The key to updating a mountain retreat is to move away from a rustic design theme, while still remaining connected to nature and great views. While rustic elements were incredibly sought after during the early 2000’s, modern trends have changed to prefer a contemporary home design. To update you Park City mountain home to a more modern interior design, Carmiña Roth, interior designer suggests the following:
Create An Open Floor Plan
Most contemporary houses have open living spaces so that family and friends can casually gather. Older houses tend to have floor plans with rooms that are closed off from one another, so that someone in the kitchen can’t interact with someone in the family or living room. Remove walls where possible to create a more open floor plan. This will also bring natural light into internal rooms and open them up to the views.
Enlarge Windows and Doors
The scenery around a mountain home is breathtaking and calming. A homeowner should be able to take advantage of the beautiful views not only while skiing or hiking on the mountain, but also while enjoying time inside. Increasing door heights and enlarging window openings will also help make the home feel more spacious, brighter, and open. Foregoing window mullions will lend a more contemporary feel.
Use Contemporary Materials
Update the kitchen and bathrooms by replacing heavy granite or travertine countertops with light colored marble or easy-to-maintain quartz. We favor a simple eased edge on countertops in lieu of bullnoses or ogees. For cabinetry, forego anything fussy and select cabinet fronts with Shaker or flat profiles. Floating bathroom vanities with simple flat drawer fronts can transform a dated bath. Where possible, choose clean lines, low profiles and neutral, light color ways
Pair A Light Color Palette With Luxurious Textures
Let the views take center stage by keeping the interiors neutral, but keep them interesting and luxurious by incorporating various textures and materials. A faux fur throw placed on a sofa, ottomans covered in hair on hide, or chairs upholstered in alpaca will help achieve this feel. Move away from the mustard yellow, burgundy, and hunter green tones that were so popular in the 1980’s and incorporate more winter whites, cool, pale grey and bleached oak. There are so many indoor/outdoor fabrics available today that it is possible to have a white home that is also stain proof!
Incorporate Sleek, Soft, and Natural Materials in the Furnishings
Being in the mountains, it is natural to want to be surrounded by materials such as wood and stone; however, use these materials sparingly to achieve a sleeker, modern look. A live edge wood dining table or a marble Saarinen tulip table incorporates a natural material in a modern way. Pair the table with contemporary chairs and a sculptural metal light fixture with arms that branch out.
Use Lighting and Hardware To Accessorize Your Design Theme
Consider lighting and hardware to be the jewelry to your gown. It’s the perfect accessory to tie all of your design elements together. We can’t stress enough the importance of good lighting – it can make or break a space. When updating a home, replace large high-hats with smaller recessed LED, which are also more energy efficient. Select decorative fixtures with clean lines that will add a contemporary, sculptural element to a room in addition to being functional. It is ok to mix metals when selecting lighting fixtures and cabinetry hardware. Our favorites are polished nickel and unlacquered brass.
Interior Design by Carmiña Roth Interiors, LLC
Photographs by Tria Giovan
www.carminarothinteriors.com
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