Destination, Home: Jackson Hole Style

A vibrant valley nestled at the foot of the Teton Mountains and threaded with the sparkling Snake River, Jackson Hole is equal parts nature and nurture. The eclectic Wyoming ski town is known for its wide-open spaces, abundance of outdoor activities, colorful community and traditional style.

While there may be snow on the ground seven months out of the year, the welcoming feel of Jackson gives a sense of warmth no matter what the season -- and that's what its residents emulate in their spaces.

But you don't have to live in the mountains to experience a Jackson-style escape. From contemporary mountain to traditional rustic Western, a number of ski-town styles can be easily incorporated into any home to capture the coziness and charm of Jackson.

Color and Light

People tend to think that if they live in a cold climate or want to make their home feel warm, they need to make their living space dark and heavy, says Jennifer Visosky, owner of Grace Home Design in Jackson.

"But really, opening the place up and letting in the light will keep you from hibernating," said Visosky, who is known for putting a contemporary twist on old-school mountain style.

"You don't need to make a dark, cavernous space when right outside your door are open, beautiful spaces. You should try to bring the outside in."

Visosky says there has been a shift from previous decades, when the idea of a mountain home embodied dark colors and heavy fabrics.

"That was kind of the style of the 1980s," she said. "Now you see people lightening it up, incorporating white walls as opposed to reds, greens and browns."

Visosky suggests using different tones of white on the walls. However, color should be one of the last choices when decorating a space. She says it is much better to work around certain mementos, antiques, rugs or artwork -- which all have potential to make major statements in a Western- or lodge-style home.

"People always want to incorporate brown right off the bat," said Visosky. "But that's what makes it a cave. What comes to mind when I think of Jackson are the vibrant colors of the changing leaves. Even in the winter, I think of the many shades of whites and grays."

Rustic Relics: Mountain Home Must-Haves

One of the most defining features of a Jackson Hole home is the incorporation of antiques, mementos, relics and other unique pieces. But even though these sorts of finds can be one-of-a-kind, getting your hand on the right decorative elements doesn't have to be difficult. It actually only takes one pair of old skis purchased on eBay or an old cowboy hat hung on the wall to create a rustic vibe -- and offer a good conversation piece. Other ideas include an old wagon wheel or antique sled added to a room.

Animal fixtures may be one of the most common features of a mountain home, but there are so many other ways to add flair that don't involve taxidermy. Jennifer Visosky of Grace Home Design suggests swapping out iron stair rods with logs or hanging a light fixture from a barnwood panel on the ceiling. She also suggests incorporating vintage ski-scene wallpaper around an antique vanity. "But if you attempt such a bold statement, keep it to a small space," she said.

Colleen McFadden Walls' company, Willow Creek Home Furnishings and Interior Design, specializes in specialty furniture pieces, like antler-based coffee tables. While pieces like that are hard to come by, they may spark some crafty DIY creations, like a rawhide lampshade or a Navajo-painted chair. Covering an ottoman with faux fur could also be an interesting touch.

From Floors to Furs

Reclaimed wood is a hot item in Jackson -- for cabinetry, countertops, wall paneling and especially floors.

Colleen McFadden Walls, owner of Willow Creek Home Furnishings and Interior Design in Jackson, has been designing Jackson-style mountain homes all over the nation for more than 25 years with her business partner, Rosanna Mitchell. She says she usually chooses oak or walnut for their character and texture.

The best way to top off a beautiful, rustic wood floor is with a colorful, patterned area rug -- a staple feature of an authentic Jackson-style home.

"We like to call it artwork for the floors," Walls said. "There are lots of different styles of rugs to choose from. We use Persian rugs for a more traditional flair, colorful kilim and Navajo styles lean toward the Western motif, and rich Himalayan rugs with large geometrics can fit the contemporary bill."

A durable, rustic leather couch fits perfectly in a mountain home, says Walls, and upholstering seats in leather is a stylish and comfortable way to dress up chairs. "We like to choose a colorful fabric for the back of the chair," she said. But beware -- too much pattern is overkill. "When we get the right mix of colors and patterns, we just know," she said.

To echo the abundant mountain wildlife in Jackson, Visosky has employed an interesting style feature -- upholstering the back of a sofa with faux fur to add a soft accent without overdoing it.

Artwork is always a great way to add color or the finishing touches that unite the elements of a space. "Most of the Jackson Hole homes that we decorate have very large windows, which are designed so that we can view as much of the beautiful scenery as possible, but leave us very exposed to the extreme white of the snow in the winters," said Walls. "We once again choose rich hues that add colorful depth in the home against the winter white or summer green outdoors."