A Ketchum Boutique With Curbside Charm

Located in two historic buildings—a red board-and-batten house and a renovated white church next door—The Picket Fence in Ketchum, Idaho, beckons visitors with the curbside charm of that namesake fence. Offering high-quality linens, elegant furnishings and tasteful home accents, this quaint boutique embodies the Ketchum community motto: “Small town, big life.”

Founded in 1978, The Picket Fence quickly became the go-to shop for luxury housewares, attracting clients from around the world. Lynn Simpson was one of those clients. She’d visited Sun Valley since the 1960s and was one of The Picket Fence’s loyal customers until she ultimately purchased the business 13 years ago.

“I wanted it to be a store that cared about people and offered personal attention that felt special, with all the details that added an extra touch of quality,” says Simpson.

After a major remodel, the original red house is home to a 6,000-square-foot sumptuous lifestyle shop, an anchor in Ketchum’s vibrant historic downtown. In 2009 Simpson purchased the former First Congregational Church—built in 1884—for $1, then relocated and extensively renovated it. It became a contemporary showroom for bedding and furniture lines, as well as for offices. Combined, the two structures create an inviting atmosphere with a sense of home.

La Lune patio furniture and decorative pillows create a sophisticated outdoor space.

Considering every detail in decorating, a Palacek woven grass tray sits under Farmhouse pottery in the store.

“The store has clients who come back year after year and continually update their homes,” explains interior designer Kim Mauney, Simpson’s daughter. Aftera career designing houses in California and North Carolina, Mauney launched The Picket Fence Interior Design studio last year. Offering interior design for every level of residential living, Mauney and 
her team are building on the classic style that began at the store.

Offering housewares and gifts, the bedding showroom is filled with accents like the iron lantern from Jan Barboglio.

Barnwood walls contrast with traditional chairs from Currey & Co. along with Western accents in the Saddleman’s cowhide rug and the cowhide mirror by Made Goods.  

“The business has evolved to keep up with the demand of guests and to keep up with the times,” Simpson says. “Now we are in the third phase of expanding our business to include full-service interior design services.”

“My love of interiors stems from my mother’s exquisite taste, which really found its full expression in The Picket Fence,” says Mauney.

Showing the outdoors is as important as the interiors with wicker dining chairs and a table set with Sferra Fine Linens and Vietri dinnerware.

The Picket Fence design office showcases natural elegance and the firm’s streamlined approach.

ACHIEVING THAT SUN VALLEY LOOK:

Build texture with rugs, upholstery, and wall coverings.

Create casual, inviting spaces in lieu of a formal environment. It’s more about gathering the family together.

Select natural materials like stone and wood—even better if it’s local!

Use oversized windows to capture the mountain views.