casts a wonderful glow in the evening.
