Reinvention—with intention—underscored the ground-up build of this transitional Greenwood Village home that backs the High Line Canal trail. The owners, previously ensconced in a traditional Tudor-style home with heavier interiors, deemed themselves ready for a stylistic pivot, “so it became a great opportunity to bring about a whole new life in this home,” says designer Corinne Ekle. Her longtime clients were game to explore new architectural and interior ideas, she shares. And after working with them closely on multiple projects, Ekle knew their needs—and could confidently lead them into this next chapter.
The main challenge for the designer, who collaborated with architect Eric Carlson and general contractor John Rottschafer, was to envision a home that would feel cozy when only the homeowners are in residence, but could also host overnights with their grandchildren and accommodate crowds for the couple’s frequent fundraising and philanthropic events. A layout capable of taking full advantage of the sun-drenched setting, with ample outdoor connections, was also a must. It was a tall order.
Home Details
Architecture
Eric Carlson, Carlson Design Group, Inc.
Interior Design
Corinne Ekle, C2Design
Home Builder
John Rottschafer, Sienna Custom Homes, Inc.
What’s more, the homeowners were divided on what they envisioned for their new home’s exterior. “One wanted a clean modern style while the other insisted on having some traditional detailing,” recalls Carlson. His solution, in collaboration with Ekle, was to mix the two: The house’s contemporary architectural envelope is accented with classic elements like arched windows, heavy wood cornices and columns, all within a Mediterranean-inspired limestone façade in shades of bone, cream and pewter. “The large windows and low-pitched metal roof set the stage for a contemporary feel, while the traditional aspects bring in a sense of warmth and softness,” the architect goes on to explain. Carlson also placed pocketing sliders that seamlessly open up the house at multiple points, plus poised transom windows—most notably in an airy great room and in the owners’ bathroom—to usher in plenty of natural light. The flow of spaces is creatively layered, he says, and coffered ceilings and custom built-ins keep the proportions appropriate. “Each room you enter has a spatial surprise and all the outdoor connections make it feel particularly livable,” Carlson comments.
Built for a couple transforming their style, this Greenwood Village, Colorado home blends modern architecture with transitional features.
The home’s undisputed showpiece, however, is its two-story great room marked by a stunning 22-foot-high, two-sided fireplace floating at its center. Encased within two columns of walnut, bookmatched gray-tone marble slabs rise up to the ceiling, hovering over an airy living area, while a more intimate sitting room awaits on the fireplace’s opposite side. “This was an opportunity for a big wow moment,” Ekle describes. “The effect is warm, inviting and infuses rich materials in a sleek and contemporary way.”
Extending that feeling are the great room’s walnut-cased doorways, which frame the path into the entry foyer and dining room. Sliders that neatly tuck into the walls allow for a seamless flow into covered outdoor living spaces. And an upper gallery spans the length of the room (“It acts as the house’s spine,” notes Carlson), breezily connecting two private upstairs zones yet bridging across the center of the public ones. The residence culminates at an H-shaped configuration where the kitchen and dining nook lead into an outdoor kitchen and al fresco dining space. This connected covered area reads finished and formal enough to backdrop even a fancier party. Wet-rated pendants, a stone backsplash and the custom hood and cabinets bring in a touch of drama there, Ekle points out.
Back inside, she teamed with Mikal Otten of Exquisite Kitchen Design to conceive a kitchen rife with surprises, including a hutch with metal mesh installed behind its glass and a curved island painted a charcoal hue that reads as matte metal. Patterned wallpaper in a moody pantry and a backlit agate slab in the bar area offer unexpected visual delights. And more moments of whimsy come via an embrace of deep jewel tones in some of the bedrooms and bathrooms in a departure from the cool neutrals of the public spaces. See how dark blue-green walls wrap a guest bedroom and how the bunk room ceiling dons a playful purple.
The furnishings are contemporary, but not overtly so. With softened lines and neutral upholstery, the goal was staying power and to maintain a sense of timelessness, says the designer. A graphic-print wool rug in the living area nods to a modern aesthetic, for instance, but the color is subtle. And the iron railing of the entry staircase and upstairs gallery was inspired by styles seen in historic cathedrals, yet it appears current. “It’s both an architectural element and its own art installation,” Ekle observes. “This is a house that isn’t just built, but woven with threads of tradition and modern innovation.” In other words, the team ticked all the different design boxes of this tall order with equal panache.
Bernese mountain dog Rico relaxes beside an Alder & Tweed Furniture bench in the entry. A John Pomp Studios pendant and Studio A Home sconces add illumination to the stairwell. Designer Corinne Ekle drew inspiration from old-world cathedrals when designing the custom iron handrail.
Benjamin Moore’s deep blue-green Salamander sets the tone in a guest bedroom. The modern four-poster bed, curved bench and carved bedside chest are all from Universal Furniture. A decorative Uttermost mirror shines as an artful accent.
York Wallcoverings’ Doodle Scallop pattern and a ceiling coated in Benjamin Moore’s Cinnamon Slate bring playful notes into the bunk room. West Elm bean bag chairs rest beneath an Orren Ellis pendant.
A pass-through between the kitchen and dining room, the pantry features countertops of Black Cardosa granite—which also lines the kitchen’s perimeter counters—as well as Top Knobs hardware from Rio Grande Co. The walls showcase a print from York Wallcoverings.
Bernese mountain dog Rico relaxes beside an Alder & Tweed Furniture bench in the entry. A John Pomp Studios pendant and Studio A Home sconces add illumination to the stairwell. Designer Corinne Ekle drew inspiration from old-world cathedrals when designing the custom iron handrail.
Industrial touches dot the kitchen, from the custom metallic finish of the island and hood to the mesh behind the hutch’s glass. Visual Comfort & Co. pendants set off the Calacatta marble of the backsplash and island. The stools are ParishCo from C.A.I. Designs.
Esplanade French Linen marble floor tiles from TileBar create a woven-mat effect in the owners’ bathroom. Behind the BainUltra tub, a walk-in double shower is clad in Bianco Lasa Covelano marble. The chandelier is from Hudson Valley Lighting Group.
Built for a couple transforming their style, this Greenwood Village, Colorado home blends modern architecture with transitional features.
Walls of limestone in a custom color mix used across the façade line the outdoor dining space off the kitchen. Arteriors pendants flank the bespoke hood and Lynx built-in grill backed by PentalQuartz stone. The Seasonal Living concrete-and-teak table, topped by a Visual Comfort & Co. lantern, is surrounded by Sunset West chairs.