For our design inspiration today, we are taking a look at a contemporary mountain retreat located in the ski resort town of Sun Valley, Idaho. This 12,000 square-foot vacation home is a modern day interpretation of Craftsman style by Idaho architect Michael Blash. The architecture design mixes traditional Craftsman elements, such as low pitched roofs and rafters, with modern horizontal roof lines and floor-to-ceiling windows for a contemporary effect. The residence lays out as three separate buildings over three floors, connected by glass-walled transitioning spaces with its exteriors composed of local stone, cedar, and steel built into the hillside. It’s positioning provides clear views both up and down the Valley and offers dramatic views of Bald Mountain, the areas prime ski destination.

To be clear, the owners of this new mountain home did not want it to be at all like what one typically thinks of a mountain home, nor did they want a western theme.  There would be no antlers or Navajo rugs.  Nor would there be anything rustic or even country or shabby chic.  They had no interest in distressed woods or anything barn style either.  Their new vacation home would be smart, chic, and of contemporary design.  They called in the Chicago based interior designers James Dolenc and Thomas Riker of JamesThomas with a clear directive on the matter.

The designers kept the interiors quiet and neutral to allow the views outside the windows to shine, and not to distract from them.  They brought the surroundings in by including lots of natural elements in the interior design, but in a most contemporary way. Their natural materials would be refined, not rustic or rugged.  The mahogany and walnut used throughout to the create the wall paneling and the bespoke designed cabinetry is smooth and polished.  Sleek!

CONTEMPORARY MOUNTAIN RETREAT DESIGN

James and Thomas ultimately negotiated with the owners for some balance to ground the home with its surroundings.  The owners agreed to allow a few references to the West.  The designers felt that it was important when one initially enters the home, that they be presented with a mix of contemporary design with a bit of Western reference as well. In the foyer, a large Equestrian painting by artist Ashley Collins hangs front and center.  Below it, stands a handcrafted console composed of an elm tree trunk mounted upon a steel base by John Houshmand.  The architect designed the lattice light fixture above the space to create the effect of walking through natural light.

In the living room, a wall of windows across the back provides stunning views of the mountainside.  The polished stone fireplace wall, designed by the architect, separates the living and family rooms with its design repeated on both sides.  In front of the windows, a pair of Holly Hunt chairs upholstered in pale blue wool create an intimate conversation area.  The rest of the room’s furnishings gather on a rug from Tufenkian including the Donghia sofa, and a Troscan Leigh chaise and bench.  A pair of onyx-topped coffee tables from Bradley Hughes and a pair of African cup stools from Christa create a bit of visual interest within the room.  The designers balanced the modern lines and polished finishes with warmly upholstered furnishings and interesting pieces.

The family room is a more intimate, cozy space where everyone just hangs and watches television.  The beams across the top are patented steel instead of the traditional rustic wood.  Wide wool corduroy covers the bespoke designed upholstered sofas by JamesThomas.  The Ellipse Chair by Modernica serves as a statement piece.

Timeless, polished design that charms with a nuanced mix of beauty, character, and innovation.

The dining room accommodates a few or as many as twelve.  The bespoke designed dining table by JamesThomas consist of two square tables which, when apart,  seats four each.  The two combined with an additional leaf seats twelve.  The dining chairs are by Holly Hunt.  Above the table, a contemporary custom lighting fixture by Pagani Studio suspends.  The Atelier Credenza by Morlen Sinoway, with candlesticks from Baker, sit beneath contemporary artworks from the home owner’s collection.

The open kitchen continues the style created in the adjoining public rooms.  An L-shaped bar with a raised counter-top clad with White Beauty granite defines the outer perimeters.  The bar stools surrounding it are from Berman Rosetti.  The designers used a more subtle mocha granite for the center island and backsplash.  To maintain continuity, the same mahogany used throughout the home forms the cabinets.  The stainless-steel hood was custom created for the oversize Wolf cooktop.

The powder room in this home includes a custom-made concrete sink surrounded by a floating walnut vanity with a protective glass top and a marble back-splash.  The sconces mounted on the mirror are from Fuse Electric and consist of a metal frame with black crystals surrounding the lights.

An elevator serves the home’s three floors.  There is also a stunning steel and mahogany spiral staircase in the home’s north wing.  A 20-foot chandelier designed by Charles Loomis suspends from the top down through the center of the spiral to dramatic effect.

The master bedroom includes a bespoke designed suede headboard that reaches the ceiling.  On either side of the bed, the designers placed bespoke metal tables and storage cubes.  Lamps by Baker center the side tables beneath a pair of swing-arm reading lamps.  The owners prefer bare floors, so the designers simply placed runners on either side of the bed.  At the foot of the bed, they placed a Nankin Bench by Christian Liaigre.  The club chair and ottoman are by John Hutton for Holly Hunt.  The look and feel of the room promote calm, which is most appropriate for a contemporary retreat.

The master bathroom makes the extra effort to earn the description “spa like” while remaining completely simple and almost minimalist in its design.  The architect used the latticework for the ceiling design in here as he did in the foyer.  Travertine covers the floors and portions of the walls.  A custom concrete sink mounts on a floating vanity designed as a large single trough.  In addition to the glass enclosed shower, a free-standing soaking tub by Waterworks stands in a corner boasting views of the nearby nature reserve.  The bathroom opens to its own patio.  The light above the tub is jGoodDesign.

The master bedroom’s 200 square-foot closet/dressing room organizes like a dream.  The walnut used throughout the rest of the home forms the cabinetry, including the closets, drawers, and plenty of concealed storage areas.  The designers bespoke designed the large suede upholstered ottomans.  The drum light is from Stonegate Designs.

In addition to the kid’s bedrooms, the home includes a comfortable guest bedroom with en suite bathroom designed to feel like an all-inclusive hotel room.

The hallway leading from the parent’s room in one wing, across to the kid’s room in the opposite wing includes built-in benches and niches for displaying the owner’s art collection.

An inside patio room opens to a furnished lanai via glass walls that slide away to fully merge the indoors with the outdoor entertaining areas.  One of the many outdoor features includes this giant chess board.

You can have your contemporary mountain retreat designed as a luxury home with all the familiar comforts you enjoy.  You can have these things without any of the dated trappings of the old, rugged wild west, if you prefer that.  Of course, if you want and enjoy rustic elements, that’s great too.  Design and technology make it possible for you to have a choice.  This contemporary mountain retreat redefines the western traditional design aesthetic. By incorporating contemporary elements, the design team created an ideal vacation home for this modern-day family.

“The most important thing in this house is what’s out the windows.  We definitely didn’t want to distract from that.” Thomas Riker

That concludes our design inspiration for today, my friend.

For more contemporary retreats, be sure to see:

Firethorn: Contemporary Mountain Retreat

Contemporary Desert Retreat

Idaho Contemporary Mountain Retreat

 James Thomas was founded in 2003. The Chicago-based interior design studio runs because of the vision, passion, and energy of ten very talented designers, a dedicated business manager, and their darling rescue pup, Teddy.  To date, they have completed 400 design projects.    A sense of effortless elegance has long been a James Thomas signature. They are known for colorful, textured spaces that are innately welcoming and always, in their own way, communicate timeless design elements such as warmth, generosity, and affection.

Interior Design:   jamesthomaschicago.com

architecture:  michaelblashandassociates.com

photography:  Tim Brown

Thanks so much for reading along with me. I look forward to hearing from you in the comments! 

Have a great day!