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The concise guest cabin feels much larger thanks to Northworks’ design of the main volume with a cathedral ceiling and towering windows. The striped Loro Piana drapes accentuate the soaring sophistication.

Such articulate amenities stem from the relationship WRJ Founders Rush Jenkins and Klaus Baer had forged with the client, a family with plans to build a compound on the Westbank. Having already refreshed the interior design of the existing log house, WRJ introduced the clients to Northworks when talk turned to guest quarters. “The beauty of this project was that we worked hand-in-hand with the client, WRJ and the landscape architect from day one,” says Northworks founding partner Austin DePree. “That kind of close collaboration yields the best results.”

The guest cabin offered an opportunity to exercise ingenuity. “Working on a smaller scale can be more exciting,” DePree says. “Everything needs to work together. The architecture must be absolutely seamless in terms of experiencing indoors and out.”

The culinary alcove adjoining the living space is able to do double duty (as kitchen and dining area) thanks to the live-edge walnut table custom made locally. Brazilian chairs accompany the sculptural table.

In situ, the Wilson jewel box melds historic and modern references. “The architecture drew inspiration from local examples of historic cabins as well as the client’s experience of modern living,” DePree says.

The antique pine cabinet, set up as a bar, epitomizes the priority applied throughout the cabin of incorporating storage whenever— subtly, sophisticatedly—possible.

The footprint of the cabin is classic, as realized by OSM Construction: a peaked great room anchors the core structure, with paneled doors opening onto the northern deck and towering plate-glass windows overlooking the southern expanse (a solid brass chandelier with carved lead crystal shades by Jonathan Browning Studios crowns the vaulted space). The kitchen lies just beyond the foyer and serves as a dining area as well with a live-edge walnut table as island. Sleeping areas bookend the great room: the primary suite to the east and a bunk room for their teen boys to the west. “For a cabin of this size, there is a tremendous amount of living space,” Jenkins says.

A masterpiece of quiet functionality, the kitchen hides its manifold accoutrements, including a coffee station and washer/dryer, behind custom cabinetry.

Amid clean, modern lines and airy serenity, the client welcomed a mountain ethos through materials: barnwood siding, timber beams, reclaimed oak floors. Within this rustic framework, contrasting finishes soften the space: shiplap paneling covers the ceilings and Mediterranean plaster coats the walls. Such juxtapositions have become a hallmark of WRJ interiors, like the guest house Jenkins and Baer designed for themselves in the Gill Addition, which the clients wanted to reference in their own guest quarters. “Guest houses require a level of thought and intention that goes hand-in-hand with the size of the space,” Jenkins says. “We set out to achieve a juxtaposition of rustic and contemporary and an overall quiet, Zen-like ambiance.”

Luscious textures envelope occupants of the primary bedroom. The leather façade and bronze pulls of the BDDW chest of drawers contrast the softness of the bed linens and cotton- cashmere headboard.

Awash in light, the interior complements the cool hues of the surrounding landscape with a warm neutral palette of creamy whites and taupey greys, and with enticing textures: woven and natural textiles paired with cashmere- cotton upholstery. Loro Piana drapes and automated solar shades temper the towering windows. “The textures envelope you in a luscious way,” Jenkins says.

The same stone used to face the fireplace also accents the primary bathroom, adding a rustic note amid the spa-like setting.

Drawing inspiration from travel, Jenkins adapted a bedside niche he adored in a Parisian hotel to suit the primary suite. The nook he designed—in collaboration with Northworks—integrates every possible utility—nightlight, charging station, shelving for water and alarm—and then some, with his-and-hers closets extending the cabinetry.

Placement of artwork proved vital in coalescing the cabin’s Zen-like ambiance; the serenity of Tuck Fauntleroy’s “Waterline IV” photograph permeates the space and provides a profound sense of place by framing the headwaters of the Snake River and Coulter Creek in Bridger Teton National Forest.

A similar schema finds the four full bunk beds outfitted in functionality with integrated closets and upholstered headboard storage. Also informative: Jenkins’ experience living in a 400 sq. ft. studio in Manhattan, and the multi- modal living such confines encourages.

EVERYTHING FUNCTIONS BEAUTIFULLY, IN A VERY SOPHISTICATED, SUBTLE WAY.
—RUSH JENKINS, WRJ DESIGN

Flexible forms took precedence throughout: The upholstered armchairs in the living room swivel to allow for engagement with the chef in the adjoining kitchen. Even the storage bench perched beside the front door makes for a multi-functional moment as a mini-mudroom.

Transcending its size, the cabin promotes porous living with interior vignettes spilling seamlessly outside onto the surrounding decks.

In the open kitchen, clutter and cacophony are hidden behind paneling. European in its functionality, even the washer and dryer are tucked behind custom cabinetry. A bespoke mix of statement contemporary and antique pieces cultivates layered character. Singular finds like the antique pine cabinet as bar lend history. In the primary suite, an impeccable BDDW cabinet, sheathed in leather with bronze pulls, faces the king bed. A walnut step ladder wrapped in leather by Poltrona Frau elevates shelving to sculpture.

The placement of art from Tayloe Piggott Gallery coalesces the serene experience: meditative paper works by Rakuko Naito, avian ruminations by Jane Rosen and graphic landscapes by local photographer Tuck Fauntleroy. A bronze elk mount by Ashley Tudor, an artist represented by WRJ, graces the granite fireplace. A botanical piece by Jackson’s own Ed Riddell echoes the elegant silhouette of the freestanding tub in the primary bath.

“This project speaks of our clients through its wonderful blend of contemporary and traditional,” Jenkins says. “Everything functions beautifully, in a very sophisticated, subtle way.”

Northworks Architects nestled the new cabin within the lush topography of the Westbank property, mindful of the additional structures to come on the family compound.

For this home built by Dembergh Construction, the windows take center stage. Sourced from Brombal in Italy, they represent the finely crafted finishes that are regularly chosen for homeowners.

Prichard is referring to a recently completed build, one that tested Dembergh’s expertise in beautiful ways. Primarily, the placement of the windows in this mountain modern design gave his team something substantial to chew on. “It took a day and half to two days to build each window. The coolest thing is the trim detail, the shades are built in, so that each window appears to be seamless.” When approaching the home, the windows compel the onlooker’s gaze to linger. As the eye moves over the roof line and the exterior finishes, it is clear that deep inspiration has been beautifully manifested.

When the property owners engaged the architects, they communicated their love of the ski lodge culture in Austria. This is what drove the look and feel of their vision. “The lines are well thought through,” says Prichard. “The interior palette is light, and not just in color. There is a feel to it that is lighter.” This sensory experience is anchored by fir ceilings and white oak floors, married together with the Italian-made Brombal windows. Mountain sun graces the interior atmosphere, bringing the wonder of the outdoors into the comfortable spaces that comprise the home.
 

COMMUNAL BALANCE

The great room presents options in relaxation that include fireside dining. Opening into the kitchen, and flanked on both sides by views into nature, the open feel makes for expansive living.

The heart of this home lives on the main floor, with a great room that features dining space and flows into an open kitchen. From there, guests can easily access outdoor living, an area that features a fire pit and built-in hot tub. The homeowners have embraced the holistic approach to living in the Tetons. Indoor comfort paired with outdoor amenities takes a dwelling to sublime levels.

It’s clear this home is made to play host to friends and family who will be fortunate to enjoy all that it has to offer. The teams from Willow Creek Woodworks and Jackson Hole AV were attuned to every detail. Beyond the larger bedrooms, it is the bunkroom that exemplifies this welcoming vibe. The built-in beds are queen sized and have been wired for relaxation. USB ports are handy, and recessed lighting compartmentalizes each nest. A shared room becomes cozy and individualized despite its communal purpose.

The floating stairs were crafted in Bozeman, Montana, and match the pristine white oak flooring that is featured throughout the home.

If occupants are craving company, the limestone fireplace in the great room posits the most optimal meeting place, with a full wall of windows inspiring any plans that might be made for the day. The outdoors beckon with possibility, if only so exploring guests can look forward to reveling in this space at day’s end.

IT’S SO FUN WHEN THAT ATTENTION TO DETAIL COMES TOGETHER AND THE TEAM CAN TAKE PRIDE IN A JOB WELL DONE.
—JAXON CHING, WILLOW CREEK WOODWORKS

AT HOME IN THE DETAILS

A limestone fireplace allows the natural feel of the stone to show through, with a presentation that is raw beauty. Paired with the clean lines of the expansive windows, the elegant balance in design is a striking presentation.

Many talented hands aided in the success of this project. Beyond the teams from Dembergh Construction and CLB Architects, Willow Creek Woodworks brought their best to the table. Jaxon Ching speaks of the effort in ensuring the fluidity of the kitchen was addressed properly. “The horizontal planking and wood grain that had to be matched, going from the kitchen to the pantry and then into two rooms opposite of each other really presented a challenge. But it’s so fun when that attention to detail comes together and the team can take pride in a job well done.”

The great room features two fireplaces, and views of the Snake River Range. The paneling that flanks the limestone on this half of the room is actually a hidden doorway crafted and installed by Willow Creek Woodworks.

Another custom piece taken on by Willow Creek was the ladder system in the bunkroom. Their role on a job site goes beyond cabinetmaking, with metal fabrication a strong part of their portfolio. “I think this may have been only the second time we have had to address a ladder system. But in this case, we fabricated it all from beginning to end. The welding, the sanding, all of it. The challenge is motivating and solving the puzzle to make it come out just right is so gratifying.”

The fir ceilings and white oak flooring serve to frame the outdoor views, and allow nature’s palette to take the stage in almost every corner of the home.

Small touches of personalization can build upon a whole design in satisfying ways. The clean lines of a European chalet sing in this space, but the theme does not feel cold. The tilework in the bathrooms present the perfect example of accommodating warmth and familiarity. With the help of the renowned East Coast interiors firm Bunny Williams, the tile motifs lend a sense of home and comfort.

Creekside views from a cozy bed can either propel one into the outdoors, or encourage a day long stay beneath finely made linens.

A bunkroom built for full comfort means queen sized beds, recessed lighting, and views that bring nature’s sense of peace into the space. Although meant for communal living, the nested feel would give any guest a sense of privacy.

Further expertise in bringing the job to completion came from the team at Jackson Hole AV. Rich Ashburn explains that his crew is often the last on a job site, tying together the very precise loose ends that result in highly functional security surveillance, lighting, and audiovisual systems. “Our team approach is balanced well, and we have so much respect for the modern aesthetic. Everything must be precise, and if it’s not, it shows.”

Although the clean lines were inspired by the European ski lodge feel, touches of home are channeled through the finish details, and bring a warmth to the fore that a hospitality space does not achieve.

NATURE’S VOICE HAS A SAY

The environment surrounding this home lends to its aesthetic balance. The Snake River Range and the familiar curves of Sleeping Indian are landscape nuances that cannot be ignored, and the home itself does not distract from nature’s original design. A creek flows down from one of the neighboring peaks, creating a languid border on one edge of the site.

When approaching the site, the windows and roofline compel the viewer to take a closer look. But the elevated green space featuring tall grasses anchor the eye, exuding lush movement against the clean lines of this mountain modern home.

The meandering outdoor living space presents the beauty of limestone in concert with surrounding trees. If one chooses not to revel in the luxury of the hot tub or station themselves at the fire pit, a covered area accentuates how this zone of outdoor relaxation can be enjoyed. Dining al fresco, even during a snowfall, seems absolutely possible.

An elevated green space featuring tall grasses is set against the exterior finishes of the home and lends movement and color in an unexpected way. Prichard says of the mountain modern aesthetic, “The simplest form is the hardest to perfect. We need to make it all look like it’s supposed to be there. Aside from the expanse of windows, it’s the roof line that makes a statement without being over the top. It’s understated, subdued, and refined.”

LIVING PROOF OF EXPERTISE

The effort to complete this project took just over two years, and Dembergh Construction’s capable expertise took the build to the finish line with client and architectural expectations fully intact. “The proof of our expertise is always our last project,” says Prichard. The firm’s presence has been felt in Jackson for over 35 years, with a focus on the West Bank. “We’ll take a job out of that neighborhood if it’s interesting,” he says. “We work from a philosophy that we simply want to do cool and interesting things.”

An outdoor living space with impactful touches of green beckons the eye and the body. Options to enjoy a hot soak, a blazing fire pit, or al fresco dining under cover would keep any nature lover outside for the duration of their stay.

A reputation built over decades has brought Dembergh to the point of being in demand without having to advertise. Getting assignments through word of mouth keeps this construction team busy working with some of the most pioneering design houses in the West. The projects result in experiential living at its finest, with the abundance of the Teton lifestyle ensuring full satisfaction.

The renovation sought to open up the home, offering a more intuitive layout and inviting, modern ambiance. Utilizing a thoughtful blend of finishes, the team created a space that is at once classic and contemporary.

In contrast, Jackson Hole residents’ preferences within the human-designed world are ephemeral. Trends come and go. Styles fade in and out as the decades roll by. And when they pass, they often leave behind once state-of-the-art spaces that now invite reimagining.

The Starflower Home is a perfect example. Located in the steep, forested neighborhood of Indian Paintbrush, it was constructed in the mid-1970s. When new owners acquired it four years ago, this same juxtaposition was at play: While the landscape views were as breathtaking as ever, and the pristine hillside woods lent an immersive richness, the home style itself was outdated.

Expansive windows and spacious decks create an effortless flow between the comfort of the interior and the peace of the surrounding natural exteriors.

“The clients had come up here for a number of years, and of course fallen in love—a pretty standard love affair with our great part of the world,” explains Kurt Dubbe, of Dubbe Moulder Architects, the lead architect on the remodel project. “They purchased the existing home, which was fairly stylized and definitely dated.”

Creating a stark contrast by darkening the existing exposed ceiling beams brought the home a sense of balance.

In collaboration with Dubbe’s team, Creative Building Solutions’ owner and principal, Chad Grohne, interior designers from Forsyth & Brown and landscaping experts from MountainScapes, the property owners shared their vision for the project: a renewed space that offered a more home-like and contemporary atmosphere while continuing to emphasize the surrounding views.

The original, rather low-slung, almost ranch-style building was located high up on a hill. “The views are breathtaking in the woods,” observes Dubbe. “We evaluated all the existing conditions and determined that the bones of the structure were sound: It’s a very well-built house. They wanted a new set of ‘clothes’ that would be a little bit less stylized in a dated sense. We set out to design something more timeless, but still infused with a mountain contemporary ambiance.”

“It’s a supremely cool house,” agrees Grohne. “It’s amazing when you first walk in how impactful it is on the whole experience to see the wide-open views of the valley. The perspective of the house is incredible—a view like that is quite rare. You’re positioned high above the valley and looking all the way to the Tetons.”

The team created a vision that was built around the axis of the Teton views and sought to bring an increased sense of openness and flow to the home. Grohne achieved this ambiance through the thoughtful use of glass, stone and natural wood finishes. With an eye to creating a seamless indoor and outdoor experience, the team expanded windows, improved multiple decks and designed a unique semi-covered patio space. Partially enclosed with rough-hewn stone walls and sheltered under an innovative butterfly roof, the patio boasts a built-in grill and fire pit, further underscoring the effortless flow between the home’s interior and the unparalleled beauty of the surrounding landscape.

One end of the main floor is anchored around a stunning, contemporary fireplace. Replacing the original stylized moss-rock feature and diminutive firebox, the sleek, bold, subtly industrial new fireplace produces a sophisticated balance in the space. The steel plates with blued and waxed finish and the exposed fasteners and rivets command a modern sense of elegance.

Contributing to the air of expansiveness is the home’s lofty ceiling with exposed beams. After exploring multiple approaches, explains Amy Brown, of interior design firm Forsyth & Brown, the team decided to lend the beams a dark color, creating a high contrast with the ceiling itself. “The richness of the beams in the living space helps weigh out the fireplace,” she observes.

Perched in the inimitable Indian Paintbrush neighborhood south of Wilson, this artfully renovated home celebrates a breathtaking perspective on the surrounding peaks and valley below.

Brown believes that this project exemplifies the potential inherent in remodeling an existing home instead of building anew. “The possibilities of remodeling versus tearing something down and starting all over again are expansive. This house was a prime place to do that. It had good bones and just needed new interior finishing,” she says.

Brown and her partner, Jodi Forsyth, found inspiration in both the styles and interior pieces that the family already owned, as well as the vision to create a space that highlighted exterior views and natural elegance. Ultimately, they selected finishes that offered lasting beauty through simplicity.

“It was a fun challenge to design with the given mix of styles—and to select the interior finishes that would complement all of it and create a cohesive, balanced environment,” Forsyth recalls.

The ease with which the home blends into the surroundings, and the harmonious flow among materials, including the landscaping, are flawless. “The overall goal was to restore the property back to a more natural, native state,” says Sean Macauley, of MountainScapes Landscaping. “The vision was to have it blend in with the already-existing surroundings. To achieve that, we used native grass sod and plant materials that we saw already flourishing on the property. The materials were all sourced locally, and we were able to make the house smoothly integrate into the hillside.”

By mindfully embracing and showcasing what made this home unique in its original form, the team achieved a stunning renovation of a truly exceptional property. Reimagining the home’s flow, prioritizing a sense of openness and balance, and enhancing the ways in which the space embraced a mountain contemporary style, the creative team’s vision sprang to life in a vibrant way. Their success revolved around recognizing what elements required an update and what pieces merited preservation. Clearly, they agreed on celebrating the most awe-inspiring and enduring feature of this distinctive space: an inimitable perspective on one of the most spectacular mountain panoramas on earth.