2024 Homestead Magazine

FREE

Homestead Magazine

ORDER NOW

Collaborative Design: Farmer Payne Architects

Collaborative, a ubiquitous word used to fuse so many disparate entities, should have been reserved for a scenario like this: the collaborative design process of Farmer Payne Architects. A creative merging in the truest sense, the new firm grew from a long-standing friendship between two architects: Jackson native Jamie Farmer and Scott Payne of Louisiana. The two met as intern architects at Carney Logan Burke, where they gained invaluable experience working on high-end contemporary homes and luxury commercial buildings.

Jackson Hole has become known for its incredibly high-quality design standards,” Farmer says. “Jackson clients expect their architects to coordinate every piece of the project.

After collectively logging 11 years at CLB, Farmer and Payne each set off on their own, forming eponymous firms—Farmer in Jackson and Payne back in his hometown of Shreveport. Traveling on parallel tracks, they each built their personal portfolios before joining forces at the start of this year.

For Farmer and Payne, working together is a natural fit based on trust and expertise. Both bring a background in construction—Payne studied construction management and Farmer spent summers working construction. Such experience means their designs are simultaneously well-planned and innovative.

As principal architects, their collaborative approach considers all aspects of each project, from building a close relationship with the client to enlisting a contractor and design team early on so as to ensure a seamless design-to-build process. Tapping their well of experience in Wyoming and Louisiana, they assess their clients’ needs and tailor a team accordingly. “We get the team on board in the beginning,” Farmer says. Such early assembly ensures everyone is fully engaged in the success of the project, all working together toward a collective vision.

Eschewing a set style, Farmer and Payne embrace clean, refined designs. “Our style is rooted in connecting with the context and the people, which translates into greater versatility and diversity,” Farmer says. Consider their first project as a firm: A 5,000 sq. ft. home in the bayou of Louisiana, blending modern with colonial influence. Working onsite, Payne is leading the project management side, while Farmer is working with the design team in Jackson. The two communicate constantly, and trust each other to fulfill their respective roles. “We anticipate each other’s every move,” Farmer says.  

The merger has expanded the geographic scope of their respective practices. Most often, new clients find them through referrals from real estate agents or contractors. Farmer and Payne consider their clients to be their primary collaborators, listening and evolving their ideas throughout the design process. As principals, they are committed to being hands-on with every project. Keen to grow as firm, they never want to lose that personal connection to each client. “We will always be actively involved throughout the whole process,” Farmer says.

The Jackson Hole Showcase of Homes Raises Funds; Inspires Patrons

Imagine your home inspiration Pinterest board brought to life.

This is the access that Homestead Magazine’s Jackson Hole Showcase of Homes gives ticket holders each year during the Fall Arts Festival: entree into multiple outstanding residences in diverse regions of the valley; a full team of professionals on hand to answer your questions about just how that home automation system was installed, how those light fixtures were custom-made, or how the architect designed the perfect space to suit the family’s needs; and as an added bonus, the opportunity to give back to the local community via your ticket sales.

For the team at Homestead, the third annual self-guided home tours made it clear that this event has become a staple of many home-and-art lovers’ yearly calendar. We were honored to welcome back many repeat patrons and professionals, all while bringing new, truly special homes to our ticket holders.

Note the rustic reclaimed barnwood at the Lodge at Fish Creek.

“The home tour is one of my family’s favorite events of the [Fall Arts Festival],” wrote one returning patron. “Our tradition is to spend Friday visiting the homes and having lunch in between visits. I honestly can’t think of any improvements–the homes this year were very different in style & location and we loved seeing each of them. Had never been to the Fish Creek area and especially loved seeing that new area. Thank you for all the hard work put into the home tour – we wouldn’t miss it!”

Another returning patron with a second home in Jackson noted that she met her interior decorator at the first Showcase of Homes event; now, she was back, bent on grilling John Carney, architect and homeowner at the Fish Creek Compound, about the finish on the treated cement floors in his home. Another group of friends tackled their tour via bicycle, enjoying a leisurely day of pedaling in Teton Village. Whether participants planned a full afternoon of exploring the valley, or spread their self-guided experience out over more than one day, the beautiful fall weather and spectacular destinations made for a plethora of newly discovered design resources.

From serenely wooded lots to ski-in/ski-out solitude; contemporary open floor plans to rustic lodge seclusion, the six homes presented during the Showcase of Homes presented a vital cross-section of Jackson Hole living. At the Snake River Sporting Club, two residences with interiors by WRJ Design were featured, allowing for a breathtaking drive along the river with fall colors on full display.

For the professionals involved in designing, decorating, and building each home, the tour has retained its value as well.

“It was an honor to have two Carney Logan Burke houses on the Showcase of Homes 2015 Tour. I only regret that I could not be in two places at once. It was truly gratifying to hear all the positive comments about our house on Fish Creek Road, and the appreciative ‘ooh’s and ah’s’ as visitors entered the living room and saw the view of the Sleeping Indian. I was impressed at how thoughtful and thankful the nearly 200 people who came were that we had opened up our home,” recapped John Carney of Carney Logan Burke Architects. Showing his personal residence and guest house meant that patrons received a rare glimpse of how an architect translates his own design principles and lifestyle into fully realized vision.

Teton Heritage Builders and Xssentials, who partnered to host a stop of the tour at the Ridgetop Pavilion, hope to show another home in a future tour as well.”Teton Heritage Builders was happy to have had two homes on the tour this year: the Ridgetop Pavilion and Teton Village Retreat (designed by Ellis Nunn Architects). It was a pleasure to have spent two fantastic days treating the 200 plus folks who joined us to a hot dog and a great home tour. The compliments were well received and we look forward to the potential of partnering again with Xssentials on another home for the Showcase tour. Thanks to all the folks that made this a charitable event to remember.”

The third boon to enjoying the Showcase of Homes? That would be the over $6,000 raised to benefit non-profits chosen by our homeowners. These donated funds can now be put to good use in the local community via the important conservation work of the Nature Conservancy (Wyoming Chapter), the Jackson Hole Land Trust, and the Grand Teton National Park Foundation. For a community where landscape and living space are so intimately connected, it makes sense to give back to the very organizations that preserve this precious–and limited–resource.

The Homestead Magazine team is now hard at work producing our next annual print issue. Often, our Dream Homes provide a sneak peek into the roster of exclusive properties that will be featured during upcoming Showcase of Homes tours. Stay tuned by reading back issues and subscribing on our site today!

Thank you for joining us. We hope to see you next year.

Learn more about the six homes and professionals featured in the 2015 tour: Ridgetop Pavilion, Fish Creek Compound, Lodge at Fish Creek, Fairway Haven, Tall Timber Cottage

Tour of Homes gives a glimpse of the Top

Fish Creek Lodge - Jackson Hole Showcase of Homes

Fish Creek Lodge – Jackson Hole Showcase of Homes

By Jason Suder / Jackson Hole News & Guide / Sept. 09, 2105

Nobody comes to the Tetons to sit inside, but enjoying the mountains from the comfort of a living room does have its attractions.

Jackson architects, designers, builders and landscapers have worked wonders in their fields, and some of them will get to show off their finest during the 2015 Fall Arts Festival as Homestead Magazine presents its third annual Jackson Hole Showcase of Homes.

Set for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, and Saturday, Sept. 19, the Showcase of Homes celebrates these domestic accomplishments with a self-guided tour of a few of Jackson Hole’s most spectacular living spaces.

“We choose homes based on location in the valley, architectural style and the range of professionals behind the project,” said Latham Jenkins, founder and president of Circ Design, which publishes Homestead and organizes the Showcase of Homes.

Five residences were selected to show a cross section of the valley’s designs, from the more traditional to mountain modern. During the two-day event ticket holders will be able to explore the houses and discuss design elements with the professionals who designed and built them.

Local charities benefit from the tour, with proceeds from ticket sales supporting organizations selected by each homeowner. They include the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival, Grand Teton National Park Foundation and the Jackson Hole Land Trust.

Fishcreek Compound - Jackson Hole Showcase of Homes

Fishcreek Compound – Jackson Hole Showcase of Homes

Unlike gallery artists, who are able to show work in public settings, architects and interior designers mostly operate in the private realm. The Showcase of Homes is an opportunity for John Carney of Carney Logan Burke Architects to expose some of his work that few people ever see.

“We do these beautiful one-off houses,” he said, “and unless the client had a commitment to want to share that they typically will shy away from that kind of thing.”

Carney is responsible for the architecture of two projects in this year’s Showcase of Homes. His Lodge at Fish Creek represents his talent for adhering to the rustic character of the valley.

Although not as classic as what the phrase “log cabin” conjures, these 12 homes in Shooting Star offer a clean look of wood slats and stone masonry exteriors. Large windows in the high-vaulted living rooms look out at mountain views, giving a contemporary slant to the ski-town chalet.

“It’s a little more contemporary, but still in the rustic category,” Carney said. “My house, by contrast, is much more modern.”

Carney’s own home, which is also on the tour, gives a deeper insight into the architectural process.

Carney will be available both days to explain his process, which begins with analyzing the landscape to help his clients stick to the design restrictions of their subdivisions but concludes with a personalized development.

Some homes feature trimless detail, which Russ Weaver, onsite superintendent of Ridgetop Pavilion atop North Gros Ventre Butte, pointed out allows the interior to flow into the natural contours of the landscape. This same living space has 360-degree views of the mountains: Sleeping Indian to the east, the Tetons to the north and west, and the Snake River Range to the south.

Ridgetop Pavilion - Jackson Hole Showcase of Homes

Ridgetop Pavilion – Jackson Hole Showcase of Homes

The large number of windows that give such views demanded that Weaver and his team undergo numerous energy tests that may become commonplace in coming years. A pressurized blower test and hot-water-supplementing solar panels were among them.

The final product of each home is an exhibition of the latest developments of architectural creation in the realm of mountain modern. Showcase of Homes offers this look into the creative process and use of the latest technology to build cutting-edge work.

“Unlike Homestead Magazine, which is a static medium, the Showcase of Homes is experiential,” Jenkins said. “Not only do you get to experience the special design, but you can interact with the artisans who created it.”

Without it, the mastery would remain restricted to homeowners and street-corner tourists.

“They really want people to come in and kick the tires,” Carney said.

Tickets cost $75 each and are limited to 250 people to ensure a personal and quality experience while also giving the professionals the ability to answer questions from each visitor. Tickets can be purchased at JacksonHoleShowcase.com.

Introducing Homestead’s 2015 Issue!

Homestead magazine 2015

Homestead magazine 2015

Our hard-working team here at Circ Design has been publishing Homestead magazine for over thirteen years now! For us, it’s a huge pleasure to release our annual issue, Jackson Hole’s resource for architecture, art, design, and the professionals who make it all possible. Our goal has always been to connect our readers with the vast sea of design talent we host in this valley, and to inspire them to bring that same sense of possibility to design projects of their own. Check out our issue preview below.

Your free copy of the magazine is available on newsstands and in businesses throughout Jackson Hole, or you can read the entire issue from start to finish right here.

Live out of state but would love a copy of your own? No problem! Simply contact us at info@circ.biz. Last but not least, stay in touch with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Issue Preview:

No one element makes up the beauty of our view; rather, its alchemy is the result of combination: sheer to flat, lush to arid, water to open air.

Not dissimilarly, a house achieves its own alchemy after many players have had their hand in a project. Architect, interior designer, builder, and artisans work together to create residential masterworks that, in turn, find full expression once a family is “home.” Artists working alone draw from feedback and personal inspirations while the West’s designers look outside as they envision inside experiences. All in all, collaboration (in whatever form it takes) is the name of the game.

In this issue, Meg Daly chats with chefs about their ideal kitchen environments; David Porter and Richard Anderson cover successful team-led renovations; Katy Niner asks about the holistic process that leads to one work of art; and Jenn Rein learns how a spirit of community guides a local club. We’ve also got tips for throwing a stress-free party, an in-depth look at architecture in Grand Teton National Park, an inside glimpse of upcoming happenings, and a stunning portfolio of drool-worthy residential projects to share.

With diverse design stories to inspire you—and our brand new Resource Directory— it has never been easier to locate your own team and collaborate on something truly special.

Happy Reading!

That’s A Wrap! Another Successful Jackson Hole Showcase of Homes

Shooting Star Elegance dining room.For two days of banner fall weather–crisp, blazing with color, and dappled with ideal late season sunshine–troupes of intrigued homeowners, art lovers, and Fall Arts Fest attendees entered the foyers of some of Jackson Hole’s most elegant residences, looked up to the ceilings, and said, “Aaaahhhh.” It’s hard not to, after all, when you encounter some of the valley’s most dazzling residential design.

It was the second annual Jackson Hole Showcase of Homes, hosted by our team at Homestead Magazine, and another runaway success. This time, four generous homeowners opened the doors of their residences to benefit local charities, while the teams of designers, architects, and artisans associated with each one were present to welcome every guest. Couples and groups of friends hailing from Cincinnati, the Bay area, the East Coast, and beyond all remarked on the unique opportunity to see such a variety of homes in an equally diverse variety of valley settings.

JH Builders at the River Meadows Retreat

The self-guided tours could begin and end anywhere, and could also be spread over two days. Many began with the European-reminiscent stonework and glass breezeways of the Shooting Star Elegance property, whose glorious indoor/outdoor living spaces and water feature provide a tranquil escape nestled at the base of Rendezvous Mountain. From there, a natural next stop proved to be the the artistic and superlatively appointed Teton Pines Sanctuary, a family home in one of the Clusters bordered by serene aspen groves and completed with a collection of world-class artwork. The next two stops took guests further into different habitats of the valley, from wooded National Forest-bordered land at the River Meadows Retreat to a snaking drive through the Snake River Canyon and its glowing mountain maples to the Martin Creek Cabin. River Meadows meant a spectacular peek inside a custom-constructed Swedish Cope log home, while the Cabin mixed fresh alpine styling with a peaceful creek-front setting at the Snake River Sporting Club.

Beyond the awe-inspiring settings, furnishings, fixtures, and design elements, however, the real draw of the Showcase events is the way they allow tour guests to meet and mingle with our area’s hardworking, visionary design professionals. It’s also a pleasure for the same professionals to interface with the local community and potentially interested new clients.

Rush Jenkins, who along with his partner Klaus Baer at WRJ Design decorated both the Martin Creek Cabin and Teton Pines Sanctuary, spoke to the singular character of the event.

“It was WRJ’s pleasure to participate in the 2014 Showcase of Homes, hosted by Homestead Magazine. We are grateful to our clients for sharing their homes with the public, which allowed some of our work to be seen for the first time. Having the opportunity to collaborate with professionals and experts in their field was a great honor.”

It is, indeed, rare to leave the showroom and enter spaces that have been envisioned, executed, and decorated by local artisans–to experience them in their fullness is a fantastic opportunity. The conversations between patrons and professionals, however, are what really set the Showcase apart. “The Showcase of Homes was an excellent event for Snake River Sporting Club and for Re/Max Obsidian Real Estate,” noted Fred Harness of the Martin Creek Cabin, “we’ve had several follow-up communications with new clients wanting more details on the next phase of new homes we are building. Definitely a success!”

Throughout each self-guided tour, guests had the chance to get their questions answered. For instance, tracking down the rich green soapstone used in the River Meadows Retreat, or learning about how the smoothly curved walls in the Shooting Star home were crafted by Big D Signature.

While nibbling treats and sipping from glasses of wine, these conversations continued throughout the day, as multiple professionals emceed each home. “It’s great to see the finished product and the excitement of people’s reactions and how they come together to experience our completed homes, from the old materials to the contemporary styles,” said Jon Eaton of Big D. This sentiment was echoed John D. Korhonen, an architect with Ellis Nunn & Associates, who touched on the “positive feedback and conversation,” while Andrew Miller of JH Builders mentioned that “it was great to meet a variety of people from all over the country.”

The generosity of the homeowners in both opening their spaces to the public eye and in selecting the four charity beneficiaries for ticket sales–PAWS JH, The Yellowstone Foundation, Community Resource Center, and Fire Services/EMS–truly capped the event’s success. As Megan Jenkins, who helped organize Showcase, said, “It really is the perfect way to enjoy a great day, see the valley, meet the artisans behind each project, and best of all, give back to the community.”

We hope to see you at the Showcase of Homes during the Fall Arts Festival next year! Until then, stay tuned by subscribing to our blog, where we update our readers regarding interesting artistic happenings and feature ongoing profiles of Jackson Hole’s design professionals.

Fall Arts Festival: Week Two Itinerary

Fall Arts FestivalThe Fall Arts Festival is back, ushering in a jam-packed week-and-a-half of visual, contemporary, culinary, Western, landscape, wildlife, and Native American arts. In short: it’s a festival of toasting Jackson Hole’s incredibly diverse artistic community, its fall colors, its cuisine, and all the dedicated professionals that add to the vibrancy of our valley. But where to start? With over 50 events occurring between September 3-14, we’ve gone through and picked out some fetes that are sure to be winners. However, we encourage you to check back frequently on the Fall Arts Festival’s Facebook page for ongoing event details. Each and every day, galleries are hosting talks, openings, and parties, so please make sure to check if your favorite one is on the list.

Here’s our list for this week:

Ongoing

From the kick-off luncheon on September 3rd throughout the rest of the Fest, the Western Visions Annual Show & Sale overlaps with its own events and chances to purchase world-class art. This is the major fundraiser every year for the National Museum of Wildlife Art, and needs be on your radar! (August 30-September 21).

Don’t forget to pick up a collector’s item souvenir during your Fall Arts Festival experience! This year, two bottles of wine are featured, both with labels designed by the two artists highlighted during the fest, Nancy Cawdrey and Joshua Tobey. They can be purchased at The Liquor Store & Wine Loft.

Wednesday, September 30

Head downtown for poster signings with the Fall Arts Festival’s featured artists. From 3-5pm, sculptor Joshua Tobey will be signing at Astoria Fine Art, and painter Nancy Dunlop Cawdrey at West Lives on Contemporary.

The best part of Fall Arts Festival? Lots of gallery time! Occurring from 5-8pm on the Town Square, Wednesday provides another opportunity to art walk throughout downtown while enjoying face time with gallery owners and artists, refreshments, and the astounding diversity of Jackson Hole’s art scene. With more than 30 galleries participating, look for Art Walk banners as you explore town.

Artist’s Receptions & Exhibit Openings: Featured artists Tom Gilleon, Howard Post, Glenn Dean, Ed Mell, and Greg Woodard will be at Altamira Fine Art from 5-8pm, while across town, the “In Our Valley” exhibition by Trio Fine Art will show gallery owners’ Kathryn Mapes Turner, Jennifer L. Hoffman,and Bill Sawczuk’s soulful painted interpretations of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

An issue of JH Traveler.As evening blends to night, be sure to make an appearance at The Night Fenix, a celebration for Fall Arts Festival 2012 featured artist Amy Ringholz. Not only will Amy be revealing 12 beautiful new works (including “The Traveler,” which graces the cover of our sister publication Jackson Hole Traveler), but there will be live music, coffee treats, cocktails, and ample revelry for all. (125 N. Cache; 5-11pm).

Thursday, September 11

From 5:30-8:30pm, the National Museum of Wildlife Art hosts the Wild 100 Artist party, a chance to celebrate and place bids before the Western Visions gala show and sale tomorrow. $100; registration required.

Friday, September 12

From 11am-4pm, our Homestead team is proud to be hosting the Jackson Hole Showcase of Homes, self-guided tours of Jackson Hole’s most spectacular homes with the potential to chat with the artisans, designers, and architects behind them. Tickets are $75 and include wine and hors d’oeuvres–all proceeds go to charities selected by our homeowners. Buy tickets in advance at http://jacksonholeshowcase.com.

The Wild 100 Show & Sale represents the final opportunity to bid on Western Visions works, as well as a shindig to follow. $150; registration required.

From 10am-7pm, swing by the landmark Center for the Arts to preview works in the Jackson Hole Art Auction. This event represents a true motherlode for any arts lover, with genres including contemporary, classic, Western, sporting, and wildlife all represented.

You’ve seen their work hanging on gallery walls; now, peek behind the scenes into the artists’ studios and get to know the charming area of Wilson, Wyoming during the West Bank Artists Studio Tour. Call 307-733-5096 for more information.

Saturday, September 13

Kick off your morning with a splash of paint (and excitement!). At 9am on the Town Square, the Jackson Hole Quick Draw art sale and auction begins. While a crowd of onlookers observe, artists paint new masterpieces in 90 minutes, followed by an auction that benefits the 2015 Fall Arts Festival.

The Jackson Hole Art Auction gets going at noon at the Center for the Arts! Preview the works beginning at 9am.

The Jackson Hole Showcase of Homes runs for a second day from 11am-4pm!

Toast the Fall Arts Festival and rub shoulders with artists and other arts patrons at the Fall Arts Festival artist party from 5-8pm on the Town Square. Live music and the chance to meet the Festival’s two featured artists–as well as a reception for artists from West Lives On and Astoria Fine Art–make this a fun and festive event to ring in the end of the Festival.

Sunday, September 14

You didn’t think you could leave the Fall Arts Festival without one more gallery tour, did you? In this unique spin on the traditional art walk, galleries throughout downtown open their doors from 11am-3pm and lure art lovers in one last time for delectable brunch dishes and themed beverages.

Last thing on the itinerary? Take a nap! That’s a lot of amazing arts programming in one week, all thanks to the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival’s continually evolving and expanding reach.

Tour of upscale homes showcases Teton design

By Amanda H. Miller, Jackson Hole News & Guide | Posted: Wednesday, September 3, 2014 

A Shooting Star home with a Contemporary decor is one of three properties in Circ's Showcase of Homes.

A Shooting Star home with a Contemporary decor is one of three properties in Circ’s Showcase of Homes.

Jackson Hole would be gorgeous if there were no town at all at the base of the Tetons. But the wrong town could have disfigured the pristine natural beauty of the area.

Fortunately those who have designed and continue to design and construct homes and buildings in Teton country do so with care.

It’s a wonder the Fall Arts Festival went 28 years without a celebration of Jackson Hole architecture and interior design. But the Jackson Hole Showcase of Homes in 2013 gave self-guided visitors their first glimpse at some of the best that area designers, architects and builders have to offer — which also happens to be some of the best anywhere in the world.

“We have some amazing, talented and world-class designers here,” said Latham Jenkins, founder and president of Circ Design, which publishes Homestead Magazine and organizes the Showcase of Homes.

The 2013 event was a success, he said, generating more than $12,000 in donations to charities. More than 90 percent of attendees said they loved the event. The second annual showcase is expected to attract a sell-out crowd. Attendance is capped at 250, and tickets cost $75 each.

Homestead Magazine launched the Showcase of Homes to pull some of the glamor off the pages of its magazine and to give arts lovers a chance to not only see but to experience functional design that has the power to awe.

“We really wanted people to see what it takes in its entirety to design a home,” Latham said. “It’s not just four walls and a roof. … Our local professionals are so talented at fitting these homes into the landscape.”

The Showcase of Homes will feature three properties this year, highlighting three talent-saturated design companies and benefiting three charities. The homeowners who open their houses to the public each select a favorite charity. This year’s designated charities are Yellowstone National Park Foundation, the Jackson Hole Community Resource Center and Jackson Hole Fire/EMS.

Each of the homes in the showcase is distinct and exhibits the unique abilities of the design teams that executed them.

River Meadows Retreat

Architect: Ellis Nunn & Associates

Home Building: JH Builders

This home is new and old at the same time, said Mike Wilson, the architect for JH Builders, a team of three with rich backgrounds in different aspects of the design and construction business.

The original home, tucked into the back of the River Meadows development off Fall Creek Road, burned down two years ago.

“The owners wanted to rebuild, and we were the ones to do it,” Wilson said. “The existing foundation stayed and we built on that. But, really, for us, it was a new project.”

The cabin’s Swedish cope log construction makes it stand out. The traditional building method requires tremendous precision to cut grooves in each log so it fits snugly with the next.

The owners made some adjustments to the interior floor plan, enlarging the upstairs guest suites and updating the interior. But overall they wanted the same log cabin luxury they had before the fire, Wilson said.

With six bedrooms, 5,300 square feet, a theater room, detached garage and guest quarters, the home is certainly grand. But it’s also comfortable.

“The thing we’re most proud of, I think, is how it’s finished,” Wilson said. “The finish on the logs, the color scheme, it’s great. The logs are in coordination with the cabinets and the countertops and the flooring, which is a beautiful hand-scraped cherry.”

Martin Creek Cabin

Architect: Poss Architects and Design

Home Building: ICMG Construction

Interior Design: WRJ Design Associates

Landscape: Snake River Sporting Club

With 850 square feet of decks and terraces, this home invites the outdoors in for true indoor-outdoor living.

“I think Poss did a great job of really capturing the outside,” said Rush Jenkins, founder of WRJ Design Associates. “Every room has some sort of outdoor living space.”

Beyond interacting with the natural environment, the 4,000-square-foot cabin has a contemporary sense of luxury blended with the rustic mountain feel expected in a Jackson Hole home.

“That’s part of our style at WRJ,” Jenkins said. “We have a blend of the contemporary with alpine elegance” — luxury with casual comfort.

The interior designers used lighter colors to create a more modern feel in the Western home.

“We incorporated light mohairs and beautiful fabrics and textiles with minimal patterns and a lighter color palette than you usually see in homes like these,” Jenkins said.

He and his team also used antiques to create contrast with the rustic feel of the home.

WRJ, which has only been in Jackson for three years and has already completed more than 20 high-profile design projects, also designed the interior of the Snake River Sporting Club. The Martin Creek Cabin is located in the private club, and the clubhouse will also be open to Showcase of Homes participants.

Shooting Star Elegance

Architect: JLF Architects

Builder: Big D Signature

Interior Design: Laura White

Landscape architect: Jim Verdonne

Six spacious bedrooms with en suite bathrooms at the base of Rendezvous Mountain in the private Shooting Star community would be luxurious.

But this home — with Fish Creek lacing through the yard, its own serene water feature and a contemporary outdoor hot tub — takes luxury to new heights.

Contemporary decor and reclaimed materials give the home character. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the home with light, and geothermal heating and cooling combine with solar hot water to keep energy use down.

The designers, architects and builder who worked on all three homes will be available during the showcase to answer questions about their work and discuss their design philosophies.

“This is a great format for enjoying these homes,” Latham said. “It’s like visiting a museum. When the docent gives you a tour, you have a far greater appreciation for and understanding of the art. We hope to mirror that experience in this event.”

The Fall Arts Festival is Here! Week One Itinerary

Palates & Palettes Gallery Walk; Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival

Palates & Palettes Gallery Walk; Tayloe Piggott Gallery

The Fall Arts Festival is back, ushering in a jam-packed week-and-a-half of visual, contemporary, culinary, Western, landscape, wildlife, and Native American arts. In short: it’s a festival of toasting Jackson Hole’s incredibly diverse artistic community, its fall colors, its cuisine, and all the dedicated professionals that add to the vibrancy of our valley. But where to start? With over 50 events occurring between September 3-14, we’ve gone through and picked out some fetes that are sure to be winners. However, we encourage you to check back frequently on the Fall Arts Festival’s Facebook page for ongoing event details. Each and every day, galleries are hosting talks, openings, and parties, so please make sure to check if your favorite one is on the list.

Here’s our list for this week:

Ongoing

From the kick-off luncheon on September 3rd throughout the rest of the Fest, the Western Visions Annual Show & Sale overlaps with its own events and chances to purchase world-class art. This is the major fundraiser every year for the National Museum of Wildlife Art, and needs be on your radar! (August 30-September 21).

Don’t forget to pick up a collector’s item souvenir during your Fall Arts Festival experience! This year, two bottles of wine are featured, both with labels designed by the two artists highlighted during the fest, Nancy Cawdrey and Joshua Tobey. They can be purchased at The Liquor Store & Wine Loft.

Thursday, September 4

It’s a day of jewelry, with the Western Visions Jewelry & Design Luncheon beginning at 11am at Snow King Resort. Meanwhile, Two Grey Hills will be hosting award-winning and contemporary Hopi jewelry artist Duane Maktima in their galleries until 6pm.

Friday, September 5

From 2-8pm, the Jackson Hole Historical Society & Museum reminds us of the valley’s heritage with a folk and traditional arts fair including demonstrations and sales of frontier and homestead crafts and skills. Featured crafts include cinch and saddle pad making, hooked rugs, rope making, quilting, and other ranch and domestic arts. 225 N. Cache Street (Museum Gallery)

Most importantly, reserve your evening for the immensely popular Palates & Palettes Gallery Walk. Running from 5-8pm at a huge range of galleries, this event involves a delicious pairing between top-notch restaurants from throughout Jackson with gallery spaces, resulting in the perfect food/art crawl. We encourage you to check the Fall Arts page for the full list of participating galleries, which include Heather James Fine Art, Altamira, Tayloe Piggott, WRJ Design, and many more. We guarantee that all will have something special in store.

Saturday, September 6

The perfect companion to our Jackson Hole Showcase of Homes the following weekend, Historic Ranch Tours allow visitors to experience a side of Jackson Hole that is normally hidden from the public view. The tour is complete with cowboys, Western entertainment, and a good old fashioned barbecue, and is hosted by Mountain Living magazine. It begins at 2pm, costs $50, and can be booked through the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce.

Sunday, September 7

Make sure to head to Jackson’s Town Square on Sunday for a full-day of gourmet delight and al fresco community art!

From 10am-4pm, the 15th Annual Takin’ It to the Streets represents an open-air, juried art fair featuring 40 local artists–including some of Jackson’s finest–selling an array of artwork. Presented by the Art Association of Jackson Hole.

Then, from 11am-4pm, The Taste of the Tetons brings together valley chefs, restaurants, and caterers for an open-air tasting fair. Taste tickets cost a scant $1, and attendees will be serenaded by live music while dabbling in a wine tasting and silent auction (see below). Always a favorite!

In partnership with the other two events,the Rotary Supper Club’s Fall Arts Festival Wine Tasting & Silent Auction rounds out your downtown day with their wine tasting and auction benefitting the community through scholarships and sponsorships. Taste tickets are $1, and the event runs from 11am-5pm.

Lastly, 4 artists and artisans will be on hand at RARE Gallery from 12pm-5pm. Patricia Griffin will be painting while overlooking the Town Square; Petra Class Trunk Show will have her latest custom pieces on display; Dan Burgette will be showing his award-winning avian carvings; and Trenton Higley and his most recent Yellowstone paintings will be in attendance. 12pm-5pm

Stay tuned for the rest of our event recommendations!

Buzz is Building for the Jackson Hole Showcase of Homes!

Check out this press release from the Fall Arts Festival about our upcoming event:

Showcase of Homes Tour Reveals the Art of Living Spaces in Jackson
Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival event opens doors on exclusive homes and ranches

Fall Arts Fest Showcase of Homes

“Shooting Star Elegance” (left) and “River Meadows Retreat” (right) are two of the homes to be featured in the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival’s Showcase of Homes Tour.

Jackson, Wyoming – August 22, 2014 – The art of Jackson Hole home design has become an integral part of the annual Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival, offering visitors the opportunity to peek behind usually closed doors both of mountain modern Jackson, Wyo., residences and of surrounding historic ranches. The Jackson Hole Showcase of Homes, September 12 and 13, provides a chance to experience the beautiful craftsmanship and unique architectural designs of local homes – including firsthand discussions with the professionals who designed and built them – while Historic Ranch Tours on September 6 offers the chance to experience Jackson Hole’s cowboy culture of old while exploring the beautiful country properties.

“Visitors and locals alike are curious to get an insider’s view of some of Jackson Hole’s fabulous homes and ranches,” says Maureen Murphy, director of special events for the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce, “so these ‘art of the home’ tours have been a popular addition to our annual line-up of Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival events.”

The first home on the Showcase of Homes tour is Shooting Star Elegance, located at the base of Rendezvous Mountain and combining old world style with modern appointments of the highest level. Next is the thoughtfully designed 5,515-square-foot “cabin in the woods” known as the River Meadows Retreat. The tour will also visit Martin Creek Cabin, located in the private Snake River Sporting Club, where the river runs through it.

Now in its second year, the Showcase of Homes tour gives its guests the opportunity to see a variety of imaginative Jackson residential design. More than just a walk-through, the tour also includes face-to-face interaction with the designers, architects and creative professionals responsible for some of the most exclusive and artistic homes in Jackson Hole. Hosted by Homestead Magazine, the Showcase tour is available Sept. 12 and 13 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $75, available at WRJ Design Showroom at 30 S. King St., or online via Homestead Magazine. Ticket proceeds are donated to local charities chosen by the participating homeowners. The tour is limited to 250 tickets so purchase early; this event typically sells out.

Those interested in architecture and design dating back to Jackson Hole’s early days will enjoy the Historic Ranch Tour, where guests will tour historical valley ranches while getting a taste of the area’s cowboy heritage with real cowboys, Wild West entertainment, and an old-fashioned Western barbecue. Hosted by Mountain Living magazine, the tour leaves at 2 p.m. from Home Ranch Parking Lot on the corner of Cache and Gill Streets in Jackson. Tickets are $50, available from the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce. Limited seats are available so advance reservations are required.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2014, the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival continues to secure Jackson’s place as a leading cultural destination for collectors, art lovers, and families alike. The 10-day event presented by the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce brings a signature mix of visual, contemporary, culinary, Western, landscape, wildlife and Native American arts to Jackson, Wyo., September 3 – 14, 2014. Along with the Showcase of Homes tour, The Fall Arts Festival offers visitors more than 50 family-friendly events, many of them free. Visit the festival online at http://www.jacksonholechamber.com/fall_arts_festival/ for a full calendar of events.

Conveniently located just 20 minutes from the Jackson Hole Airport, Jackson is served by major airlines including Delta, United, American and SkyWest. Reservation information for Jackson’s numerous hotels, as well as a complete schedule of Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival events can be found at www.jacksonholechamber.com. For additional information, contact Maureen Murphy at Jackson Hole Chamber, 307.733.3316.

Modern Living the Dynia Way

A Canvas for LivingDuring Homestead Magazine’s Showcase of Homes, many patrons had the same response to one of the residences—a modernist masterwork located on Gros Ventre Butte. As they sauntered through the wide, airy rooms with chestnut-hued cement floors and black steel accents, they blurted out, “I could live in this house!”

But why had the sentiment taken them by surprise?

We sat down for a chat with Stephen Dynia of Stephen Dynia Architects to discuss his history of pushing the design envelope in Jackson Hole, and how the “surprise” of modern architecture may actually exist in its perfect harmony with our landscape.

Stephen Dynia’s work is well-known throughout Jackson Hole. Chances are, if you’ve encountered a spare, clean construction with light truss work and sparkling glass, you’ve come across a home or commercial space with the Dynia stamp. Notably, the firm designed the local Center for the Arts building, which opened in 2004, as well as multiple other buildings in the valley. Dynia himself surveys the town from what he affectionately dubs his “plateau”: an unexpected mixed-use development reached by veering up the bluff right after the 89/22 Junction. There, Stephen Dynia Architects works from an open, multi-level structure, and a series of metal-sided work/live spaces next door beckon with glass entries and bright doors.

Innovative AnglesIt’s true that modern architectural work such as this plateau and the showcased Gros Ventre residence often stand out in a sea of traditionally “western” homes, including the nouveau lodge aesthetic favored by homeowners who build to impress. However, Dynia’s take is that much of this architecture is “based on a romance with something that doesn’t quite exist in this time.” He points out that the original log buildings of this valley were built within the constraints of the materials available, and were intended to keep the environment out, rather than let it in. If current Jackson Hole home ownership is all about views, then homesteader values were about warmth, protection, and barricades from snowdrifts and curious wildlife.

Dynia considers newer homes built in the log tradition to be theatrical—theirs is a style that swerves away from the path of history and the actual materials of modern building. In his own design work, he “tries to transcend something that is merely stylistic” to find a more contemporaneous mode of expression.

“My mission is that architecture should be relevant to the era that it’s built in.”

A Site to BeholdDynia strives to make history with his designs, rather than invoke nostalgia for a vanished place and time. To this end, his firm is rigorous about relating every structure to its place, and thereby interpreting the place via architectural elements.

Dynia’s is a design philosophy hewn among the soaring glass and steel structures of New York City, where he got his start at a large firm that specialized in a corporate Modernist aesthetic. These are buildings that, in the truest interpretation of Modernism, are “consistent with [their] method of construction.” Once transplanted to Jackson Hole, Dynia sought out the trace of a Mies van der Rohe-designed home at the Snake River Ranch, a mostly-scrapped project that nevertheless represented the first U.S. design by the modern architecture giant during the 1930’s. In this Dynia saw encouragement–Jackson Hole had already begun incubating the cosmopolitan leanings that could lead to an embrace of modern style.Detail

In conversation, Dynia references other notable architects who have added immeasurably to the recognizable architecture of the valley. Mentioning the Teton County Library and Mad River’s flagship headquarters south of Jackson, he is the first to acknowledge that the wave of modern building is multifarious. Rather than limit building concepts to “abide by look rather than experience,” the unique qualities of our valley require “the freedom of a more expressive building form.”

For Dynia’s firm–particularly in regards to local residences–this experience begins in the sequence of how one enters a home. He likes adding drama to this approach by at first denying expansive views, only to re-introduce them. This sudden reveal draws a gasp and a significant pause. In moments like these, we are truly inside a space—participating in its interaction with a setting. Hallways and stairwells opening to glimpses of sweeping Gros Ventre views surely contributed to the same alchemy during Homestead’s Showcase.

In these award-winning 28x28x28 cubes in downtown Jackson, three levels of living culminate in 360 degree views from the uppermost roof deck. Eschewing the urge to build outwards, these cubes interpret “ how you can live in a place differently” and “literally heighten the experience of landscape” as you climb up to see the whole valley laid below you.

In these award-winning 28x28x28 cubes in downtown Jackson, three levels of living culminate in 360 degree views from the uppermost roof deck. Eschewing the urge to build outwards, these cubes interpret“ how you can live in a place differently” and “literally heighten the experience of landscape” as you climb up to see the whole valley laid below you.

Dynia speculates that our occasional resistance to the stripped down and simplified lines of modern building wells from discomfort. “Psychologically, people are afraid of simplicity.” At the same time, the more restrained the space in its embellishments, the more soothing and reflective it becomes. The clean, uncluttered architectural canvas asks to be completed by the personality of its residents, while more “fluid and sculptural” lines imbue the home with a sense of serenity.

“My work always incorporates somes kind of innovation and inspiration from nature,” Dynia says. He plays with elements like light to mimic the act of walking in the woods, and is always seeking new ways to pay homage to the texture of a landscape.

Dynia Architects currently splits its efforts between Jackson Hole and a number of exciting projects in Denver. Recently, a former truck terminal-turned-urban-office-hotspot known as Drive earned the firm a prestigious AIA Award. These new projects indulge Dynia’s long-held passion for contributing to the culture of community, just as in his home designs, he favors open, centralized spaces that corral loved ones together to bolster the attendant “culture of a family.” In the firm’s sustainable new projects, the existing infrastructure (truck terminals and iron foundries) are recycled into energetic community spaces that are meant to bridge our contemporary mode of detachment living—i.e. live in one zone, work and play in another. To this end, Drive, and the under-construction Drive 2 all contain a shared conference room or lounge, with garage-style doors on every floor that dispel separation from the outdoors with a simple lift upwards.Roof Garden 022

This vision is the same one Dynia has for Jackson, which has been his design laboratory for decades. “Do you want a town that simply preserves itself?” Dynia asks. Of course, his answer is a resounding “No.” Rather, he is encouraged by the current balance being struck in downtown Jackson between conservation and human habitation. In his opinion, the “town is getting healthier” as it continues to embrace mixed use zoning and greater urban-style density. This is the modus operandi behind his own work-live zone on the “plateau.”

So, back to the reactions of those Showcase attendees. Surprise, Dynia thinks, is a hallmark of what his firm is doing here. Viewers will always react to light and the experience of a space, and Dynia’s architecture is intended to capitalize on just that. The austere lines of a modern home may intimidate from the curb, but once inside, an unexpected warmth and peace take hold. In sum, “leadership in design is about leading.” It is about creating bold, benchmark projects and presenting new modes of lived experience, whether in the great room of a home or in the lobby of the Center for the Arts, a glass-framed Snow King beyond.

That surprise is, in fact, “the story of my time here. That’s the payoff.”