In the cabin’s original living room an existing sofa and chairs are topped with pillows from Cathers Home. The floor lamp is from Arteriors, and the Sarouk is from Minasian Rug Company. | Photo: Dallas & Harris Photography

The lower-level bunk room in the Annabelle Cabin located near downtown Aspen is outfitted with four curtained sleeping berths reminiscent of those you’d find on an old train car. An oversize photo of the historic Durango- Silverton Railroad locomotive—fitted with a projected headlight that helps illuminate the space—contributes to the sense of whimsy.

Add in cubbies lined with vintage ski suits in colors that haven’t dotted the local slopes since the 1980s, and it’s easy to gather the owner’s intentions when he purchased and renovated the historic log home in 2015. “There are 17 people in our family, and we all wear those ski suits,” says the owner, who first came to the valley in the 1960s and wanted the property, which is available as a rental, to be fun and feel like a family home. (The owner bought the former Christmas Tree Inn in 1999 and after an extensive renovation, renamed it, and eventually the adjacent cabin, for his mother, Annabelle.)

The light fixture of silicon, bronze and polished stainless steel complements the high-gloss silver de Giulio Collection cabinets. The island top is quartzite with wenge at the seating area. Stools are by Arteriors. | Photo: Dallas & Harris Photography

“The idea was to have a place where 20 people could stay, with six bedrooms, six baths and three family hang-out areas, while maintaining that cabin feel,” he says. Architect Ashley Satterfield of Charles Cunniffe Architects in Aspen would make it all happen while adhering to stringent historical guidelines. By way of example, she points to the cabin windows. “Even though the existing windows were not energy efficient, we had to keep and refurbish them,” she says. “The metal roof, which was added in the 1980s, was restored with cedar shingles like the original, and we redid the stair treads on the front porch. But overall, the main cabin didn’t require much work.”

The addition was another story. “We weren’t allowed to demo the exterior walls, and there were complicated rooflines that resulted in sloped and low ceilings,” says the architect, who took off most of the roof to create a more modern roofline. “We kept the exterior walls intact but totally reconfigured the interior spaces.” In keeping with code requirements that mandate a clear distinction between old and new, a glass divider separates the two buildings—but Satterfield intentionally selected materials that would tie them together. In the kitchen and dining room, for example, she introduced beamand-board construction, which is a modern take on traditional cabin framing, and wood elements continue in the bedrooms,including hemlock ceilings and wooden bed frames.

Located outside the main bedroom, antique items continue the cabin flavor. The upholstered bed is from Pika Furniture Studio, the lamp is Arteriors, and the Roman shade is fashioned from Holland & Sherry fabric. | Photo: Dallas & Harris Photography

“It brings the warmth that you experience with the cabin’s log walls,” she says. In an homage to Aspen’s mining-town roots, interior designer Michelle Kiese of MAK Designs introduced large photos depicting early street scenes of the town in several bedrooms. “It was also her idea to use found furniture pieces like the antique desk in the office and the light fixtures from a historic theater in New York in the rec room,” says Satterfield.

The new staircase fashioned from steel with oak treads leading to the rec room provides another piece of connective tissue. The blackened steel and bolted connection detail harken to the metal strapping seen on doors in the main cabin while the open-tread design places it squarely in the current century. As Satterfield explains, “While every space has its own personality, no matter where you are, there is a strong sense of place, and you always know you are in the Annabelle Cabin.”

The glass divider connects the old and new. | Photo: Dallas & Harris Photography

The original logs maintain the cabin’s character, and wood doors held together with metal strapping inspired similar new ones in the addition. | Photo: Dallas & Harris Photography

A desk once belonging to author Gore Vidal provides working space in the office; the desk and chairs are from 1st Dibs. | Photo: Dallas & Harris Photography

It was designer Michelle Kiese’s idea to turn the long and narrow below-grade bunk room into space-efficient trainstyle berths. The headboards are by Colorado West Upholsterers, and the train image is by photographer Daniel Bayer. | Photo: Dallas & Harris Photography

ARCHITECT – Charles Cunniffe Architects (CCA)
INTERIOR DESIGN – MAK Designs

As featured in ML’s November/December 2024 Issue

Resources

Living Room
Sofa – Existing
Armchairs – Existing with new cushions in Romo Tremont Bark Fabric
Leather Ottoman – existing
Painting over FP – Custom(don’t put in article)
Rug – Minasian Rug Company, Chicago, Original Sarouk
Lamp next to arm chair – Arteriors Home
Cowhide seat by front door – Existing
Pillows – Cathers Home, Stitch by Stich

Office/Den
Table/desk – 1st dibs, Original Desk of Gore Vidali
Chairs – 1st Dibs, Antique Carved hall Chairs
Rug – Minasian Rug Company, Chicago, Original Tabriz

Dining Room
Table – Existing
Chairs – Reupholstered with Holland and Sherry Fabric
Rug – Minasian Rug Company, Pak Serapi

Kitchen
Counter stools – Arteriors Home

Counter stools—by Interior Designer
Light fixture — I-Beam Linear Suspension fixture in silicon bronze and polished stainless steel
Backsplash tile — Brushed Iceberg quartzite
Island top — Brushed Iceberg quartzite with hand-scraped wenge at the seating area
Cabinets — Sink Wall: de Giulio Collection in high gloss silver sucupira with polished stainless steel hardware; Range Wall: de Giulio Collection in brushed stainless steel with polished stainless steel faceted trim and hardware; Island: de Giulio Collection in high gloss silver sucupira and polished stainless steel; Upper Cabinet: de Giulio Collection high gloss silver sucupira with polished stainless steel framed glass door and hardware.

Bedroom/Main cabin
Bed – Colorado West Upholsters, Pika Furniture Studio
Side tables- Existing
Lamps – Arteriors Home
Roman Shades – Stitch by Stich, and Holland and Sherry Fabric

Railroad Bunk Room
Bedding – Custom pillows by Stitch by Stitch and Holland and Sherry Pillows
Headboards – Colorado West Upholsterers, Glenwood Springs
Runner – Minasian Rug Company, original Pak Serapi Runner
Photo credit – Daniel Bayer Photographer

Bunk Bath
Sink – Custom by Guliano kitchens
Faucets – ask Guliano
Sconces – Restoration hardware

Photo: Courtesy of Pearson Design Group

As the days get shorter and nights grow colder, our thoughts naturally turn to the comforts of home. And with this turning in comes the perfect opportunity to reflect on our architectural aspirations and explore exciting interior design ideas as we dream of our ideal space. Here, we share three impactful ways to get started.

Bring The Fire

A roaring fire is a must-have feature in any cold weather environment, especially in the main gathering space. Why not expand your vision and consider adding a fireplace to other spaces such as dining areas, sitting rooms and bedrooms. Thinking beyond the traditional and obvious setup opens up the potential of your favorite spaces.

Photo: Courtesy of Pearson Design Group

This fireplace above, featuring a cast stone surround and white washed masonry, is effectively on the side of the room and sitting area. This allows big views and intimate conversations to assume equal importance in the space.  In this open living space, the fireplace is similarly placed to the side of the view and behind the dining area, yet it remains a full participant in the vibe of the space.

Perched unobtrusively in the corner, and open on two sides, this fire feature anchors an otherwise open bedroom suite. A fire feature’s strength can be in its subtlety, as in this bedroom where a corner gas unit is more about a moment, a quality of light, and a peaceful place to unwind.

Photo: Courtesy of Pearson Design Group

Photo: Courtesy of Pearson Design Group

Include Traditional Details 

Beyond the fireplace, traditional details and materials bring tremendous warmth to an interior environment…even when the material pallet is simple and restrained. For instance, in an otherwise very clean and open space, traditional elements such as timber detailing, wood planking, and traditional window massing create a comfortable and modern composition.  Additionally, the monochromatic and restrained wood finishes allow the interior furnishings to take center stage in this alpine gathering room.

Use of reclaimed wood paneling and cabinetry create a sense of time in this bathroom suite. The patina of old wood speaks for itself, and the simplicity of integrated pulls in the cabinet drawers further the sense that something vintage and special has been found. In this alpine kitchen, traditional design details shine as the kitchen hood, legs on the island, coffered ceiling, and decorative lights are layered together.

Photo: Courtesy of Pearson Design Group

Photo: Courtesy of Pearson Design Group

Photo: Courtesy of Pearson Design Group

Warm Up the White

The subtlety of white-on-white variations of sheen and texture can truly warm up nearly any version of white.  Additionally, the addition of complimentary warm woods can make a white interior anything but cold. As seen in this kitchen, the white plaster walls, hood, and backsplash combine for a sophisticated effect. The interwoven use of reclaimed woods makes even the stainless steel range feel rich and colorful.

In this alpine living room, heavily textured interiors and decorative accents warm up an otherwise very simple white plaster room. Inlaying natural wood accents, such as these unique stools, into the whitest part of this kitchen softens the entire space.

Photo: Courtesy of Pearson Design Group

Photo: Courtesy of Pearson Design Group

Photo: Courtesy of Pearson Design Group

Justin Tollefson, AIA is a principal architect at Pearson Design Group, a Bozeman, Montana-based integrated architecture and interior design firm that offers a broad range of design aesthetics. View their profile or contact them at 406.587.1997.

Content for this article provided by Pearson Design Group.

Goodbye summer, hello autumn. There’s so much to look forward to this season: warm color palettes, cozy throws and pillows, natural elements, and rustic accents. In light of the recent equinox, let these mountain abodes inspire a new sense of creativity, encouraging you to think outside the box for your next projects.

Photo By David Patterson

A Forever Farmhouse-Inspired Home

Design Details

PHOTO – David Patterson
ARCHITECTURE – Vertical Arts Architecture
INTERIOR DESIGN – Vertical Arts Architecture
CONSTRUCTION – Fair and Square Construction

Photo Mali Azima

A Yellowstone Club Home for Generations to Come 

Design Details

PHOTO – Mali Azima
ARCHITECTURE – Locati Architects
INTERIOR DESIGNER – Melanie Turner Interiors
CONSTRUCTION – Highline Partners

Photo Krafty Photos

A Rustic Cabin with Eclectic Design

Design Details

PHOTOS: Krafty Photos & Lisa Flood
ARCHITECTURE: Prospect Studio
INTERIOR DESIGN: Shannon White Design 
CONSTRUCTION: Two Oceans Builders 
LANDSCAPE DESIGNER: Padmaveda
PHOTO STYLIST: Style Jackson Hole

Photo Audrey Hall

A Jackson Hole Retreat

Design Details

PHOTOS Audrey Hall
ARCHITECTURE JLF Architects
INTERIOR DESIGN Dwelling
CONSTRUCTION Big-D Signature
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE Verdone

Photo Stephen Karlisch

A Roaring Fork River Valley Home

Design Details

ARCHITECTURE – Poss Architecture + Planning and Interior Design
INTERIOR DESIGNER –  Kara Childress
CONSTRUCTION – Harriman Construction

Photo Laura Hull Photography

A Mammoth Lakes Vacation Home

Design Details

PHOTOS: Laura Hull photography
ARCHITECTURE: High Sierra Architecture
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER: WalkerOne Creative Workshop
INTERIOR DESIGN: Brown Design Group
CONSTRUCTION: Preschutti Construction
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: Native Plant Farm
CABINETRY: DK Woodworks
METAL WORK: Henry Means Sculptured Metal

The design team salvaged old barn timbers to build the main cabin that appears constructed in the early 1900s. “The homeowners wanted it to feel old, which meant buying old,” architect Shelli Mittmann says. | Photo: Mike McCall

When a local banker built a homestead on the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene in Idaho, he simply built what he needed. He didn’t aim for the structure to be grand but instead constructed a simple canoe cabin on the property facing Swede Bay, adding on little “bedroom cabins” and recreational structures throughout the property for overnight guests. Fast-forward to the mid 2010s, and the property was sold to a couple who reveled in the homestead’s summer-camp- like atmosphere.

After living there a handful of years, they decided the cabins needed updating and reached out to Edwards Smith Construction and architect Shelli Mittmann, both chosen for their attention to detail. “The homeowners wanted to maintain the historical accuracy of the old canoe camp,” says Mittmann. “I started by hand-sketching renovation plans because they show much more detail than computer renderings.” “The goal was that everything we touched needed to look like a homesteader did it 100 years ago and not like a modern craftsman did it,” says Andy Smith of Edwards Smith Construction.

The open kitchen in the main cabin features the homeowners’ finds from sustainable shopping site Chairish, including Paul Ferrante pendant lighting, as well as new woven-top counter stools from Chaddock. Floor and ceiling beams are reclaimed oak and Douglas fir. | Photo: Mike McCall

“The new owners wanted to preserve the legacy of the land and not do what others might do: tear down the cabins and build a modern home.” While the team felt it necessary to remove the old main cabin, they went to great lengths to source reclaimed materials to build two cabins in its place. To maintain the integrity of the original camp-like homestead, they located an old Southern barn, had it dismantled and shipped to Idaho, and reused the timbers to construct a new main cabin and a separate primary bedroom cabin.

They then used the remaining timbers to re-side the en suite bedroom cabins scattered throughout the complex to provide a cohesive look. “I love the imperfectly-aged beauty of the materials, such as the rusty, patinated handrails that lead guests from one sleeping cottage to another and along the pathways to the lake,” says Smith. “Choosing lichen-covered stone such as Montana moss rock and reclaimed oak flooring harvested from old buildings allowed us to implement the design in an authentic way.

The sitting area in the primary bedroom cabin makes use of vintage armchairs repurposed from the original cottage and re-upholstered in hair-on hide. | Photo: Mike McCall

A homesteader cares about his house and his family; we wanted to get into that mindset. Our trim and framing carpenters were tickled pink to be free to operate as craftsmen at the highest level. We got to ask ourselves questions such as, ‘How would this joint come together 100 years ago?’ The process was a balance of contemporary custom craftsmanship and time-honored homesteader carpentry.”

While many homeowners would focus on capturing the million- dollar views of Swede Bay through expansive windows and doors, these homeowners strictly maintained the historical accuracy of the structures by sticking with traditional door and window heights reminiscent of the time period in which they were originally built.

The homeowner wanted to respect the nostalgia associated with the old canoe camp’s cabins and recreational buildings that evolved over time. | Photo: Mike McCall

“They were not interested in being grandiose but instead maintained very conservative door heights and using full bed-depth stone [and not thin stone veneer we typically use today] to ensure authenticity,” says Mittmann. While the views are beyond compare, the rocky, steep property challenged the design and construction team. They nestled the cabins into the property by hammering out some of the rocky outcroppings.

“Blasting the site could have damaged existing retaining walls and a handmade hot tub created by the original owner,” says Smith. Boulders craned into place below the main cabin along the pathway to the lake match existing rocks and surround recreational additions such as a pickleball court and beachside bar. “The feeling is definitely On Golden Pond,” Smith adds. “When you pull up to the homestead at the end of the road, you feel like you can finally let your hair down. The stress of the world falls away.”

The layout flows between the kitchen, dining and living rooms. Patches of moss and lichens remain on the Montana moss- rock fireplace for an instantly aged look. Vintage finds include the dining table and chairs the homeowner bought at a secondhand store. | Photo: Mike McCall

ACHIEVING HISTORICAL ACCURACY

The extra effort expended by the design and construction team to honor the homeowners’ wish of maintaining the nostalgia of the old homestead was well worth it. Architect Shelli Mittmann and builder Andy Smith share their wisdom about how to keep historical details of renovation projects intact.

TOUCH AND FEEL Smith and the owners visited Montana to check out Montana moss rock for the renovation. Since it is a field rock and not quarried, it has the patina of lichens growing on it. “We needed to touch and feel the old materials to make sure they were right for this project,” he says. Mittmann personally visited North Carolina to see the old timber barn that would later be labeled, disassembled and reassembled to fit the design with chinking to create the main cabin and the sleeping cabin housing the primary suite.

CARPENTRY “It takes time to fit the crooked, gnarly materials together,” Smith says about the aged and reclaimed wood and stone used for the cabins and landscaping. “More labor and advanced skills are necessary to make the finished product look vintage. “The cabins are charming,” Mittmann adds. “We were able to reclaim the old-fashioned camp feel.”

Garrett Oiness of Ivy Gift & Home helped the homeowner source some furnishings, including the Oly Studio bed upholstered in the same faint ticking stripe fabric that covers the wall behind it. “The fabric softens the chinking,” says Oiness. | Photo: Mike McCall

The vintage tub in the primary bathroom was repurposed from the old cabin before it was demolished. | Photo: Mike McCall

PHOTOS – MIKE MCCALL
ARCHITECTURE – MITTMANN ARCHITECT
CONSTRUCTION – EDWARDS SMITH CONSTRUCTION
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE – CLEARWATER SUMMIT GROUP

As featured in ML’s July/August 2024 Issue

The home is oriented to interact with the wooded property with views out to the trees. “It’s a retreat, and the homeowners come here to celebrate being outside,” says architect Clare Walton. | Photo: Paul Dyer

Among the amenities of Martis Camp, a luxury home community in the Lake Tahoe area, is the Family Barn. No hay or pitchforks here. Instead, a bowling alley, indoor basketball court and old-fashioned soda shop are part of a gathering space designed with wholesome family activities in mind. It was certainly an attraction for an El Dorado Hills, California, couple with three young children seeking a getaway. “We knew Martis Camp was a wonderful opportunity for us,” says the homeowner. “We love the property we chose for the nearby hiking and snowshoe trails, and the direct path to the Family Barn.”

Located near the golf course and with a heavily wooded side yard, their chosen building site cried out for an orientation that engaged the house with its forested surroundings. “They wanted a farmhouse style but one that also expressed a rugged mountain character,” says architect Clare Walton of Walton AE, who determined that a structure defined by classic alpine elements such as gabled roof forms was appropriate for the project site and goals. “This type of design echoes the peaked silhouette of the landscape and has proven to work well in the snow.”

The floral print fabric on the Nickey Kehoe sofa and the bouclé chairs by Lawson-Fenning provide soft counterpoints to the stacked-stone fireplace. The custom ottomans wear JAB Velluto, and the coffee table is from Shoppe Amber Interiors. | Photo: Paul Dyer

Similarly, stacked stone and reclaimed wood siding with brown tones—selected to reiterate the color and texture of the trees— provide contrast to the black standing-seam metal roof and are durable materials that can stand up to Tahoe’s extreme weather.

With a stated goal of establishing a strong indoor-outdoor connection, all the exterior materials are reprised inside. The double-sided fireplace in the great room and stone cladding on the kitchen range wall relate to the retaining walls and chimneys, the siding repeats as indoor wall paneling, and the continuation of heavy timber posts and beams further cements the bond. “Using the same materials throughout the exterior and interior helps to create a strong aesthetic identity and sense of place,” Walton says.

Cabinets by S&S Millworks painted in Farrow & Ball Studio Green offer a direct link to the landscape. The counters and backsplash are fashioned from honed soapstone slabs, and the counter stools are by McGee & Co. | Photo: Paul Dyer

Concrete floors were a natural complement, and builder Matt Heslin of Heslin Construction in Truckee, California, oversaw the labor-intensive process of pouring, spreading, grinding and polishing to get the desired result. Other specialized elements include reclaimed beams spanning 20 feet in the bunk room, and a custom metal-and-glass shower enclosure in the primary bathroom. “Showing these on paper is one thing, but actually getting these items correct takes quite a bit of effort from our team of managers and craftsmen,” Heslin says.

Meanwhile, interior designer Heidi Barnes, also of Walton AE, drew on the surroundings for finishes, colors and textures. “I treated the house as one color palette—not a series of distinctive rooms,” says Barnes, who used a floral print fabric featuring teal, rust and muted gold flowers on one great room sofa to establish the overall tone. “Those colors and, of course, dark green, drawn from the mountain setting, are repeated in every single space.”

Extra Touch Upholstery covered the banquette with durable Zak&Fox Ophir fabric. S&S Millworks built the white-oak table. | Photo: Paul Dyer

In the kitchen, for example, the dark-green cabinets offset by cream- colored rattan bar stools tie directly to the landscape. A screened outdoor room—outfitted with plexiglass windows in the winter—serves as a transitional space from public to private. “From day one the homeowners requested a swinging day bed, to which we added patterned pillows for warmth, and textured sheers on the exterior screen wall blur the distinction between inside and out,” says Barnes.

With the possible exception of a splash of red on the vintage rug, the muted hues ease the shift from great room to primary suite, where the dialed-back palette emphasizes the greens and teals viewed outside, and the use of white ties to the marble floors and walls in the bathroom. “Most choices we made were in keeping with alpine design, but nothing obvious like pillows with bears,” Barnes says. “In- stead, it’s a more elevated and subtle version that evokes that same feeling while reinforcing spaces that meld with the good things Tahoe has to offer.”

A vintage rug sourced from Passerine was the jumping-off point for the formal dining area, where upholstered A. Rudin side chairs surround a trestle table by Nickey Kehoe. Host chairs are by Palecek. | Photo: Paul Dyer

Calacatta basketweave mosaic tiles by AKDO and a custom vanity painted in Benjamin Moore White Dove lighten and brighten the primary bathroom. Users of the soaking tub by Native Trails feel as if they are bathing outdoors. | Photo: Paul Dyer

A canopy bed by Jayson Home is the centerpiece of the guest room. Side tables are by Shoppe Amber Interiors, the wall sconces are by Allied Maker, and the Tremaine sofa is by Four Hands. | Photo: Paul Dyer

The Violette chair from Anthropologie offers a comfy place to read in the primary bedroom. | Photo: Paul Dyer

PHOTOS – PAUL DYER
ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIOR DESIGN – WALTON AE
CONSTRUCTION – HESLIN CONSTRUCTION

RESOURCES

Entry
Dresser/Cabinet: Isla Dresser by Madegoods
Lamp: Tera Lamp by Ceramicah

Great Room (main seating area)
Boucle chairs: Mesa Swivel Chair by Lawson Fenning
Ottomans: Custom design made by International Upholstery in JAB Velluto upholstery
Floral Sofa: Curved Sofa by Nickey Kehoe in Claremont Santander upholstery
Mauve Sofa: A.Rudin 2672 Sofa in James Malone Washed Latte upholstery
Coffee Table: Customized Arcadia Coffee Table by Shoppe Amber Interiors

Seating behind mauve sofa
Wood Framed Chairs: Spindle Back Viewing Chair by Nickey Kehoe in Susan Connor Madu Sand upholstery
Gray Ottoman: Custom design made by International Upholstery in JAB Collina upholstery and Brunschwig & Fils fringe
Rug: Shakti II by JD Staron

Guest bedroom
Headboard: The canopy bed is by Jayson Home in Nile & York Gem Nettle upholstery
Side Tables: Cove Side Table by Shoppe Amber Interiors
Lamps: Wall sconces are the Crescent Wall Lamp by Allied Maker
Bed cover: Hand block print kantha quilt from Etsy
Loveseat: Tremaine Sofa by Four Hands

Primary Bedroom Sitting Area
Chair: Violette Chair by Anthropologie
Ottoman: Platform Stool by The Vintage Rug Shop
Rug: Natural Cowhide Rug by Room and Board

Primary bathroom
Tub: Avalon Tub by Native Trails
Vanity: Custom cabinets and steel frame by S&S Millworks, cabinet in Benjamin Moore Dove White
Flooring: Calacatta Basketweave Mosaic by AKDO
Shower Walls: Calcatta Marble 3×6 by Bedrosians
Shower Hardware: Easton Collection by Waterworks
Shower Door: Custom steel divided lite assembly provided by contractor, Heslin Construction

Dining Room
Table: Trestle Table by Nickey Kehoe
Host Chairs: Thomas Arm Chair by Palecek with custom Lisa Fine Calico Stripe pillow
Upholstered Seating: 707 Side Chair by A.Rudin in Brentano Juniper Spring upholstery
Light Fixture: Chiltern by Urban Electric Co.
Rug: Vintage rug sourced from Passerine

Kitchen
Cabinets: Custom by S&S Millworks in Farrow & Ball Studio Green
Backsplash: Honed Soapstone Slab
Counters: Honed Soapstone Slab
Bar Stools: Molly Counter Stool by McGee & Co.
Lighting: Mac Pendant by Urban Electric Co.
Banquette Fabric: Custom built by Extra Touch Upholstery in Zak & Fox Ophir
Outdoor Upholstery Table: Custom built in white oak by S&S Millworks

Bunk room
Sectional: Lee Industries in Brentano Scene Wooden Pencil upholstery
Coffee Table: Davos Oak Round Coffee Table by Restoration Hardware
Wood Frame Chair: Lex Arm Chair by Shoppe Amber Interiors in Alex Conroy Diamon Daisy upholstery
Bunk Beds: Custom built by Heslin Construction

Bunk bathroom
Cabinets: Custom by S&S Millworks in Farrow & Ball Pigeon
Flooring: Tumbled Nero Marble from Truckee River Tile and Stone
Sink: Hass Cast Iron Utility Sink by Rejuvenation, powder coated in Farrow & Ball India Yellow
Sink Hardware: Antique Inspired Wall Mount Faucet by Watermark Fixtures
Lighting: Stella Sconce by Lostine

Outdoor Furnishings
Hammock: By owner
Sectional Provence: Restoration Hardware
Wood Framed Pieces: Miramar Teak Lounge Chairs by Restoration Hardware

As featured in ML’s July/August 2024 Issue

“The texture of the woven rope chair provides a nice contrast to the sleek stone top,” says interior designer Laura Stanley about the Organic Modernism table and Mecox Gardens chairs. | Photo Annie Schlechter

Prior to moving to Bozeman, Montana, interior designer Laura Stanley, co-founder of Story Street Studio, lived and worked in New York City for 10 years—during which time she learned to embrace concepts like space-saving and multifunctional. “In New York, space is so precious that understanding how to make every inch count is essential,” Stanley says. It was that lesson, along with design skills enriched while working at Country Living and Martha Stewart Living magazines, that she brought to the creation of her own guesthouse—a two-bedroom, two-bath residence meticulously tucked into 955 square feet.

“A big goal was to make it feel cozy and special, but also to feel like it has always been there,” says Stanley, who wanted the new build to be sympathetic with the existing 1915 Craftsman-style abode with which it shares property. Utilizing similar materials like shingles and hardy board siding and historically accurate double-hung windows accomplished that task on the exterior. Inside, she carried over the wood paneling and exuberant use of wallpaper established in the main residence.

Yellowstone Traditions fabricated the cabinets, and the backsplash tile is from Ann Sacks. The marble countertops are from the Stone Source in Denver, the vintage kilim runner is from Eliko, and the light fixture is from Allied Maker. | Photo Annie Schlechter

“There’s not a single sheetrock surface in the entire guesthouse,” she says proudly, noting that what looks like wood paneling in the open living, dining and kitchen area is actually wallpaper. “It resembles paneling but it’s more refined and gives texture to the wall.” The centerpiece of the great room is a Craftsman-style vaulted, white board-and-beam ceiling.

Elsewhere, the primary bedroom is encased in paneling painted dusty green; the surfaces in the bunk beds— full-size to accommodate adults—wear a yellow print wallpaper; and the wall backing the kitchen cabinets is sheathed in dusty blue Moroccan tile. “There’s high variation from tile to tile, and the patina is very tonal with the smoky blue cabinets,” says Stanley, who worked with builder Tim Blazina of Yellowstone Traditions on the cabinet design and an abundance of other details. “There’s not a lot of contrast, so rather than looking choppy it feels like an envelope.”

Located in a historic district, the main house had to follow strict renovation guidelines including the use of double-hung windows. Stanley continued that idea in the guesthouse where the painted brick columns, Hardie board and shingles mimic the primary residence. | Photo Annie Schlechter

Similarly, in the rest of the great room, the tufted sofa, dining-area banquette and striped rug that unites the space sport complementary indigo tones that flow together with ease. “I love pattern play and ethnic-feeling textiles, and I love flowers,” says Stanley, who embellished the primary bedroom with a Swedish floral fabric on the bed and window treatment. “We added an upholstered headboard that goes all the way to the ceiling, and the contractor made the crown molding deeper so it looks integrated and seamless.”

Her space-saving skills are also on full display with a window seat that does double duty as a daybed for that unexpected guest, and in lieu of nightstands, twin niches are equipped with reading lamps and phone chargers. But throughout the compact domicile, it’s the bright patina and inventive use of fabrics that make everything come alive. As Stanley explains, “It’s so cold and dark in Bozeman for certain parts of the year—we want to feel that joy of color and texture and pattern all year round.”

Paneled wallpaper by Nobilis establishes a cozy tone in the living room, where a wool kilim from Benson Carpet & Floors in Austin, Texas, further warms the space. The sofa is by A. Rudin. | Photo Annie Schlechter

Willie Weston wallpaper and Shades. | Photo Annie Schlechter

The vibrant colors in the custom rug from Benson Carpet & Floors complement the hues in the headboard and window- covering fabric by Josef Frank in the primary bedroom. Space- saving niches include phone chargers, and the contemporary light fixture with ribbed glass shades is from West Elm. | Photo Annie Schlechter

PHOTOS – ANNIE SCHLECHTER

INTERIOR DESIGN – STORY STREET STUDIO

RESOURCES

Living Room
Sofa – A. Rudin
Coffee table – Vintage Mid-Century Rosewood Coffee Table from 1st Dibs
Rug – Custom Wool Kilim from Benson & Company Austin, TX
Panel Wallpaper – Nobilis

Kitchen
Cabinets – Custom, designed by me and fabricated by Yellowstone Tradition
Counter tops – Marble from Stone Source Denver
Backsplash tile – Ann Sacks, Idris By Ait Manos Fielf Tile, 4″ x 4″
Rug – Vintage Kilim Runner from Eliko
Lt. fixture – Allied Maker

Dining Area
Banquette – Lee Industries banquette covered in Walter G fabric
Table – Organic Modernism
Chairs – Mecox Gardens
Lt. fixture – Brendan Ravenhill Studio
Artwork – Carrie Haddad Gallery, Cyanotypes by Julia Whitney Barnes

Bedroom
Headboard/Bed Fabric – Custom Bed and headboard covered in Josef Frank fabric from Svenskt Tenn
Rug – Custom Wool Rug from Benson & Company Austin, TX
Lt. fixture – West Elm

Bathroom
Tile – Cle Tile, Zelige Moroccan Tiles, Color: Shattered Pearl, 2″x6″”
Vanity – Custom built by Yellowstone Traditions
Wallpaper – Willie Weston Wallpaper from Supply Showroom
Sconces – Shades of Light
Countertop Mirror – Marble from Stone Source Denver

Bunk Room
Bunks – (who designed and/or fabricated – Stanley designed the bunks and Yellowstone Traditions custom built them to her specs)
Window Shade – Fabric by John Robshaw Textiles
Chair – Chair from West Elm and cushions covered in Schuyler Sampterton fabric
Table – Vintage Ceramic Garden Stool from 1st Dibs
Rug – Vintage Moroccan Rug from 1st dibs
Wallpaper – Galbraith & Paul Wallpaper from Holland & Sherry

Courtesy of Anne Grice Interiors

It’s lovely to be able to own a home in the mountains, but searching for the right one can be a frustrating experience. Many are dated and just a bit too “rustic” for modern living. Beams, logs, rocks and too much distressing everywhere may not provide the desired elevated experience. As a long-standing interior design firm in the Aspen area, we know the tricks of the trade to turn a rustic mountain man lodge into the modern mountain home of your dreams. 

My recent clients were conflicted when they bought this home adjacent to the slopes of Snowmass. He loved all of the mountain features—lots of wood, heavy wall texture, wainscot and stone. She loved the views but really wanted a modern home. We sought a balance, saving the natural wood ceilings and stone walls, but removing heavy wainscoting and thick wall texture. We added in light paint color, sandblasted the wood ceilings and darkened the existing heavy beams to give it a fresh modern look.

Entry Before and After

Courtesy of Anne Grice Interiors

In the entry, a new steel stair railing, custom light fixture and darker wood accents complement the existing stone walls and wood ceilings. Wainscoting was removed, and lighter walls completed the refresh.

Kitchen Before and After

Courtesy of Anne Grice Interiors

Removing the kitchen peninsula and enlarging the island added that “wow” factor and provided the kitchen with better circulation and a spacious feeling. Filling in the drywall over the new range wall and eliminating pendant lighting really opened up the space. Natural sandstone countertops blend seamlessly with the existing granite walls. New white oak flooring completed the modern look.

Family Room Before and After

Courtesy of Anne Grice Interiors

Advances in window technology enabled us to install larger glass panels to take advantage of the gorgeous views. Removing all of the soffits and adding streamlined cornice boards to hide the roller shades gave the space a more integrated look which creates a great backdrop for the modern furnishings. Wood ceilings were sandblasted for a lighter, fresh look without having to replace them.

Tricks of the Trade

Many of the changes we made to this home are similar to what we’ve done to many mountain homes. They include:

• Sandblasting ceilings is a great option if the wood is in good shape (long pieces, no dark staining).
• Installing oak flooring in 5-7” widths gives a modern look.
• Installing new windows with larger glass areas allow you to see that mountain ridge.
• Updated railings made of steel update the mountain feel.
• Removing extraneous soffits, wainscoting, nooks or other out-of-date architectural features clean things up.

Anne Grice is the Principal and Owner of Anne Grice Interiors, an interior architecture and design firm based in Aspen, Colorado. View their profile or contact Anne at 970-429-4148.

Content for this article provided by Anne Grice Interiors.