The Story Behind the Pictures

MOUNTAIN CONTEMPORARY INTERIOR DESIGN

Adding to this most unusual set of challenges was the home’s remote mountain location, the lack of local resources and trades people, and an accelerated time line since the clients were building because they had just lost their home, and everything in it, to a forest fire.

While the replacement architect scrambled to handle construction issues, we simply plunged ahead, endlessly revising the floor plan and designing interior features as construction was progressing. We worked from our offices, an eight hour drive away, whenever possible; at other times, we designed on site, especially when it came to lighting. The architecture was incredibly complex and it was impossible to create any kind of workable lighting plan just on paper. Or any final floor plan, for that matter, as every wall, window, door, and fixture had to be analyzed for size and position in relationship to the rooflines and ceiling treatments. There was constant change, right up to the very end, as we, along with the contractor and architect, modified the plans as the situation dictated. Functionally the space ultimately proved to be adequate with the exception of the great room which had to be extended (a major, major deal!) in width by two feet to accommodate the client’s needs.

From a design standpoint, the clients asked for a “mountain contemporary” look with the exception of the master suite where they specifically wanted to add an Asian feeling. We were able to use local natural stones and woods for the floors and the great room fireplace façade. Otherwise most of the furnishings, cabinetry, tiles, and fixtures had to be brought in from outside the area. We designed everything pretty much from scratch, from the chandelier to the furniture to the commissioned art. The living room, dining room, entry, and master bath rugs were made in Nepal. Even the tabletop was handmade by an artist.

The powder bath deserves a note. We added a window treatment even though the huge window looks out into what will, eventually, be a completely private courtyard when the landscaping matures.

It took enormous team effort and coordination to construct and complete this project, including client involvement way beyond the norm. Not only did they drive tens of thousands of miles for meetings and products, they had to replace virtually every item in their home, right down to the paper clips. Considering their loss, and the physical and emotional difficulty of the project itself, the end result is indeed impressive.

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