Spotlight on Aspen
Expert Q&A's from this high-country destination
Kristin Dittmar Designs
Sponsored Content
Aspen’s rich history, from its humble beginnings as a Ute Indian summer hunting camp to its transition to a silver mining boom town and then a modern-day world-class ski resort, is just the tip of the iceberg that draws approximately 1.5 million visitors to the area each year. With a population of just over 7,000, 51 percent of the residences in Aspen are second homes in a town known for glitz and glamour, but also for its wide array of incomparable outdoor experiences.
Nestled in the Roaring Fork Valley, Aspen is host to a full slate of extraordinary events from the Winter X Games, Golden Leaf Half Marathon, Aspen Gay Ski Week (the oldest annual, week-long gay ski event in the nation) and one of the best old-fashioned 4th of July parades in the west. Add to the excitement ongoing world-class art exhibits, concert performances, a long list of mind-blowing restaurants, nightlife and shopping, and, of course, incomparable skiing and snowboarding; there truly is something for everyone in Aspen.
It’s no wonder, then, that Aspen is home to some of the world’s most creative design minds who have come here to serve an international clientele with fresh ideas about making the most of mountain living. Here you’ll meet the pros- architects, interior designers, purveyors of home goods and landscape architects- that are dedicated to creating timeless designs that honor the area’s natural beauty and rich history. Their diverse backgrounds and aesthetic influences are merging to capture the authentic Aspen style with a reverence for the past and an eye to the future.
DHM DESIGN
Get to know DHM DESIGN, whose designs create incredible spaces where everyday life can become a wellness retreat.
Why is landscape design important, especially in today’s world?
In light of the ongoing global health concerns, wellness is more important than ever. We believe in the home as a place of refuge- a place for rest, reflection and renewal. Embracing the connection to nature, promoting health and mindfulness, and creating spaces for relaxation and hydrotherapy all contribute to wellness at home.
What elements do you incorporate into your design to promote wellness?
We look for opportunities to interact with nature on many scales. Our design elements include spaces for exercise and physical activity, water features and pools, outdoor yoga/meditation areas and intimate garden spaces to fit any scale.
What sets you apart from other landscape design firms?
Our expertise is in designing places that promote the art of living well and being well. On every project, our team of landscape architects and ecologists work shoulder to shoulder to integrate each unique project with the natural world to improve health and wellbeing, creating a space where our clients can thrive.
Jennifer DiCuollo, principal | 970-963-6520 | Carbondale
CATHERS HOME FURNITURE + INTERIOR DESIGN
For over 22 years Cathers Home Furniture + Interior Design has been providing personalized service, unique perspectives and beautiful designs to their clients in the Roaring Fork Valley.
Tell us about Cathers’ full-service approach to interior design.
Our philosophy is to immerse ourselves in a project as early in the design process as possible because understanding our client’s intentions and the architect’s inspiration allows us to incorporate those ideas into every interior detail. We work closely with the owner throughout design and construction to help convey their ideas to the architect and contractors, and we continue that close relationship until the project is complete— right down to the selection of furnishings, fine art and accessories.
How do your clients benefit from working with a team that offers interior design services and a retail experience?
Combining an award-winning design team and 4,000-square-foot showroom allows our clients to interact with fabrics, furniture selections and home décor thus allowing us to fully understand their preferences. With the recent real estate boom, many of our clients have purchased a new home and need to have furnishings available immediately. New inventory arrives weekly—from rugs to light fixtures, bedroom sets to luxury sofas—allowing us to furnish and decorate certain aspects of a home within weeks.
What makes Cathers Home unique in the Roaring Fork Valley?
There is something special that comes with supporting your community, local businesses and working professionals. Since conception, Cathers’ goal has been to provide personalized service and unique perspectives to our clients. At Cathers, we pride ourselves on building genuine relationships (unlike many large-scale chains) so we can create spaces specific to your lifestyle needs.
Cathers Home Furniture + Interior Design
970-927-6556 | Aspen | Basalt | Roaring Fork Valley
KRISTIN DITTMAR DESIGN
Meet Kristin Dittmar Doremus, owner and creative director at Kristin Dittmar Design, whose fresh style has drawn attention in Aspen and beyond.
Would you say you have a signature style?
My specialty is translating a more sophisticated, chic style into a mountain modern home environment, even in homes that have the mountain town rustic elements. I believe design should be beautiful and clean, but comfortable at the same time. As a mother of 2 young boys and a dog, I am sensitive to all that life brings into the home. My knowledge and diligence with product and upholstery durability and safety are always paramount in designs for families.
Where do you draw design inspiration from?
I was born and raised in Aspen and pull my design inspiration from the outdoors. I love to bring exterior finishes into the interior and love to incorporate the outdoors inside by use of large windows, sliders and walls of glass.
Tell us about the scope of your work.
The majority of my work is residential, but on the commercial side, I have designed retail showrooms, hotel lobbies, restaurants and clubs, and more. My most recent commercial project is the Aspen restaurant Casa D’Angelo. I’ve worked on design projects, large and small, on both coasts and love to travel to other towns and states to bring my unique style to homes.
Kristin Dittmar Doremus, owner, creative director | 970-300-4688 | @kddesignaspen | Aspen
POSS ARCHITECTURE + PLANNING AND INTERIOR DESIGN
The team at Poss Architecture + Planning and Interior Design combines experience and knowledge with creativity and collaborative spirit to create timeless designs.
What is the secret to your firm’s enviable longevity in the RFV?
The Poss Architecture brand was developed based on personalized service, quality of design, and attention to detail. Our 30-year-old buildings stand the test of time. They are beautiful and elegant yet comfortable, and because of these standards, Poss-designed homes hold their value. The Poss brand is strong due to our history, quality, attention to detail and highly customized service. That’s architecture at its best!
What does Poss bring to the table that sets it apart from the competition?
We have a multi-generational team – well-seasoned people with vast knowledge and experience and a younger crew that’s hungry, savvy and driven to create cutting-edge design. We have a pool of talent under one roof — architecture, interior design and planning. That means a lot of collaboration and intermixing of personalities.
We enjoy an open dialogue. We’re hired for our expertise in understanding good design and the market, but we never push our own agenda on the client. We listen carefully, learn about our clients’ needs and wishes, and deliver a well-designed, well-thought-out home that is eye-pleasing and livable.
What does the future hold for Poss?
We’re forward-thinking. We continue to grow and expand our services while looking for new markets outside Colorado. We want to share our 45 years of timeless architecture by carrying our award-winning mountain designs to new regions and introducing other local communities to our well-designed buildings. We want to immerse ourselves in opportunities in other regions to share our team’s design abilities in other markets.
Poss Architecture + Planning and Interior Design
970-925-4755 | Aspen
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As seen in the March/April 2022 issue
