When a client dreams of simplicity, Elisa immediately responds by outlining the layered reality of such ambition: counterintuitively, the process of achieving a serene aesthetic quickly becomes complex with coordinated decisions. “Simple is not simple. Quite the opposite: it’s the hardest thing in the world to achieve as a designer,” Elisa says. “Minimalist design is very hard to do well. It’s not just about painting everything white.”

A study in careful contrast: the exterior logs have been stained black while white coats the interior, a seemingly-straightforward dichotomy made difficult with the vast array of black and white iterations. Many tests of stain and paint were conducted in order to achieve the perfect pairing.

Case in point: the underway transformation of a cluster of log cabins along the Snake River into a contemporary refuge for guests. Inspired by the client’s own exquisite aesthetic—honed across an international portfolio of properties—Elisa is carefully deconstructing each space into its most essential parts, and then puzzling those pieces back together into a modern, minimalist compound. The coordination required to achieve this mission of simplicity has been staggering: for instance, adding panoramic windows of the same proportions in each room means disassembling the walls, cataloging each timber, installing the panes, and then reassembling the logs. This meticulous work, expertly executed by a team of log-cabin specialists from the Wind River Reservation, results in a seamless final product: expansive windows slotted perfectly into striated walls. “Everything must meld together,” Elisa says. “Isolated elements are not highlighted. The serene whole is the goal.”

Let there be light: Elisa stands before the wall of windows she and the architect will reconfigure. This process requires precise dimensions and meticulous reconstruction of the surrounding logs.

Amid such nuance, major renovations have ensued, with whole floors removed and interior configurations completely reworked. “This has been an incredibly fun, incredibly complex remodel,” Elisa says. “I’m learning so much from my client. I love the intensity of pushing my brain to think about all these various components.”

Material girl: Every moment matters in a minimalist interior, particularly when it comes to decisions of materials. Stay tuned for how Elisa will reimagine this monumental fireplace.