Moody and Contemporary, This Secluded 2.5-Acre Home Feels Like an Escape

Worldly sophistication and bucolic surroundings come together in a beautiful jewel box located in the heart of the Gem State.

December 24, 2025

Laura Kostelny,

To take advantage of the views, the house was placed at the toe of the mountain. “The comment I love hearing is, ‘You gave us the sensation of resort life in our own home,’” says architect Scott Payne. | Photo: Gabe Border

Idaho has long been a destination for those looking to escape the bright lights of big cities. Back in the late 1980s, Bruce and Demi (no last names needed), arguably the most famous couple in the world at the time, fled to Hailey, Idaho (population 9,976), to raise their children. Even though they’ve since moved on to other partners and locales, Hailey remains a promising spot for those seeking a peaceful place to build a legacy family home.

It’s that peace and quiet that drew a certain Midwestern couple to the area. The empty nesters happened upon a secluded 2.5-acre plot near Greenhorn Gulch Trailhead. “My wife’s initial reaction was, ‘Gee, it’s awfully remote,’” says the homeowner. “But the lot size was ideal, and the more time we spent out there, the more comfortable we got. It’s really private, but you do have neighbors—they’re just not too close.”

The home’s exterior and interior blend together seamlessly thanks to an abundance of tumbled Chief Cliff stone, reclaimed wood and earth tones. Designer Jennifer Hoey layered in a sideboard from Wren & Cooper and a mirror from Croft House. | Photo: Gabe Border

When it came time to begin conversations about the contemporary-yet-organic forever home they envisioned on the property, they turned to interior designer—and owner of Ketchum-based Suede Studio—Jennifer Hoey. “We knew we wanted something that looked like it had always been there and fit into the land,” the homeowner says.

They also needed square footage that could sleep a crowd but wouldn’t feel massive when it was just the two of them. Hoey immediately understood the assignment. “We worked on creating a moody, contemporary cabin-in-the-woods feeling with lots of glass and rustic elements like reclaimed wood and stone masonry—things that connected the home with the landscape.”

Artwork by Jasper Johns and a chandelier by Materia set the stage for the sleek dining area, which also includes a table by Withers Studio and chairs by David Gaynor. | Photo: Gabe Border

Hoey also knew just the right architect to call: Scott Payne, principal architect at Farmer Payne Architects. “The clients came in with a somewhat traditional aesthetic, but they also wanted a contemporary layout,” Payne explains. “That’s our bread and butter. We use traditional forms and materials in a progressive way.” His team further collaborated with the clients, Hoey and builder Lloyd Construction to materialize a site-specific residence with a progressive upper-level living layout.

“The building location was due to neighborhood restrictions within a building envelope and to avoid the avalanche zone that occurs on the site. It’s a hillside project located at the toe of the mountain where it starts to flatten. We put it as high as we could get it,” Payne says. “The primary suite and public spaces are on the second level to take advantage of the amazing views east, west and north, with the south being the hillside.”

The main living and dining areas offer unparalleled access to spectacular views of the snowy landscape. | Photo: Gabe Border

Meanwhile, the designer took her cues from the setting as she carved out interior spaces that felt layered and lived in, but also tailor-made to the homeowners’ tastes. “Because the second level with the social spaces and primary is where they live, we were cognizant of making it feel smaller and jewel-boxy,” Hoey says. Although her clients love neutrals, she pushed for furnishings and accessories in pulled-from-nature hues including greens and blues to create a moodier vibe.

Curated pieces from the homeowners’ impressive art collection, along with Hoey’s signature touch—extra-special lighting—also go a long way in adding a refined counter to the more rustic finishes.

The outdoor terrace is a warm place for friends and family to gather thanks to the fire pit and comfortable chairs by Danao. | Photo: Gabe Border

In fact, true to the homeowners’, designer’s and architect’s united vision, the Greenhorn Gulch getaway is a just-right balance of luxe furnishings and thoughtfully selected natural elements. Even better, the magnificent views take center stage in public spaces that feel especially personal. That means the homeowners don’t have to ride off into the sunset to experience a Hollywood ending—all it takes is a trip to the great room.

The primary bedroom is home to a number of treasures including artwork by Sol LeWitt, a sculptural chair from Verellen and a chandelier by Nickey Kehoe. | Photo: Gabe Border

No Place Like Home: Clever Ways to Make Your Mountain Abode Your Own

Whether it’s a first, second or third residence, designer Jennifer Hoey shares her tips for making it feel like the place to be.

Layer in well-rounded collections Instead of focusing too much on a design theme, Hoey says bringing in more personal, meaningful pieces goes a long way. “The art we used here is distinctly theirs—it’s not artwork that you can find in galleries out West,” she says.

Lean into the light fantastic Not only is Hoey thoughtful about her chandelier selections (“We really focus on finding things that have a distinctive quality that people have rarely seen before”), she’s also mindful about placement. “The living room fixture has a nice, low spread to it, so the light had to fill the volume within the gable without obstructing the view to the mountains,” she says.

Load up on literal inside-out connections It’s not good enough to have rooms with a view. Go outside and enjoy everything the location has to offer. “This house has a covered fireplace area, which can be enjoyed in all four seasons, and the primary suite has direct access to the pool, hot tub and outdoor shower.” Make the practical pretty Kitchens can be both beautiful and highly functional.

In Hailey, Idaho, Hoey designed a seating peninsula and a separate island. The peninsula is just right for two to sit for a sip or a snack, and the island is for culinary pursuits. The larger one is made from a natural stone and is outfitted with a Gagganau induction cooktop. “It’s so sleek and integrates so well,” she says. “We wanted to camouflage it because it’s the first area you see when you enter the social space.”