For two days of banner fall weather–crisp, blazing with color, and dappled with ideal late season sunshine–troupes of intrigued homeowners, art lovers, and Fall Arts Fest attendees entered the foyers of some of Jackson Hole’s most elegant residences, looked up to the ceilings, and said, “Aaaahhhh.” It’s hard not to, after all, when you encounter some of the valley’s most dazzling residential design.

It was the second annual Jackson Hole Showcase of Homes, hosted by our team at Homestead Magazine, and another runaway success. This time, four generous homeowners opened the doors of their residences to benefit local charities, while the teams of designers, architects, and artisans associated with each one were present to welcome every guest. Couples and groups of friends hailing from Cincinnati, the Bay area, the East Coast, and beyond all remarked on the unique opportunity to see such a variety of homes in an equally diverse variety of valley settings.

The self-guided tours could begin and end anywhere, and could also be spread over two days. Many began with the European-reminiscent stonework and glass breezeways of the Shooting Star Elegance property, whose glorious indoor/outdoor living spaces and water feature provide a tranquil escape nestled at the base of Rendezvous Mountain. From there, a natural next stop proved to be the the artistic and superlatively appointed Teton Pines Sanctuary, a family home in one of the Clusters bordered by serene aspen groves and completed with a collection of world-class artwork. The next two stops took guests further into different habitats of the valley, from wooded National Forest-bordered land at the River Meadows Retreat to a snaking drive through the Snake River Canyon and its glowing mountain maples to the Martin Creek Cabin. River Meadows meant a spectacular peek inside a custom-constructed Swedish Cope log home, while the Cabin mixed fresh alpine styling with a peaceful creek-front setting at the Snake River Sporting Club.

Beyond the awe-inspiring settings, furnishings, fixtures, and design elements, however, the real draw of the Showcase events is the way they allow tour guests to meet and mingle with our area’s hardworking, visionary design professionals. It’s also a pleasure for the same professionals to interface with the local community and potentially interested new clients.

Rush Jenkins, who along with his partner Klaus Baer at WRJ Design decorated both the Martin Creek Cabin and Teton Pines Sanctuary, spoke to the singular character of the event.

“It was WRJ’s pleasure to participate in the 2014 Showcase of Homes, hosted by Homestead Magazine. We are grateful to our clients for sharing their homes with the public, which allowed some of our work to be seen for the first time. Having the opportunity to collaborate with professionals and experts in their field was a great honor.”

It is, indeed, rare to leave the showroom and enter spaces that have been envisioned, executed, and decorated by local artisans–to experience them in their fullness is a fantastic opportunity. The conversations between patrons and professionals, however, are what really set the Showcase apart. “The Showcase of Homes was an excellent event for Snake River Sporting Club and for Re/Max Obsidian Real Estate,” noted Fred Harness of the Martin Creek Cabin, “we’ve had several follow-up communications with new clients wanting more details on the next phase of new homes we are building. Definitely a success!”

Throughout each self-guided tour, guests had the chance to get their questions answered. For instance, tracking down the rich green soapstone used in the River Meadows Retreat, or learning about how the smoothly curved walls in the Shooting Star home were crafted by Big D Signature.

While nibbling treats and sipping from glasses of wine, these conversations continued throughout the day, as multiple professionals emceed each home. “It’s great to see the finished product and the excitement of people’s reactions and how they come together to experience our completed homes, from the old materials to the contemporary styles,” said Jon Eaton of Big D. This sentiment was echoed John D. Korhonen, an architect with Ellis Nunn & Associates, who touched on the “positive feedback and conversation,” while Andrew Miller of JH Builders mentioned that “it was great to meet a variety of people from all over the country.”

The generosity of the homeowners in both opening their spaces to the public eye and in selecting the four charity beneficiaries for ticket sales–PAWS JH, The Yellowstone Foundation, Community Resource Center, and Fire Services/EMS–truly capped the event’s success. As Megan Jenkins, who helped organize Showcase, said, “It really is the perfect way to enjoy a great day, see the valley, meet the artisans behind each project, and best of all, give back to the community.”

We hope to see you at the Showcase of Homes during the Fall Arts Festival next year! Until then, stay tuned by subscribing to our blog, where we update our readers regarding interesting artistic happenings and feature ongoing profiles of Jackson Hole’s design professionals.