Explore a stunning nature-inspired new build home

A modern stone and wood house surrounded by tall grasses and trees, set against rolling hills at sunset

(Image credit: Photographer: Jane Beiles Photography Stylist: Noelle Wright)

published 28 September 2025

Nestled, quite literally, into the mountains, this Utah home couldn't not be inspired by its surroundings. The nature had to be part of the process right from the beginning, and everyone involved came to that conclusion as soon as they saw the location. The new-build home needed to belong in the landscape.

Interior designer Lisa Sweeney Johnson, founder of studio Simply Done, was brought on to design the interior spaces, alongside architecture firm En Masse Architecture & Design, who supported the interior and exterior architecture. The house design was a complete collaboration, both in awe of the nature surrounding what was to be a large family home. The exterior mirrors the mountains, meadows, and rivers, and nods to the same colors, textures, and materials that are threaded throughout the home's rooms.

It's a new-build, finished in 2023, but it feels like it's already part of its surroundings.

'The interior is a warm, welcoming expression of livable luxury – designed for all ages,' Lisa tells Homes & Gardens. 'Every space reflects a blend of classic elegance and modern sensibility, with custom details that make it as beautiful as it is functional. It’s where mountain elegance meets everyday life.'

Stone and wood house exterior with landscaped garden of shrubs, flowers, and small trees, with cliffs and hills in the background. — **Exterior:** Exterior materials were selected with the local terrain in mind and both exterior and interior stone is Browns Canyon. The stone, bronze stained wood siding and a cedar roof reflect the nearby mountains and river valley.

'The home is a new build in Victory Ranch, ideal for outdoor recreation and hosting family and friends,' Lisa continues. 'The home’s design reflects Utah’s striking scenery, seamlessly blending interior and exterior elements to highlight sweeping mountain views and abundant natural light.'

'The vision was to bring the spirit of the Utah landscape into the home in a way that felt both elevated and deeply personal. The goal was to create a place that feels warm and welcoming – where family, friends, and furry companions could relax and make memories together.'

Left image: A cozy elegant living room with high, wood-paneled ceilings, warm stone accent walls and large floor to ceiling windows. Two cream sofas face a modern black fireplace, and two blue armchairs sit around a coffee table. A tall fiddle-leaf fig tree adds greenery. Right image: A dining room with a rectangular black dining table surrounded by light upholstered chairs with brass legs. The backdrop features the same warm stone walls and wood ceilings. A contemporary black-and-white art piece is on the far wall and a modern light fixture suspended above the table. — **Living area:** The main living and dining spaces stretch across the back of the home with ample access to the rear terraces. Each space has its own character but shares a white oak ceiling. In the family room, the ceiling rises to a vault offering sky views while an intimate bar to the side provides a cozy spot for guests to grab a beverage. Arteriors light fixtures punctuate the living room furnishings and artwork by Yoona Hur via Heather Gaudio Fine Art.

'The natural setting was the guide: the vibrant wildflowers, the way the light moves through the mountains, the cliffs and textures of the land. Jewel tones are thoughtfully layered throughout the open spaces, inspired by the area’s wildflowers and rugged terrain, with panoramic vistas framed through expansive floor-to-ceiling windows.'

'Every design choice was made with intention, to reflect the beauty outside and support the way people really live inside,' Lisa explains.

Exterior of a dark wooden clad house with a shingle roof and a landscaped garden in front — **Exterior:** In the entry courtyard of the home, the lush natural landscaping contrasts against the bronze stained wood siding. The transparency of the home becomes clear as the view through to the landscape beyond becomes visible.

'We were also inspired by the landscape and by the modest and hardworking homes indicative of these mountain regions,' explains En Masse Architecture & Design Partner and Design Director, Lucas Goldbach.

'The house is low slung with most second-floor windows expressed as dormers. The layout was created for large and small groups, with the opportunity to bring the whole house together while providing spaces for solitude and privacy. The home features stacked primary suites, guest suites, and a large bunk room that provides plenty of space for groups large or small.'

'The materials selected for the exterior of the home were inspired by mountains, rivers, and rolling hills. The stone cladding used around the home and cedar roof reference the color of the rocks and the earth nearby. The dark bronze tone of the siding acts as a beautiful contrast to the lush green of summer and the stark white of snow in the winter.'

Light filled master bedroom that has large floor to ceiling windows and a large bed with cream headboard and white bedding. Two wooden chairs upholstered with blue cushions sit facing the bed — **Main bedroom:** One of the two main bedroom suites with three walls of windows offering panoramic views of the ever-changing Utah landscape and featuring accent chairs upholstered in Elitis fabric flanking the Janus et Cie stool.

'The large openings on the back of the home allow for indoor-outdoor living and welcome the views into the home. Keeping the home more low-slung-appearing as a story and a half helps the home nestle into the hillside,' explains Mike Shively, Architecture & Design Founding Partner at En Masse.

'The position of the house was determined to allow for maximum light, access to views, and indoor-outdoor flow, but prioritizing views while also designing the house to limit onlooking from the neighbors was a challenge. The H-shape of the house allows for some privacy and more private views between spaces within the home, and allows some opportunities for blocking out neighbors.'

Left image: a bunk room with white walls and large windows and the beds have white sheets with bright blue and green throw blankets. Right image: Neutral bedroom with a wooden bed frame and two large windows above the bed. The bed is dressed in a bold pink bedding. — **Bedrooms:** Each bedroom has intentionally framed views of the adjacent landscapes, while accents of rich color show the client's personality. The second floor bunk room on the left, designed to accommodate kids of all ages, features custom-made bunks, each with its own jewel-tone throw. The bedroom on the right features bedding from Bella Notte and Laura Park pillows.

'We agreed on the importance of decorating with wood and natural materials as essential to warming up the large, open spaces,' continues Lisa. 'They add richness and texture without overwhelming the design. The wood and natural finishes enhance the surrounding mountain landscape rather than compete with it – grounding the interior in its environment and bringing the outside in. The effect is organic and intentional, creating a sense of calm and cohesion throughout the home.'

'Jewel tones inspired by native wildflowers, like the vivid magenta of Utah thistle, show up in unexpected pops of color, layered with rich textures and natural finishes. Just as important was making sure the home could accommodate guests of all ages with family gatherings in mind. Every choice strikes the right balance – elevated in design, yet durable enough for real living.'

Light and open kitchen with pale wooden cabinets and an island with white worktops. The range hood is covered in bronze. — **Kitchen:** Free from upper cabinets and positioned at the front of the home, the kitchen is a hub of activity for the owners and guests. A custom brass hood adds a layer of sophistication and contrast to the more rustic elements in the space, along with California Faucets plumbing fixtures and a Neolith countertop.

'We loved collaborating on the kitchen design in particular,' says Lucas. 'Integrating function and beauty. The windows that face out to the front porch and private entry garden are so unusual, but they allow you to feel connected to larger views out of the back of the house and the more intimate ones at the front. The kitchen cabinets with their white oak finish and chunky proportions really integrate into the architecture and the white oak floor and ceiling cladding elsewhere.'

'The kitchen was designed for groups in mind,' adds Lisa. 'Cooking, entertaining, and connecting. From the way you move through the space to its thoughtful storage and finishes, the kitchen supports everyday moments. A favorite is the brass hood above the stove – sculptural and striking – like an exclamation point framing the view. With seating at the island and adjacent dining table, the kitchen becomes the gathering place, from morning coffee to family dinners.'

Left image: A modern bathroom with a freestanding white tub in front of a deep glossy blue tiled wall. A vase with purple flowers sits on the windowsill. Right image: A stylish vanity area with a white countertop and under-mount sink. The wall is covered in a patterned blue wallpaper. There is a black matte faucet and a simple gold framed mirror above the sink. A glass vase with broad green leaves and a folded towel sink on the surface of the vanity. — **Bathroom:** Rich blues in the Ann Sacks shower tile offer the perfect compliment to the warm oak tones, paired with California Faucets plumbing fixtures.

'From the very beginning, there was a shared vision,' says Lisa. 'We worked closely throughout the process to integrate architecture and interiors in a way that felt cohesive and allowed for thoughtful moments throughout the home.'

'The best ideas and outcomes come from collaboration,' agrees Mike. 'Integrating architecture and interiors creates an atmosphere that feels complete and grounds the home in its location and in this time.'

Left image: A vanity setup with a light wood fluted cabinet featuring black hardware. Above it, green square glossy tiles create a bold backsplash. A tall green glass vase with leafy branches sits on the side and a large simple mirror hangs above. Right image: A walk-in shower fully clad in glossy green square tiles. It features a simple black handheld showerhead and a recessed shelf with bath products. The built-in bench is topped with a marble slab. — Bathroom: Jewel tones, like this emerald green zellige tile from Riad Tile, are seen throughout the home, bringing unexpected color to the spaces and resting behind the California Faucets plumbing fixtures.

Interior Design Firm: Simply Done
Home Builder: Landmarks West
Landscape Architecture Firm: Mason Landscaping

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I am the Head of Interiors at Homes & Gardens. I started off in the world of journalism in fashion and luxury travel and then landed my first interiors role at Real Homes and have been in the world of interior design ever since. Prior to my role at H&G I was the digital editor at Livingetc, from which I took a sabbatical to travel in my self-converted van (not as glamorous as decorating a home, but very satisfying). A year later, and with lots of technical DIY lessons learned I am back to writing and editing, sometimes even from the comfort of my home on wheels.

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