Casual Meets Modern
Our Hillside Hideaway project was recently featured in LUXE Magazine, highlighting the casual-meets-modern Steamboat Springs home nestled in an aspen grove that overlooks a Yampa Valley nature preserve. Using earth tones for a home tucked into the hillside, our team created a sophisticated, inviting home for the owners and their guests to enjoy.
The unique placement of the home makes sense with you see what amazing views it captures.
Placing the Home on the Hill
“We turned this house sideways into the hill,” explains architect Sarah Tiedeken O’Brien. “The site pushes up against a ridge, so it was a cool opportunity to tuck the home into the grade and then utilize different levels.”
Guests can glimpse expansive views beyond from the front door while admiring the cylindrical stone chandelier suspended over the staircase. With the placement, the glass entry door and tall front window offer a peek of the panoramic views beyond. Inside, the main level is primarily used for entertaining and day-to-day living while guest suits are situated downstairs.
“The clients also embraced a courtyard experience, so siting the house this way let us create a dramatic entrance at the same main level,” said Sarah.
Near the front door, rusted corten metal accents on the home and the garage shimmer with a limestone veneer, giving the courtyard space more dimension.
The front courtyard of the home feels snug and inviting while giving glimpses of the expansive views beyond.
Connecting to the Outdoors
All of the public spaces are on one floor, and the owners specifically wanted to see the sunset from the main living room, so the team placed oversize doors and windows there to capture the views. A broad floor-to-ceiling stone-lined fireplace also stands between the living and dining rooms—a striking design element itself—and a wraparound deck and patio seamlessly connect to the main spaces via sliders.
Further into the home you’ll start to see the neutral color palette, textural variations, emphasis on natural light, and clean lines that are accented by comfortable yet modern furnishings. The dining area is designed to maximize the breathtaking Colorado views and its dark tones separates the space from the rest of the main entertaining areas. Floor-to-ceiling windows create a seamless connection to the outdoors, while a statement chandelier adds a touch of drama. The dining table, crafted from natural wood, complements the home’s overall aesthetic.
The massy stone fireplace, wooden ceilings and steel beams provide natural texture to the modern furnishings.
In the kitchen, the open and airy feeling continues with a clean-lined layout that offers “stations”: a bar and a coffee nook, a wall of appliances and a large island workspace, all positioned to allow for an easy flow outdoors. Custom cabinetry in a rich, earthy tone anchors the space, while sleek countertops and minimalist hardware add a touch of modern sophistication. A large island provides ample workspace and serves as a gathering point for casual meals.
Matte lacquer and rift oak slim shaker cabinets in the kitchen create crisp modern lines which are then accented by a delicate blue/gray glass tile backsplash.
Minimal and Modern Meets Glam and Rustic Styles
“This color palette is a little different for Steamboat,” observes Tiedeken O’Brien of what she dubs the “warm greige softness” that plays out within the various spaces. “ ‘Greige’ is king, but the house has a lot of honey tones; it feels warm and inviting.”
You can see the warm tones play out through the living room’s dove-gray Eames loungers alongside the dining area’s butterscotch-hued chairs. Modern and glam elements like an acrylic coffee table, gold hardware that glimmers in the kitchen and powder bath, and an ivory-colored upholstered bed in the couple’s suite reflect the homeowner’s style. It’s not your typical mountain modern style, yet there are still rustic elements alongside the crisp interiors and clean styling that feel really fresh.
Modern, glam touches are highlighted throughout the home.
In the primary suite, a muted color palette creates a calming atmosphere, while plush textures and carefully curated artwork add warmth and personality. The room is anchored by textured wallpaper, giving the crisp space a focal point to be accented by colorful pillows and bedding. The en-suite bathroom is a spa-like oasis, featuring natural stone accents and a freestanding soaking tub with panoramic views.
Downstairs there’s another spacious family room, complete with a wet bar and media center. Warm oak and bright neutral walls are complemented by the dark, corten metal fireplace. A hidden nook tucked into the staircase offers additional seating.
Though upon first glance the walk-in shower seems to feature a spa-like wall of cedar slats, it’s actually ceramic tile.
Landscaped Living
The home was designed to wholly embrace its hillside locale and its outdoor spaces are an integral part of the design. The steepness of the lot was a challenge, so the landscape design team created multiple levels of boulder retaining walls to manufacture beds and usable lawn spaces around the home. This gave room for multiple patio spaces on each level, further connecting the home to the outdoors. A stone stairway joins the upper and lower terraces, where inviting groups of outdoor furnishings have been placed. The expansive decks and patios off the main living area and the lower level offer ample space for spending time in the great outdoors.
Our expert landscape architects crafted a multi-level boulder wall to create intimate outdoor spaces perfect for entertaining