Classic Magic

Like magicians, Denver designers Marc Roth and James Pfister transform ordinary spaces into the breathtaking and extraordinary, as they did with this 12,000-square foot Cherry Hills home, which also includes a stunning pool and cabana house overlooking the Cherry Hills golf course. “Before we worked our magic, the house was plain vanilla—a sea of white,” says Roth.
Like magicians, Denver designers Marc Roth and James Pfister transform ordinary spaces into the breathtaking and extraordinary, as they did with this 12,000-square foot Cherry Hills home, which also includes a stunning pool and cabana house overlooking the Cherry Hills golf course. “Before we worked our magic, the house was plain vanilla—a sea of white,” says Roth.

The homeowner says, “I clicked with Marc and James immediately. I could tell that they had exquisite taste, so I let them run with it.”

After passing through the double-gated entry, one comes upon the impressive Colorado stone and brick foundation. There is a hint of mountain vernacular on the exterior, which also features finely wrought European detailing. Roth and Pfister’s task was to create interiors that were equal to the majesty of the exterior.

Initially the vision was to craft the feel of a sophisticated mountain home. But while shopping for furnishings, “the homeowner gravitated towards elegant and classic pieces,” says Roth. “The end result transformed from mountain country into a graceful Old-World castle.”

The homeowner wanted to maintain the architectural detailing, stature and bones of the home so, other than adding wide-planked wood flooring to some rooms, and a few beams to create a more intimate scale, the designers focused on color, furnishings, fabrics, rugs and accessories. “Marc and Jim drenched the walls with shades of yellow that encompass every hue from a bright chartreuse to a creamy butter,” says the home-owner. “Walking into the home is like walking into sunshine.”

Jewel-toned fabrics and rugs add richness. Materials range from silk, wool, velvet and chenille to tapestry and leather. In the living room a chinoiserie bench dressed in cut velvet stripes of chartreuse, red and yellow complements the walls. An Oriental rug grounds the room surrounded by wide-plank, reclaimed-wood floors that shine with a timeworn patina. The star of the living room is the deep red, mid-19th-century antique chateau clock from Eron Johnson Antiques. “We knew right away this would be the focal point of the living room,” says Roth. “A niche over the fireplace accommodates the piece, which dictated the design of the mantle and also inspired the color palette.”

During the design process the homeowner fell in love with the modern lines and classic aesthetic of Holly Hunt’s collection, which is showcased in the dining room. “This space is a contemporary punctuation amidst the traditional interiors,” explains Roth. “We covered the bench in gifrauched chocolate-brown leather stamped with natural leather and soft gold,” says Roth. “The sculptural shape of the bench itself is like a piece of three-dimensional art.” An original iconic Holly Hunt “altar” chandelier dominates the room.

The visual aesthetic of the first floor is matched on the second floor, which houses guest suites, and bedrooms for the owners’ granddaughter and grandson. Opulent and dramatic, the master bedroom is replete with special pieces, new and old, along with luxurious fabrics that grace the upstairs living quarters, which will barely be used in summer as the entire family enjoys congregating by their pool and pool house.

“Most people could live very comfortably in this 2,000-square-foot space,” says Roth, who envisioned the pool house as a summer living room. A large fireplace can be used year-round, creating a perfect arena for entertaining with a great room, kitchen, dining and entertaining areas, two bathrooms and changing rooms, stone flooring, a grand fireplace and chenille-upholstered seating. Floor-to-ceiling French doors beckon to the pool and beyond.

“I wanted a home that was luxurious yet warm and comfortable—something we would want to come home to, and where our children and grandchildren could visit on a regular basis,” says the homeowner. “We had such a successful collaboration,” she notes. “Marc and Jim managed to create my imprint on this home, as well as theirs.”

design details

Interior design
Marc Roth &
James Pfister
Roth and Pfister Design
(303) 399-8051