The project reimagines a mountain property as a contemporary farmhouse by pairing robust exterior materials with a small set of high-impact architectural interventions. Located at 6,200 feet in the Teton Mountains, the house adopted AquaFir™ siding made from douglas fir square edge in a black finish with a wire brushed texture. The exterior composition relies on a reverse board and batten approach, combining 1×8 boards with 1×4 battens to create visual depth and a disciplined facade rhythm.
The design objective was straightforward: amplify the home’s inherent strengths while keeping expenditures measured. With a metal roof and selective metal accents already in the plan, the exterior palette balances ruggedness and refinement. Inside, modest but deliberate upgrades—like reworking a poor stair configuration and enlarging windows—shifted the house toward a brighter, more functional family environment without exceeding the budget.
Exterior materials and detailing
The choice of douglas fir for siding was both aesthetic and practical. The board-and-batten pattern was executed in a reverse application, where the boards and battens are arranged to emphasize shadow lines and articulate the building’s massing. Using 1×8 boards paired with 1×4 battens provided a clear module that simplified installation while yielding a composed facade. The black color with a wire brushed texture enhanced grain and created a tactile surface that reads as both contemporary and timeless.
Complementing the siding, a metal roof and carefully placed metal trim create contrast and reinforce the modern farmhouse vocabulary. These metal elements serve practical roles—durability and snow shedding at high elevation—while contributing to the overall visual language of the house.
Interior moves that maximize value
With budget constraints, the design team prioritized changes that would most affect daily life. A previously dysfunctional stair was reconfigured to improve circulation and safety. Large new windows were introduced to connect living spaces to the backyard and to bring daylight deep into the plan. These interventions boosted the perceived size and comfort of the interior without a full-scale renovation.
Details were intentionally restrained. Rather than specifying premium materials across the board, the team relied on common-grade components and straightforward detailing. Thoughtful decisions about how boards, battens, and openings align created a unified composition on each facade. The result is a coherent architectural expression achieved through careful arrangement rather than expensive finishes.
Phased strategy for future work
Not every desired upgrade could be completed in the initial budget. Several items—such as a full kitchen overhaul and a new roof—were identified as future phases. By establishing a clear, measured framework during the first phase, the project set up a sequence that allows subsequent work to proceed with minimal disruption. This phased approach reflects a pragmatic perspective: prioritize core spatial improvements now and plan larger cosmetic or systems upgrades later.
Collaboration and complementary projects
The homeowners, both scientists by profession, actively participated in finish and fixture choices, bringing a detail-oriented mindset to selections. Their involvement ensured that practical needs and aesthetic preferences were both addressed. The timing of construction aligned with a major life event—the arrival of their baby—so the completed project supported the family’s evolving needs.
Related work referenced in the broader portfolio includes landscape and interior design efforts that reinforce the architecture. For example, a warm, drought-tolerant garden designed by Mark Tessier Landscape Architecture uses gravel, wood, and concrete with a drought-resistant planting palette to complement mid-century homes. Similarly, interior projects by firms such as Blackband Design and builders like Graystone Custom Builders illustrate how disciplined material palettes and textural contrasts—stucco, brick, timber, metal—translate across different climates and contexts.
Photography and presentation
Visual documentation by teams such as Living Maui Media and Art Gray helps convey materiality and atmosphere. Photographs highlight how black timber siding and metal accents read in natural light, and they show how careful alignment of boards and battens delivers both shadow and texture. In smaller urban examples—like cottages in San Francisco or transitional brick homes in Nashville—the same principles of clarity, restraint, and material contrast produce cohesive results.
Ultimately, the project demonstrates how strategic choices—selecting a resilient siding system like AquaFir™, refining the layout, and phasing work—can transform an ordinary dwelling into a modern, functional family home without overspending. The outcome balances craftsmanship, material honesty, and a long-term plan for future improvements.
