Modern Changes Craft A New Chapter For A Barn-Style Basalt Abode

When surveying certain aspects of this Basalt residence, such as its softly modern furniture, gallery-like corridor brightened by skylights, and pared down architectural palette, the terms “artist’s studio” and “renovated barn” don’t exactly spring to mind. But those are indeed the origins of this vacation home reimagined by Richard Mullen and Jamie Ali of Demesne, who tackled the architectural design and interiors, respectively. Together, they transformed what was once an artist’s lofty two-bedroom live-work studio into a five-bedroom family getaway for new homeowners Peter and Susi Brundage. 

The Brundages have been frequent visitors to the area for more than 20 years. They’ve also been members of the Roaring Fork Club since its founding. Still, the discovery of this nearby dwelling was a chance encounter, as it’s tucked back from the road. Susi spotted the “for sale” sign on a stroll, just hours before their flight back home to Texas. A quick phone call led to a same-day tour of the spacious, barn-like structure, followed by an excited conversation on the plane. They purchased it the very next day.

Recalls Peter, “It was such a unique location—near everything, but completely isolated.” And it had an unusual history: The previous resident, mixed-media artist Kris Cox, had sourced a mid-19^th-century barn from the Midwest and had it dissembled and shipped to Colorado, using its parts and pieces to craft his studio-and-home space. Though it was beautiful, the existing voluminous layout didn’t quite work for the Brundages, who envisioned comfortably modern spaces with enough bedrooms to host their adult daughters and grandchildren. There also weren’t many windows, as Cox had needed ample wall space to hang his works. The new homeowners were, however, committed to maintaining the exterior’s aged finish. As general contractor Max Filiss sums it, “The Brundages really wanted to keep the spirit of the original build, but make it more livable for family gatherings.” 

Luckily, none of these changes proved to be problematic. Mullen remembers touring the home for the first time: “Immediately I knew exactly how I wanted to lay it out, and it came together easily.” The residential designer created a long central hall with skylights, carving out two generous bedrooms off each side. The Brundages’ bedroom now lies on the west end of the house, off the great room. At the opposite end, an area once used as a carport was recast as a family room. A garage and connective breezeway frame the east side while a wraparound porch—another new feature—spans the southern length of the house.

Volume overall was brought down, shifting the home’s proportions, though the great room retains its original height, now accentuated by the removal of a column and installation of a steel truss. And two new fireplaces are focal points for gatherings: One, in the great room, is a gas model and the other in the outdoor living area is woodburning. Adding even more interest and appeal outside, landscape architect Richard Camp fashioned ancient stone troughs in a cascading water feature and used existing granite pavers to create a stair and steppingstone paths. 

Back indoors, Ali worked closely with the owners—Susi in particular—to take “a soft, modern approach to the interior design,” the designer explains, in a departure from the traditional style of the home she and Peter own in Texas. To support this directive, Ali and Mullen collaboratively chose warm finishes: white oak floors, plaster walls, a wood-paneled great room ceiling and an off-white paint shade that adds a subtle glow. The architectural palette heightened the importance of finishes, Mullen notes, so special attention was given to details such as interior doors (paneled, for texture) and custom kitchen and bath cabinetry.

Color is largely kept to a minimum. Gray tones underscore the quiet sophistication of the owners’ bedroom, while the great room’s blue swivel chairs pick up on a splash of navy and cobalt in the rug below, as well as the gray-blue shade of the exterior pavers. In the family room, a pair of woven chairs from Nicaragua bring in a few bright stripes, as does the series of horizontally hung color-blocked artwork on the dining area’s wall—one of several of Cox’s artworks that the Brundages purchased. Their patronage has even sparked a friendship. “We just bought another piece from Kris that he hung himself,” Peter shares, “and now he comes over for dinner all the time and even knows our grandkids.” Chimes Ali, “They fell in love with the idea of using his art, because he created it in that space and they felt like it just made sense there.” This connection represents a bridge between the home’s history and its next chapter, which the Brundages are happily writing.