One of Colorado's Most Famous Spaces

­Perched at the edge of Genesee Mountain, the Sculptured House—arguably Colorado’s most recognizable home—looms large. It’s an icon with a Cinderella story. Architect Charles Deaton was intrigued by the idea of living inside a sculpture—he disliked the proliferation of cookie-cutter homes he saw popping up in the 1950s and early ’60s. “People aren’t angular,” he famously said. “So why should they live in rectangles?”

Construction on the only private residence Deaton ever attempted—he typically designed commercial buildings—began in 1963, and by the time the exterior was finished in 1966, Deaton had run out of cash. The home stood vacant for nearly 35 years (during which time Woody Allen filmed part of his 1973 sci-fi comedy Sleeper there).

In 1999, venture capitalist John Huggins bought the home and had it finished, complete with a 5,000-square-foot addition Deaton had designed. Huggins worked with Deaton’s daughter Charlee, an interior designer, and her husband, Nicholas Antonopoulos, an architect. Colorado Homes & Lifestyles published the story of the remodel in October 2001.

Seven years later, we were there again, this time with designers from AERA Studios to refresh the captivating space. They replaced the jewel-toned furniture with neutral, sophisticated pieces to match the home’s sleek shell. They added sculptural elements, such as the piece of rainforest bark that stands in the living room—a fitting complement to a home designed with few right angles and plenty of curves.

DESIGN DETAILS

Architect: 1963: Charles Deaton; 2001: Nicholas Antonopoulos (Charles’ son-in-law)

Designer: 2001: Charlee Deaton (Charles’ daughter); 2008: David Hintgen, John Moinzad and Cory Decker

Photographer: J. Curtis

Issues: October 2001 and August 2008