Dream Home in Jackson Hole Modern Architecture Interior Design

For a Wyoming Couple, Designer Barbara Barry creates a refined farmhouse that is perfectly tailored to the surrounding Tetons.

By John Francisco Andreu

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The Jackson Hole Valley, bounded by the Tetons, has long lured outdoorsy types. Among them is a Wyoming couple who bought eighteen acres and then asked Barbara Barry, a prominent Los Angeles designer, to create their home from the ground up. "They wanted something that would suit the setting and their casual, active lifestyle," says Barry. "Their intention was to build an unpretentious yet refined farmhouse that would stand the test of time."

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Dream Home in Jackson Hole Modern Architecture Interior Design

Barry, whose firm had previously designed three homes for the couple, initiated a search for an architect, which led to Peter Block of Atlanta: "We knew instantly he was our man because his inspiration was deeply founded in the use of historical precedent. He had a clear vision for a pure and simple country home. He understood that no grand gestures had to be made."

Keeping in mind the couple's desire for a home in the vernacular of a traditional American farmhouse, Block created a two-level, Eastern cedar structure with generously proportioned windows. "The clean and orderly aesthetic takes its cues from Shaker structures," Block says, "but with thicker posts to acknowledge the rugged surroundings. I also drew upon the New England tradition of connected farm buildings. Usually, a house and barn are linked by a third structure years later, but here it happened instantly." The property also encompasses a guesthouse-poolhouse as well as a barn for a boat. Says Barry, "Walking through the house, you catch glimpses of the other buildings. Together, they make a little village, creating a sense of intimacy in a wide-open landscape. It's wonderful to run from building to building in the snow."

The home's first floor is devoted mostly to a living room that opens onto a sunroom, a dining room and a kitchen with a breakfast nook. The second level contains the master suite, media room, office, children's bedrooms and nanny's quarters. Block maximized the number of windows to frame outside views while generally retaining the scale of a farmhouse. He eschewed drywall in favor of wide painted boards, stained wood and hand-burnished plaster walls. The emphasis on natural materials led to the use of rift-cut, wide-plank oak floors.

Awash in natural light, the interiors blend tradition with modern classicism. Barry maintains that she does not "decorate." Instead, she "orchestrates sophisticated but practical rooms, keeping the focus on function." No cowboy decoration for this Wyoming home.

Barry borrowed her palette from the great outdoors. The muted hues of ivory, taupe, ochre, sage, gray, green and blue produce a calming continuity throughout. Over time, the country-casual fabrics — including cottons, chenilles and leathers — will age ever more appealingly. The mix of traditional and contemporary furniture includes custom pieces designed by Barry. With their tailored silhouettes, her stylish choices show restraint while making comfort a priority.

"This is a project where architecture and interior design melded seamlessly to serve the clients," says Barry. "The enclave of buildings shelters a bustling, energetic family, providing a warm and nurturing counterpoint to the majesty of the Tetons."

View of the Tetons

An American Farmhouse

Living Room