Over the past 15 years, Mike and Lori Kosloske have traveled the world, settling down in a few different places along the way—and interior designers Sandy Moore and Megan Newman have always been along for the ride. The two have outfitted several homes for the jet-setting couple, who purchased their latest residence in the Vail, Colorado, area to serve as a recreational snow retreat. “They have a large family and lots of friends,” Moore says, “and they wanted a house that would be a great spot to vacation and bring everyone together.”
The property is at the top of a mountain—ideal for Mike, an avid skier—and close to a quaint village, which appealed to Lori. Yet the 2007 residence was largely untouched. “The home had great bones but needed a face-lift,” Newman says, recalling the original bathrooms, yellow Venetian-plaster walls, and carpeted bedrooms. But the layout was accommodating and offered vaulted ceilings, en suite bathrooms and an abundance of glass that let in views of the valley.
Lori envisioned a contemporary mountain feel with a fresh palette and elevated finishings. Inspired by the dark branches of the surrounding snow-capped aspen trees, she pursued a black-and-white color scheme with pops of gold against the brown hardwood floors and woodwork. “The big question was: Could we bring the house up to the vision Lori wanted?” Moore reminisces. “We thought we could.”
They turned to two professionals who knew the residence better than anyone: its original architect, Kyle Webb, and general contractor Travis Cremonese, whose firm was behind the construction. “Originally, it wasn’t a typical log house but a more transitional, cleaner design,” Webb explains. Which luckily meant that modernizing it wouldn’t require a heavy renovation, Cremonese adds. “It’s a gem of a home that was ahead of its time,” he notes. “This new project was about complementing the elements that were still here.”
The team found subtle ways to bring the abode up to date, like refurbishing all three fireplaces and replacing the carpeting with wood flooring. And in the main living area, the bar became a centerpiece by swapping lacquered shelving for a sleek glass-and-metal unit mounted against an antiqued-mirror backsplash reflecting views of the mountains outside.
A fresh material palette sets the tone in the kitchen too, where black granite eliminates the utilitarian feel of former stainless-steel countertops. Then there’s the focal point: a custom oversize brass hood. “I said, ‘We need a showstopper here. Let’s go big,’ ” Lori reminisces. “It makes me so happy.” The biggest transformation occurred upstairs, where the team gutted and combined two bedrooms to devote the entire second level to a primary suite. “Mike and Lori now have a private area to retreat to when hosting large groups of guests,” notes Newman.
Throughout the residence, the designers painted walls a warm white and selected cozy, large-scale furnishings to match the volume of the home. “We focused on bringing in warmth with bouclés, heavier woven textiles and pure-wool rugs,” Newman says, pointing to the great room’s sheep-wool chairs and velvet pillows. Meanwhile, contemporary lighting, airy draperies and streamlined forms balance the rustic backdrop. “The house has stone columns, as well as wood ceiling treatments and cabinetry,” Newman remarks. “When you pair that with clean lines, it feels like a newer, modern home.”
While grounding spaces in creams, blacks and charcoals, the designers also introduced accent colors, particularly in the bedrooms. “We wanted this abode to be a place where, if you repeated your visit, you could stay in another wing and get a different experience,” Moore explains. Ochre and mustard appear in one room, while the children’s area features a deep red. The primary bedroom, meanwhile, fulfills Lori’s request for a soft, romantic feel with blush pillows, a white-leather bed and lace sheers.
No matter which part of the residence is occupied, they all foster relaxation and gathering. The media room, outfitted with a pool table and games, fully opens to the patio for indoor-outdoor entertaining. And the Kosloskes have already organized ski trips and celebrated holidays throughout the year in the house. Up next: family Olympics, a friendly sporting competition for medals. “There’s life and excitement in the home now. It’s used and cared for,” Lori enthuses. “It just needed some love.”
