Idaho is one of the least visited states in the country. That could have a lot to do with the fact that all many of us know about the Gem State is they grow a lot of potatoes. But Idaho’s nickname as the Gem State should tell you something. Along with being a great place to mine for precious stones, the state’s natural resources make it a “hidden gem” for lovers of the outdoors. From mountains to glacial lakes to dozens of state parks to explore, it’s an ideal spot for a secluded vacation retreat.
Rising up out of the boulders, Payette Lake Cliff House is perfectly located to take advantage of some of Idaho’s best outdoor experiences. Payette Lake is a 10,000 year old glacial lake filled with clear, blue water. The area offers fishing, boating, and 1,000 acres of wilderness for camping and hiking. It’s a dream location for a mountain home.
Positioned on a bluff overlooking the water, Payette Lake Cliff House offers stunning views of the water and the tree-covered rolling hills beyond. The creation of McCall Design & Planning, the home impressively blends manmade structures with the natural surroundings. Walking up the winding exterior staircase, weaving through the rocks to the entry of the home, you get a hint at what awaits inside. The boulders on the property become more than just part of the scenery, they make their way inside, acting as everything from support for the curved staircases, to a hearth for the fireplace, to a one-of-a-kind base for the shower in the master bathroom.
Inside and out, Payette Lake Cliff House showcases the new wave of design in mountain homes. The days of over-the-top opulence are gone. Now people are looking for their mountain retreats to have a laid-back feel. This means creating a design that is welcoming and cozy while incorporating natural materials that reflect the home’s surroundings.
Outside, Payette Lake Cliff House features teak cladding, concrete, and weathered zinc. The home seems to flow like water down the bluff and everywhere you look, boulders rise up out of the ground creating privacy for the many outdoor patios. Pine trees surround the property adding greenery that contrasts against the light teak cladding.
Inside, the sprawling retreat features simple cream-color plaster walls, natural wood on the floors and ceilings, and massive steel-framed windows that provide jaw-dropping views of the lake while flooding the home’s spaces with natural light. Industrial touches, which are becoming more popular in mountain decor, were incorporated throughout the home. Steel support beams were left exposed while the kitchen and bathrooms feature polished concrete counters.
Nods to the region’s natural history can be seen around every corner. In the stairways, massive cross sections of ancient trees were hung on the walls. The dining room features a frosted glass table and chandelier reminiscent of the glacial ice that once covered the land. And the master bathroom features an intricate mosaic tile mural of a forest scene.
Payette Lake Cliff House blurs the line between indoors and out, making it a nature lover’s dream mountainside vacation home.
For a look at another stunning Idaho vacation home, check out Teton Valley House.
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