by Kelly Phillips Badal
The Mountain West is a land of stories. Here, the romantic notion of the Wild West blends with that of the American dream—it’s a place where you can seek your fortune, where independence is rewarded, where privacy is abundant, where you can rewrite your life if you so choose. The Rockies themselves, rugged and majestic, are a symbol of endurance in a constantly shifting world. But whoaaa boy, the communities surrounding them are certainly changing quickly.
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I’ve covered the Rockies region for LUXE for the past five years but have loved this landscape since childhood—making it to every National Park in the region and skiing mountains both world-renowned and locally beloved (much as I still aspire to own a chalet myself). Now, it’s the rapidly evolving design scene of the Mountain West that keeps my interest, well, peaked. I’ve watched the real estate markets snowball in Colorado resort towns like Aspen, Vail and Telluride, with awe-inspiring residences arising. The coveted rural enclaves of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, now ask over $10 million and are studded with stunning homes. And perhaps no areas of the Rockies have undergone such rapid transformations
SCHUMACHER
IT’S NOT ALL NEUTRAL
While architecture in the Rockies region is typically crafted to capture the views, many times with earthy interiors chosen to further amplify the outdoor spectacle, top Rockies region designers argue that there’s also a desire for character and color—and that clients envisioning their second (or fourth!) homes are often willing to take more risks. As designer Andrea Monath Schumacher of Andrea Schumacher Interiors demonstrates through a Front Range home layered in deep hues, bold patterns and shimmery metallics (top), it’s possible to live within spirited spaces without taking anything away from the great outdoors. “Mountain West homes don’t necessarily need to be quiet to respect the view,” she shares. “The goal isn’t to fade into the surroundings but to create a dialogue with them.” After all, interiors infused with personality and playfulness can be the perfect foil for a natural or more rustic build.
WHEN NATURE CALLS
Swaths of glass that frame mountain and valley views are essential elements in many high-end homes throughout the Rockies, but most homeowners aren’t satisfied solely with enviable vistas—they want to be immersed in them. In answer, Mountain West homes encourage their inhabitants to get outside year
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