Get Out

As our surrounds thaw, we plan for the days when segueing between indoors and out does not require muck boots, but instead allows for bare-footed traipsing. In every project we design, we extend the conviviality we create inside to the adjacent outdoor areas. As such, we imbue each exterior element with care and beauty, allowing for graceful transitions between en suite and en plein air. When approaching your own outdoor extensions, we encourage identifying several through lines that can tie together your room and your roaming, whether it be a particular palette or a favorite textile. The following considerations further enhance the communion between indoors and out.

Green Screens

Landscape design is an integral part of making your personal patch of land livable and private. Incorporating or augmenting local flora in specific zones allows for areas to feel at once intimate and natural. 

Dedicated Play

Play outside: the chorus of summer can be complicated if sightlines don’t allow for supervision by adults inside. As designers, we always advise that play be given prominence on properties, with areas dedicated to kids within view of the rooms where adults work. For instance, plant the play zone outside the kitchen, so that smiles can be shared across the sink during meal prep. 

Looking Glass

Expanses of glass allow for seamless living between indoors and out. Sliding glass doors in master suites and great rooms, opening onto decks or patios, while simultaneously allowing for unobstructed views to be enjoyed from under the covers or under a portico.

Al Fresco Dining

Grills aren’t the only way to make all summer meals an outdoor affair. When space allows, complete outdoor kitchens are excellent additions, and yet, even the introduction of an outdoor dining table makes for memorable meals al fresco. 

Dream Client

Several years ago, a keen prospector crossed the threshold of Snake River Interiors, sans appointment, drawn in by the aesthetic visible through the window. In town visiting her sister—a new resident of Ely Springs—the Oklahoman enjoyed an electric 15-minute chat with Elisa and quickly confided, “I want you to do my house.” Only hitch: She had yet to buy a home in the valley. “She had a core, gut reaction, and realized we would have a great time working together,” Elisa says. Having completed several historic renovations in Washington, D.C. and now confident in her sourcing of design talent, the client patiently scanned the market for the perfect project.

So when a property with one of the historic Kudar cabins came on the market in 2019, the client acted immediately, purchasing the historic home. In the intervening decades, the property had become a patchwork of add-ons. Working with the architect, a specialist in historic preservation, the client restored the cabin’s original glory while breathing fresh life into the additions by introducing expanses of steel and glass. “We added a tremendous amount of windows and metal,” Elisa says. “We took out a lot of the log, which is difficult to do because so much is structural and required us to be thoughtful about what we removed. Nothing was decided on a whim; every remaining log does the job it’s supposed to do. We thoughtfully went through and choose which timbers to keep.” 

Now steel I-beams and picture windows frame spaces at once open and intimate, seamless and sophisticated. Layers of texture lend intrigue throughout; the rustic timber walls complement the client’s contemporary art collection; woolens (in the form of throws and pillows and a copious cobalt sectional) soften the minimalist lines demarcated by the steel. “No matter which room you are in, you feel as though you can relax and spend time,” marketing director Claire Adams says. “It feels like you are being embraced by each room. The ambiance is so nurturing.”

As a transition between the living area and master suite, Elisa designed a cozy sitting area. Backing up to a bluff, the nook invites a moment of reflection, quiet and serene amid the willow trees striping the property. The master suite transforms the historic core into a cozy refuge defined by logs darkened to be almost black. Windows bracket the fireplace in light.

Every element feels incorporated, thoughtful. The client’s husband, a passionate chef, received the kitchen of his dreams, as functional as it is elegant with an expansive island encircled in modern stools. Forgoing a dining table in favor of a larger family room, the couple imagined a kitchen focused on sharing in the culinary creativity with room for six diners to perch around the island, spectators to the fun.

Designer and client alike feel grateful for the opportunity to work with such a kindred spirit, with such stunning results to show for their synergy. “It’s amazing to see a homeowner that so aligned with Elisa’s aesthetic,” Claire says. 

Inside Out: Our Summer Guide to Outdoor Entertaining

Summer has arrived and there’s never been a better time to step up your outdoor entertaining game. We have all heard about the importance of bringing the outside in by incorporating natural elements into interior environments to create spaces that feel warm, supportive, and vibrant. But when it comes to outdoor summer living, we embrace the opposite idea: create the outdoor table of your dreams by bringing the inside out! At Snake River Interiors, we believe that your outdoor table should reflect the same care and attention to detail as your indoor one. Make your next intimate gathering a sight to behold and an experience to remember by following our designer tips for creating an inspired outdoor table for your guests. 

Tip #1: Fear Not: Embrace Your Best

You love your finest china and your best table linens, but how often do you use them? And do you dare take them outside? Well, it’s time to liberate them from a life of sequestration and embrace them for their ability to take your outdoor table from ordinary to extraordinary. Surrounded by incredible landscapes, your outdoor table should hold its own against the scenery and contribute to the majesty of the setting. By embracing your finest things, you give them new life. By bringing them outside, you create a beautiful backdrop that leaves a lasting impression for your guests. Many of our favorite pieces for the tabletop can be found at Twenty Two Home, such as the Astier de Villatte Robinson Collection, the Cache Flatware Setand Libeco Table Linens.

Tip #2: Keep it Fresh

Summer is the time for celebrating bounty and renewal, and nothing captures the glory of the season more than beautiful cut flowers. Artfully arranged blooms lend a flourish of elegance and a burst of color to any tabletop. Start by selecting your favorite vase and then head to the garden to harvest.  We’re in love with the Astier de Villatte Astrakhan Vase, available at Twenty Two Home. Want to brush up on your garden skills? We’re here to help.

Tip #3: Scents that Soothe 

As the sun sets and your guests settle into satiety, lure them into relaxation with soft, soothing flickers of light and the intimate, subtle scents that come from adding an array of candles to your tabletop. Clusters of candles in differing sizes create visual interest and add a warm glow to your table. Providing the perfect boost to the moonlight, your guests will delight in basking in the fragrant radiance of Cire Trudon Candles. Now available in two sizes at Twenty Two Home.  

Tip #4: See Your Accessories in a New Light 

Bring your favorite home accessories into the sunlight—or the moonlight! When we’re trapped indoors for long periods of time, even the best of us start to feel a little stale and rough around the edges. The same thing applies to our favorite home accessories. Give them new life and see them in a new light by taking them outdoors. Liberate your favorite throws from the sofa or reading chair and luxuriate in their comfort while curled up around the fire, immersed in quiet conversation. Comfy toss pillows are perfect for propping up your guests after dinner, encouraging them to linger and enjoy one another’s company. Even the best meals come to an end, and guests will eventually leave the table. By bringing your indoor accessories outside, you can make your guests feel as cozy and comfortable as they do in your living room.