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F O U N DAT I O N S Houses by JLF Architects Written by JLF Design Build with Seabring Davis Photography by Audrey Hall

F O U N DAT I O N S Houses by JLF Architects

Written by Seabring Davis Photography by Audrey Hall

CONTENTS FO REWO RD

I NTRO DUCTI O N

HO USES

MO UN TAI N

Modern Artifact

Highland Homestead

Endless Sky

Mountain Hideaway

FO REST

True North

Forest Edge

Fieldstone

112

The Cottage

126

WATER

136

Spring Meadows

138

Linn Ranch

154

Stillwater

166

Living Art

182

FO OTHI LLS

198

Shoot For The Stars

200

High Country Elegance

214

The Landing

228

Aspen Meadows

240

BI O GRAP HI ES

260

CO LLABO RATI VE PARTNE RS

268

O U R RO O T S

hen I moved to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, in the 1980s, it gripped me because it was so different from where I had lived in New England. It was new and wild. Wyoming was defined by the landscape, not perfectly gridded neighborhoods. With the Teton Mountains ever present and the weather so dynamic that it could dictate our lives from moment to moment, I felt uncommonly connected to the natural world and thrilled by life’s new options. I yearned for a gracious, comfortable house that felt authentic to this place, something with history. In a way, my passion for antiques and art led me to JLF Architects. I was enamored of their groundbreaking use of antique wood, timber, and stone. Their materials felt like they carried the stories of people who came before us. Their warmth and richness were like the treasures that inspired me in my own collecting.

The Creamery—one hundred plus years old, weatherbeaten and lonely, still standing on that windswept Montana prairie—was the ultimate antique, an opportunity few could envision. The Creamery, years later and now built, reimagined and designed to sit gently on the land, wasn’t so much a house as it was a portal to the astounding natural world that surrounded it. My house, my art, and my furnishings were now all a whole in tone, texture, comfort, intention; deliberate. That love for the natural world, the wild places, and the awe they inspire, is where I found common ground with JLF Architects. We shared a sense of place and the desire to create a house that would forever honor it. I’m delighted that JLF is showcasing their extraordinary houses in this book. — Carol Coxhead

F O R E WO R D : C O M M O N G RO U N D

he other day, while float fishing an exquisite Montana River, a castle loomed to my right. Castle? Yes indeed: all soaring turrets, Gothic windows, entrance door so massive it could splinter a battering ram—everything, in fact, except a moat. When I stopped hyperventilating, I gathered up frayed wits to consider why this building revolted me and

what I believe should have stood in its place. Immediately, JLF came to mind, not because I do commercial endorsements, but because I crave

authenticity. While I am no architect, I think of myself as someone with strong architectural opinions. For me a great home should settle the heart and rise to the word old sailors use to describe their perfect yawl: yare. In other words, a home should be right in every way. It should impress, not through grandeur but through simplicity, authority, and grace. Ideally, it is located, designed, and crafted so thoughtfully that it appears the only imaginable structure for the landscape. Not one extraneous timber. Yare. Let others erect castles, as long as JLF can build you a home where, inside and out, you will feel better, be better. If your office lies elsewhere, here you will do your finest work. If you are an artist, here you will float. If you need nature, here it surrounds. If you are a family, this will be the home of the heart. In these pages you will learn much about authenticity—reclaimed timber and stone matching the terrain. Take my word, this commitment to materials is not some affectation but a perspective gained from four decades of studying the land, working to Olympian standards, and listening, always listening. In these pages you will see houses that mirror its occupants’ history, and, in my case, taste in wine, while providing for those unforeseen essentials—perhaps that perfectly placed hook to hang old binoculars and a favorite dog whistle. Yare in every way. — John Heminway

I N T RO D U C T I O N

LF Architects was founded in 1979. Their first project began with a cabin on a Montana ranch and a challenge to match existing log structures on the property that had been homesteaded nearly a century earlier. JLF turned to history and the remnants of original log cabins that were strewn on the property. Standing amongst those ruins of eighty-year-old log buildings with

wood that was still usable sparked an idea to reuse the old materials. Out of resourcefulness and

creativity, those renewed materials harmonized an antique cabin and contemporary life. Reclaiming the wood and rebuilding it into a new form kindled a movement in American architecture. Harnessing not only the beauty of the materials but also the pioneering spirit that settled the West within the framework of a building was an uncommon practice at the time. The organic nature of the cabin resonated with more clients. By word of mouth, that first log cabin led to other projects— bunkhouses, writing studios, ranch restorations, and ultimately new construction. The early work stirred a revival of craft that launched JLF’s time-honored design-build philosophy. Sunburnt beams, hewn barn timbers, recycled floorboards, and weathered siding were all reinvigorated into useful structures again. The authenticity of materials with their natural blemishes worn by axes, adzes, boot heels, horse hooves, and the elements seemed to belong to the Montana landscape. The buildings appeared as if they had always been there, enduring and timeless.   As architects we learned the cornerstones of construction, deciphering heritage building techniques that were no longer common practice. We disassembled dilapidated structures, salvaged the materials, and rebuilt them to learn how to match dovetailed logs, to chink hand-hewn timbers, and to stack stone so that it was square and stable and true, and capable of holding up a building. With each house our team of artisans honed their skills, reviving fine woodworking methods, stone masonry, and metalsmithing. The building experience informed the design knowledge and engrained the value of collaboration into the foundation of how we work.

C O N T E M P O R A RY A RT I F A C T

Today we are a team of people with a collaborative vision. We are architects, artisans, dreamers, partners of craft and imagination: Paul Bertelli, Logan Leachman, Ashley Sullivan, John Lauman, Travis Growney, and Jake Scott. A simple chronicle of the four decades of our work cannot capture the milestones, professional development, and cultural shifts that have influenced the houses JLF has rendered. Grounded in the past and informed by the present, each dwelling stands as a testament to artistry, hard work, and passion. Honoring the past by utilizing reclaimed materials and traditional building methods fosters creative solutions to modern living. We don’t use salvaged materials as ornaments in our designs. JLF incorporates these elements with authenticity. A stone wall isn’t a veneer of rocks, but a wall made of hand-selected stones stacked to be structurally sound. Massive timbers that once supported an industrial warehouse a century ago now span a modern living room with integrity to hold up the roof. Ancient chestnut planks from a threshing barn are repurposed into a floor that absorbs the footsteps of today and tomorrow.   Not every aspect of JLF houses is made from recycled materials. We utilize state-ofthe-art technology, engineering, and techniques that would have been inconceivable in the last hundred years. We embrace innovation. We believe that a building should enhance its surroundings and emerge from the landscape. The most sustainable thing we can do is build a house that will stand the test of time for generations. The paradigm of our designs is about contrast. The romantic notion of using relic and reclaimed materials with the clarity of a modern line delivers a contemporary artifact that enriches the experience of living in a present-day house. There is a relationship that spans back to the origin of the materials, how they were harvested and rendered into a simple shelter, then weathered and worn until they were ultimately reconfigured by a new generation of artisans. The result is a clear vision of the past seen through a contemporary filter that reconnects to nature and the source of those classic materials.

D E S I G N. B U I L D. D R E A M.

Over time JLF Architects has prevailed because of the essential union between design and construction. Vision and craft are integral to every house. The symbiotic relationship between JLF Architects and Big-D Signature started as serendipitously as that first log cabin, this time in Jackson, Wyoming, with Jack Livingood’s dream of a house. A third-generation builder from Salt Lake City, Jack was the CEO of Big-D Construction, which was founded by his father. A company with a long designbuild history in commercial projects, Jack wanted to expand his business into residential work. But first he wanted to build a retreat in Wyoming where he and his wife could escape and recharge. Jack discovered JLF’s work in a magazine and hired the team to design his permanent house in Wyoming. Because of his extensive construction background, he proposed that his company build the house. He recognized that a traditional design-bid-build system is challenging when it comes to working at the level of curated design and custom detailing involved in creating a JLF house. During the process, the relationship of trust that developed with JLF led to a designbuild partnership. JLF brings the design side and Big-D brings the construction management side to the table. The relationship is a promise to the client that we will bring our best team to every project and the result will be a true one-of-a-kind house. JLF and Big-D have collaborated on houses throughout the country, from the shores of the West Coast to the slopes of the Rockies and to the Eastern woodlands.

A L I V I N G L E G A C Y

A house can transform a life. As architects it is our privilege to connect with people who dream of building a legacy through a house that serves as a refuge to gather and grow from one generation to the next. To build a house that possesses a balance of human design in harmony with place, JLF returns time and again to intention—that is, to the client. Our process relies on understanding how people will live in this place. We listen and learn from our clients. How will you inhabit the rooms, welcome your guests, entertain your family? How do you cook? Do you ski? Do you need a private office? Will you build an art collection or pursue your aspirations to play music every day? It is an intimate exchange of trust and honesty that ultimately propels the design program and allows us to understand the purpose of each house. Building a legacy house—large or small—with purpose is the definitive reward. To create havens for clients that become veritable destinations of repose, restorative spaces, built astutely with noble materials and heritage methods in continuity with nature, that is the goal. But, more simply, we build houses that weather time, traditions, trends, and generations with practical grace. – Seabring Davis

HOUSES The most sustainable thing we can do is design a house that will still be here in a hundred years, a place where people can gather for generations to come.

MOUNTA I N Regardless of our palette of materials, the impetus of every design starts with the landscape as the canvas for every project.

he great forces of Mother Nature are most

The challenges of designing and building a house at

visible in the mountains. The utter beauty is

high elevations require a level of understanding that is based

an inspiration, yet the tempestuous shifts in

on expertise and experience. A building site could be at

weather can be daunting. The sheer geology

10,000 feet above sea level and require logistical steps that

and mass of ancient stone heaved up by the movement of

will ensure construction can continue in every month of

the earth strikes awe.

the year.

Naturally the climate and characteristics of a mountain

But first we ask the question: What speaks to you about

slope require expertise in design and construction. The

this place? So often the answer is not just about the mountain

extensive planning and skill to implement an architectural

view. Instead, it is about connection. To relate with a

vision is often what goes unseen. The engineering feats

breathtaking vista, yes. But it is also about connection to

required to construct a solid foundation that will resist

what that vista represents—a life spent outdoors and time

shifting, sliding, or leaking are elaborate. Considerations for

spent with people who love this place. It’s about finding

seismic activity, snow load, wind force, and sun exposure

a sense of place in nature, in history, and in a house that

often determine the practical design decisions as much as

encapsulates all of this.

aesthetic ones.

M O D E R N A RT I F A C T

ntegrating respect for the landscape with a modern sensibility, this contemporary house is stepped into a hillside. The intent was to create a contrast by joining reclaimed materials and time-honored artistry with the architectural present of the twenty-first-century. The result

is a modern artifact. Water features cascade and cultivate a micro-environment that ensconces the house in privacy. Mirroring the movement of the landscape architecture, the structure was designed with multiple rooflines and a primarily single-level floorplan to reduce its profile in the mountain setting. Glass, steel, concrete, and stone span the mountain site to embrace views and connection to the natural environment. Vertical reclaimed wood siding on the structure echoes the large stand of surrounding aspen trees in both tone and form. Rustic textures blend with sleek architectural solutions, as in the steel and glass staircase with reclaimed wood treads. This is a house that gives a nod to history while remaining solidly grounded in modern design.

M O U N T A I N Modern Artifact

ABOVE: A floating concrete walkway echoes the bold geometry of the windows that line the courtyard of this mountain house. The connection between inside and outside remains as thin as a pane of glass. RIGHT: A red marbleized steel door provides contrast to the rustic steel and wood materials while setting the tone for what lies ahead inside the house.

PAGES 24-25: Redefining slope side living, the elegant siteline connects the main living areas of the house to views on all sides of the mountain. The glass connections between the “found” stone forms are decidedly modern and bring a transformative quality to the design. PAGES 26-27: Cascading water features cultivate a microenvironment that ensconces the house in privacy. Mirroring the movement of the landscape architecture, the structure was designed with multiple rooflines and a primarily single-level floorplan to reduce its profile in the mountain setting. LEFT: A fully stocked bar is discreetly concealed within the walnut and blue wall, punctuating that beauty can also be functional. RIGHT: Walnut slabs inset within cerulean blue on one wall of the living room offer natural whimsy that alludes to an old growth forest, further connecting the reclaimed wood in the beam-coffered ceiling to the house’s origin in nature. The fireplace is faced in brushed steel and the floor is made of slate tiles.

M O U N T A I N Modern Artifact

PAGES 30-31: Interior designer Natasha Wallis of Salt Lake City, Utah, worked closely with her client and JLF to select timeless modern furnishings that would punctuate the nostalgia of the reclaimed wood floor and vertical siding with contemporary honesty.

M O U N T A I N Modern Artifact

ABOVE: Selecting a soft, lush velveteen sofa in the home office adds contrast to the sleek form of the executive desk, while simultaneously complementing the bold coloration in the artwork.

RIGHT: Blending rustic textures with sleek design solutions, as in the steel and glass staircase with reclaimed wood treads, results in a house that frames the historic narrative of the West’s history while remaining solidly grounded in modern design.

T H E RE I S O NLY O NE HO USE LI K E THI S I N T HE WOR L D. None of these designs are exactly the same, each is appropriate to the vision of each client and to the site where it is built.

PAGES 34-35: Opting for a landscape view of the hillside from the primary bath rather than a traditional wall, ceiling-mounted mirrors appear to hover over the white glass vanity. LEFT: Honoring the owner’s love of Western art, the original oil painting over the mantel defined the color palette for the interior design motif in the guest bedroom.

M O U N T A I N Modern Artifact

HIGHLAND HOMESTEAD

ABOVE: Reclaimed square-cut logs were utilized throughout the house. To break up the mass of the buildings, multiple rooflines alternate and convey a sense of structures that were joined over time. LEFT: Framing iconic mountain views from outside and in serves to punctuate the high elevation perch of this modern homestead. Hewn timber, stacked Montana stone and distressed Corten steel combine to echo the regional vernacular buildings of Wyoming. PAGES 40-41: Exchanging walls for windows, the connection to the landscape becomes accessible from every angle of the house. PAGES 42-43: Inspired first by the idea of a homestead cabin, the house is essentially a series of structures assembled as though they were built over many years.

his house fearlessly combines ageless materials with twenty-firstcentury practicality. It begins with a modest log entry, but once through the door, stone, hand-hewn beams, glass, and steel make a strong visual impact. The design was driven by this simple idea:

on this ridge-top site, where the surroundings are so dramatic and the views so

majestic, nothing should interrupt the experience of the natural beauty outside. There is a fluid shift between centuries in the juxtaposition of homestead elements with sophistication and technology. The structure consists of a series of buildings that step down the hillside. An open-armed configuration allows for multi-generational living. The conjoining structures appear to have been added over time to the reclaimed cabin that anchors the bedroom wing. A sod-roofinspired guesthouse, garage, and equipment shed comprise one side, while a stone structure containing the kitchen and living room balance the opposite end. More than a replica of a vintage building, the broad expanses of ultra-efficient steel-and-glass windows are a departure from the utility of a traditional cabin. A board-and-batten-style exterior siding with industrial Corten rusted steel and added muscular steel beams contrast with the living room and kitchen’s reclaimed-wood ceilings and rare American chestnut floors. In the kitchen, the contrast of rustic and contemporary is extreme, consisting of opaque white glass for the room’s custom frameless cabinetry to add a powerful yet transparent statement.

M O U N T A I N Highland Homestead

PAGES 44-45: In collaboration with WRJ Design, this modern kitchen contrasts the rustic building materials with white glass cabinetry, walls of windows and a branched blown glass light fixture. ABOVE: In the primary bedroom serene interiors complement the soft tone of stone and antique wood. RIGHT: A bridge connector serves as an executive office that keeps the mountain views ever-present. PAGE 47: An exposed steel truss in the living room articulates the modern shift of materials in the overall design. .

M O U N T A I N Highland Homestead

ENDLESS SKY

ABOVE: Stepped into the mountainside, this house overlooks the Snake River. Protected by a canopy of lodgepole pines, the natural color of the materials used to build the house blend it in with the landscape.

erched on a prominent butte that looks toward Yellowstone Park, this house is all about the views. A series of large windows open to a layered vista that encompasses the surrounding pine trees, the meandering Snake River, the magnificent sweep of the valley, and the Tetons. The way in which it is stepped into the hillside and becomes

part of the landscape is also essential to the design. The blend of architectural elements offers a respectful nod to the past without sacrificing

RIGHT: A display of complete honesty in materials, this door, built of antique, weathered timbers, holds up the structure of handpicked, hand stacked stone.

modern comforts. Notably there is acknowledgment for the historic pragmatism of homesteaders

PAGES 50-51: As the road winds up the mountain through a canopy of trees, the views are obscured and on first approach the house makes its debut. Then one walks through the port cochere and “discovers” the astonishing mountain vistas.

a grand statement.

M O U N T A I N Endless Sky

through the sod roof over the three-bay garage, to European artisans via the regional stone, and to the longstanding agricultural community within the reclaimed timbers and steel throughout the residence. The intent was to build a house that was comfortable on a real scale rather than as Like the scope of the scenery, the experience of this house is layered. The curved road that approaches the dwelling mirrors the river below. The multiple levels of living space echo the pitch of the hillside. The linear span of the structure as it opens to the larger horizon achieves homage to beauty of open space and endless sky.

PAGES 52-53: Natural light floods the rooms from the north and east, illuminating the warmth of the recycled timbers on the ceiling and drawing out the spectrum of earthen tones in the stone.

PAGES 54-55:The elegant antique table with inlaid wood details is a fitting statement of eclecticism that brings the modern elements of the design to the forefront in the dining room.

LEFT: Refining the rustic edges of the house, a hand-wrought iron staircase features a tree of life pattern.

ABOVE: The contrast of ancient stacked stone surrounding a contemporary bronze framed window is a small detail that reflects the essence of JLF’s style.

M O U N T A I N Endless Sky

PAGES 58-59: Honoring the natural grain of walnut used for the cabinetry, the kitchen is infused with a fluidity drawn from the organic qualities of wood, granite and slate. PAGES 60-61: The dichotomy of expansive views from a serenely sheltered sitting area brings purpose to the architectural design. RIGHT: Expressing contrast, a rough finished pine post in the railing highlights the refined vertical grain of the wall in the stairwell. PAGE 63: The details of where materials meet is an artful balance. The way in which the stone walls connect to the reclaimed wood floors as smoothly as they do to the plaster ceilings achieves a refined effect.

M O U N T A I N Endless Sky

LEFT: Private spaces are essential in a house. This crescent-shaped niche in the primary bedroom beckons for a good book and a late afternoon nap.

ABOVE: Stacked stone and saw-finished flooring paired with luxurious bedding enhance the spirit of juxtaposition throughout the house.

PAGES 66-67: This custom-built door welcomes guests to the threshold while angled windows reflect the landscape behind them, keeping the natural world connected to the house.

M O U N T A I N Endless Sky

W E WAN T T H E SE BU I L D I NGS TO B E H A N D -BU I LT A N D TO LO O K LI K E T H EY H AV E A LWAY S B EE N HE RE . To do that is a matter of curating the materials carefully. We are making old materials useful again, giving them a second or third or fourth life because it is beautiful and it feels right.

M O U N T A I N Endless Sky

M O U N T A I N Mountain Hideaway

M O U N TA I N H I D E AWAY

here is a lot of nostalgia in the way that people define “home.” The romanticized vision of trading urban life for that proverbial cabin in the woods is still strong in our culture. What’s often overlooked is that those cozy shelters of the early twentieth century were small and dark and often tucked away from any

grand views as a measure against wind and risky exposure. This is a house that taps into the

LEFT: If ever there is a moment to make an architectural statement, it is at the front door. Hand-built from reclaimed wood, the entry is framed with an antique timber and drystacked Montana stone. ABOVE: Old West meets New West in a traditional gabled house made of reclaimed wood siding, hewn timbers and stacked stone at the base of a ski resort. Without sacrificing contemporary comfort of convenience this house embodies an outdoor lifestyle that connects to history through the building materials and to modern living via the location.

nostalgic love of old wood and stone while centering on contemporary living. Restacked logs, hand hewn timbers, and stonework satisfy the expression of Old World elements in the structure. For quirky authenticity, early 1900s-era newspaper that was once plastered to the reclaimed logs as insulation was left intact. A concerted effort was made to contrast those rustic details with large opening for the expansive windows and doors. Inside, refined finishes and crisp, white accents were added in the kitchen and bathrooms to offset the trappings of a bygone era. Instead, the interior is light, airy, and comfortably spacious. Built at the base of a Wyoming mountain resort, the views center on the local mountain peaks. While the square footage is not vast, the volume of the common areas— kitchen, dining, and living—are generous. A well conceived bunkroom solidifies the intention of the design as a place to play and relax, to share with family and friends who appreciate the good things in life.

M O U N T A I N Mountain Hideaway

PAGE 70: A breakfast nook offers an intimate seating area and breaks up the larger kitchen-dining-living floor plan. PAGE 71: In this open concept living and kitchen area the subtle shift from a low ceiling to a vaulted ceiling defines the distinct areas of the home without compromising the contemporary flow. PAGES 72-73: In the kitchen, Carrera marble and crisp, white cabinets contrast reclaimed barnwood and timbers. PAGES 74-75: The impact of a contemporary chandelier over the dining table deepens the sense of contrast between old and new throughout the house. RIGHT: Built for multi-generational gatherings, comfortable furnishings and ample space for extended family were a priority in this mountain house. The bunk beds were custom-designed to offer privacy in this communal space. PAGE 77: Designed to maximize views and natural light, the primary bedroom combines the cozy texture of faux fur with the sophisticated form of contemporary furniture.

M O U N T A I N Mountain Hideaway

FOREST Each house is different because every site is different, but also because the people who chose this place are different and the way they live, their personal aesthetic, influences the architecture.

iving at the forest edge is a natural

shift over decades, growing taller, the canopy

instinct—one looks out at what

becoming denser, the roots pressing deeper

might be while remaining protected,

through the earth? It is a balance of preserving

nestled, and in the thick of it. Views

and managing the attributes of the landscape in

are discovered through the trees. Light is filtered

a way that will honor its beauty while serving

and varied throughout the arc of the day—it is

the practical pursuits of living there.

a site with unique opportunities.

To design a structure amidst the trees

JLF is known for a perspective that respects

requires consideration of time passing. Whether

natural features which enhance a site. With a

it is a site peppered with an ancient aspen grove

forested property, that means envisioning the

on a mountainside or the dense old growth of the

location of a house for the present and also

Northeast, building within the woods demands

for the distant future. How will the woodland

a deft stroke that subtly brings the outside in.

T RU E N O RT H

he mature landscape of aspens and cottonwoods on this large property provide privacy as they stretch toward the Snake River. Emerging from the glade of trees, the hardscape edges between the house and the rest of the site create fluid transitions to the

surrounding landscape. A spiral staircase leads to a hidden observation deck made of steel and

glass that offers a true north orientation toward the magnificent Teton Mountain range. While the mountains are the central view, in the foreground the channels of the muscular Snake River draw attention, and the cascading water captured in artful stone retaining walls punctuates the awesome connection to nature. Linking the profound beauty outside to the lustrous finishes inside is a testament to the relationship of trust between the client and our design-build team. Chiseled stone and hand-adzed timbers contrast exposed steel trusses and other modern elements. Inside, the subtle artistry of fine craftsmanship is evident in places where disparate materials meet—the edges of reclaimed wood in the ceiling as they touch the sleek plaster walls or the nearly imperceptible connection of steel to plaster in the windows. The pattern language of natural and industrial design come together for a house that is a hybrid of old and new.

F O R E S T True North

ABOVE: Inviting the outside in, the contemporary rustic house sits gently on the edge of the forest and is encompassed by water. RIGHT: The exterior spiral staircase twists up to an observation deck that takes in near-360 degree views of the mountains, forest and river plain. This perspective of metal, stone, concrete, and glass coalesces to create an environment that is beautiful, livable and comfortable, as well as unique to its owner and its place. PAGES 82-83: Using reclaimed weathered barnwood from an old agricultural building and reinventing the materials in the form of a new building adds character to the house.

Even in our contemporary work there is a backbone of those classic materials that have become the foundation of JLF designs. T H E I N H E RE N T HI STO RY O F RE CLAI ME D MATE R IA L S RE SO NATE S WI TH ALL OF US.

F O R E S T True North

PAGE 85: An abstract landscape painting above the mantel mirrors the setting that surrounds the house. It serves as a contemporary pop of color in contrast to the organic coloration of regional stone and reclaimed wood. RIGHT: Rough and refined elements commingle throughout the house, but the features stand out particularly in the stairway where iron railing and stringers meet the soft element of reclaimed wood. LEFT: Maximizing the opportunity to bring natural light into the house, the landing acts as a lightwell in the stairway. PAGES 88-89: The open concept kitchen conveys light tones and a modern contrast to the rustic and industrial materials of the coffered ceiling. A marble waterfall island sleekly offers comfortable counter seating. The breakfast table is surrounded by lucite chairs.

F O R E S T True North

PAGE 90: With the timeless elements of stone and wood as the fundamental palette, the interior design can spark color through a collection of Modern art, lighting can add intimacy and furnishings can ebb on trend as in this dining area. LEFT: Thick stone walls create a cloistered and steadfast effect that lends the house an Old World sense of shelter. Each stone was hand cut and stacked in an artful one-of-akind pattern. PAGES 92-93: Continuing the theme of nature and connection to place within the interior design, the primary bedroom features a sleek floor-to-ceiling fireplace made of gray travertine that further links the texture and tone of the room to the wood and stone accents.

F O R E S T True North

ABOVE: Sleek finishes in the primary bathroom maintain the modern living essentials established throughout the house, including a freestanding tub next to a shower built from halfinch thick tempered glass that offers a view of the forest outside.

F O R E S T True North

RIGHT: Blurring the divide between outside to inside, the guest suite features a door that accesses a private deck that connects to the surrounding woods.

PAGE 96: The game room was styled with playful color and comfortable furniture, a casual invitation to play and relax.

PAGE 97: A temperature-controlled custom-designed wine cabinet is built into the wall off the kitchen. Internally lit with colored LED, it is a functional feature that lends an artful industrial touch to the house.

F O R E S T Forest Edge

FOREST EDGE

everence for the Rocky Mountain sense of place, reclaimed wood, and stacked stone, as well as the shade of gabled rooflines, were utilized in

this design. Tucked into a glade of mature pine and spruce forest, this home blends the owners’ heritage with chiseled mountain style. It conveys a stalwart elegance in mass and immaculate detail.

Even inside, the serenity of the forest emanates

from the materials, settling like a breeze through the trees. The design quietly maximizes views of the Snake River Valley with industrial steelframed walls of glass that are anchored by stout stone relics and reclaimed timbers. The building honors the woodland haven by featuring a restored homestead cabin as the primary bedroom suite and running wide-plank chestnut floors reclaimed from a foundry throughout the house. Stone walls designed to seem like crumbling relics add a playful visual interest. The diversity of natural materials transformed into contemporary shapes delivers a subtle impact.

F O R E S T Forest Edge

PAGES 98-99: Tucked beneath the towering pines a trail leads to the warmth of a house that blends rustic and contemporary elements in timeless form.

100

F O R E S T Forest Edge

ABOVE: Built of glass and reclaimed wood, the staircase inside the house connects multiple levels while still allowing an airy connection to the surrounding woodland views through the wall of windows.

RIGHT: Blending antique timbers with glass and steel creates a rustic modern bridge with this sculptural staircase as a centerpiece in the house.

PAGES 102-103: An approachable and comfortably elegant seating area flanks the open kitchen.

106

F O R E S T Forest Edge

PAGES 104-105: Passageways frame layers of intricate stone and timber elements transition fluidly from the kitchen to the private areas of the house.

ABOVE: In the great room the primitive hearth and oversized fireplace are softened by silk and velvet-covered sofas, delicate center tables and floral patterned seating in jewel tones.

RIGHT: Jackson, Wyoming interior designer Tayloe Piggott selected a blend of furnishings with sleek contemporary lines and finishes to provide contrast to the texture and patina of the reclaimed plank floors, lichen-covered Montana rock walls, and prominent recycled wood beams.

LEFT: At the edge of the cozycontemporary aesthetic, the bedroom offers a nod to regional log cabins but lightens the concept with a window wall and a white washed ceiling for contrast.

ABOVE: Honesty in architecture means acknowledging that the way we live today is more convenient, more focused on self-care and elegance; this freestanding tub in the primary bedroom embodies contemporary living.

PAGE 111: Framing views of the wintry forest, the oversized steelclad window brings the outdoors in without sacrificing the warmth and comfort of modern living.

F O R E S T Forest Edge

109

The JLF tradition and understanding of U SI N G RE CLAI ME D MATE RI ALS, LO O K I NG TO RE GI O NALI TY, CRAFT AND B E LO NGI N G is key to the purpose of our designs.

110

F O R E S T Forest Edge

FIELDSTONE

uilt on a site that transitions from sagebrush flats to timbered hillside, this three-story home was inspired by eighteenth-century stone buildings that the owners encountered during time spent in England. The rugged framework of stone, steel, and timber stands up to the weather and exposure

of Wyoming’s four seasons. It is a convergence of romance and rusticity. Yet there is also a divergence of tradition with modern facets such as a glass staircase and large spans of

glass and tile to bring luminosity that doesn’t compete with the spectacular views.

Bound by the regional materials that reflect the Mountain West—native fieldstone,

hewn timbers, reclaimed barn wood—the house fuses past and present. On the exterior, hints of modernism add refined lines to the structure with steel-framed windows and a metal roof. Inside, the minimalism allows the texture of reclaimed wood ceilings, stone, and recycled wide-plank floors to shine. A precision-engineered glass staircase holds center stage as a dramatic architectural component. Framed by weathered timbers, the stark lines of the floating glass treads are softened with a careful rustic touch.

A later addition continues the rugged framework of stone and timber with modern

touches. The handcrafted nature of our work presented the challenge of maintaining the integrity of both the main house and the later construction. This meant finding matches for the stone and reclaimed timbers, as well as creating the patina of the metal roof so that it would blend seamlessly with the earlier structure.

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F O R E S T Fieldstone

ABOVE: The two-story addition is nestled into the hillside and connects to the main house via an underground passageway. Drystacked fieldstone was sourced to match the original building constructed a decade earlier. RIGHT: The outdoor pavilion features bi-fold windows and heaters inset within the ceiling to extend the seasonal usage of the space for entertaining.

PAGES 114-115: Stepped into the hillside the multi-level addition minimizes its footprint on the property but achieves maximum functionality with space for guest sleeping quarters and entertainment areas. PAGES 116-117: Utilizing reclaimed vertical siding on the walls of the lower level game room gives the effect of height in a space that might otherwise feel cramped. The dark tones are the perfect backdrop for a home theater. RIGHT: A glass staircase ended up being one of the main features of this home. Beneath a set of skylights, it lights the home like a lantern. It spans three stories and allows light to enter all the way down to the lower level. PAGE 119: The precision-engineered glass staircase holds center stage as a dramatic architectural component. Framed by weathered timbers, the stark lines of the floating glass treads are softened with a careful rustic touch.

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F O R E S T Fieldstone

PAGES 120-121: Bright and airy, this bunk room embodies a contemporary style but still incorporates the natural elements of wood. The bunk compartments are built from pickled oak and the floor is recycled barnwood.

LEFT: Aluminum-clad windows establish a modern element against plastered walls and chiseled stone details in the bedroom, while a sky-inspired interior color scheme grounds the space to its surrounding environment.

ABOVE: Windows on two sides of the bedroom access natural light and center on views of the surrounding environment.

PAGES 124-125: Inspired by the owners’ travels to the Cotswalds the hand-picked-stone buildings resemble cottages that were built several centuries ago. Combining weathered recycled wood elements with regional fieldstone comprises a building that will stand the test of time.

F O R E S T Fieldstone

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F O R E S T The Cottage

T H E C OT TAG E

he road to this little house winds along the creek through the shadows of towering cottonwoods and pines. Its end reveals a series of buildings that range from a large main house, a garage, barn, and a guesthouse. Tucked into the forest, the cottage is a jewel box that instantly draws

attention. Its tall yet compact structure with diminutive square windows and a dark wood door in the shade of a slanted eave is charming. A large sandstone slab with fossilized ripples from an ancient sea marks the

threshold to the front porch. From there the house speaks with remnants of history told through the reclaimed materials used throughout the building. If a single point could galvanize all the elements of the cottage, it would be the front door. Framed by hand hewn logs, and accented with stacked stone and board-and-batten above it, the custom-made door is a testament to the care and craftsmanship that built the cottage. Those features continue inside too, brought together by brawny timber trusses that effectively span the ceiling. A fire burns in the hearth. Sunlight filters through economically placed but generous south-facing windows. The living area and kitchen flow together in an open, cozy floor plan. On the whole, the building comprises less than 1,000 square feet and is subtly scaled for simplicity. An arched opening with a double screen door opens onto a small, covered porch that looks out to the clearing where sun dapples across the grass and the clear water of the creek. With the windows open, the sound of water can even be heard from the upstairs bedroom. Though there are only two bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, they are spacious and comfortable. All is in its place, all is calm. The warm, woodsy atmosphere inside seems to whisper a simple statement: Everything you need is here.

LEFT: Sheltered by towering pines, this jewel-box cottage is made of stacked regional stone, reclaimed timbers and cedar shake shingles. It’s compact and scaled with small windows in more private areas to honor traditional 19th century stone buildings.

F O R E S T The Cottage

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BELOW: In the shade of the forest we were able to tuck this guest cottage into a site within a few footsteps of a creek and build it with minimal damage to the surrounding old growth trees.

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F O R E S T The Cottage

RIGHT: The threshold to the front door is made from a single slab of Wyoming sandstone that holds the fossilized ripples of a prehistoric sea floor.

PAGES 130-131: Fine craftsmanship never goes out of style. The detail of work where stone meets wood and glass and the connection of inside to outside are essential focal points.

LEFT: The patina of medium dark stained pine cabinetry complements the reclaimed wood floors and timber accents inside the cottage.

ABOVE: The upstairs bedroom features Old Hickory furniture and honors the past with handmade antiques that have been passed down through generations.

PAGES 134-135: Using a combination of antique hewn logs, stone and reclaimed timbers, the cottage appears as if it has stood on this site for over a century.

F O R E S T The Cottage

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WAT E R The opportunity to bring water into a design when it’s natural and fits the site gives us more options as architects. It can be driven by a client who has asked for the sound of running water while they are sleeping or the freshness of a stream on the dining patio outside. Water is one more arrow in our quiver of creativity at JLF.

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uixotic and ephemeral, water is a powerful

elements, such as sun, wind, rain, and snow, effect a house,

natural force that has complemented some

but water is the most constant, the most visual and visceral.

of the world’s most impressive buildings. Its

The presence of water on a building site can

use in architecture is as ancient as the Roman

necessitate engineering opportunities. It’s an element that

aqueducts and reigns as an innovative tool

a landscape architect can use to enhance the landscape,

today. It can be a mirror or an active feature, a barrier or

views, and overall experience of a house that is integrated

an invitation.

with its surroundings. It punctuates the shape and form

Water is often the driving force for design—the river,

of spaces, links features, and creates passages through the

the ponds, the ocean. JLF designs focus on connecting

environment, manifesting constant movement between the

the built environment to the natural environment. All the

built and natural world.

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S P R I N G M E A D OW S

riented and shaped by the expansive pond on the property, this house culminates on a dock and boathouse that defines the essence of living in the shadow of the Teton Mountains. It is surrounded by layers of beauty, first in antique, reclaimed, and regional materials,

then by wetlands, open country, and ultimately a ring of mountains. The crescentshaped part opens through an oculus as you enter the house, expanding the view to the revitalized wetlands and waterfowl habitat. Restrictions to conserve Wyoming’s exceptional riparian environs include

stringent environmental and energy codes. As a result, this house utilizes no fossil fuel energy sources and was constructed with minimal disturbance to delicate natural water features on the property and wildlife habitat.   The clients’ outdoor-oriented lifestyle dictated an easy flow from inside to outside. Even a glass corridor that links the primary bedroom suite with the more social areas of the great room, kitchen, and dining area offers a connection to nature. The building forms and materials are simple, casually elegant, and evocative of nineteenth-century regional structures.

LEFT: From the first turn of the door, the curated feeling of old materials is evident. The door is built from recycled wood harvested from the remains of defunct structures that now have a renewed use. ABOVE: Extending the living area to encompass the pond, an outdoor dining pavilion appears to float on the surface of the water.

WA T E R Spring Meadows

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PAGES 140-141: A “floating” pavilion maximizes the presence of water on the site. It features a covered dining area in the foreground and behind it a complete outdoor kitchen for entertaining.

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WA T E R Spring Meadows

ABOVE: Dramatic ebony stain on the lower cabinets of the kitchen island contrasts the lighter tone of honed stone in the floor tiles.

RIGHT: To contrast the rustic materials, the dining table is a sleek single-slab black walnut by Ketan Kapasi of Studio Lifestyle. Velvet upholstery on the dining room chairs soften the combinations of wood, stone, glass and steel along with a rug by Carol Piper.

LEFT: Houston interior designer Michelle Vinson infused color throughout the house through fine art, furniture and rugs.

ABOVE: The ethereal blue accents in the guest room bring relaxing refinement through an antique chest and patterned Carol Piper rug.

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PAGES 146-147: The primary suite is a bastion of peace in a house that was conceived for multi-generational gatherings. Here the subdued tone and texture of drystacked Montana moss rock and reclaimed barnwood surround the generous seating area, while expansive windows allow a private view to the aspen and cottonwood grove outside. PAGES 148-149: Respite is embodied by this free-standing soaking tub that centers on the cloistered view outside. A refined black walnut vanity is a pleasing contrast to the weathered wood accents throughout the primary bath. RIGHT: The entryway features a custom-forged banister on the central staircase with treads made from regional sandstone. PAGES 152-153: Just a few steps away from the main house, the dock and outdoor pavilion offer the ultimate sheltered connection to the landscape that shaped this residence. Immersed in nature, the sense of connection is deeply felt.

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NAT U R E I S P E RF E C T. So when we design a house, looking to regionality, craft and belonging is key so that it won’t be a scar on the landscape, but instead will act as something that honors its natural surroundings.

L I N N R A N C H

his house’s site, with resplendent views of the mountains and dense western forest, was also once a commercial gravel pit and junkyard for old cars and farm equipment. As a result, it required extensive reclamation and stabilization. Two ponds on the property are fed by a number of underground springs, hidden tributaries of the Snake River. With the team’s vision of possibility

and a series of engineering feats, stream restoration, landscape design, and architectural innovation, what emerged was a house that appears to grow from the ground, seeming as if it had always been here and will

continue to stand with timeless appeal. A sophisticated plan was enacted with simple materials—timber, stone, metal, glass. What transpired was a gracious design that folds itself into the landscape. The main house seems to float over the water and wrap around its edge just as the cottonwoods, willows, and wild grasses hold to the banks. Step inside and the first view on a clear day is of the Grand Teton, inset into an arched floor-to-ceiling window framed with rice stone. The arch is a form that repeats enfilade and in the soaring timbers of the great room. Positioned as if on two islands, the central feature of the house is a connector of two wings via an interior bridge. Both sides of the bridge are walls of windows that encase a dining room that offers the best vantage of the surrounding LEFT: A stacked stone wall serves as the centerpiece of the great room. Flanked by double bronzeclad doors, access to the outdoors remains an ever present factor. ABOVE: The balance of solid stone with the transparency of windows throughout the house conveys shelter from the elements and an inherent connection to nature.

landscape during every season of the year. Water, forest, mountains. Those pure elements were the greatest influence on the design. They inspired a relationship to the place and a desire to honor it through living. The sound of water permeates the living areas, with the kitchen window cracked on an early autumn morning or at dinner when the doors of the dining bridge are open wide. Rare, very wide, antique American chestnut wood was used throughout the house for the floors, doors, and trim. Countless relics of the past were folded into the construction, not only in the form of materials, but in the expert techniques of the craftspeople who keep traditions of the trade alive in every element they construct.

WA T E R Linn Ranch

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PAGES 156-157: Hershberger Design helped reclaim the property by creating an oasis within the landscape design that encompasses the house. PAGES 158-159: The dining room acts as a bridge connecting the entryway to the great room. Bi-fold bronze-clad doors on each side of the room open to create an al fresco experience. WRJ Design selected a single slab walnut wood table from BDDW. RIGHT: An antique armoire from Asia stands in for a coat closet and a smart plaid settee offers comfortable seating in the foyer. PAGE 161: In a powder room simple lines prevail. Reclaimed corral board was applied vertically on the walls, the sink is made from white-veined black granite, while the mirror and sconces echo the linear space.

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WA T E R Linn Ranch

PAGES 162-163: The kitchen doubles as a comfortable gathering space with soft furnishings and ample seating. Reclaimed wood was used throughout the interior, including wide planks for the cabinetry to achieve a sleek rustic motif. RIGHT: This house of stone, wood, metal and glass is the manifestation of time spent between the owner, architect and builder re-envisioning what was once an industrial gravel pit.

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WA T E R Linn Ranch

S T I L LWAT E R

LEFT: Offsetting the house’s rugged stone and timber envelope, interior designer Hilary Heminway opted for clean contemporary lines and comfortable textures. In the living room with a vaulted ceiling and heavy reclaimed timbers it was important to imbue a human-scale with highbacked upholstered couches for a stronger presence that balances the bold architectural strokes. ABOVE: The presence of water greets guests upon arrival with a placid pond at the entry. Designed by Verdone Landscape Architects, the water flows beneath the house into a second pond on the opposite side. PAGES 168-169: Designed with entertaining in mind, the house features an outdoor kitchen and pavilion. The soothing sound of flowing water is constant as it cascades from the front of the house into a pond that wraps around a small swimming beach and dock.

esigned to expose the views on the eastern face of the property, this house centers on a private pond. Built in a traditional Western style, it would be appropriate anywhere in the Rocky Mountains. Offsetting the house’s rugged stone and timber envelope, an expansive flow of

rooms from one to another creates a sense of intimacy and openness. From a formal stone entryway the house wings to the north and south, with the open floor plan of kitchen, dining, and living areas on one end and the private space opposite. The main level of the house is built for entertaining, centered on a grand living area with vaulted ceilings and a cathedral-like vertical window that catches the waning western light of the day. Exterior and interior materials include Montana moss rock, antique timbers, and reclaimed corral board for siding. Expansive windows bring the outdoors in, while reclaimed oak flooring with a dark stain anchors the elegance of the interior spaces. This house is a spectacular sanctuary, sited on a small hill to facilitate the confluence of architecture and nature with a stream that enters the house at the front and literally flows under the dining room, where it cascades to a lower level outside. The outside to inside to outside effect culminates with a dining pavilion that appears to float over the water. The element of water infuses a continuous connection to nature through its sound, reflective qualities, and ever-changing surface.

WA T E R Stillwater

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WA T E R Stillwater

PAGES 170-171: The dining room table was custom-designed by John Gallis of Cody, Wyoming. The owners love abstract art and worked with art advisor Heidi Neuhoff McWilliams. Large Brombal windows bring the outdoors in, while reclaimed oak flooring with a dark stain anchors the house.

LEFT: In the kitchen black marble countertops offset the range hood, which offers a nod to antique European hoods with its blackened stainless steel banded with lighter stainless straps. Upper cabinets have been limited to invite daylight and the surrounding views.

ABOVE: Drawing on regional roots the interior design brings layers of interest with a large Molesworth armoire in the background, while a Navajo rug brings repeating pattern and lines to the room for visual interest.

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PAGES 174-175: Handsome antique wicker and emerald-colored leather armchairs punctuate the comfort and subtle eclecticism of the living room where the architecture takes center stage with reclaimed timbers spanning the ceiling.

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WA T E R Stillwater

ABOVE: Glass panels were added to preserve privacy and add an aesthetic element to the workout room on the ground floor. In a house built for large gatherings it was essential to carve out private nooks for quite contemplation.

RIGHT: Juxtaposing a modern art collection throughout the house and grounds against the rustic stone and wood in tandem with curated antiques created an eclectic comfort.

BELOW: Opting for an airy master bath sanctuary, white and gray finishes are a contrast to the heavier tones throughout other areas of the house. A playful Navajo rug pattern adds a pop of color to the space.

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WA T E R Stillwater

RIGHT: Always comfortable rather than fussy our reclaimed and rustic materials hold up to the tests of any type of visitor. In the foyer a red velvet settee adds a splash of color to the natural palette of stone.

PAGES 180-181: The house is designed to expose the views on the eastern face of the property, overlooking the pond. Exterior and interior materials include Montana moss rock, antique timbers and reclaimed corral board for siding.

JU X TAP O SI TI O N I S AT THE CO RE O F O UR DESIGN S. It’s about infusing the sense of Old World architecture with modern elements so that those two things become more powerful than each would be alone.

L I V I N G A RT

ur clients have not explicitly come to us and asked us to design a work of art. They want a place to relax and escape busy lives. They want extra bedrooms and a kitchen built for entertaining. They want a “dream home.” Naturally, we want to satisfy that aspiration with

houses built to match their vision and the way they live today as well as in the coming years. It is a personal process of taking inventory, a curation of desire, individual tastes, honesty, and budget. Built over twenty years ago, this traditional Western retreat was designed as a

vacation house. It contains grand spaces for the gathering of friends and extended family. There is room to spread out and enjoy the mountains, the water, the spectacular Teton Mountain scenery. The rooms were built to expand and compress with each occasion, whether for two people or a large group. Today, the owners have made this a full-time residence. This rustic home has aged with them; its salvaged logs and timber combined with regional stone have endured interior design trends and changes in style. We created a house that is timeless so that it can absorb any style of interior design. As a result, as the nuances of this house have had years to distill, the owners have shared with us that “it is actually like living in a work of art.” A house is a living art form that evolves with the people who live in it. The truth is that high-quality materials, scale, and personal connection are the keys to good architecture and design. The bones of the building will remain strong and distinct, while the objects on the inside move fluidly from year to year based on passions and taste.

LEFT: The entry to this house was designed to remain connected to humble homestead roots of the region. It features a simple covered porch built of reclaimed timbers and a structure made of recycled barnwood applied with a trademark reverse board and batten design.

WA T E R Living Art

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PAGES 184-185: The house appears to bend along the water’s edge. It was designed to appear as though a series of buildings were added on to an original structure that expanded organically over time.

PAGES 186-187: A covered walkway links the main house to the guest cottage. The short walk from one building to the other is an opportunity to take in the water features designed by Verdone Landscape Architects.

LEFT: In the central living and dining area the cut sandstone slab floor, chiseled fieldstone walls and antique hand hewn timbers spanned by large windows combine to showcase the distinct elegance of expert craftsmanship.

ABOVE: European antique furnishings and heritage fabrics accentuate the reverence for history embraced by the owners.

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PAGES 190-191: The functional kitchen is anchored by an eight-burner Viking range to cook for large family gatherings. Architectural accents such as an interior “remnant wall” made of regional stone and large reclaimed timbers in a lowered ceiling add visual interest as well as intimacy.

LEFT: The guest cottage is cozy, comfortable and full of unique details such as the antique burled wood piece that forms the fireplace mantel.

ABOVE: In the primary bedroom classic landscape artwork and traditional furnishings set the tone of humble beginnings that the owners wished to convey in the house. Hand-adzed wood with wide chinking hints at regional homestead structures.

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RIGHT: Layers of stone and timber lead the eye from one space to the next and effectively illuminate the precision in the construction of the building. PAGE 195: A guestroom with antique furnishings gathered over a lifetime of collecting appropriately complement the reclaimed materials used throughout the building. PAGE 197: In the guest cottage a loft-style bedroom is accessed by a ladder crafted from recycled pine.

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WA T E R Living Art

TH E A RT I STI C AB I LI TY O F THE CRAFTSM A N I S E SSE NTI AL I N E ACH PRO JECT. He has to be able to see the jigsaw puzzle in a crate of stone and know how each piece will fit together perfectly.

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WA T E R Living Art

FOOTHILLS We strive to have a sense of Old World architecture punctuated by modern elements so that those two things enhance each other and become more powerful than each would be alone.

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he nuance involved in designing a house

throughout multiple levels, on the flats the details

for a broad, flat sweep of land is unique.

are more important than ever to ensure a sense of

It is a matter of precision. A house in

integrated scale. Considering the massing of the building

the foothills can easily appear out of

and how to create equilibrium as it relates to the

place. Where a river meanders, where an emerging

landscape is paramount.

forest and grass grows, where the wind rushes freely

The palette of materials becomes vital in driving

across the valley floor and the vista is farther out on the

the design. The geography, the regional history, and the

horizon—placing a house so that it sits naturally on the

personal connection to the land determines the scale of

land in proportion to the open space is an art.

buildings to fit the place. A juxtaposition of traditional

Identifying the most important focal point and aligning the structure to frame a view perfectly for the

design elements and materials with contemporary form can soften the severity of a house on the flats.

openness of a valley floor or prairie takes a perceptive

We strive to have a sense of Old World architecture

eye. Unlike the forest, where trees provide a “picture

punctuated by modern elements so that those two

frame” perspective, or in the mountains, which allow

things enhance each other and become more powerful

for stepping spaces to reduce the mass of a house

than each would be alone.

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S H O OT F O R T H E S TA R S

uilt on the valley floor beneath the towering Tetons, this house is certainly endowed with mountain views. Yet it is situated on the flats with nearby neighbors, a golf course, and a nearby ski resort, presenting a challenge to find an architectural balance that would capture views while emphasizing privacy. The solution was a horseshoe

form with the garage and guest wing on the ends and the personal living spaces at the center. Centered in a courtyard, the main entry soars with a glass-and-steel atrium that allows daylight to flood the house. Although the palette of materials seems traditional—wood, stacked stone, and glass—the way in which these elements come together is decidedly contemporary. A

LEFT: Making a contemporary statement, the entry view of this house consists of steel and glass with stone accents. The first impression is of transparency, as the viewer is able to experience the landscape upon entry and see all the way through to the vista on the opposite end of the house. ABOVE: Nestled at the foothills of a prominent ski resort, it was important to cultivate privacy in the design without sacrificing views.

floating glass-and-steel staircase is the backbone of the design, connecting the main living space to the second floor. A magnificent 20-foot vaulted ceiling and steel beams accentuate mountain views and the ever-changing sky. This area then transitions to a kitchen and more casual dining space, where the ceiling height is 9 feet, with beautiful old beams and modern steel cabinets. The trade-off to this level of transparency is the risk of imparting Brutalism and losing the human scale of the building. To maintain a level of intimacy at a human scale, multiple ceiling heights have an important function. Moving from a vast height to an intimate space with fluidity facilitates a wonderfully warm and intimate living and dining space for the family to gather. The contrast of open and private, of public and intimate, of rustic and modern is successfully realized in this house in the foothills.

F O O T H I L L S Shoot For The Stars

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PAGES 202-203: Throughout the house, the materials palette is contemporary and clean: steel, glass, stacked stone, and reclaimed wood. Interior designer Jane Schwab sought to enhance the architecture with a subtle approach to comfortable furnishings and finishes inside the house.

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F O O T H I L L S Shoot For The Stars

ABOVE: Continuing the approachable combination of contemporary interiors as accents to strong architectural lines, designer Jane Schwab included an elk horn chandelier and horn vases in a small sitting area.

RIGHT: In the main living area a 20-foot ceiling is balanced by a bold large format black and white photograph and streamlined furnishings.

PAGES 206-207: Opting for a light and airy interior approach, the kitchen features honed quartzite counters, white plaster walls, open shelves and a warm oak finish on cabinetry.

LEFT: The serenity of the primary suite is enhanced by an easy connection to the outdoors through a private door and patio.

ABOVE: Redefining the ski chalet, the bunk room offers private alcoves for sleeping and comfortable seating for hang-out time.

PAGES 210-211: The primary bath, like a private spa, offers respite via white marble, a light oak vanity and opaque curtains on the generous windows.

PAGE 213: A second story outdoor spa is tucked into a niche of the roofline for privacy as it looks out toward the mountains and the ski resort.

F O O T H I L L S Shoot For The Stars

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ARC H I T E CTURE I SN’ T JUST AB O U T V I E WI NG A BUI LD I NG. It’s about touching it, walking through it, it’s about physical connection.

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F O O T H I L L S Shoot For The Stars

H I G H C O U N T RY E L E G A N C E

s much as any element, the crafted arrival to this house is essential. It consists of a gentle driveway that angles toward southern views of the broad river valley. That first impression sets the tone for the experience of every space.

The house wraps organically into its location from the first step over the

threshold. Expansive windows capture views and natural materials resonate with the traditional early rural structures of the region. But unlike the traditional cabin, it features an open floor plan and windows that allow daylight to flood the living spaces. On the edge of rustic, the elegance of clean, contemporary lines combined with antique materials is a comforting blend of new and old. A mixture of plains, mountains, and water converge in this design. Built in a golf and ski development, one can experience all aspects of the high-country scenery. The central focus is toward the long view across the valley floor toward the Snake River Mountain Range. Northward, windows look toward the Teton Mountains, and a seasonal creek on the backside of the property cascades into a cold plunge that accentuates the outdoor spa. These features highlight the best assets of getting outside and enjoying a Wyoming way of life.

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F O O T H I L L S High Country Elegance

ABOVE: Outside of Jackson, Wyoming this house was built of regional stacked stone and reclaimed hewn logs. RIGHT: From the foyer the blend of classic western and contemporary décor unfolds within the first steps through the front door. PAGES 216-217: The outdoor spa overlooks the seasonal creek that flows through the property where a coldplunge swimming hole is accessible during the warm months from the patio.

PAGES 218-219: Reclaimed oak cabinetry and hand hewn timbers in the kitchen combine with a bank of windows to keep a sense of openness to the space. RIGHT: A neutral interior color palette in the dining and living area serves to keep the focus on the architecture so that the antique elements of the exposed timber trusses are the star of the room. PAGE 221: Honoring detail in every space, whether it is a great room or a hallway is a priority in JLF houses. This corridor is well lit by two opposing windows that lead into a private bar and office. PAGES 222-223: The lightness of the space comes from the use of lighter furniture and from windows to bring in natural light. PAGE 225: In the bathroom an expansive window above the vanity allows mountain views to be part of the experience of daily ablutions. PAGES 226-227: A hand-built door features forged metal strapping that accentuates the level of craftsmanship and detail in the design of the house.

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F O O T H I L L S High Country Elegance

Architecture should I M P ROV E , E XPLO RE , E XPRE SS and E NHANCE the human condition.

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F O O T H I L L S High Country Elegance

THE LANDING

ooking over the Hudson River Valley, the site of this house offered a natural view that defined its linear layout. JLF utilized the tree canopy for natural cooling in the summer, yet they recognized that those areas would be exposed to sunlight in the winter. So they responded with

fluid spaces that connect indoor and outdoor living through the seasons. The threebedroom house features a contemporary open living and dining space, a screened three-season porch, an outdoor pool, and a two-car garage. A reclaimed palette of materials was used in the design. While the siding and

ABOVE: The approach to the house gently curves through an old growth forest and arrives with the inviting span of a low-profile roofline and the promise of comfort inside. RIGHT: The classic form of a pitched roof and cedar shake shingles that are frequently applied in other structures throughout the area was utilized in combination with vertical recycled siding to elongate the presence of the entryway. Outdoor lighting was used to give a nod to the Early American style.

timbers largely came from Montana and throughout the West, the proportion of the roofline and volume of building were in keeping with the vernacular language of traditional structures throughout the rural Northeast. Blue stone harvested from upstate New York was incorporated in structural walls that allude to the stacked walls that thread across the landscape of the region. JLF pulled the essential forms of the building apart with the use of a glass connector, stone walls as accents, and varying rooflines to allay the effect of a large looming house that would appear out of context.

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F O O T H I L L S The Landing

PAGES 230-231: The central living area is constructed of regional fieldstone with remnant walls that allude to the original residence on the property which was a stone cottage inhabited by author John Steinbeck and actor Orson Welles. New and reclaimed materials replaced the old cottage, but the spirit of bucolic serenity remains.

F O O T H I L L S The Landing

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PAGES 232-233: The natural palette of taupe applied to the kitchen cabinets echoes the earthy tones in the native blue stone used throughout the open floorplan. The cozy dining nook overlooks the Hudson River and provides a private corner for morning coffee.

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F O O T H I L L S The Landing

ABOVE: Drawing upon nature as inspiration, interior designer Alan Tanksley maintained a subtle approach with the color scheme through upholstery and window dressings while adding pops of interest with tasteful patterns.

RIGHT: The main living area is functionally comfortable and elegant with an eclectic blend of casual fabrics and patterns. The scissored trusses add a sculptural element that highlights the traditional architectural details.

PAGE 236: In the bedroom the native New York blue stone sets the tone for a palette of soft natural color in the interior design. PAGE 237: The porch is screened in to offer the luxury of indoor-outdoor connection for three seasons of the year. RIGHT: Illuminated at dusk, the glass walkways offer transparency that connects to the landscape outside. Rooflines that alternate heights and shift from shingles to metal create visual diversity and function to break up the building’s mass.

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F O O T H I L L S The Landing

A S P E N M E A D OW S

his bespoke house represents a unique marriage of modern and traditional architectural elements. Our design-build team joined a trusted interior designer from concept to completion. The union created the opportunity to work with the client in an intimate, effective way that resulted in the maximum level of personal detail throughout the house. From the finish on the wood

inspired by tobacco farm buildings in Tennessee down to the shelf space for spices in the pantry, this customdesigned house is about the details. The collaboration between all of us allowed for the realization of a deeply personal, respectful, and outstanding structure. With the directive that the house should not overshadow the surrounding natural beauty, it was built

into the hillside amidst a stand of aspens. There is a sense of arrival stepping down to enter the house. As you approach the glass doors, mountains become a part of the room. A wall of windows frames the foreground of quaking aspens and then leads one’s eyes to the horizon, where nearly the whole length of the Teton Range unfurls. This view was selected over the urge to orient the house toward the Grand Teton. Instead, we opted to let the mountains impress and inspire awe with their full power, telling a story of place that spans from Teton LEFT: The architectural detail of an exterior “remnant wall” subtly calls attention to the incorporation of reclaimed and recycled materials throughout the structure.

Pass north toward “The Grand” and into the deep wilderness of Grand Teton National Park. Ultimately the

ABOVE: Maximizing outdoor living spaces with a spa, firepit and dining pavilion, this house was designed to flow fluidly from inside to outside.

maintains the tether to history. In the kitchen the ceiling lowers to an intimate 10-foot height and the hearth

great room vista centers on four significant peaks: Cody, No Name, Rendezvous, and The Grand. More glass than wall, the main living area is enveloped in windows that capture light, but the contrast of ancient heavy timbers and a large fireplace on a wall of Montana stone that reaches to the vaulted ceiling room wraps around a person like a comforting embrace. That sense of ease pervades from room to room, offering spaces that expand and contract for entertaining a large crowd or cozying up as a couple.