The owners requested that their home harmonize with the spirit of the surrounding Colorado mountain setting and enhance their outdoor recreational lifestyle - while reflecting their contemporary architectural tastes. The site was burdened with a myriad of strict design criteria enforced by the neighborhood covenants and architectural review board. Creating a distinct design challenge, the covenants included a narrow interpretation of a “mountain style” home which established predetermined roof pitches, glazing percentages and material palettes - at direct odds with the client‘s vision of a flat-roofed, glass, “contemporary” home. Our solution finds inspiration and opportunities within the site covenant’s strict definitions. It promotes and celebrates the client’s outdoor lifestyle and resolves the definition of a contemporary “mountain style” home by reducing the architecture to its most basic vernacular forms and relying upon local materials. The home utilizes a simple base, middle and top that echoes the surrounding mountains and vegetation. The massing takes its cues from the prevalent lodgepole pine trees that grow at the mountain’s high altitudes. These pine trees have a distinct growth pattern, highlighted by a single vertical trunk and a peaked, densely foliated growth zone above a sparse base. This growth pattern is referenced by placing the wood-clad body of the home at the second story above an open base composed of wood posts and glass. A simple peaked roof rests lightly atop the home - visually floating above a triangular glass transom. The home itself is neatly inserted amongst an existing grove of lodgepole pines and oriented to take advantage of panoramic views of the adjacent meadow and Continental Divide beyond. The main functions of the house are arranged into public and private areas and this division is made apparent on the home’s exterior. Two large roof forms, clad in pre-patinated zinc, are separated by a sheltering central deck - which signals the main entry to the home. At this connection, the roof deck is opened to allow a cluster of aspen trees to grow – further reinforcing nature as an integral part of arrival. Outdoor living spaces are provided on all levels of the house and are positioned to take advantage of sunrise and sunset moments. The distinction between interior and exterior space is blurred via the use of large expanses of glass. The dry stacked stone base and natural cedar cladding both reappear within the home’s interior spaces. This home offers a unique solution to the client’s requests while satisfying the design requirements of the neighborhood covenants. The house provides a variety of indoor and outdoor living spaces that can be utilized in all seasons. Most importantly, the house takes its cues directly from its natural surroundings and local building traditions to become a prototype solution for the “modern mountain house”. Overview Ranch Creek Ranch Winter Park, Colorado Completion Date October, 2007 Services Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture

The large island in this kitchen serves as a gathering and dining space for family and friends. Ample storage and work surface provide the home owners a highly functioning kitchen. The tall crown molding is beautiful and functional with HVAC tucked inside and pendant lights by Visual Comfort add a touch of modern luxury to this traditionally based kitchen.

Inspiration for a small transitional formal, open concept and gender-neutral medium tone wood floor and brown floor reach-in closet remodel in Omaha with white walls, no tv, open cabinets and white cabinets

Inspiration for a contemporary bathroom remodel in Sacramento

A rustic modern patio blends natural stone pavers, warm wood accents, and seamless mountain views, crafting an inviting and sustainable outdoor living space in this organic mountain home.

If you've read recent articles on how to be more organized, you'll have noticed that having a "drop zone" near your entrance is one of the key items on nearly every list. These entry cabinets, shown in Maple Thatch finish, are both beautiful and efficient, with plenty of open and closed storage, a seating area, and easy-to-access hooks, perfect for coats, umbrellas and more. Hutton door from Schrock in Thatch finish

Inspiration for a contemporary entryway remodel in Paris

Entry hall - small victorian brown floor and dark wood floor entry hall idea in New York with green walls

Southwest brown one-story stucco flat roof photo in Albuquerque

Kitchen - traditional kitchen idea in Philadelphia

Remodeled entrance, bright new foyer area, staircase with custom black railing, hanging chandelier, wall art, shelf with decor articles, entrance mirror, remodeled stairway and corridor.

James Stewart
Inspiration for a mid-sized eclectic open concept light wood floor living room remodel in Phoenix with white walls and no tv

Remodeled entrance, bright new foyer area, staircase with custom black railing, hanging chandelier, wall art, shelf with decor articles, entrance mirror, remodeled stairway and corridor.

With expansive fields and beautiful farmland surrounding it, this historic farmhouse celebrates these views with floor-to-ceiling windows from the kitchen and sitting area. Originally constructed in the late 1700’s, the main house is connected to the barn by a new addition, housing a master bedroom suite and new two-car garage with carriage doors. We kept and restored all of the home’s existing historic single-pane windows, which complement its historic character. On the exterior, a combination of shingles and clapboard siding were continued from the barn and through the new addition.

Two antique doors - on the outside, a rustic antique red painted door acts as a protective storm door for the second antique entry door within. WKD’s experience in historic preservation and antique curation restored this gentleman’s farm into a casual, comfortable, livable home for the next chapter in this couple’s lives. The project included a new family entrance and mud room, new powder room, and opening up some of the rooms for better circulation. While WKD curated the client’s existing collection of art and antiques, refurbishing where necessary, new furnishings were also added to give the home a new lease on life. Working with older homes, and historic homes, is one of Wilson Kelsey Design’s specialties. This project was featured on the cover of Design New England's September/October 2013 issue. Read the full article at: http://wilsonkelseydesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Heritage-Restored1.pdf It was also featured in the Sept. issue of Old House Journal, 2016 - article is at http://wilsonkelseydesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/2016-09-OHJ.pdf Photo by Michael Lee

Home Plan: Lauderdale
Family room - traditional open concept light wood floor family room idea in Columbus with a brick fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and gray walls

This first-period farmhouse dates to 1674. WKD’s experience in historic preservation and antique curation restored this gentleman’s farm into a casual, comfortable, livable home for the next chapter in this couple’s lives. The project included a new family entrance and mud room, new powder room, and opening up some of the rooms for better circulation. While WKD curated the client’s existing collection of art and antiques, refurbishing where necessary, new furnishings were also added to give the home a new lease on life. Working with older homes, and historic homes, is one of Wilson Kelsey Design’s specialties. This project was featured on the cover of Design New England's September/October 2013 issue. Read the full article at: http://wilsonkelseydesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Heritage-Restored1.pdf It was also featured in the Sept. issue of Old House Journal, 2016 - article is at http://wilsonkelseydesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/2016-09-OHJ.pdf Photo by Michael Lee

Troy Thies Photography
Inspiration for a contemporary living room remodel in Minneapolis

Inspiration for a transitional gray tile gray floor and single-sink alcove shower remodel in Tampa with blue cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, a hinged shower door and white countertops