Designing a home Wyoming requires a deep understanding of both place and lifestyle. These mountain environments bring incredible beauty, but also unique challenges that demand a thoughtful, highly coordinated approach to residential interior design.

At Design Matters, our work in Wyoming focuses on custom mountain homes and large-scale renovations that balance natural surroundings with modern livability.

We approach each project with an architectural mindset, ensuring interiors feel grounded, timeless, and deeply connected to the landscape.

Mountain homes must work hard. They are often multi-generational, designed for both full-time living and seasonal use, and expected to accommodate everything from ski weekends to extended family gatherings. Our role is to create interiors that are durable yet elevated—spaces that feel warm and welcoming without sacrificing refinement.

Material selection is especially critical in mountain settings. We favor natural finishes that age gracefully—wood, stone, and textiles that add texture and warmth while maintaining a sense of restraint. Layering is key: thoughtful lighting, custom millwork, and considered furnishings help create depth without visual clutter.

Equally important is collaboration. We work closely with architects, builders, and craftspeople in the area to ensure that interior decisions are fully integrated with the home’s structure and setting. This collaborative process allows us to anticipate challenges early and deliver cohesive, well-resolved interiors.

Whether designing a ground-up mountain residence or reimagining an existing home, our goal is always the same: to create spaces that feel effortless, enduring, and connected to how our clients truly live.

Legacy home in Alta, Wyoming by Design Matters.

This philosophy is powerfully expressed in The Cabin at Aspen Leaf, a legacy home perched within the rolling landscape of Alta, Wyoming. Nestled into the hillside with sweeping views of the elk migration path and the Teton Range, the home was thoughtfully designed to belong to the land, not dominate it. Every decision was made with future generations in mind.

Led by Julie Cavanaugh, the project reflects her passion for designing legacy homes with places that honor family history, respect the land, and are built to be passed down for generations. With roots on this property dating back to the late 1800s, the homeowners envisioned a home that would tell their family’s story well into the future. As featured in the latest edition of Mountain Living Magazine, this home is more than a retreat, but a promise to the past and a gift to generations to come.

“This land has shaped who we are, and building here was never a question—it was a promise to our ancestors and a gift to future generations.” Homeowners

For over a century, Aspen Leaf has been a treasured part of the family’s heritage, passed down through five generations. Sitting on 70 acres, the 5,752-square-foot residence includes four bedrooms and four-and-a-half baths, thoughtfully designed to support evolving family needs while standing the test of time.

In close collaboration with Julie Cavanaugh and the Design Matters team, the homeowners created a retreat that respects tradition while embracing modern mountain living. Architectural elements such as kerfed windows, reclaimed timber, and strategic siting ensure the home feels not just on the land, but of the land. Inside, panoramic views frame the changing seasons, fostering a constant connection to nature.

Project Highlights

A legacy-driven design with guest rooms for growing families, a bunk room for younger generations, and generous gathering spaces
360-degree views that maximize connection to the surrounding landscape
Locally sourced materials, including artisan-crafted timbers, quarried stone, and reclaimed barn planks repurposed in the powder bath
Seamless indoor-outdoor living that embraces the land’s natural beauty

The Cabin at Aspen Leaf stands as a timeless homestead retreat—one that embodies love, purpose, and the enduring spirit of the West. At Design Matters, this is the heart of our work: creating homes that support how families live today, while building something meaningful enough to last for generations to come.