By Molly Triffin
Winding up Switchback Terrace, the road carved into the side of Spruce Peak, sits a contemporary mountain home. While its exterior—a medley of rough-hewn stone and hemlock, offset with matte black patina—is striking, the true magnificence of the design only becomes apparent once you step inside. Gazing out through a generous expanse of windows, the splendor of Mansfield unfurls before you in a manner rarely seen. In seeming paradox, the interior emphasizes the wonder of the exterior.
The brilliance of the design, in utter harmony with the mountainside, owes to a unique site. Perched atop a tall stone ledge, the 30 feet of extra grade lifts up the house, yielding show-stopping panoramas: 270-degree vistas stretch from Mansfield’s chin, down valley, to the Front Four trails.
The spacious home was created by Colorado-based architecture and design firm Zehren & Associates, the original design partner of Spruce Peak. Since 2003, Zehren & Associates has been integral in building the vision for the community, creating the Cottage, a number of retail buildings, and several residences: Mountain Cabins, Village Townhomes, and single-family homes.
“The architecture of this home has a slight bend to it, following the curve of Switchback Terrace and splaying out to maximize the views,” says architect David Kaselak. “We tried to capture what the natural landscape would feel like if you were overlooking the mountain, without anything else there.”
The concept of connectivity with the natural world follows through the interior design. “We considered, how can we mold the home within the setting of the rock bed?” says interior designer Susan Nowakowski. “We strategically brought exterior elements inside.”
Balancing out the stone that plays a starring role throughout, Nowakowski wove in soft accents: Textured finishes, subtle colors that harken to nature, and warm furnishings that juxtapose the hard surfaces. The effect is at once sophisticated and rustic. “Mountain modern is about shaping luxurious spaces using minimalist design,” Nowakowski says. Here, we invite you into a space like no other.
