Artistic Inspiration
Despite its compact footprint, a loft condominium in Jackson, Wyoming, becomes a showplace for contemporary art
“A downtown Jackson pied-à-terre” is how architect Andy Ankeny describes this loft remodel he and his Carney Logan Burke Architects colleagues designed for two New York City transplants. The clients, serious collectors of paintings, photography and sculpture, wanted to establish a permanent base in town while their primary house, also designed by the firm, was being built. So they enlisted Ankeny, principal architect Eric Logan and architectural intern Maria James to reimagine the space.
They found the ideal spot in an open-plan condominium, one of nine residential units in a mixed-use building Carney Logan Burke designed back in 2003. The first of its kind in Jackson, the structure combines two levels of urban living with ground-floor offices, and is situated within two blocks of the town square.
The new owners hoped to showcase artwork from their collection in the 1,805 square feet of living space, so they asked the architects, along with New York-based interior designers Timothy Macdonald and Greg Knudsen of Timothy Macdonald Incorporated, to transform the loft into an art-centric haven. “It had to feel contemporary and minimalist,” Macdonald says—an approach that not only highlights the art but also makes the place feel more spacious.
The clients wanted nothing to distract from the works they intended to display. “They even provided a catalog of their artwork,” Ankeny says, “so that we and the interior design team could attain a deeper understanding of the pieces and incorporate finishes and furnishings that complement them.”
The result of the six-month-long remodel is an aesthetic that would feel just as appropriate in Manhattan as it does in the Rocky Mountains. The design team added distinctive yet low-key finishes that complement the collection—and are works of art in their own right. In the entry hall, one wall is clad with iridescent 3Form resin panels that provide a backdrop for framed photos by Sean Scully. A portion of the opposite wall is covered with blackened steel paneling—a material also used for the fireplace surround in the main living area—that extends into both bedrooms. In the master suite, the metal frames a dramatic sculpture that’s inset into a wall—a treatment so dramatic, it’s earned the nickname “the steel iceberg.” Most of the remaining walls were painted in neutral earth tones with matching trim, “so they would blend in as part of the backdrop,” Ankeny says.
Meanwhile, the interior design team incorporated many of the furnishings from the clients’ East Coast home into the new space. “The art takes center stage and the furniture plays a supporting role,” says Macdonald, “so we had the seating reupholstered with very minimal detail.”
Select new pieces were chosen to match the established style while also complementing the Western setting. In the dining area, for example, leather Cassina Cab Chairs, designed in 1977 by Mario Bellini, surround an Altura walnut refectory table. Illuminating the scene is a chandelier composed of translucent mica discs attached with bronze-toned rivets.
It’s a subtle nod to the West, to be sure. But then, notes Ankeny, “This is definitely not the style of art you might ordinarily see in Jackson.”
The Design is in the Details
In a compact space, even the smallest details can make a big impact—and tiny flaws can become major distractions. With that in mind, the design team created a fine-tuned aesthetic with these elements:
Expanded and refinished cabinetry To enhance storage, new cabinets were added to the main living spaces: a bank of drawers the length of one wall in the living room and extra ceiling-high storage on either side of the stove. The style of the new cabinets perfectly matches the existing built-ins, which were given an ebonized finish identical to the new woodwork.
Muted stainless steel Gleaming stainless steel already covered the kitchen counters, “but polished stainless easily shows scratches,” notes architect Andy Ankeny. So the counters were given a new matte finish, “which is far more forgiving.”
Bathroom glasswork Wall-to-wall mirrors that make the master bath feel far bigger were carefully aligned with the frameless walk-in shower enclosure.
ARCHITECTURE Eric Logan and Andy Ankeny CLB Architects, Jackson, Wyoming, 307-733-4000, clbarchitects.com CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT Jeremy Mayor, Kurt Wimberg Construction, Jackson, Wyoming, 307-733-5165, wimberg.com ENTRY CORRIDOR WALL Varia woven caramel w/ sandstone resin, 3-Form, Salt Lake City, Utah, 800-726-0126, 3-form.comLARGE PAINTING10 steps by Marti BLACK AND WHITE CITYSCAPE Grace building VI by Vera Lutter SMALL PAINTINGS Inis Orr #6, #7, #9 by Sean Scully DOOR HARDWARE FSB 1035, Rocky Mountain Hardware, fsbna.com, rockymountainhardware.com DINING ROOM PAINTING Material Lightsby Fabian Marcaccio KITCHEN TILE “Roku Teak,” glossy 6”x6” stacked bond pattern, Walker Zanger, walkerzanger.com CABINET HARDWARE Sugatsune 27128, stainless steel, Sugatstune, Rocky Mountain Hardware, sugatsune.com, rockymountainhardware.com SINK FAUCET FF 1580 satin nickel, Franke Group, franke.com BLACKENED STEEL 16 gauge hot rolled steel with Antique Black patina, custom by contractor, Metal Finish Supply, Tucson, Arizona, 520-628-7600, metallicfinishes.com BEDROOM PAINTING Year of the Dog #9by Judy Pfaff SCULPTURE Red S by Rebecca Welz OFFICE DESKTOP Chroma rose resin, 3-Form, Salt Lake City, Utah, 800-726-0126, 3-form.com ART Person with Pink Guitar, Person with Yellow Guitar, Person with Red Guitar by John Baldessari BATHROOM VANITIES “Winter Cloud,” polished marble stone counter surfaces and backsplashes, Walker Zanger, walkerzanger.com TOWEL RINGS “Hotelier” 0305 in satin nickel, Ginger, gingerco.com FLOOR TILES “Winter Cloud” marble, polished or honed, Walker Zanger, walkerzanger.com WALL TILES “Roku Cashmere,” frosted, 6”x12” vertical stacked bond pattern, Walker Zanger, walkerzanger.com SINKS “Ladena,” by Kohler, us.kohler.com SHOWER FIXTURES “Purist” and “Master Shower” in brushed nickel by Kohler, us.kohler.com
