Vail Valley HOME: 11 questions with Yvonne Jacobs

Yvonne Jacobs designs interiors that inspire comfort, beauty and functionality. She launched Jacobs + Interiors in Edwards in 2018 after working in the valley for 20 years at Slifer Designs. She listens deeply to her clients’ desires and needs, encouraging clear and complete communication, with an understanding that homes are both sanctuaries and gathering places. In 2024, Luxe Interiors + Design and Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove named Jacobs a 2024 Design Icon. Only 12 designers in the entire nation achieved the recognition for their kitchen designs.

How did your upbringing influence your penchant for design?

I came from very modest means in a loving family with tight connections. It was a very social atmosphere, and there were always family and friends around. Without really knowing what was happening, I was always creating spaces that were comforting and supporting — I was arranging, I was creating. My great grandmother was Native American, and she was a creative. Trips to her home always resulted in baking, gardening, sewing, painting — she was always doing something with her hands, making something out of nothing. Beauty was all around her. My appreciation for beauty is steeped in a way that is appreciative of beautiful things, not just because they are the most sought-after or expensive; it is something that means something to the person. I was the kid that was a bit artsy in school. I had a camera, and I would roam around town taking black-and-white photos. I painted, I would make huge collages from magazines of fashion and cities and put them on my walls, I would paint my walls — I always had a project going on. Looking back, I think I was made to be an interior designer.

What drew you to the Vail Valley?

When I moved from New York City to Colorado, I landed in Denver for a bit, but I was always going to the mountains to hike, ski, rock climb — my husband and I were always escaping the city, and it just felt natural to live where we loved to do all our activities.

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What do you think the benefits of raising kids in the Vail Valley were?

There are so many; it makes me emotional to think about how much love and respect I have for this Valley. At first it was really hard; we had kids, and it felt like we were all alone. Our family was in New Jersey and Pueblo — far away. But we quickly realized a lot of families were in this same position. We reached out, we made a community, and that circle is like family to us. We all supported each other; we had our kids in ski groups, rafting trips, camping trips. It was a magical time in our lives, and there’s nothing I would do differently. The kids grew up learning and respecting nature and becoming good humans on this earth. I ask my kids — now 25 and 21 —how they feel about it, they say that when they tell their friends about how they grew up, they don’t believe them — it seems like a fairytale.

What made you want to open Jacobs + Interiors?

I have always known I would eventually have my own firm. I just did not know how or when it would happen. Circumstances led me to do it suddenly, but it also was perfect. It forced me to move quicker than I would have. I started to think about what type of firm it would be and how I wanted to be as a leader in my company and in the community. I wanted to be of service, and I was so grateful for everything that came my way.

What challenges did you face launching your own design firm?

I did not expect to be so busy so fast. It was a blessing, and it was also really tough to keep up with. I was on full adrenaline at the time, and I just went for it.

How many people are on your team?

We are a 10-person team. I am always on the lookout for someone who is a good fit for the team. I try to dive deep into what is needed and the person that would best be a fit for it. It is a bit intuitive.

How do you work with clients?

We take a deep dive into our clients’ lives, we get in deep with the architecture, the goals, and how the client wants their home to feel. Our team tackles the vision part first, then we start to design together with the team and the client. It is a very collaborative process. We like to say we love to over-communicate. We love to explore all avenues, think out of the box, take chances and then circle back.

When you run into problems during a remodel or build, how do you deal with it?

This profession is solving problems all day long. It is very important to not blame — we like to work together to find a solution. It usually does not matter how we got there; it is more about finding a solution and finding it fast. Sometimes the solution is clear, and sometimes it takes a while for it to come together. Honesty and getting it out in the open fast is key.

What does your home look like, in terms of personal style?

I love things around me, so I am not a minimalist — but I also do not like clutter. I love mixing styles and finding things when I travel. I want my home to feel cozy and warm and reflective of who I am: Modern with a sense of personality and warmth — collected.

What are some ways you contribute to the community?

I have been a longtime board member of the Bright Future Foundation. My firm also collects donated furniture from my clients, and we work together with White Horse Solutions to install this donated furniture to families in need. We are so proud of this work, and these installations are some of our most gratifying. We also support Education Foundation of Eagle County. I recently was a judge for its event, Project Funway. We try to volunteer two to three days as a firm. We have done build days with Habitat for Humanity and volunteered at the community pantry. And, we support local schools; we always have a high school intern that gets school credit when they work for us, and we participate in the career days event at the high school.

What do you love to do during your free time?

I ski, I hike, I walk my dog, I ride my bike, I travel to San Diego to see my kids — I travel whenever possible.