Before & After: A Renovated Vail Condo

The home provides a right-size respite for an out-of-state family looking for ease and convenience

“We timed it, and it took 50 seconds from our door to Gondola One,” the New York-based homeowner says of this 1,100-square-foot condo in the 1960s-era Christiania building at the base of Vail Mountain. “We looked at larger units, but we would be trading location for space,” she says. “We loved the idea of never having to get into our car. We travel so far to get to Vail, so we wanted to be right in the Village.”

That, however, did not mean it was love at first look. “When we originally walked into the unit, it had never been updated. It was old and dark and lacking life,” the homeowner says.

To assist in a modern resurrection, the family brought in interior designer Elizabeth Basso of Basso Interiors. The couple, both in their 30s, have two young children, so they asked Basso to open up the walls in the main living space and to eliminate a third bathroom to make room for a larger kitchen area. “It needed major attention immediately,” says Basso, who re-created the space, brightening it up with specialty wood-plank flooring from Creative Floors in Edwards, recessed ceiling lighting and new furnishings.

The family enjoys the old-school feeling of the Christiania building, but they  wanted bright, clean and modern for their own space. The challenge was adding some traditional Austrian design, for a transition that honored both styles. “We kept with that mountain-chalet theme by using rustic woods and natural materials but went with more fashion-forward lighting, leather accents and modern barn doors,” Basso says. “We used clean lines, tailored metal work and simplistic fixtures.” The result is a synthesis of warm and modern, she says.

The out-of-state clients were physically removed from the process, so their first experience was a finished product. The homeowner likened the surprise of the final reveal to a reality-show moment. “It was surreal. We were so happy just looking at all of the little details,” she says. “Now, I don’t even like leaving the unit sometimes. If it’s not a great ski day, I just want to go back to the condo and drink my coffee in the leather chair by the front window and read my book. It’s cozy and perfect.”

LIVING ROOM: BEFORE

LIVING ROOM: AFTER

A Rowe sleeper sofa mingles with a Penrose Furnishings cocktail table and Bernhardt Wynn and Clinton chairs. The area rug is from Stark Studio, and the horse sculpture above the fireplace is by Trade Bohon of Portland, Oregon, purchased through Artwork Network. The sheer drapes are from Maxwell in Shogun Linen, and the drapery hardware is Ona.

LIVING ROOM: AFTER

A Leathercraft Furniture chair stands beside an Anthropologie marble side table and the Zoe One-Light Floor Lamp from YLighting. The artwork is by Amy Winter through Ray Stock Fine Art.

KITCHEN: BEFORE

KITCHEN: AFTER

Visual Comfort pendants hang over the island, with counter stools by Nuevo. The hood is custom, and the faucet is Delta Trinsic. Cabinets are from the Ferguson Showroom in Aurora. Huppé chairs sit next to a custom table by Penrose Furnishings, and Sedita Manufacturing made the custom banquette.

MASTER BEDROOM: BEFORE

MASTER BEDROOM: AFTER

Framed feather art by Suzanne Tuvy from Ray Stock Fine Art hangs above a Rowe upholstered bed. The pillows are custom-made in Schumacher Samarkand Ikat, Ralph Lauren Westcliff Tattersal Charcoal and Duralee Stripe. The sconces are from Visual Comfort, and Penrose Furnishings custom-made the nightstands.

GUEST BATHROOM

The Chico mirror from Four Hands hangs above a custom vanity from Ferguson Showroom, which holds a Lacava trough sink, with plumbing fixtures from the Brizo Litze collection. The double globe sconces are from Etsy, and the paint color is Benjamin Moore’s Decorator’s White.

BUNK ROOM

The children’s bunk room features custom beds by Penrose Furnishings, painted in Benjamin Moore’s Hale Navy, and with custom plaid pillows in Chivasso Sutherland Wool Blue and Anthropologie throws. The sconces are from Visual Comfort.

DESIGN DETAILS
INTERIOR DESIGNER Elizabeth Basso, Basso Interiors BUILDER Alex Coleman, Coleman Custom Homes