This open-concept living space perfectly balances bold design choices with mountain views. Modern furnishings, vintage-inspired accents, and carefully curated artwork work together to create an upscale mountain retreat that breaks from tradition.
Our team recently completed two interior projects in Steamboat Springs, part of the Urban Street multifamily development near the base of the Steamboat Ski Resort. Although they share the same architectural footprint, the identical row homes emerged as completely distinct mountain retreats, each reflecting its owners’ unique personalities and lifestyle preferences.
These projects showcase design’s transformative power and how Vertical Arts’ interior design team translates a homeowner’s unique vision into thoughtful execution.
Western Chic Meets Modern Sophistication
The primary bedroom is a sophisticated take on the mountain home style. A vintage cowgirl photograph anchors the space, while textural elements like the raffia wallpaper and tribal-patterned throw create depth and visual interest.
Our team embraced a sophisticated minimalist approach for the Western Chic Row Home while honoring mountain heritage. Beginning with a neutral palette of blacks, whites, and grays, we layered in rich elements to create depth and warmth. Saddle leather tones, deep umbers, and rust reds add warmth and authenticity throughout the home, while carefully chosen textures and materials perfectly balance Western tradition and modern sophistication.
The kitchen balances modern elements with Western warmth through hexagonal tile backsplash, alabaster globe pendants, and olive-colored velvet barstools that add an unexpected touch of sophistication
In the dining area, we combined hair-on-hide chairs with leather captain chairs featuring rivet detailing – a thoughtful nod to traditional Western elements in a modern silhouette. The lighting choices reinforce this fusion, with alabaster globe pendants over the island and a leather-wrapped chandelier in the dining room.
Our team thoughtfully designed each room to have its impactful moment while maintaining cohesion throughout the home. The guest suites showcase bolder choices, such as a rich orange-toned wall. The primary bedroom incorporates textured raffia wallpaper behind a leather bed with nailhead trim, creating a sophisticated focal point. Custom elements, such as the bunk room’s built-in reading lights and steel railing, maximize functionality and style while adding architectural interest to the space.
The bunk room showcases our team’s ability to create custom solutions that are both functional and stylish. Steel railings and built-in shelving provide modern industrial touches, while western-inspired artwork maintains the home’s theme.
Urban Owl: Breaking the Mountain Modern Mold
Just next door, Urban Owl takes a different approach to mountain living. Created for a New York-based owner who wanted to break free from typical mountain modern design, this home pulses with vintage glamor and playful energy. The result is an upscale boutique hotel vibe that maintains the warmth expected of a mountain retreat.
Urban Owl’s stairwell serves as a dynamic gallery space. It features a framed vintage ski suit that exemplifies the home’s playful take on mountain style. The perforated metal screens and natural wood treads allow light to flow through the space.
The heart of the home is its innovative staircase, which doubles as an ascending art gallery. As residents and guests move through the space, they encounter a carefully curated collection of slim ski prints and vintage posters celebrating alpine culture with a retro-cool flair. The perforated metal staircase makes an architectural statement while allowing light to flow and creating distinct spatial transitions.
The primary bedroom features a fresh approach to pattern and color. A modern interpretation of mountain peaks creates an artistic wallpaper backdrop, complemented by rich textures and sculptural lighting.
Each room in Urban Owl explores its own curated theme through primary colors. The Audrey Hepburn room showcases a striking red, black and white palette, while other spaces feature vibrant blues and sunny yellows. Carefully selected vintage pieces and playful accents like owl motifs add personality and charm throughout the home. Traditional mountain elements like hair-on-hide pillows and a petrified wood coffee table feel fresh in their new context.
The dining area showcases a modern take on mountain style, featuring bold blue chairs and striking mountain artwork that brings color and local context to the space.
The Power of Personalized Design
These two homes demonstrate our team’s ability to create distinct identities within identical architectural frameworks. In the Western Chic home, we used texture and rich materials to create impact, with each room featuring its grounding moment – from the navy and cognac accents in the mudroom to the orange-toned walls and bunk room. The design thoughtfully incorporates traditional Western elements in unexpected ways but presents them in a refined, minimalist way that feels fresh and contemporary
Urban Owl takes a more playful approach to customization, incorporating vintage pieces, bold colors, and unique finds that reflect the owner’s personality – from Studio54 coffee table books to a resin-poured champagne ice bucket. Traditional mountain elements like cowhide rugs and petrified wood tables feel fresh in their new context. The result is a sophisticated space that breaks traditional mountain design while celebrating its location.
These row homes demonstrate that great interior design isn’t about following trends or fitting into a predetermined style box. It’s about listening to clients, understanding their vision, and creating bespoke spaces that turn their unique visions into dream spaces.
Want to see more of our residential design work? View our portfolio here.