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Views Outside, Beauty Within

Executing every construction detail Flawlessly, Bontecou Construction created Skyhouse, a sanctuary that is as sophisticated as it is restrained.


As the project progressed, the owners chose to add on a two-bedroom addition for guests, linked to the main residence by a serene terrace with a spa, fire pit, and glass railings that preserve uninterrupted mountain views.

Story
Helen Olsson

Photos
Krafty Photos

Construction
Bontecou Construction
bontecouconstruction.com

Vertical wooden slats, hand-troweled plaster, floating treads on a staircase, and carefully considered window placements can create an interplay of light and shadow that enhances a home’s feng shui, shaping energy within the lived environment and striking a delicate balance of yin and yang.

The owner of this stunning 6,574-square-foot, five-bed, eight-bath property near Jackson Hole tapped Bontecou Construction to bring their vision for a peaceful mountain retreat to life. “They were influenced by the aesthetic of a Belgian architect known for creating spaces that inspire occupants to respond viscerally,” says Lindsey Bontecou, president of Bontecou Construction, which served as general contractor on the two-year project, working with an architect and interior designer from Belgium. “The owner’s end goal was to create a home that felt Zen, filled with spaces that invite quiet moments of reflection.”

Blending European and Japanese sensibilities, Skyhouse features clean lines and exquisitely executed details. “I’d call it modern minimalism, but at the same time, all the oak wood throughout the interior makes it feel warm and inviting. It has a soft, earthy quality,” Bontecou says.


In the kitchen, a light travertine countertop juxtaposes dark patinated metal cabinets, while light wood cabinetry lends warmth.

Nestled into a hillside on 6.4 acres, the home has expansive windows that frame views of the iconic Sleeping Indian in the Gros Ventre range on the east side of the valley, but its real beauty lies within. A simple materials palette features light oak, black patinated steel, Italian travertine, and dark Pietra Vesuvius stone. Every finish was thoughtfully curated and custom built: a recessed stairway handrail with integrated LED lighting, a custom white clay bathtub imported from Belgium, and millwork crafted in Italy. In the guest wing, a striking rectangular oak bathtub imported from Poland offers visitors a memorable soak. The kitchen combines patinated metal cabinets with travertine drawer and door fronts. White-oak-paneled walls and floor-to-ceiling pocket doors define the home’s spaces while creating beautiful moments of light and shadow. The result is a sophisticated and restrained sanctuary that leaves one with an overall feeling of calm without pointing to just one move, material, or detail.


A finned wall of white oak divides the kitchen from the living space while allowing light to filter through.

Midway through the project, the owners decided to expand the project’s scope with a 2,640-square-foot, two-bedroom addition for guests. “This architectural add-on gave us the opportunity to build out what we call the ‘Sky Terrace,’” Bontecou says. Spanning livable garage space, they installed a sunken spa, Montana fire pit, concrete pavers, and a frameless glass railing designed to disappear into the mountain panorama. This tranquil outdoor space connects the two two-story structures via a sophisticated linear composition.


Throughout the home, Bontecou integrated LED lighting into the millwork, in alcoves and stair railings, creating an understated mood.

A custom clay bathtub imported from Belgium serves as a focal point in the primary bath.

The approach to the home’s exterior construction mirrored the interior design strategy. “We were thoughtful about not introducing too many different materials,” Bontecou says. To reinforce the homeowners’ intention to create a juxtaposition between the warm interior materials and the exterior, cedar siding was stained a brushed gray. This ensured it remained in harmony with other exterior finishes and accents like deep black, board-formed concrete, and Ipê, a Brazilian hardwood used for the understated entryway and rear decking.


Floor-to-ceiling windows capture stunning sunrise views.

“The real challenge was the extraordinary level of craftsmanship. Every shadow line, every cove molding, every fin of white oak—every last detail received focused attention.”

—Lindsey Bontecou, Bontecou Construction

“Skyhouse required precision work at every step,” Bontecou says. “The real challenge was the extraordinary level of craftsmanship. Every shadow line, every cove molding, every fin of white oak—every last detail received focused attention. This creates a seamless space, which, in turn, makes the home feel harmonious and peaceful.”


Sophisticated clean lines define the exterior, allowing interiors to flow harmoniously from one space to the next.

Born in Jackson, Lindsey is the second generation to helm Bontecou Construction. She returned to the area in 2017 to work with her father, Steve, who founded the company in Jackson in 1978. Steve officially retired in 2024—though he still likes to visit job sites now and then. “Everywhere I look in this valley, there are high-end custom homes that Bontecou Construction has had a hand in over the last 45 years,” Lindsey says. “It feels good to carry on that legacy.”


A sunken spa anchors the outdoor space between the main house and the guest quarters.