Take a Look Inside this Charming Guesthouse in Jackson Hole

Secondary quarters on a Jackson Hole property are absolutely first-rate thanks to luxurious fabrics, one-of-a-kind furnishings and carefully curated artwork

May 30, 2023

Laura Kostelny,

The guest quarters have been frequented by a nonstop rotation of visitors. “ We’re a super active family with super active friends,” says the homeowner. >> Photos by Tuck Fauntleroy

For some, a guesthouse is an afterthought—a mere facsimile of the main residence that makes for a nice spot for company (and furniture) who might have otherwise overstayed their welcome. That is not the case for the owners of a Jackson Hole, Wyoming, cottage overlooking the Tetons and located “just a meandering stone’s walkway from the main house.”

“The architecture is completely new—a more rustic- modern take on where we are headed long term and a stand-alone guesthouse in a field of wildflowers,” the homeowner says. “The main house is log inside and out— super cozy, but a completely different feel.”

After purchasing the property, the owners began working with Northworks Architects to realize their vision for a guest- house that frames the views of the Tetons. “As you drive up to the house, you look right through the house to the mountains,” says the owner. “We have a pond just off the guesthouse deck that mirrors the mountains as well, so it creates a pause and calm as well as being an invitation to explore.”

Friends and family love to gather around the Rocky Mountain granite- ledgestone fireplace and relax on the Verellen sofa and A. Rudin chairs (upholstered in Holland & Sherry fabric), put their feet up on the Oly Studio coffee table and recap their outdoor adventures.

The combined kitchen-and- dining area teems with warmth thanks to custom drapes in a Loro Piana fabric, a custom dining table, Sollos chairs and a Jonathan Browning chandelier. >>

Rush Jenkins, co-founder of WRJ Design, was charged with packing as much charm as possible into the two- bedroom space. “The guesthouse is really setting the precedent for the main house, and the couple will probably live there when they redo the main house at some point,” he says. In addition to a fully functional kitchen and a warm living area, Jenkins carved out plenty of storage in the primary bedroom and made room for a tub and a shower in what could be considered a pretty small space. Four stacked queen-size beds in the bunk room offer plenty of room for the kids to invite friends for stays, too.

While the palette is similar to the main home—mainly natural and neutral colors—Jenkins layered in plenty of texture for added interest. “All of our projects are focused on the importance of creating a tactile experience. In the mountains, we can use mohair, cashmere, wool and fur—fabrics you might not ordinarily use in more metropolitan areas,” he says. “It’s another way to bring nature to the interiors.”

Four queen-size beds allow guests to stretch out in the bunk room, which is outfitted with an area rug by Arpin.

A freestanding bathtub, stone wall and artwork by photographer Edward Riddell make for a relaxing bathroom retreat.

Jenkins also filled the home with artwork sourced from local galleries, along with one-of-a-kind furnishings ranging from custom-made pieces to elaborate antiques. He notes that the best way to double down on charm when space is limited is to start with an interesting array of objects on a coffee table, an assortment of pillows and throws, and a fun focal point. “We have a really wonderful elk sculpture by Ashley Tudor—the skull is cast in bronze, and the adjacent bookcase creates another place for interesting objects or family photos that add warmth,” he says.

The result of this team’s efforts is a guesthouse that inspires friends and family to extend their stays—and that’s fine by these homeowners: “This is where we gather for holidays and summers and throughout the year. Our adult boys have all brought their teammates to stay for both summer hiking and winter skiing, and we have many guests rotate in throughout the year. It has been a wonderful turnkey, stand- alone home to offer to our many adventure-ready friends.”