Wyoming Hotel Revamps Interiors with Budget Updates
Budget hotel redesign in Jackson, Wyoming shows paint, wall treatments and new furnishings can turn Alpine House’s cold luxury into a warm, lived-in feel.
A Wyoming hotel that was once criticized for its outdated interiors has now become a benchmark for refreshing a property with minimal, budget-friendly updates. When Erik Warner took over Alpine House in Jackson, Wyoming in 2020, he rejected the idea of a complete overhaul. Instead, he concentrated on interior design elements—paint, wall treatments, furnishings, and built-in features—to shift the property’s atmosphere from cold luxury toward a more inviting, lived-in feel.
The redesign, overseen by Brooklyn-based Elizabeth Roberts Architects, preserved the building’s original structure while giving it a contemporary look. The strategy relied on simple, home-inspired techniques that could easily inspire similar projects in private homes. Nine specific approaches from the renovation highlight this method.
Color as a Foundation
The hotel’s exterior now features a deep green wood stain applied to all exterior elements, combined with 75% black for a matte finish. This custom treatment, sourced from Sherwin-Williams’ Woodscapes collection, eliminates a glossy appearance while unifying the facade. A similar technique could rejuvenate weathered wood siding or trim in residential settings.
Inside, guest rooms incorporate a deep green shiplap accent wall behind the headboard, using Sherwin-Williams’ Laurel Woods. This texture introduces vertical interest without altering the room’s structure, adding perceived height and serving as a focal point. Shiplap installation is a straightforward DIY project or a low-cost contractor task, making it a practical upgrade for bedrooms or home offices.
Surface Details Matter
Guest room ceilings were covered with sisal wallcovering, a material that adds warmth without occupying extra floor space. Sisal, commonly used in textiles, provides a textured, finished appearance while maintaining functionality. This option could replace plain drywall in spaces needing character, such as hallways or powder rooms, with minimal effort.
The design team also integrated modernized Shaker-style peg rails in each guest room. These rails offer practical storage for guests while maintaining a clean aesthetic. Similar installations work well in entryways, mudrooms, or children’s play areas, balancing utility with style.
Lighting and Layered Touches
Every guest room combines wall-mounted sconces with table lamps, allowing occupants to adjust lighting intensity and ambiance. The selection includes brands like Pin Lighting and Earth and Element, avoiding harsh overhead lighting while adding visual interest. Plug-in or battery-operated fixtures make this an accessible update for any bedroom.
A recurring design element throughout the hotel is the use of black accents in hardware, furnishings, and decor. This color creates a contemporary feel without overwhelming the space. Homeowners can achieve a similar effect by introducing a single dark-colored piece, such as a side table, throw pillow, or light fixture, to unify a room while keeping the palette balanced.
Pattern and Furniture Mixing
Elizabeth Roberts Architects initially avoided tartan, a typical mountain motif, but incorporated it sparingly in muted tones to prevent cliché. This approach applies to any overused pattern, chintz in a cottage or stripes in a coastal home. The solution involves limiting prints to one or two key pieces, such as a rug or pillow, to maintain visual harmony.
Furniture selection blends vintage and contemporary pieces, pairing independently made items with mass-produced ones. In the library, for example, two antique wood-frame chairs and a rush stool complement a modern coffee table and an Etsy-sourced kilim rug. This mix creates character without requiring a full custom build-out, a strategy adaptable to any room.
Built-Ins for Smart Space Use
The hotel’s main room, originally used for breakfast service, now includes a custom banquette along the far wall. This built-in seating saves space while defining an area for dining or lounging. A comparable approach could work in eat-in kitchens or breakfast nooks, where permanent seating maximizes square footage.
