“My intention behind every piece I create is to capture the essence of the west, while serving as functional artwork that can be appreciated daily. Each and every pot I make is crafted by hand from start to finish. Beginning with a fresh piece of clay on the wheel, it’s shaped and refined until I have the perfect foundation for my artistic vision. Once it’s at a leather-hard stage, I dedicate countless hours meticulously hand-carving each detail. It’s then bisque fired and carefully glazed before being placed in the kiln for the final firing, where it’s finally brought to life.

“My process took numerous attempts and a great deal of effort to develop and achieve a leather-like finish on pottery. But in doing so, I believe I have found my own unique place in the western industry and hopefully inspired other makers to push the boundaries of their specific art form.”

Chickens to the Rescue

Chickens are opportunists. They’ll eat flies, fly larvae, worms, grubs, and bees. Basically, anything they can catch and pick up. Allowing them to free range around your barnyard can greatly reduce the fly population naturally. You may still need to use fly traps, but the amount won’t be nearly as bad.

A flock of guineas can nearly eradicate your tick population. Each one can eat almost 1,000 ticks in a day. This type of fowl is a little different than chickens, so make sure to do your research on them before bringing some home.

Chickens are low maintenance. They have basic needs like shelter, fresh water, and layer feed. They can also be entertaining to watch! You can even use them to desensitize your horse to flapping, squawking, and unusual sounds. The benefits surely outweigh the amount of work they require.

Before turning to chemicals for your fly problem, try something natural like chickens. You may be surprised with how much you enjoy having these “ladies” around.

As we celebrate a return to warmer weather and bright, sunny days, I think we all have the itch to give our homes a spring refresh. Yes, we all probably need to brush up on a spring cleaning and declutter after a long winter but we say take it one step further. Nothing says finding joy in your home quite like making unique corners that just feel like an expression of your personality – sometimes all it takes is one statement piece of art or paint color to change the entire feel of a room.

Without totally ripping out fixtures or replacing furniture, we’re all for small projects that make a big impact. One of our current favorites? Wallpaper! Before you imagine the wallpaper that adorned your grandma’s house – hear us out. Wallpaper has come a LONG way since the 90s, okay? Case in point, bring in Fort Lonesome x Counterpart Studios:

Fort Lonesome creates exceptional chainstitch with a retro Western feel we love. Now, marry those beautiful designs with vibrant wallpaper designs. We know, it’s SO GOOD. Adding texture to a room is a major key to giving it new life, and this wallpaper will do just that. Use it as a backdrop for plants, a book shelf, and pieces of art OR keep it as the main statement in a smaller room or accent wall.

Shop the full line of wallpaper designs at counterpartstudios.com.

Cathers Home Furniture + Interior Design

Aspen Design House

BUILDER

Silverado Builders

Aspen is an exceptional mountain community that is situated high in the Rocky Mountains in west-central Colorado.  The crown jewel of the Roaring Fork Valley, the vibrant town is surrounded by spectacular mountain ranges and sprawling public lands.  It is renowned for its arts and culture scene, rich culinary offerings, and countless outdoor adventures—not to mention being a hot spot for celebrities and the host of the annual Winter X Games.  

“Aspen is so magical, and I’m not the only one who would say this,” says Cynthia Wark, who first visited the mountain community on a Colorado road trip she took with a girlfriend.  Wark and her husband, Rick, were contemplating a move away from Texas, so she brought back Aspen real estate brochures for them to peruse.  “Within a few weeks we bought a house in Aspen,” she remembers.  “Not knowing much about it, it’s fair to say that Aspen called us here.” 

The Warks purchased a classic Aspen Mountain home on a private golf course located a few miles outside of town that had great bones and terrific views.  But the interior needed to be renovated to better suit the couple’s taste and lifestyle.

“They are very cool, modern, stylish and put together, and we needed to create a space that reflected their personality and gave them a place to entertain,” explains interior designer Denise Taylor, M.A.  Allied ASID, who worked for Cathers Home Furniture + Interior Design, which was hired to transform the structure into a modern mountain home.  Fellow designers Amanda Furlong, ASID NCIDQ, and Geneva “Gigi” Podolak Knox, Allied ASID, were also on the project team.  After the Wark’s renovation wrapped up, Taylor would eventually go on to found Aspen Design House, a full-service bespoke interior design company in Aspen.  

The goal of the Wark’s project was to work with the existing architecture, including massive fireplaces, hulking beams, and beautiful high-end woodwork, while redefining the spaces in a warm, inviting way.  “You don’t always inherit such nice woodwork, and once we took the yellow out of the walls, which we painted a bright white on the entire main level, the wood was really beautiful,” says Taylor.  

Paul Cathers, founder of Cathers Home Furniture + Interior Design, notes, “Without looking like we were trying to turn an older home into a contemporary one, we were trying to incorporate the sense of place with the wood and then clean the lines up to make it a more peaceful environment.” He adds, “Cynthia and Rick’s project was fantastic in taking the older architecture and moving it into a warmer, cleaner-lined feel with organic elements that turned the interior into a space that flows with the architecture.  The kitchen, in particular, turned out beautifully using the warm gray-brown tones.”

Taylor agrees that the kitchen—which was reconfigured by relocating the island, closing in one of the doorways from the garage, creating a huge pantry, adding luxe appliances, replacing the cabinets, and updating the countertops—was a turning point for the project.  “The design behind the kitchen is very rustic-modern,” she describes.  “We wanted to make it look like it came with the house, but we needed to do a major overhaul.  It was the tipping point for the home’s transformation.”  

Cathers says this project is a good example of elevating existing elements rather than tearing down and starting from scratch.   “A lot of times we don’t have to change everything; instead, you can paint the cabinets, change the countertops, and incorporate the architecture into the design with a cleaner palette and pops of color in warm art, rugs, and pillows,” he describes.  “When you have a lot of darks and lights and contrasts like the house did before the remodel, it can be overwhelming.  You want the space to be the sanctuary where you can have a calm, cool existence.  That was our goal, and we nailed it.” 

Some of the furnishings—like the huge bison over the great room fireplace and the massive iron bed in the primary bedroom—were pieces that came with the purchase of the home that the designers incorporated.  Additional furnishings like mohair chairs, cowhide ottomans, velvet couches with nail head trim, leather wing chairs, wooden and metal tables, and silk throw pillows “for a little glam,” completed the look.  

To complement the design, the team resourced amazing artwork from the local galleries—some of it, like a large Gordon Brown painting in the living room, to fit the massive scale of the home.  “When you have a house this grand, it needed to feel like Kevin Costner coming home to Yellowstone Ranch,” quips Podolak Knox.  “Cynthia and Rick really wanted us to bring in artwork to match the house, so we borrowed pieces to hang on the walls to see what they wanted to move forward with.” She says Keating Fine Art Gallery in nearby Basalt was particularly generous and allowed the team to take a few paintings on approval.  

While the upstairs is dramatic and more “mountain-esque”, the walk-out lower level, which was inspired by the iconic Hotel Jerome in Aspen, has a cozier vibe.  “When you have a house this big you need a different feel in different spaces,” says Podolak Knox.  “It took a little convincing because Cynthia and Rick loved the upstairs so much, but we pushed them to go in a whole different direction downstairs, and it really turned out great.” 

The team added a soffit to the ceiling to create a perimeter of light around the room.  The existing bar was repainted a dark gray and the middle cabinets were removed and replaced with a custom mosaic, glass shelves, and lighting. Teardrop-shaped liquid mercury pendants hang like jewelry over the bar, adding a chic flair, and the swivel bar stools invite connection with the rest of the room.  Fluffy, faux fur chairs with backs that don’t extend all the way to the ground— creating the illusion that they are floating in the room — are set up in a conversation circle surrounding a sleek leather ottoman.  The existing pool table was re-felted in gray to match the new room, and a custom light that imitates icicles hovers above.  

Cynthia says the design team did an amazing job.  “I didn’t know what I wanted, but I put my trust in the team, and they were lovely to work with.  The results far exceeded our expectations.”

The Ranch Wife

1. Supportive: These incredible women stop at nothing to support the ranch. They’ll do whatever it takes to keep things going smoothly. They have a positive mindset and never nag!
2. Easy-Going: It’s takes the right women to live out on a ranch. It can be very stressful! Humor is what makes the work a little easier. They need to be able to laugh at themselves.
3. Flexible: Their husband may not be at the dinner table every evening… These ladies go with flow. They understand things come up and that’s just the way it is.
4. Self-Starter: The list never ends on a farm. These women don’t wait for an invitation to get moving… They’ve been knocking off items on their ‘to do’ list since before the sun was up.
5. Faithful: A rancher’s wife has to see the bigger picture. She realizes that the present moment may be hard, but it’s all worth it.

These are special women! They aren’t your everyday types. There’s a beautiful craziness about them.

Carly said on social media, “This set consumed a solid month of my life, absolutely killed my hands, and gobbled cowhide and nails like the Cookie Monster. And I loved every single second of it. …Well, I suppose could live without the achy hands… but if a little wear and tear on the ol’ phalanges is the worst thing about my job, I’ll still chalk that up as a win. ”

Click here to see more from Carly!

As soon as you step foot onto the sprawling grounds of Casa de Myers, you’re transported to a bygone era, where every corner of this ranch exudes the timeless charm of the Old West, combined with the allure of southwestern flair.

From the moment you enter, you’re greeted by the warm embrace of rustic elegance. Each room tells a story of its own, with meticulously curated decor that pays homage to the rich history and culture of Texas. Whether it’s the cozy living room adorned with leather sofas and handcrafted wooden furniture, or the spacious kitchen boasting modern amenities with a rustic twist, every detail has been thoughtfully chosen to create a truly immersive experience.

From the moment you enter, you’re greeted by the warm embrace of rustic elegance. Each room tells a story of its own, with meticulously curated decor that pays homage to the rich history and culture of Texas. Whether it’s the cozy living room adorned with leather sofas and handcrafted wooden furniture, or the spacious kitchen boasting modern amenities with a rustic twist, every detail has been thoughtfully chosen to create a truly immersive experience.

But it’s not just the interiors that make the Ranch a Pinterest dream come true. Step outside, and you’ll find yourself surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, from rolling hills to vast open skies. Whether you’re lounging by the pool, taking a leisurely horseback ride through the trails, or simply soaking in the serene ambiance from the comfort of the porch swing, there’s no shortage of ways to connect with nature and unwind.

Y’all have to experience the magic for yourself and see why this ranch is truly a Pinterest-worthy gem in the heart of Texas! Casa De Myers also has a website where you can purchase you’re very own Casa De Myers pieces to go along with your home.

Pssst…we also heard this immaculate place is now up for sale;)

OPENING SPREAD: Using existing structures, the ranch camp features a right-sized main house (on the left) and a guest cabin (right) that is custom-made for entertaining. 

Nestled between two river valleys and bordered by the Gallatin National Forest on three sides, this 8,100-acre Montana ranch offers a little bit of everything in the way of geographical features: sweeping views of the Absaroka Mountain Range, lush valley vistas, tributaries and ponds, and thick stands of pine trees.  Herds of elk flourish here because the surrounding peaks form a natural barrier that protects the wildlife and the ranch’s cattle, and fish abound in the creeks that cut through the ranch.

The reclaimed wall in the stairway is a lovely contrast to the whitewashed ceiling that brightens up the space. The iron chandelier from Ralph Lauren features leather straps

“It’s one of the premier ranches in the area,” says Kathy Tatom of Tatom Design.  “It’s a real-life Yellowstone ranch for sure, and one of my favorite projects to date.  It’s really amazing.” 

Tatom was part of the team that was assembled to breathe new life into the main ranch camp structures, including a complete overhaul of the unpretentiously elegant two-bedroom main lodge and a reconfiguration of an existing barn that was relocated and turned into a three-bedroom plus bunk room guest house.  The top half of the barn was retrofitted over a new lower level to create the spacious guest home that is perfect for entertaining and hosting retreats.  

Adding new doors and windows throughout the homes invites the amazing Montana scenery inside.

The reclaimed cabinetry and timbers carry the rustic elements into the guest cabin’s modern kitchen.

LEFT: The pretty hand-painted Tabarka tile goes from floor to ceiling in the powder room, giving the smaller space a ton of character. RIGHT: The guest home entryway hints at the story of the structure with reclaimed walls, perfectly imperfect timbers, and loads of natural light thanks to new windows and doors.

The guest house features a 12-foot-long dining table, a large sectional with a cowhide ottoman for gathering around the fire, and an antler chandelier crafted from sheds found on the ranch.  The massive kitchen boasts a 14-foot-long island surrounded by sturdy barstools.  In both residences, a lot of glass was brought in to frame the views and create a brilliance of natural light.  The interior spaces were further brightened by white-washing the tongue-and-groove ceilings, and walls that were not clad in wood were painted a soothing cream color to make the interior space softer.    

It’s all about the view in the main home’s primary bedroom where two leather and Native American upholstered swivel chairs sit in front of the picture window.

The owners are warm and welcoming people who wanted their home and guest house to be cozy and inviting.  “The design of the main house and guest cabin pays homage to the West and to the ranch’s heritage, and Native American culture also played a part with rugs, artifacts, and artwork that we used,” Tatom describes.  

Centre Sky Architecture was selected to design the overall master plan as well as hone in on a specific aesthetic that would tie all the individual structures together.  The rustic ranch style of the main lodge and guest cabin was reinforced with the use of some of the existing materials on the ranch, including original wood and metals that were salvaged from old barns around the property.  These authentic pieces were expertly combined with new materials and finished to blend into the historic ranch theme, where needed.  A new garage and wellhouse—constructed of a mix of vintage and new materials finished to look aged to fit in—were also added to the ranch camp.  

This welcoming guest bedroom overlooks the new pond that was added to the main camp’s landscape.

“There were several existing structures where the main camp was located, and we opted to use them,” explains Jamie Daugaard, Principal of Centre Sky Architecture.  “It can be hard to work with existing structures because you’re stuck with the existing condition and size.  But we worked through it, and we ended up with a good building layout for the owners.  It turned out really well.” 

Soaking your cares away while soaking in the spectacular scenery – it’s all possible in the main house primary bathroom, which features a beautiful taupe tub.

The ranch camp overlooks a pristine pond nestled into a flower-filled meadow in the foreground and the breathtaking mountain scenery beyond.  The building layout contains many outdoor spaces—including a large roof-covered patio adorned with trusses and timbers on the main house—that forge connectivity to the outdoors and between the structures themselves.  

“We had a lot of discussions with the owners about creating the external material personality and staying true to what was already there,” remembers Daugaard.  “The intimate spaces between the main ranch camp structures serve many purposes – outdoor living, weather circulation, a reprieve from the wind and sun, and a place to simply spend time looking at the amazing views.” 

The beautiful main house is a smaller, cozy space for the owners who invite friends and family to enjoy their own space in the next-door guest house.

The original homestead cabin, which sits closer to the ranch entry gate, was preserved for posterity as part of this project.  “It’s amazing that this structure is still standing, and we wanted to make sure it will last forever,” Tatom says.  “It’s really cool to see the original homestead; it’s like a little house on the prairie.” 

There are a number of other structures strewn throughout the ranch property that enable exploration of the land.  These include a mountaintop tower complete with sleeping quarters that offer a bird’s eye view of the entire ranch, as well as dry cabins, accessible by horseback or UTV, for hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing.

“The diversity of the ranch is rather unique with mountain ranges, meadows, timber, big skies, and water everywhere,” remarks Daugaard.  “Beauty oozes from every direction, and you’re in a place that’s hardly been touched.  It’s really remarkable and quite peaceful.”

The fireplace in the living room of the main house goes through to the back porch, providing year-round ambience and warmth. The antler wreath is custom-made from sheds collected on the ranch. 

ARCHITECT
Centre Sky Architecture

INTERIOR DESIGNER
Tatom Design

Archer & Buchanan Architecture, Ltd. designed this project. They pay particular attention to creating architecture of character, beauty, and style. The builder was White Horse Construction and the landscaper, Hess Landscape Architects. Special thanks to Angle Eye Photography for the gorgeous pictures!

The Historical Au Soleil d’Or Farm

The builders of this project reconstructed the bank barn from an antique barn frame. New stone walls with brick arches were created. White oak windows and doors as well as hand-forged metalwork adorn this barn. The owners use the spacious loft for entertaining guests, while the lower portion houses their beloved horses.

A walk around the property will leave you speechless with the many gorgeous gardens and horse pastures.

Soak up some of the beauty through these pictures of the property.

What a charming historical property! They really outdid themselves with it.