SRI Celebrates International Women’s Day

March 6, 2020

On this International Women’s Day, we encourage you to join us in celebrating the achievements and accomplishments of women, reflecting on how far we’ve come, and recognizing that the fight for equality is an ongoing one. At Snake River Interiors, we are an all-women team that is passionate about design and our shared goal of bringing beautiful and thoughtfully designed homes to those families with whom we work. Although we hail from different backgrounds and have had vastly different life experiences, our team shares a common aspiration—to do our best work, while continuously learning and growing as professionals and women. We are mothers, daughters, sisters, wives, aunts and colleagues, and we are powerful beyond measure in all aspects of our lives, both as individuals and as a team. When women get together, we can move mountains! And we can also design your dream home.   

On this special day, we’re celebrating women working together and creating an environment where everyone can thrive, by reflecting on the power that comes from working on an all-women team. Meet the women of SRI: 

Elisa Chambers, Owner and Principal Designer 

“I didn’t start out with the intention of having an all-women team–it happened organically. But it makes sense: Women are incredibly strong and capable.  They take care of each other in the workplace, in the home and out in the world, because they are empathetic and nurturing. Thanks to these qualities, women create productive and effective work environments, where every member of the team is empowered to grow and succeed.” 

Cheryl Askegreen, Textile Librarian 

“Working on an all women team gives us a unique advantage of open collaboration in which each designer’s voice is heard. The comfortable atmosphere fosters creativity, as we all work to support each other in creating an artistic vision for each project.” 

Christine Baum, Interior Designer 

“There is a great joy that comes from working on an all-women team. Women are not only smart and skilled, but also thoughtful and caring. Our natural strengths in nurturing others, combined with our strong work ethic and professionalism, create a work environment where individuals feel challenged, encouraged and supported.” 

Carmen Bonilla, HR and Office Manager 

“Having an all women firm strengthens our team dynamics. We can communicate and share our opinions without the need to feel competitive. We value each other and learn from our different perspectives and ideas, without having to worry that we will be overshadowed by the male counterpart. Our team is strong, because we are all professional women who work hard and are passionate about the success of our firm.” 

Carissa Cannon, Interior Designer 

“Getting the chance to work with other women with different design backgrounds and career and life experiences is uplifting and unique. Although we are all very different, we listen to each other, value each other, challenge each other, encourage each other, respect each other, give each other strength and confidence, and, most importantly, support each other. Everyone is not only passionate about what they do, but we all teach each other so we can learn and grow.” 

Miriam Garcia De Alba, Business Coordinator 

“Some of the benefits of working with all women are that there’s more active participation, even for the shy ones. We’re able to speak our mind more easily, and if we’re struggling with something, there’s always someone willing to help. We are full of optimism and positivity when we encounter issues, and this helps us to analyze situations and solve problems more effectively.” 

Katie Neubecker, Design Assistant 

“Women have the nesting instinct to create harmonized spaces. Just like people motivate and encourage each other, subtle changes to our surroundings can also have an impact on our lives. It is inspiring to work with women who challenge themselves to think beyond the status quo to give rise to radiant ideas that enhance the environment of others.”

Heidi Stephenson, Interior Designer

“Women in my life make things more beautiful…relationships, experiences, and even spaces. This same beautiful influence is evident in our work at SRI because of our all-female staff. We build each other up, while we create beauty for our clients.” 

Celebrating 20 Years of Design

January 28, 2020

Although design trends come and go, at SRI we have always approached each project with the intention of creating stylish interiors, exempt from the whims that dictate popular trends. Over the past twenty years, the enduring elements of our designs have created spaces that exude a livable luxury that stands up to the demands of modern life, without sacrificing beauty. Our interiors aren’t precious, because we understand that the only thing in life that is precious are family and friends. By eschewing trends and embracing the realities of daily family life, we’ve been creating refined interiors that are not only beautiful, but sustainable for years to come.  

As interior designers, we fulfill many roles in the lives of clients for whom we design. Giving life to the hopes and dreams that people have for their homes requires a designer to have empathy, a true love of helping others, and a solid understanding of people’s values and how they want to live and express their most authentic selves through their home. This combination of qualities, combined with a passion for creating beautiful and functional interiors, is the guiding force that shapes SRI’s design process. Our approach to design has helped SRI form lasting relationships with clients that span over multiple house projects, and even multiple generations. As lives have changed and families have expanded and grown, SRI-designed homes have represented a common thread within the families we’ve served.  

Over the course of twenty years, SRI has developed strong relationships with the vendors and manufacturers who provide the furnishings for the homes we design. We choose to work with manufacturers who share our commitment to sustainability through sound sourcing and manufacturing practices. It is through these long-lasting relationships that we have built a world-wide community of like-minded businesses that share our passion for bringing beautiful and ethically produced products to our clients’ homes and our retail showroom, Twenty Two Home.  

Our continued passion for designing interiors is made possible by the relationships we’ve cultivated. We are grateful for the trust we have been given by our clients to engage with them and learn the intimate details of how they live, so we can design the spaces that support and inspire them to live their best lives.   

tips from the gallery

January 9, 2020
— How to incorporate art into the home like a professional

Choosing the perfect piece of art for a space is truly only half of the battle. Figuring out where to actually hang the new piece, how to incorporate other artwork in its midst, and where exactly it should live can be an overwhelmingly daunting task. Most of us have taken a hammer and nail to the wall without a clear direction or plan of what we’re doing, but luckily there are some easy tricks of the trade that can help us to display our artwork in a more inviting, luxurious way. The results can add so much to an interior space, if done properly.

Jackson Hole gallery owner Tayloe Piggott has always believed that artwork is a key facet that drives a home’s interior spaces. Tayloe is a close collaborator, placing artwork in Snake River Interiors projects for years. Specializing in modern and contemporary art, her gallery expresses a sharp appreciation for sophisticated aesthetic vision. Based in JH, Tayloe’s business displays an interest in artistic discovery. Both mindful and thought-provoking, the gallery aims to enrich cultural dialogue by bringing remarkable artists into an already flourishing arts community. On a personal level, she’s always been fascinated and moved by art in its many formats.

We chatted with Tayloe to learn some professional tips for incorporating art into the home successfully and beautifully.

SRI: Tell us about the history & the backstory of Tayloe Piggott Gallery. 

TP: Tayloe Piggott Gallery started when Mike Piggott and I opened a frame shop on Broadway Street back in 2000. We worked from the small red building where the interior design company, Stockton and Shirk, now resides. It was within this space that Mike and I operated not only a frame shop, but also as a formal art gallery that represented local artists and jewelry designers. Through passion and hard work, I was able to grow the business into the expansive gallery that is now located in downtown Jackson on South Glenwood Street. It’s always such a joy to share what I have learned from over 20 years of being in the art world. 

SRI: Tell us about some of the artists you represent. 

TP: I have always been fascinated by art in its many forms and have built my gallery from representing fresh aesthetic vision. I now represent well-known contemporary artists from around the world such as Wolf Kahn, John Alexander, Alex Katz, and many more. Regardless of medium, I have always hoped to showcase artwork that is sophisticated and unique. 

SRI: There are several artists associated with 22 Home & Snake River Interiors that we adore!

TP: Yes! It is always evident within the keen eye of an interior designer that they understand the impact of a personal art collection and what it creates within a home. When I have worked on interior design projects alongside 22 Home, I’ve always been impressed by their understanding of how to guild clients to augment or begin their own personal art collections. Each of the artists that 22 Home has worked with through my gallery have been in light of this necessary connection between the personal collection of each art collector and the interior designer. 

SRI: In terms of color, what should you think about when choosing art for a space?

TP: From the side of the art world, I believe that each artwork drives the home’s interiors—not the other way around. 

SRI: When purchasing new art for a space, do you concentrate heavily on color & mood? 

TP: I enjoy the collector’s connection to the work of art to determine their acquisition. Filling a home with not only beautiful, impactful art, but artwork that brings joy to the owners. To me, that’s always the most important aspect to focus on.

SRI: Do you suggest to ever design a room around a piece of art? 

TP: Absolutely! After being within the world of fine art for over 20 years, I have consistently found that our collectors most often design their interiors around an important, meaningful piece of art.

SRI: What are other ways to place art around the house without hanging?

TP: A true collector tends to find space for artwork that has caught their eye and heart. Whatever one needs to do to surround themselves with beautiful art is always worth it!

SRI: What are a few infallible places for hanging artwork?

TP: I believe that each artwork speaks back to the space in which it resides and that any space where the artwork harmonizes is in an infallible place. That being said, I do believe the entry is a special place in a home. When guests open the door to your home and see the presence of art, it sets the tone for the rest of the house. Also installing artwork in everyday spaces where there are conversations and laughter (such as your kitchen, dining room, and living room) is truly wonderful. These spaces, along with placing a personal piece in intimate spaces such as your bedroom, dressing closet, and bathroom, can bring important moments of peace to your everyday life.   

SRI: How can artwork add visual balance to a room? 

TP: The artwork within a home is a key element that can balance the architectural, interior, and exterior aspects of the home. Artwork can bring all of these delicate details together and help to create interesting spaces. For example, you can grow and create intrigue in a small room by adding art. Sometimes within a small space, it is best to install a large work because it creates an interesting proportion to scale and balances the wall. 

SRI: When arranging more than once piece together on a wall, what’s the key to getting it right?

TP: I think of artworks as individuals who bring their own story to a dinner party. When curating at the gallery, I always ask: “What will these artworks talk about after I leave, and the lights have been turned off?” I know I have done a good job curating when I can feel the energy between the pieces, and I know that each work will interact and harmonize with the others around it. 

SRI: What tips do you have for choosing the perfect piece for a space?

TP: For me, this has always been about intuition. It is interesting how you can have a very expansive wall and find that a small, intimate piece holds the same strength on the wall as a large piece. And because of this, choosing the perfect piece has everything to do with each client’s personal art collection.

SRI: Are there different things to consider for different rooms? (for example: bathroom vs bedroom) 

TP: I do not let the purpose of a specific room dictate what art should be placed there. I believe that it is of the utmost importance for each art collector to believe in his or her personal, aesthetic vision. My advice is to never question your client’s feelings, thoughts, and opinions. There are always opportunities to learn from new eyes. 

SRI: Any additional tips for choosing just the right spot for a new piece of art?

TP: I believe that when you choose a significant work of art, it will always find the right spot. You will know when the artwork finds its home.