Surrounding Nature Inspires an Interior Designer to Boldly Use Color Throughout this New Build

A ski-in, ski-out home in Snowmass pushes all the right buttons for a fun-filled mountain getaway.

2 hours ago

Suzi Mitchell,

Living Room A sofa by Roche Bobois makes a prime viewing spot within the glass-walled living room. HF custom swivel chairs in orange velvet fabric by S. Harris and multi-hued Kravet fabric impart a playful aesthetic. | Photo: Emily Minton Redfield

David and Jenny Altenau did not want to leave anything to chance when they decided to buy a ski-in, ski-out property in Snowmass. The pair had already owned a condo in the area, but decided they wanted more space. “We love to entertain and have out-of-town friends stay with us when they visit,” David says.

Slopeside living was top of their requirements—so much so, they would drive by a property in the morning and then meet the realtor on skis in the afternoon. “We wanted to make sure it truly was ski-in, ski-out,” David says.

Dining Room Phillips Collection bright red chairs made from seat belt material flank the sculptural table by Soberon Studio. A hand-molded and hand-painted Eve graffiti apple by Janus et Cie makes a statement centerpiece. | Photo: Emily Minton Redfield

The perfect home was built on spec by Shannon Sweeney of Sweeney Real Estate and Development, and the layout ticked all the right boxes. “This house is essentially a new build,” says architect Bill Leuck of Mountain Contemporary Architects. “The original home on the site had been a 1970s ski home with a great lot, but nothing about the house was salvageable.” Although the building was demolished, the existing footprint of the foundation was left and the home was rebuilt from the ground up.

The three-level structure was designed with multiple roof styles: a curved portion for aesthetics, and flat roofs to enable usable access. On the ground level, an angled garage fits four cars, and a multipurpose recreation and media room was left open to suit future needs. In order to appeal to buyers, Sweeney opted for a neutral interior palette.

Entryway A barn door on the ground floor opens to a game room designed with a bar for entertaining. | Photo: Emily Minton Redfield

When the Altenaus took ownership, they enlisted their good friend and neighbor from California, Rebecca Johnston, principal at R Johnston Interior Design, whom they’d worked with on two other projects. “Our style is not like most people’s,” Jenny says, laughing. “I said I wanted this place to look like a sophisticated Dr. Seuss lives in it.”

Very quickly, bold tones replaced the soft gray hues, with Johnston drawing on elements of the surrounding nature for inspiration. “Fall is absolutely glorious here with the aspen leaves, so I introduced yellows—and, of course, there is a lot of red, which is Jenny’s favorite color,” Johnston says. “They both love color, and they wanted it to be playful.”

Fire Pit Outdoor furniture by Kingsley Bate surrounds the built-in fire pit. Vibrant orange side tables continue the playful theme. | Photo: Emily Minton Redfield

Furnishings came from a multitude of sources, including Murano glass, handpicked by the Altenaus on a trip to Venice. A Roche Bobois blue sofa was a favorite find on a visit to Seattle and became an anchor for the living room. Phillips Collection bold red chairs fabricated from seat-belt material make a statement in the dining area.

An outdoor kinetic sculpture visible through the glass walls in the living room is a celebration of color—and a talking point on summer days when the doors are opened wide. “As a designer, it’s a lot of fun to work with clients who embrace color, which Jenny and David do,” Johnston says.

Exterior The ski-in, ski-out, three-level home was a rebuild on an existing footprint of the original 1970s property. Flat rooflines were designed to incorporate outdoor living space with decks. The angled garage accommodates four cars in stacked formation. | Photo: Emily Minton Redfield

The biggest challenge was dealing with sound, which carried through three floors of open space. The hardwood floors, plaster finishes and high ceilings were unforgiving to noise. Johnston brought in rugs and wrapped the stair treads between the second and third floors with carpet, to absorb sound and protect the floors. “There’s always a chance someone might be going up or down in ski boots,” she notes.

A mudroom off the garage is geared up for all seasons, and a bunk room was added to the multipurpose space on the ground level. “Rebecca did a great job; this house is a place for a lot of entertaining and still feels like home,” Jenny says. “It’s set up to have guests, and we encourage everyone to use the space and have fun.”

Indoor/Outdoor Glass doors offer a seamless connection to the outdoor patio, which is framed by an aspen grove and its everchanging seasonal hues. A kinetic sculpture by Andrew Carson in a multitude of colors mirrors the interior tones. | Photo: Emily Minton Redfield

Sitting Area A fireplace, soft throws and pillows, and pool table create an inviting space where guests like to hang out. Mustard accent chairs are by Nuevo. | Photo: Emily Minton Redfield

Kitchen A custom window treatment in material by Fabricut picks up the tones in the orange bar stools, which were brought from the couple’s Snowmass condo. Statement art from their existing collection borders the picture window. | Photo: Emily minton redfield

Primary Bathroom Plaid-inspired tile brings a playful vibe. Pindler fabric chosen for the custom drapes mirrors the summery exterior palette. A stand-alone tub overlooks a secluded corner of the surrounding landscape. | Photo: Emily Minton Redfield

Upper Hallway Two patterns of carpet tiles by FLOR were used to create a custom runner for the hallway. Interior designer Rebecca Johnston softened the sound that originally carried through all three floors. | Photo: Emily Minton Redfield

Primary Bedroom Bold accents accessorize the king bed, with a bedspread by Eastern Accents and patterned throw pillows by Loloi. An adjacent sitting area and deck affords privacy. | Photo: Emily Minton Redfield