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

Traditional Kitchen, 2-Tone Cabinetry with Glazed Finish. Custom Finish Color hand created with client. Custom Carvings X-Lite Doors
Example of a large tuscan l-shaped beige floor eat-in kitchen design in Los Angeles with an island, an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, beige backsplash, stainless steel appliances and beige countertops

Pool - traditional lap pool idea in Other

Ellen Weiss Design works throughout the Seattle area and in many of the communities comprising Seattle's Eastside such as Bellevue, Kirkland, Issaquah, Redmond, Clyde Hill, Medina and Mercer Island.

Custom island and plaster hood take center stage in this kitchen remodel. Full-wall wine, coffee and smoothie station on the right perimeter. Cabinets are white oak. Design by: Alison Giese Interiors

Photo by Teri Fotheringham Photography Dragonfly Designs http://www.houzz.com/pro/dragonflymedoff/dragonfly-designs

Inspiration for a transitional formal living room remodel in San Francisco with a standard fireplace

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Example of a large country master white tile and marble tile marble floor and white floor bathroom design in Chicago with white cabinets, a one-piece toilet, gray walls, an undermount sink, marble countertops and recessed-panel cabinets

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The entryway view looking into the kitchen. A column support provides separation from the front door. The central staircase walls were scaled back to create an open feeling. The bottom treads are new waxed white oak to match the flooring. Photography by Michael P. Lefebvre

This transitional timber frame home features a wrap-around porch designed to take advantage of its lakeside setting and mountain views. Natural stone, including river rock, granite and Tennessee field stone, is combined with wavy edge siding and a cedar shingle roof to marry the exterior of the home with it surroundings. Casually elegant interiors flow into generous outdoor living spaces that highlight natural materials and create a connection between the indoors and outdoors. Photography Credit: Rebecca Lehde, Inspiro 8 Studios

This study off the kitchen acts as a control center for the family. Kids work on computers in open spaces, not in their rooms. Green linoleum covers the desk for a durable and cleanable surface. The cabinets were custom built for the space. The chairs are from Overstock.com. photo: David Duncan Livingston

Inspiration for a transitional eat-in kitchen remodel in Los Angeles

Spectrum Studio
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Asheville 1296 luxurious Owner's Bath with freestanding tub and Carerra marble.
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Unlimited Style Photography
Inspiration for a small contemporary backyard patio remodel in Los Angeles with a fire pit and a pergola

Brian Parks
Example of a classic stone patio design in Seattle with a fire pit and no cover

Elegant kitchen pantry photo in Boston with white cabinets and open cabinets