Written by: Lori Currie
For more than two decades, Jennifer Hoey has designed interiors for some of the Mountain West’s most exclusive private clubs and estates, while also living in these communities herself. That dual perspective informs every project. Each begins with a different premise: a horse property that should feel a century old, a retreat that must radiate warmth without relying on color, a family compound designed to bring three generations together without compromise.
A LIVED-IN UNDERSTANDING OF MOUNTAIN LIFE, EXPRESSED ACROSS THREE DISTINCT HOMES IN THE WEST
With studios in Sun Valley and Bozeman—and projects currently underway in Utah’s Marcella and Wasatch Peaks Club—Hoey and her team at Suede Studio are brought in early, collaborating closely with architects and builders to ensure interiors are inseparable from the architecture. What Suede offers goes beyond a portfolio: it’s a deeply rooted understanding of designing at altitude, in places shaped by real winters and year-round use.
HYNDMAN VIEW | Sun Valley, Idaho
The brief: Make it feel like it has always been here.
Set on five acres of open land in Idaho’s Wood River Valley—shared with horses and frequent elk sightings—this home draws from historic mining structures and European estates, interpreted through a contemporary lens. Suede’s role was to carry that sensibility indoors without allowing the interiors to feel overly referential.
“THE HOUSE FEELS LIVABLE FOR EVERY DAY. BUT IT ALSO OFFERS SOME TRULY SPECTACULAR SPACES FOR ENTERTAINING.”
Materials do much of the storytelling. Reclaimed antique floorboards from France, rustic hewn timbers, and American Clay plaster on the kitchen range hood create an immediate sense of age and authenticity. These elements are balanced with clean-lined contemporary furnishings that keep the home grounded in the present.
Equestrian references are woven in with restraint: saddle-stitched leather on barstools, rein-like details on pendant lights, and a rope chandelier anchoring the dining room. Each element nods to the working landscape without overwhelming it.
The great room is organized around how people naturally gather. The kitchen is positioned to the side, allowing the island to become the central hub, while multiple seating arrangements accommodate both intimate evenings and larger gatherings. Outdoor spaces—a cocktail terrace, fire pit, and barbecue patio—extend the living experience into the surrounding landscape.
“The house feels livable for every day,” says Hoey, “but it also offers some truly spectacular spaces for entertaining.”
SUMMIT STAR | YELLOWSTONE CLUB, BIG SKY, Montana
The brief: Create warmth without color.
It’s rare for a designer to hire another designer—but in this case, it proved essential. The homeowner, a principal at New York-based Sane Designs, had a clear vision: light floors, stone that transitions seamlessly from exterior to interior, charred millwork, black steel, and expansive walls of glass. What she needed was a partner with deep expertise in mountain modern design and regional knowledge. She found that in Hoey and her team.
“I HIRED JEN FOR HER EXPERTISE IN THE MOUNTAIN MODERN VERNACULAR AND HER LOCAL KNOWLEDGE. WHAT I DIDN’T EXPECT—AND WHAT MADE THE PROJECT SO SUCCESSFUL— WAS HOW SEAMLESS OUR CREATIVE PARTNERSHIP WOULD BE.”
The architecture is bold and site-driven, with stone walls framing Lone Peak and gabled forms meeting contemporary detailing. Suede’s challenge was to translate this powerful exterior palette into interiors that feel warm rather than austere.
With a largely neutral palette, texture becomes the primary design language. Layers of fur, hides, nubby textiles, and leather create depth and tactility—materials that reward close interaction rather than demanding attention from across the room.
In the dining room, a Kyle Bunting hide rug extends beyond the floor, climbing the wall to the ceiling to envelop the space and unify the architecture with the furnishings. In the entry, a Larose Guyon fixture introduces a sculptural softness, acting as a counterpoint to the home’s strong lines.
“I hired Jen for her expertise in the mountain modern vernacular and her local knowledge,” says the homeowner. “What I didn’t expect—and what made the project so successful—was how seamless our creative partnership would be.”
YC PRESERVE | Yellowstone Club, Big Sky, Montana
The brief: Design for every generation.
Three generations, five households, and one clear directive: no basement rec room. Having built together before, the family knew what didn’t work—spaces that separated rather than connected. This time, the goal was to keep everyone together on the main level.
“THERE’S A LOT OF GLASS, 160 ACRES, AND INCREDIBLE VIEWS. WE WANTED THE INTERIORS TO CONNECT TO THAT— CREATING A SEAMLESS TRANSITION BETWEEN INSIDE AND OUT.”
Hoey and her team joined the project early, shaping the interior strategy in tandem with the architecture. The result is a single-level living experience where shared spaces flow intuitively: the kitchen at the center, with the great room on one side and a recreation space on the other. The layout allows for constant connection—grandparents cooking while grandchildren play nearby. Four primary suites, each tailored to reflect the personality of its occupants, provide private retreats without creating distance.
The material palette begins with the architecture itself. Dry-stack stone and Montana timber transition seamlessly from exterior to interior, creating a cohesive foundation that accommodates a range of personal styles. Furnishings were selected with durability in mind—essential for a home designed to host multiple generations.
In the great room, seating arrangements are flexible enough to accommodate two people or fifteen. A custom single-slab walnut dining table anchors large family gatherings, scaled for both everyday use and special occasions.
“There’s a lot of glass, 160 acres, and incredible views,” says Hoey. “We wanted the interiors to connect to that—creating a seamless transition between inside and out.”
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