From Our Editor: The Jury is In

ML Editor in Chief Darla Worden on our highly anticipated 2026 Home of the Year issue.

October 7, 2026

Darla Worden,

The 2026 Home of the Year design team with Mountain Living’s team in WRJ’s garden: Left to right, Kathy Lee, Amy Watkins, Jason Snider, Chris Lee, Rush Jenkins, Darla Worden, Klaus Baer, Elizabeth Tisher and Sammy Barnard. | Photo: Jay Nel-McIntosh

It’s Mountain Living’s highly anticipated Home of the Year issue, and this year’s winner, located in Jackson Hole, delighted the judges with its sublime architecture and design, tucked into an aspen forest with a meandering creek and views of Grand Teton.

I asked Rush Jenkins, co-founder of WRJ Design—and a member of the 2026 Home of the Year design team as well as Home of the Year winner in 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2023—what the secret to a winning home is. “The homeowners,” he replied. “When homeowners are determined to hire the very best design team, and then let them do their job, the result is extraordinary.” These owners had previously worked with WRJ Design and Wilkinson-Montesano Construction; Design Associates Architects and Agrostis, Inc. landscape architecture completed the team.

Selecting the ideal building site within the aspen forest but affording views of The Grand was the design team’s first priority. The final site is bordered on the west by a dedicated conservation easement and on the east by a creek that flows the entire length of the property, surrounding the home with privacy. Interiors were designed to work equally well for cozy family nights or for larger groups when the owners entertain. Photographed in a dreamy blanket of snow, the home is featured here.

In addition to Jackson Hole, this issue offers wintry homes in Montana, where a Big Sky home with a “treehouse feeling” is cleverly designed to capture floor-to-ceiling views, and in Colorado, where architect Charles Cunniffe takes an unexpected approach to the design of a modern chalet in Aspen. In Beaver Creek, a ski-in, ski-out home receives a refreshing makeover while maintaining its Alpine bones.

For cooking enthusiasts, check out Paul Diamond’s chef-centric designs, and horse lovers will enjoy Kathryn O’Shea-Evans’ book Horse, while skiers will appreciate the story behind Christopher Peter’s ski silhouettes.

Wishing you a holiday season filled with love, joy—and snow!