Long an admirer of Japanese culture and philosophy after years of frequent travel to Japan for business, Seth Hmielowski’s client naturally gravitated toward design elements associated with the Land of the Rising Sun when building a home of his own in the heart of Aspen. But he kept casting around for the right term to describe his vision, recalls the architect. “He’d bring up ‘Zen’ or ‘wabi-sabi,’ but neither of those words were quite it; what he was seeking wasn’t just a peaceful or a beautifully imperfect retreat,” muses Hmielowski, who conceived the residence alongside firm principal Scott McHale, with support from project manager Randy Henrie. “It took time to finally land on the right word to describe what we were aiming to accomplish: ikigai, living with intent and purpose.”
The term loosely translates as “a reason for being” and refers to the practice of defining that which creates a fulfilling, meaningful, purpose-driven life. Applied to architecture and interior design, ikigai encompasses the creation of intentional spaces that foster well-being and joy, as well as reflect and serve an inhabitant’s values and passions. For this owner, whose friends and family are touchstones in his life, that meant crafting a house filled with inviting communal gathering spaces beside areas aimed at private reflection and relaxation, too.
Hmielowski and his team approached what became a three-story sanctuary within Aspen’s downtown with an eye toward capturing natural light, conversing with the surroundings and making the most of views of Aspen and Red Mountain. Ikigai guided the design direction as a feeling rather than a theme. “We mixed modern architecture with a Zen sense of calm, focused, quiet spaces—which sometimes were a challenge to blend together,” Hmielowski admits. “Our goal was to maintain clean, sharp lines that are softened materially,” he continues, pointing out three types of wood, metal and concrete used in the architectural envelope, whose shades of subdued gray, soft brown and black warm up the structure’s more contemporary components. Those clean lines, the flow and the home’s general orderliness all nod back to a minimalism and simplicity often associated with Japanese design philosophies. Careful consideration was also given to expandable living spaces—see the striking double pivot doors of the living area, which facilitate movement to the outdoors—and comfort, achieved through just-right proportions of glass, height and volume. Sustainability also factored into the residence through green roofs, solar paneling and an energy-efficient air filtration system, all installed under general contractor Sebastian Wanatowicz, who blended them seamlessly into the home’s aesthetic.
Home Details
Architecture:
Seth Hmielowski, Z Group Architecture & Interior Design
Interior Design:
Andrea Glinn, Glinn Interiors
Home Builder:
Sebastian Wanatowicz, Type Five Builders
Landscape Architecture:
Amy Capron Barrow, Land Design 39
An open kitchen boasts white oak custom cabinetry and Leblon quartzite extending from the perimeter counters onto the walls. Poltrona Frau stools flank the black Cardoso granite island countertop. The patinated steel hood is by Colorado Steel Works.
Alabaster-and-brass pendants and an ash-and-resin table, all Apparatus, anchor the dining room. The chairs are Overgaard & Dyrman, in a Pierre Frey fabric, and the rug is by Jan Kath. A custom credenza rests below an antique Japanese six-panel screen via Naga Antiques.
Artwork by Diana Al-Hadid overlooks the great room, where a Poltrona Frau sectional, Sossego lounge chair and ottoman, antique slipper chairs, and Yucca Stuff coffee table convene on an Isberian Rug Company carpet. The glass pivot doors are by Riviera Bronze.
An open kitchen boasts white oak custom cabinetry and Leblon quartzite extending from the perimeter counters onto the walls. Poltrona Frau stools flank the black Cardoso granite island countertop. The patinated steel hood is by Colorado Steel Works.
Serene and technology-free, the primary bedroom features a Skram bed wearing a Sferra coverlet. A sconce from Materia hangs near a House of Finn Juhl chair, and the antique floor covering is from Isberian Rug Company. The outdoor sofa is Janus et Cie.
The family room houses a Frigerio sectional, Minotti armchair and footstool, and custom coffee table atop a rug from David Alan Rugs. A banquette upholstered in Romo fabric, a Sovet Italia table, Onecollection chairs and Ravenhill Studio sconces beckon in an under-stairs nook. The art is Whitney Bedford.
Black, silver and dark brown Adobo Vulcan cladding, sourced through ReSawn Timber Co., forms the home’s exterior. A low-slope shed roof caps the enclosure for the interior stairs, which rises from ground level up through a roof planted with sedum varieties.
Janus et Cie chairs, West Elm side tables and a Paloform fire pit compose an outdoor gathering space off the great room. A second-story balcony offers additional space to congregate.
Interior designer Andrea Glinn, who’d worked with the owner twice on previous projects, focused on creating warm, intentional spaces. The process involved multiple instances of paring down and a consideration of how the house would harmonize with nature through an extensive use of materials like wire-brushed woods and tumbled stone. The soothing palette threads cool blues and grays, favorite hues of the owner, throughout the spaces. “I dug into what would feel light, calm and contemplative; there’s nothing overstimulating here,” Glinn says, noting that there are purposefully few TVs. She and her client also traveled together to select (and sit on) all the furnishings, resulting in intuitively chosen pieces that really resonated with him, the designer explains. Intriguing art provides a finishing touch, with advisor Simone Joseph working with Glinn and the owner to bring in multicultural and internationally sourced works from living artists. A bespoke chandelier from Israel and pieces from Syrian American and Vietnamese American artists are particular highlights. “We paired modern art with antiques to show the dimension of time, with layers mixed in to tell a story,” Glinn comments.
What’s most apparent, however, is how well the residence welcomes people beloved by the owner (it sleeps up to 16), a key part of how he defines ikigai for himself. “This is my happy place, and the vibe is peaceful and fun; it feels alive, warm and active here,” he shares. And that’s entirely intentional.
The family room houses a Frigerio sectional, Minotti armchair and footstool, and custom coffee table atop a rug from David Alan Rugs. A banquette upholstered in Romo fabric, a Sovet Italia table, Onecollection chairs and Ravenhill Studio sconces beckon in an under-stairs nook. The art is Whitney Bedford.