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By Cassidy Mantor
Sisters Delaney and Sierra Fox are ushering in a bold new era of development in Sun Valley. Through their firm, Fox Estates, they’ve taken the mystery out of custom home building streamlining the process and elevating the experience for their clients. Their aesthetic? A thoughtful blend of authentic Idaho character and crisp, modern functionality. The homes they create aren’t just beautiful; they’re relevant, livable, and designed with intention. Each project in their growing portfolio reflects a deep understanding of place, purpose, and style.
“A piece of advice my father gave me when I was younger was, ‘Pick something and stick with it. Years later, you’ll look back and see the portfolio and career you’ve built.’ I loved doing interior design, so I stuck with it.”
–Sierra Fox, Fox Estates
What truly sets Fox Estates apart is their feminine touch. “Our ‘feminine touch’ is not frilly or girly it is the extra thought and care we bring to the business and each project. We design and build efficiently so as not to waste time, space, or money,” says Sierra Fox. They carry the mental load of building a custom home so their home buyers don’t have to, and their houses beautifully address the priorities of contemporary buyers.
WHO ARE THE FOX SISTERS?
Originally from Hawaii, Delaney and Sierra grew up visiting their family in Sun Valley in the summers and over the holidays. Their parents later made the full-time move to town where the sisters spent their formative years. Because they grew up as both visitors and then permanent residents in Sun Valley, Delaney and Sierra are familiar with the full spectrum of lifestyles that bring buyers to the area—whether a buyer plans to just visit for the holidays or live in town year-round. This understanding of the varying lifestyles and personalities of potential buyers gives them an edge and allows them to anticipate the needs of their clients and buyers.
Driven by her love of interior design, Sierra got a head start professionally when she accepted a full-time job offer from a firm in L.A. while she was still in college. That opportunity enabled her to gain years of experience working with clients designing luxury spaces while her peers were still choosing their majors. “A piece of advice my father gave me when I was younger was, ‘Pick something and stick with it. Years later, you’ll look back and see the portfolio and career you’ve built.’ I loved doing interior design, so I stuck with it,” she shares.
Sierra moved back to Sun Valley when COVID hit. With eight years of experience in interior design at that point, she was ready to start her own firm. Builders and architects were backed up with the influx of people migrating to Sun Valley, and she began Studio Mountain.
Sierra and Delaney’s career paths converged in 2020 when Delaney was building her own house in Sun Valley. Sierra recalls, “Delaney was calling or texting me every day asking, ‘What about this tile? Do you like this? Do you have a vendor for this?’ I’d never heard her that excited.” It seemed like development was Delaney’s calling. As the project progressed and more people wanted to move to Sun Valley during COVID, Delaney realized there was growing demand for single-family homes. She consulted with their father, Michael, and decided to pivot and sell the house.
The success of her first build ignited Delaney’s transition into real estate and development—she earned her real estate license that year and invited Michael to partner on a second project. Delaney took the lead in the field while Michael guided her through each phase, planting the seeds of what would become the Foxes’ enterprise. For the second home, Delaney turned to Sierra—whose design career and background made her the perfect fit—to create the interior package. The property pre-sold mid-construction as demand in the valley surged during COVID. By the third project, it was only natural to formalize their collaboration: Michael, Delaney, and Sierra became equal partners and formed Fox Estates. Today, Delaney oversees land acquisition and sales, as well as project management; Sierra and her team at Studio Mountain facilitate the interior design; and Michael contributes decades of construction and entrepreneurial expertise. Complementing the Fox Estates partnership is Delaney’s fiancé, Tracy Bailet. Since founding Oak & Iron Customs in 2021, Tracy has built a thriving custom cabinetry and millwork business—serving his own clients as well as acting as the Foxes’ preferred millworker. He also collaborates with Sierra to craft bespoke furniture for Studio Mountain’s private clients.
“Our ‘feminine touch’ is not frilly or girly it is the extra thought and care we bring to the business and each project.”
–Sierra Fox, Fox Estates
AUTHENTICALLY IDAHO
Just north of town on 2.68 acres with grand views of the Sawtooths is Fox Estates’ newest home, slated for completion in the fall of 2025. In it, Delaney and Sierra believe they are answering the market and prospective buyers’ desire for more space and the finest finishes. High Meadows has 6,500 square feet of livable space including five bedrooms, all with ensuite bathrooms and closets, a bunk room, a media room, a den, an office, separate dining and living spaces, two wood burning fireplaces, a covered wellness space, and a 1,300-square-foot three-car garage.
High Meadows incorporates a heated driveway and patios, all Waterworks plumbing, high-end designer lighting, reclaimed wood floors, and custom band-sawn white oak cabinets. Time-worn materials, like antique honed granite countertops and floor tiles, and plaster walls and Tadelakt showers, create an atmosphere that blends old world elegance with classic mountain comfort throughout.
Sierra shares, “The home juxtaposes the Idaho feeling with a more contemporary function.” Materials and finishes like reclaimed wood and hand cut masonry are heavily patinaed and give a sense that it could have been there for 100 years, but the house also has the newest, most innovative lighting, furniture, and appliances. The kitchen features a leathered black granite countertop with PITT gas burner directly integrated into the cooktop. Those well-curated selections make this home feel current and elevated while still in line with the classic Idaho aesthetic.
“This home leans into a distinctly rustic aesthetic with a touch of rugged Western elegance.”
–Delaney Fox, Fox Estates
The interior walls are clad with reclaimed wood and stonework that add layers of character and depth. Wall coverings are not needed—the use of organic materials is the home’s art. “Each board in the reclaimed flooring shows natural variations in color and thickness, creating a soft shift in depth that feels richer and more inviting underfoot,” she adds.
Beyond the luxury finishes and top-tier materials, the High Meadows home is engineered with safety and risk mitigation at its core. “We’ve installed two dry stands to guarantee immediate water access for firefighters, and equipped every plumbing fixture with smart valves tied into a central leak-detection system that sends instant alerts to the home-owner and shuts off the water system should it detect a leak,” says Delaney. These invisible yet invaluable upgrades reflect the Foxes’ philosophy: crafting each residence as if it were their own, with insurance and occupant protection guiding every design and build decision.
“Some of our past projects featured more neutral selections in order to appeal to a wider range of tastes,” Delaney explains.
“This home leans into a distinctly rustic aesthetic with a touch of rugged Western elegance—think Yellowstone meets architectural refinement—resulting in a moodier, grounded presence that suits the landscape.” High Meadows is a warm expression of authentic Idaho that offers a traditionally expansive mountain experience with generous space for hosting friends and family alike. Whether it is used as a full-time residence or part time vacation home, this tasteful retreat-like design is ideal for both hosting or retreating to your own private Idaho.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP IN CUSTOM HOMES
“As a female-led team, we bring a fresh perspective—rewriting the rulebook on design and marketing strategy, introducing cutting-edge methods and finishes that our clients truly love.”
“As a female-led team, we bring a fresh perspective—rewriting the rulebook on design and marketing strategy, introducing cutting-edge methods and finishes that our clients truly love.”
–Delaney Fox, Fox Estates
“We don’t let tradition dictate our process,” Delaney explains. “As a female-led team, we bring a fresh perspective—rewriting the rulebook on design and marketing strategy, introducing cutting-edge methods and finishes that our clients truly love.” Fox Construction’s project manager has worked with Delaney and Sierra for four years and is familiar with their discerning expectations. “We harp on small details like perfectly mitered edges or symmetrical openings, and he ensures that we get the look we are seeking,” Sierra says.
With six exceptional custom homes delivered from the ground-up, Fox Estates is poised to become a major contributor to Sun Valley’s built landscape. The Foxes offer a refreshing new presence to the local building and development industry. “It’s fun to work with your peers and people you grew up with. It’s exciting seeing our team and careers grow as we look to the future,” Delaney says.
With their unique blend of family collaboration, design ingenuity, and unwavering dedication, the Foxes are setting a new benchmark for custom home building in Sun Valley and beyond.
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