How to Modernize your Rustic Mountain Home

Courtesy of Anne Grice Interiors

It’s lovely to be able to own a home in the mountains, but searching for the right one can be a frustrating experience. Many are dated and just a bit too “rustic” for modern living. Beams, logs, rocks and too much distressing everywhere may not provide the desired elevated experience. As a long-standing interior design firm in the Aspen area, we know the tricks of the trade to turn a rustic mountain man lodge into the modern mountain home of your dreams. 

My recent clients were conflicted when they bought this home adjacent to the slopes of Snowmass. He loved all of the mountain features—lots of wood, heavy wall texture, wainscot and stone. She loved the views but really wanted a modern home. We sought a balance, saving the natural wood ceilings and stone walls, but removing heavy wainscoting and thick wall texture. We added in light paint color, sandblasted the wood ceilings and darkened the existing heavy beams to give it a fresh modern look.

Entry Before and After

Courtesy of Anne Grice Interiors

In the entry, a new steel stair railing, custom light fixture and darker wood accents complement the existing stone walls and wood ceilings. Wainscoting was removed, and lighter walls completed the refresh.

Kitchen Before and After

Courtesy of Anne Grice Interiors

Removing the kitchen peninsula and enlarging the island added that “wow” factor and provided the kitchen with better circulation and a spacious feeling. Filling in the drywall over the new range wall and eliminating pendant lighting really opened up the space. Natural sandstone countertops blend seamlessly with the existing granite walls. New white oak flooring completed the modern look.

Family Room Before and After

Courtesy of Anne Grice Interiors

Advances in window technology enabled us to install larger glass panels to take advantage of the gorgeous views. Removing all of the soffits and adding streamlined cornice boards to hide the roller shades gave the space a more integrated look which creates a great backdrop for the modern furnishings. Wood ceilings were sandblasted for a lighter, fresh look without having to replace them.

Tricks of the Trade

Many of the changes we made to this home are similar to what we’ve done to many mountain homes. They include:

• Sandblasting ceilings is a great option if the wood is in good shape (long pieces, no dark staining).
• Installing oak flooring in 5-7” widths gives a modern look.
• Installing new windows with larger glass areas allow you to see that mountain ridge.
• Updated railings made of steel update the mountain feel.
• Removing extraneous soffits, wainscoting, nooks or other out-of-date architectural features clean things up.

Anne Grice is the Principal and Owner of Anne Grice Interiors, an interior architecture and design firm based in Aspen, Colorado. View their profile or contact Anne at 970-429-4148.

Content for this article provided by Anne Grice Interiors.