The House
Talahogan is a unique Sedona house. Originally a primitive, one-room hunting cabin built a hundred years ago, the original structure has undergone extensive rebuilding and renovations over the years. It's a process still underway in the restless quest to make the unique Sedona "hogan" worthy of the hill--harmonizing with the surrounding Red Rocks, staying faithful to its rustic beginnings, doing homage to the Native culture, improving environmental sustainability.
A Unique Sedona "hogan"
An old Spanish-era barn in New Mexico and Grand Canyon's magnificent Desert View Watchtower inspired Talahogan's unique design and facade. The tumbled stone comes from regional quarries and reclaimed wood from Arizona barns and outbuildings. A truly unique Sedona abode, the "hogan" harmonizes--inside as well as out--with the sweeping Red Rock creation completely surrounding this steep, narrow hilltop bordering the Coconino National Forest.
Key Features
Great Room
An enlargement of the original 1920s hunting cabin, the great room is still the heart of Talahogan. And in keeping with its namesake, the six-sided room approximates the octagonal form of an actual Navajo hogan.
Although the old fireplace is about all that's visible of the original structure, the room still radiates the warm country feel of long-ago Sedona days. Plus a deep serenity and harmony with the surrounding beauty of Sedona. From the inside, one feels a strong connection with the nature beyond.
Angled walls and large windows dramatize those magnificent Red Rock views and southwestern earth-tone décor complement them. From this room--mainly windows!--you have the most sweeping, unobstructed panorama of Red Rock Country in all Sedona--almost 360 degrees!
Kitchen & Dining Areas
Whether sauteing on the cooktop or washing veggies in the sink, you're feasting your eyes on spectacular vistas--Sedona's most iconic rocks in one direction, Cockscomb Butte and the national forest in the other. Moreover, you've got an ideal vantage points to watch the local wildlife as they come to drink at the back pond and graze on juniper berries and Mexican primrose.
The modern kitchen is fully equipped with a cooking island, ceramic glass cooktop, self-cleaning oven, quiet Bosch dishwasher, large double sink, spacious double-door refrigerator, water filter, eating bar and walk-in pantry with recycling bins. Plus lots of small appliances, cookware, dishes and utensils for the chef. And while folks like to congregate in the kitchen area, the bar stools and window bench provide them place to do so.
The dining area is not just close to the kitchen but to the patio and outdoor grill as well. And given the great room's angular design, there are sweeping vistas from every seat of the Mission-style table. For a post-meal snooze (or afternoon siesta), stretch out on the long window bench with its comfortable 4" cushion and beautiful view on to the garden and Mogollon Rim beyond.
Fireplace Area
Here you're in the heart of the original 100-year-old, one-room structure! The rustic stone fireplace, now graced with a juniper mantle and fireplace insert, is the hunting cabin's last visible remnant. And on cold winter nights in Northern Arizona, it's still the heart of this unique Sedona house. Sitting here conjures up thoughts of life in Red Rock Country a century ago when--so the story goes--a couple of Phoenix doctors built the cabin out of wood from Jerome to hunt game in this sparsely settled region. The low ceiling of this part of the great room--also a holdover--helps retain its old, cozy cabin feel. When not warming by the fire, the swivel-glider chairs permit easy Red Rock viewing through the nearby window or joining a conversation in the sitting area behind.
DEN
The den is just off the great room and connects that space with the rest of this unique Sedona abode. The room has its own story. Somewhere along the line, a past owner butted a single-wide trailer up to the fireplace wall of the old cabin, cut out an opening to connect the two rooms, then framed the trailer together with the cabin to look like one, unified structure. Despite completely rebuilding this part of the house, the long, narrow room still retains its original trailer dimensions. Out of its large window is one of the most stunning views on the property--a magnificent vista of all three of Sedona's most iconic formations--Cathedral, Bell and Courthouse Rocks. When not mesmerized by the view, there's a 55" cable-connected smart TV and DVD for entertainment and a large oak desk for work!
Bedrooms
The two bedrooms in the main house each has its own distinct character. But both are designed to dramatize and enhance the scenes of Red Rock Country from their locations with walls angled to frame the most spectacular views and peaceful earth tone decor to complement them.
The Cockscomb bedroom is so called because of its stunning view of the Red Rock formation of that name. At its most beautiful in morning light, the intricately carved butte is a wondrous sight to wake up to, even more when hot air balloons drift along its face.
The Boynton Canyon bedroom pays homage to the nearby Wilderness land held sacred by the Yavapai and Apache as the birthplace of their people. The room offers the most spectacular panorama of the Red Rock Secret Mtn Wilderness Area, including the entrance to the sacred canyon, of anywhere in this unique Sedona "hogan.". From this bedroom, you truly look out on to what indigenous peoples consider their Garden of Eden.
Both bedrooms have queen-sized beds, sitting areas, and oak floors with radiant floor heating. The Cockscomb has a walk-in closet to help keep the room uncluttered, while Boynton Canyon has a large custom desk, built-in cabinetry and closet, and small terrace overlooking the back pond with its peaceful sound of the creek water--blissful at night!
Bathroom
The full bathroom features a tub/shower combo, large vanity and sink, oak cabinetry, large linen closet, radiant heating in its Saltillo tile floor...and like every other room in this unique Red Rock Country house, great views! In fact, from the shower stall there are Red Rock views of both sides of the hill--to the east and west!
Bunkhouse Suite
This is perhaps the most unique feature of this unique Sedona house--a separate living area connected to the main house by a breezeway. The suite includes a bedroom, sitting and work areas, full bath, kitchenette, and enclosed bunk bed niche (hence its name!). Moreover, there are large terraces front and back and stunning panoramas of Red Rock Country on both sides of the narrow hilltop.
It's often used as a master bedroom given its king bed and full bath. But it's a very versatile space depending on need--the bunk beds providing additional sleeping accommodations, the desk offering a quiet work space, the cable TV a separate entertainment area, etc. However used, the separate structure affords extra privacy and tranquility, although just a few steps away from the main house,
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The Bunkhouse opens on to the large covered deck at the entrance to Talahogan. In good weather with the half door open, the deck is really like an additional room.
From the sitting area, enjoy expansive vistas of Sedona's eastern as well as southern horizons. For those who love the rustic look, you'll appreciate the barnwood and blue-stain ponderosa pine throughout the Bunkhouse. The barnwood comes from farms and ranches in northern Arizona and the pine from the national forest. All have been crafted by local master carpenters. Comfortable swivel chairs make it easy to toggle between the stunning views as well as to the 50" Smart TV in the right corner!
To one side of the sitting area is the kitchenette and behind are the rustic wooden doors enclosing the bunk bed niche. With beautifully-crafted barnwood cabinetry, the kitchenette has a 5 cu ft frig, microwave, sink, small appliances and eating bar. When not in use, the bunk beds are effectively hidden. Most everyone thinks it's just a closet!
The Bunkhouse's king bed looks out on to a wide expanse of the Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness Area. The sliding doors open on to a large flagstone terrace and pathway to the back of the property. The barnwood desk in the corner provides a small work area with excellent wifi connectivity. Beside it is a rustic armoire (visible in the photo above).
Thanks to the covered deck in the front and large pinyon in back, the Bunkhouse remains comfortably cool except in the hottest of weather when a/c from the two heat pumps is welcome. Opening both the bedroom sliders and top half of the front Dutch door creates a natural ventilation throughout. And the oversized fans in the bedroom and sitting areas cool the perceived temperature considerably.
While open to the surrounding countryside, this spacious and unique Sedona house is wonderfully tranquil and very private.
The iron-framed king bed is flanked by two Aladdin lamps that provide a soft warm, inviting glow to the room. Both the wainscot and ceiling are locally-harvested blue-stain ponderosa pine. The pine ceiling adds real color and interest to the Bunkhouse at night as the Red Rock views begin to fade. In the heirloom cedar chest are extra pillows and linens.
The porcelain tile throughout the bunkhouse has radiant floor heating divided into three separately-controlled zones: bedroom, bathroom and sitting area/kitchenette.
The full bath includes a glass-enclosed walk-in shower, 5' bathtub, and barnwood vanity with two copper vessel sinks and large mirror. Next to the tub is the linen closet (not shown).