Mountain Modern Style

Photography by Matthew Millman & Douglas Friedman

CLB Architects and HSH Interiors created a serene retreat for a California based couple and their two Irish Wolfhounds in the mountains of Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

The 35-acre property is set at the base of the Tetons and encompasses several ecosystems, with old-growth forest merging into stands of young pine and aspen trees before transitioning into rolling meadows. The homeowners, authors who also own and manage an independent record label out of Mill Valley, California, were looking for a nature-oriented outpost in Wyoming in which to pursue their writing practice. The projected includes the design of three buildings: main house, guest house, and writer’s studio; each is arranged as a set of simple box-like volumes, each designed in response to its specific location. The 6000 square-foot main house is conceived as a geologic remnant in the landscape, located on the edge between field and forest. The guest house and writer’s studio are nestled more intimately within the wooded environment. A fourth, spiritually focused structure has yet to be built and will be sited further to the south. The architecture is open, with sweeping views to mountain vistas of the Grand Tetons, natural fauna, forests, and meadows. Rectilinear in plan, the main house appears to grab surrounding trees as anchors, sinking in the center, and pulling upward toward the sky at the corners. Working in concert with the landscape, this dynamic quality further through the building’s charred shou sugi ban exterior, tugged and carved to create overhangs and openings. The entrance to the home is located where the structure reaches out over a lowland creek, the relationship revealed by a moment of transparency in the floor. The wood exterior wraps into the interior as light Atlantic cedar, which then dissolves into subtle plaster and floor-to-ceiling glass. Once inside, on the right, going down a few steps, a large opening living room has been placed. A modular corner sofa, a pair of armchairs and a glass coffee table were placed on the geometrically shaped rug by Marc Phillips Rugs. An east-facing fireplace provides a counterpoint to the view while an intimate courtyard allows southern light to penetrate the center of the home. The floor sculpture of The Future Perfect takes up the façade of the fireplace.

The client’s bohemian lifestyle and love of music, literature and the great outdoors were the inspiration behind the interior design.

Behind the living sofa, we find the dining area and the kitchen with a majestic island which also houses a balcony for breakfast. The same wood as the ceiling was used for the wall that includes the kitchen furniture, and by opting for the custom flush-fitting doors, a unique continuity was created. The work area and the black wall units have been set in the middle of the wall, which match the surface of the island and bar stools.

Accessible both from the living area and from the main entrance, the lounge room has a more sophisticated style with a touch of somber. The walls are covered in Aqualille's custom hand-painted mural wallpaper, designed by HSH Interiors. A series of three-level shelves host various objects and small décor sculptures; below a bar area includes a counter and bar stools. Next to it, a yellow armchair brings a touch of boldness to the ambiance. The famous Bolotas sofa by Brazilian furniture designers, Campana Brothers, represents the gem of this space, offering a comfortable and enveloping seat. Its cherry color is played out in the custom-made chandelier by Johanna Grawunder above.

Turning left at the entrance, you walk along a corridor where windows have been installed instead of walls, thus making a connection with nature outside. A series of rugs created by Kyle Bunting in collaboration with photographer Douglas Friedman strikes a perfect balance between minimalism and a playful, lavish aesthetic. Further ahead, Robert Montgomery's LED Word Art installation on the landing has been placed.

On the upper floor there are two guest bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms. Each room offers expansive views of the prairie and Teton Range. As in the rest of the home, every surface has been elevated with handcrafted details and geometric motifs.

The color palette used throughout the design reflects earth tones, with pops of mustard and blush. Wood, steel, bronze, custom cast white concrete, bleached cedar, and oversized slabs of travertine and onyx define the material palette.

The master bedroom is located beyond the living area and includes an ensuite bathroom and two separate walk-in closets. De La Vega bed is a creative mix of country classic and mid-century modernism. The emerald green quilted upholstery goes perfectly with the turned brass and oiled wood. The bed is accompanied by a majestic headboard which includes bedside tables; above, attached to a white bar, a series of pendants create a slightly theatrical atmosphere.

In the master bathroom Italian limestone is highlighted as floors in the primary bath, and is also highlighted for the custom bathtub, which was water jet cut from a single block of limestone to create a striking monolithic and sculptural design element. On the opposite side, a pair of mirrors and stone wall sculpture by Chen Chen & Kai Williams make the room majestic. Ball chandeliers, a custom-made suspended cabinet with double sink and black taps complete the design.