Designed as a summertime retreat in the Colorado Rockies, this home is a synthesis of timber-frame craftsmanship and the refined elegance and sophistication of "Santa Fe Style" interior design elements. Located in an aspen forest, the home's exterior reflects its mountain setting through the use of simple gable and hip roofs. Natural materials and colors give the structure a sense of belonging to and springing forth from the site. Special character at the home's exterior is derived from re-claimed heavy timbers, which are utilized as post and beam elements, window and door headers, exposed roof purlins and rafters, deck posts and railings.

The interior of the home reflects the casual lifestyle found in the mountains with an open plan layout emphasizing a smooth flow of activities among the primary living spaces: the great room, dining and kitchen. Upon entering the great room, the home exhibits the character of a traditional timber-frame structure with post-and-beam elements supporting timber trusses and a high, vaulted ceiling. Timber posts with beveled corners salvaged from an old rope factory originally built in the 1800's define the perimeter of the great room. Random width heart pine planks are utilized on the floors and ceiling, and this material was milled from the same stockpile of salvaged, old-growth timbers as the post-and-beam timber frame structure.

Our client' s desire to incorporate traditional "Santa Fe styling" within the interior of the home is evident at the downstairs level and master bedroom spaces. Design features include: hand-plastered fireplaces, diagonal tile and wood banded floors made with tiles imported from Mexico, traditional arched vaulted ceiling with "vigas" (ceiling timbers) and "lattillas" (small pieces of wood in a herringbone pattern) at the ceiling of the downstairs office.