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Modern Mountain Living Done Right: Behind the Scenes of Silverado Pines with Craig Floods

cframe222
Sep 10
3 min read

When I first acquired 309 acres here in Garden Valley back in 2004, my vision wasn’t to clear-cut the forest or drop cookie-cutter suburban houses into the foothills. The goal was simple: build modern, comfortable homes in harmony with the trees without stripping away what makes this mountain valley magical.


Recently, Boise real estate specialist Craig Floods came up the canyon to tour our latest project and meet some of our wonderful homeowners.


Check out the full video tour and candid discussion below:

Inside "The Treehouse": Architecture Designed for the Land

During the video, Craig Floods and I walked through one of our latest signature designs, nicknamed "The Treehouse" [03:14].

When we design in Silverado Pines, we let the topography, sunlight, and views dictate the floor plan:

  • Panoramic Indoor-Outdoor Living: A multi-panel panoramic door system opens the living area completely to the covered deck [03:27], framing Castle Mountain and welcoming the scent of Ponderosa pines right into the home.

  • The Breakfast & Dinner Deck: We extended the outdoor living space directly into the canopy [04:10]—giving you the feeling of floating among the trees whether you're drinking morning coffee or hosting an evening dinner.

  • Artisanal Finishes: In the great room, we installed vaulted ceilings made from hand-ground Baltic birch plywood [04:23], creating a rich, one-of-a-kind organic texture that standard drywall simply can’t match.

  • Everyday Mountain Function: Mountain life demands practical utility. We incorporated a direct pass-through between the master walk-in closet and laundry room [04:36], along with an oversized garage featuring a drive-through overhead door for snowmobiles and UTVs [04:49].


Why Jeff and Chris Traded the Washington, D.C. Suburbs for Garden Valley

A highlight of the video is catching up with Jeff and Chris, who relocated across the country from Falls Church, Virginia [01:26].


After their son moved his family to the Boise area, they explored communities from McCall to the Boise Basin before discovering Silverado Pines. Within an hour of driving the property, they knew they were home [00:21].


We worked with them to build a custom single-level home tailored to their lifestyle:

  • Sunrises, Sunsets & Wildlife: With dual-facing views to the east and west [05:18], their living room overlooks frequent visits from local elk herds, deer, and wild turkeys [05:25].

  • True Community Spirit: Moving an hour outside a major city doesn’t mean sacrificing connection. As Chris noted, neighbors regularly gather for trail rides, river outings on the Payette, and casual get-togethers—like turning an RV garage into a neighborhood theater for movie night [06:08].

  • The River in Your Backyard: Kayaking, rafting, and sandy beach days on the South Fork of the Payette River are just minutes away [05:41].


Is Mountain Life in Garden Valley Right for You?

We always give prospective buyers an honest picture of what living up here means.

Living an hour north of Boise along scenic Highway 55 is an incredible sanctuary, but it requires an appreciation for the rhythm of mountain seasons [06:33]:

  • You’ll embrace winter: You’ll get real snow—which means snowplowing your driveway, but it also means having a private sledding hill in your backyard for the grandkids [07:15].

  • You gain privacy and space: Lots in Phase 1 of Silverado Pines span 2 to 6 acres, giving you room to breathe, work remotely in absolute peace, and stargaze under night skies free of light pollution [09:33].

  • The commute is a getaway: At roughly 45 to 60 minutes to downtown Boise, making a supply run or visiting family is easy—and the drive along the Payette River never gets old [08:47].


Ready to Explore Silverado Pines?

Whether you're looking for a primary residence, a remote-work mountain retreat, or a generational getaway for your family, we’d love to walk the land with you.


👉 Call me today at 208-921-6174 to inquire about available parcels, review custom home floor plans, or schedule a private tour of Silverado Pines.

 
 
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