Shelburne Vermont Lakeside Residence
pay attention, be astonished, tell about it
CLIENT Private Residential
LOCATION Shelburne, Vermont
AREA 8500 sq ft
YEAR 2023
TEAM New School Builders, LandVest Vermont
IMAGES Lindsay Raymonjack Photography
A BETTER DAY Nurture by Nature was invited to steward a home through a moment of transformation—an evolution from one life to another. In close collaboration with the client, we elevated the exterior presence while ensuring the interior embodied a renewed sense of intention and belonging.
Set along the shores of Lake Champlain, the home’s palette was drawn from the surrounding landscape—cool depths of water, sunlit limestone, and the organic textures of reclaimed materials. The grand scale of the project was balanced with thoughtful spatial planning, integrating a mother-in-law suite and an expansive bar and media room designed for gathering.
Materials were chosen to feel as if they had always been part of the shoreline—natural stone, timeworn woods, and finishes that embraced imperfection. The result was a home that felt deeply rooted, a space of quiet luxury without pretense, sentimentality without exclusion. A good friend. A familiar face.
“Kate’s studio was absolutely wonderful to work with! They were extremely professional, courteous, and knowledgeable. I would recommend them to anyone looking for a pro for their next project.”
Jackson Hole East Residence
coffee, on a couch, with a good friend
CLIENT Private Residential
LOCATION Jackson Hole, Wyoming
AREA 5500 sq ft
YEAR 2022
TEAM Shaw Construction
IMAGES Lindley Rust Photography
STRANGERS ONLY ONCE Some collaborations feel fated—an immediate understanding, a shared excitement. This project was one of those rare encounters. With a client who was kind, trusting, and deeply engaged in the creative process, the studio was given the freedom to push beyond instinct and craft something entirely unique.
Rather than taking the expected route, we embraced contrast—introducing bold velvets, thick wools, and woodsy textures against the home’s otherwise clean slate. The studio worked closely with the builder to refine the architecture, ensuring it met the needs of a large family and their ever-welcoming spirit. Every ceiling was raised, every space given the dignity it deserved.
Only working with artists and artisans from the Mountain West, the home became a true reflection of its surroundings and the community that shaped it. The result is a home that lives well and loves well—rooted in warmth, generosity, and the joy of shared vision.
“Kate’s professionalism and collaborative approach made the design process both enjoyable and productive. We highly recommend Kate for her design skills, attention to detail, and ability to transform ideas into practical, beautiful solutions.”
Jackson Hole North Residence
feeling homesick, always, for places we don’t know
CLIENT Private Residential
LOCATION Jackson Hole, Wyoming
AREA 5,000 sq ft
YEAR 2020
TEAM New West
IMAGES Lindley Rust Photography
THE END OF TIMELESSNESS Nurture by Nature was entrusted with reimagining a home for a family seeking a space that would evolve with them over time. Rooted in their love for gathering, shared rituals, and quiet moments by the fire, the design process was guided by openness and intentionality.
The existing architecture was honored, its structure preserved while the palette was entirely reimagined—transforming the home into a living gallery, attuned to their extensive art collection. The spatial flow was elevated, allowing each area to serve multiple purposes with seamless transition. Finishes were chosen to feel inherent to the home’s history, as though it had always stood in harmony with its surroundings—planted like a seed and growing organically over time.
Materials were selected for their meditative qualities: hand-thrown ceramics, natural oak with an oil finish, and softened edges that invite touch. With no conventional doors, privacy was achieved through thoughtful passageways rather than division, cultivating a sense of togetherness while respecting individual space.
The kitchen, once a shadowed corner, was reimagined as a radiant heart of the home—a sunbeam of warmth and connection. This was a design meant to flow like water, filling the space with a quiet sense of belonging and renewal.
“Collaborating with Kate was an inspiring journey that went far beyond our expectations. The design they created for us is nothing short of extraordinary—an innovative blend of form and function that perfectly reflects our vision.”
Jackson Hole Elk Refuge Residence
art, growth, becoming someone new
CLIENT Private Residential
LOCATION Jackson Hole, Wyoming
AREA 3,000 sq ft
YEAR 2020
TEAM GYDE Architects, Stewart Construction
IMAGES Lindley Rust Photography
THE FIRST DRAFTS OF ROMANCE Bordering the edge of the National Elk Refuge, this home on Moose Street was reimagined as a quiet haven—rooted in place and purpose. Set on an oversized 0.33-acre parcel in the heart of Jackson, the design process honored both the original footprint and the surrounding landscape, with every detail shaped to invite in light, connection, and views.
In collaboration with the owner, the studio focused on maximizing the presence of the refuge—bringing the outside in through expansive windows and a lighting concept attuned to the rhythms of the natural world. All four bedrooms were opened to light and stillness, allowing the unparalleled seclusion and green space to ground daily living.
The renovation brought a contemporary softness to both interior and exterior—modern materials lending ease, air, and warmth to the home’s everyday rituals. A 280-square-foot artist’s studio and a lock-off ARU above the garage provide space to create, to retreat, and to gather.
Throughout, the design team centered the landscape, carving small, intentional moments to witness the surrounding grandeur. A fire pit at the edge of the property offers a place to watch the sun rise over 25,000 acres of protected refuge—with coffee in hand, and a sense of deep being a part of something bigger.
“Working with Kate Swanson of Nurture by Nature was an experience rooted in trust, creativity, and care. She brings a rare ability to listen deeply and translate vision into spaces that feel both elevated and entirely personal.”