The Magic of Mountain-Chic Design
Original article posted at Mansion Global by Jennifer Tzeses.
Maybe it’s the comfort of warm woods underfoot or overhead, the call of nature that begs to come indoors, or the cozy textural touches that often define the look and feel. Whatever the lure, mountain chic decor has the kind of earthy approachability that makes you want to linger inside a while longer.
“The most successful mountain homes are ones in which the designers have taken their cues from the natural environment,” said Keith Franke, director of development and design for Clear Creek Tahoe, a residential community and club in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. “Whether the aesthetic is contemporary, traditional or transitional, creating spaces that feel engaged with the surroundings is paramount.”
But the beauty of this type of design is that you don’t actually have to live atop a mountain—or even have jagged peaks outside your window—to pull it off. Regardless of where you live, creating an alpine vibe is about carefully considering all the details—materials, accents, colors, furniture, layout—to transform any abode into a rustic retreat.
Cue the Comfort
A cozy, warm atmosphere should feel second nature in a mountain-chic retreat, but it’s also about an elevated design, said Kara Smith, founder of KES Studio in Los Angeles and New York.
For a recent project at Pendry Residences, a luxury condominium complex in Park City, Utah, opening in the winter of 2021, Ms. Smith chose furniture that was both functional and inviting. “We fully accessorized bookshelves that frame fireplaces in the residences, upholstered cushions for window seats and hung art that reflected the setting,” she said.
A mountain retreat demands beauty and function to coexist peacefully, said designer Megan Bristol, founder of Tahoe Modern Staging and Design in Lake Tahoe, in California and a member of Vesta Professional, a one-stop shop for sourcing designer furniture for her projects. “Comfort is the No. 1 priority because people are seeking a different way of living in their mountain spaces,” she said. “We like to pair clean-line accent pieces with oversized and plush seating to communicate, without words, that it’s OK to put your feet up on the coffee table in this home.” She prefers using monochromatic color schemes, leather and suede accents, updated and oversized art, as well as comfortable seating throughout the space.
And don’t forget about those tactile touches necessary for cold winter nights, said Kendall Wilkinson of Kendall Wilkinson Design in San Francisco. Think supple wool and cashmere textiles, lots of throw pillows and soft blankets.
Open up the Floor Plan
If your home is located in the mountains or you simply have a small patch of green outside your window, orient the space to enjoy the views, Ms. Smith said. “This means maximizing window space with high ceilings and living areas that offer comfort and space for large groups,” she said.
The shell of chic mountain homes often includes large, open volumes with panoramic glazing, deep roof overhangs and protected outdoor areas, Mr. Franke said. “The bones of such homes utilize clean lines, forms and detailing, which respond to the unique mountain conditions.”
However, when you’re working with an open-floor plan make sure you lay out different zones to help create intimacy and warmth in the space, particularly in a large great room, Ms. Bristol said. For example, “two people can work on a puzzle while others chat by the fire—if you create the space for it.”
Add a Tactile Touch
Mountain chic means drawing inspiration from natural materials and the surrounding setting. To execute the look, Ms. Smith uses materials such as woods and stone.
“A mountain home begs for an indoor/outdoor feel. This means bringing in a bit of the outside in,” Ms. Smith said. Think raw woods, stones, and materials in neutral shades or even earthy plaid patterns. However, to maintain an elevated design, Ms. Smith suggests incorporating sleek metals and finishes, as well as art and textiles to modernize your space.
“Materials like wood, stone, steel, porcelain, leathers and papers are all very popular,” Mr. Franke said. “Mixing in an unexpected surface (such as something high-gloss or with a very textural hand) makes for a wonderful counterpoint to the more natural materials used.” For instance, modern silhouettes used with sumptuous, yet rustic textiles can provide a stylish feel in a mountain-inspired space.
To add character, Ms. Bristol recommends finding local artists you love and putting their artwork in your home. “It will feel authentic in the space and always be a conversation starter,” she said.
Go Neutral
In mountain homes, the surrounding vistas are key, so don't let the interior color palette overwhelm or distract from Mother Nature, Ms. Wilkinson said. “Neutrals integrated with natural colors, such as blues and greens, that provide visual continuity are great options.”
For example, Ms. Smith kept things natural at Pendry Residences, opting for dove gray walls in the living room, pale gray in the bathroom and light oak flooring throughout. To add contrast, she used pops of blue and warm terra cotta throughout.
A mountain-chic palette can still be crisp and fresh, but the addition of warm tones helps set the stage for comfortable, all-season living, Mr. Franke says. He also recommends using splashes of color to personalize a space and add a welcome flourish.
Keep it Classic
When decorating a rustic retreat, it may be tempting to hang up pairs of skis or decorate the walls with needlepoint mountain peaks, but Ms. Wilkinson recommends avoiding anything cliché to keep the look sophisticated.
“A touch here and there that speaks to the vernacular is fine, but don’t go overboard. Make sure there is a nice balance of wood versus fabric and upholstery,” she said. “A big mistake people often make in mountain homes is using too much wood or furniture that feels heavy and cumbersome.”
Hans Baldauf, co-founding principal at BCV Architecture + Interiors based in San Francisco and New York, prefers using a mix of rustic and modern furniture in the mountain homes he designs. “We like using antique pieces that are relevant to the particular site we are working in,” he said. For example, in BCV’s Crow’s Nest Residence project at the Sugar Bowl Ski Resort in Norden, California, Mr. Baldauf and his team combined antique Tyrolean chests and chairs with Mid-Century Modern accents. “Mid-Century pieces often emphasize clean lines and a more manufactured look that creates a dramatic contrast with the antique pieces,” he said.
Choose Materials for Modern Living
Your aesthetic goals for the home should influence the choice of materials, Ms. Wilkinson said. Do you want a more genuine, rustic look or a more refined, clean vibe? Both can be achieved with hard materials such as wood, stone, metal, et cetera, as well as textiles, color and other finish choices.
Because many mountain homes are geared toward skiing and other outdoor pursuits, materials also have to be durable and not too precious. “We have to design for muddy, wet feet, and nothing is more durable than natural stone floors and hardwood,” Ms. Wilkinson said.
Mr. Franke notes many owners are looking for sustainable and low-maintenance materials such as stone, concrete, metal and glass for their home’s exterior. Inside, he prefers clean, unfettered surfaces that wear well with outdoorsy mountain lifestyles but still maintain a high quality, sophisticated feel.
Let the Outside In
“Mountain homes tend to be located in dramatic settings, so we work to maximize views in one area,” Mr. Baldauf said. “Corner views from dramatic full glass walls help draw the drama of mountain exteriors into the home,” Mr. Baldauf said. “Incorporating small, punched windows can also help focus attention on a particular tree or rock—bringing the richness of the small scale into the home as well.”
Flow is equally as important, not only from room to room but from indoors to outdoors. Mr. Franke suggests including lift and slide doors, which pocket or retract, to make a wall of glass disappear and increasing the usable space by incorporating outdoor rooms.
“The majority of mountain homes have plans that are much more transitional and open in layout. For that reason, windows and door openings are scaled appropriately so the view from the kitchen may be experienced through the living area, for instance,” Mr. Franke said. He also likes adding corner windows to erode what may otherwise be blind spots to distant horizons. “The head height of such windows may be key to capturing a tree-lined ridge or dramatic rock outcropping, so plan for these views from all vantage points within the home,” Mr. Franke said.
Additionally, orientation of furniture should take advantage of views and focal points, such as a grand fireplace, in rooms. “Sometimes there is a conflict between these two elements, so the layout is a delicate dance to take advantage of both,” Ms. Wilkinson said.