WRJ Design Inspired by Jackson Hole’s Landscape and Mountains

February 1, 2023  by HFBusiness Staff in Business Strategy, Designer Weekly, Industry   

Design duo Rush Jenkins and Klaus Baer, who moved to Jackson Hole from Manhattan just over a decade ago to found interior design firm WRJ Design, are no exception. Finding inspiration in the exceptional place, they have grown the firm from a staff of three to 21.

They released their top-selling coffee-table book Natural Elegance: Luxurious Mountain Living, and recently announced an extraordinary new Jackson Hole headquarters now under construction.

Along the way, their award-winning, sophisticated contemporary interiors has spawned a new approach to mountain design while bringing considerable media acclaim – most recently from distinguished design site 1stDibs, which included a WRJ-designed Montana home in its recent selection of 10 amazing mountain homes around the world.

Located in the renowned Yellowstone Club, the home, created in collaboration with JLF Architects, is focused on views of Big Sky Ski Resort’s Lone Peak. WRJ looked to the surrounding landscape for the muted color palette of the winter retreat for New York clients.

Against the rugged stone and reclaimed wood walls and ceiling, the interior choices “inject shimmer and polish … creating an intriguing yet comfortable textural tension,” writes 1stDibs.

That color palette of bringing-the-outdoors-in and layering of textures against clean, contemporary lines has become a WRJ Design mountain-home trademark. In a remarkable remodel on a townhouse at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain resort, WRJ reimagined the ultimate vacation retreat for a family of skiers, cleverly remodeling the interior architecture to live larger.

Timeless touches in the getaway, such as vintage ski artwork earned attention from The Spruce, leading the digital design mega-site’s recent roundup of Cozy Winter Décor Ideas. Getting creative for the grandkids of the client, WRJ transformed what was once an unused flex space and mechanical room into a brand-new bunk room with cozy reclaimed wood nooks that sleep up to five.

Contemporary steel rails and ladders and soft blue-gray plaid privacy curtains elevate the merely rustic to sophisticated alpine – earning the room a place on Mountain Living’s recent list of chic bunk beds.

Cathedral-style ceilings throughout the main areas of the pictured Jackson Hole home by WRJ Design with architecture by CLB emphasize views of the Tetons and fill the home with light.

The sleek and functional kitchen contrasts light quartzite countertops against stone-gray cabinetry, with plenty of spots for both seating and preparation of meals, highlighted by the sculptural interest of Carlyn Single Pendant lights above.

In the great room, nature’s tones again infuse the palette. WRJ paired a sofa in blue-green inspired by the sagebrush field outside with pieces including two handsome Gran Torino Chairs in a camel saddle leather suggesting aspen leaves in fall. A natural hair on hide rug by Saddlemans adds texture and anchors the room with a nod to the Western setting.