Remodeling a Mountain Home in Boulder, Colorado

14 Apr Remodeling a Mountain Home in Boulder, Colorado

There are certain projects when the location of the home gives you an instant feeling about where the design should go. Recently I had the amazing opportunity to work on remodeling a clients’ new home in the mountains of Boulder, Colorado. I took one look at the unbelievable view of Boulder below and the mountains above, and the design practically made itself.

My goal became to create an organic design throughout the house that would highlight the relationship between the house and its surroundings. Previously the interior was very contemporary with tile floors, white walls, mahogany cabinets and built-in furniture. This combination accentuated the hard lines of the architecture by creating drastic contrasts. My clients wanted a much softer style that looked more natural and inviting. They knew they wanted to mix in blues, golds and grays with a slightly Asian vibe. I thought this color palette was a perfect way to bring the outside in. I used a soft gray for the walls and trim, and a dark gray for the wood ceilings throughout the house. The walls are a great backdrop for my clients amazing art collection, and the dark gray ceilings kept the feel of the wood but visually brought them down to create a more intimate impression.

I paid a lot of attention to the materials we chose. We removed the cold-looking tile floor in the entry way and replaced it with bamboo flooring that was in the living space and dining area. I also extended the bamboo into the bedrooms.

Between the entry way and the living area we added a two-sided fireplace, for which I selected a large rectangular tile in dark gray. The dark color turned the fireplace into a focal point, tied in the darker ceilings, and the smoothness of the tile is a great contrast with the wood grain of the bamboo floors and kitchen cabinets. It also contrasts nicely with the floating metal staircase.

The living room sectional is a great way to enjoy the fireplace and TV but the best seats in the house are the two chairs that look out over downtown Boulder.

The kitchen got a complete makeover. We replaced the mahogany cabinets with a wood grained laminate in gray. I chose to run the wood grain horizontally to make the kitchen appear wider and more spacious. The dark gray quartz counter tops work effortlessly with the cabinets.

There were lots of glass-front cabinets in the original kitchen that looked cluttered and messy. I selected frosted glass instead. It created a softer break between the kitchen and the dining room but disguises a lot of great storage. I also selected a back-painted glass backsplash that is matched to the wall color. It seamlessly adds a reflective quality that works well with the wood grain of the cabinets and the stainless steel range and hood.

My goal for the basement was to have a comfy place for their kids to hang out. I created an eclectic look by combining an ultra-suede sectional with a leather chaise and a patterned rug with a striped one. The wood bookcase and TV cabinet add warmth and texture.

I made a concerted effort to add shine and reflectivity where possible. Juxtaposing shiny and matte finishes for me is one of the best combinations in texture. For the secondary bathrooms I chose bright chrome plumbing fixtures and cabinet hardware to contrast with the gray, wood-grain cabinets, and warm gray tile for the floors and showers. In the master bath I chose a dark walnut finish for the cabinets and paired it with chrome as well. The wavy gray tile behind the tub adds a watery feel while the large scale of the movement feels free and easy.

My clients’ one special request was to figure out how to create a natural Asian theme throughout the home. I achieved this by placing their Asian art pieces strategically: bronze sculptures in the master bathroom and living room, an oriental carving over the fireplace in the master bedroom, a Buddha head on the entry table, Buddha lamps in a guest bedroom and oriental pottery on the basement bookshelf.

By focusing on the fabulous views and the personal tastes of my clients I was able to completely transform the original hard contemporary interior into a peaceful, organic space my clients can relax in and enjoy.