It’s the rare interior design project that begins in the basement—particularly for a mountain home with stunning views—but that’s exactly where owners Sean and Taylor Harris first focused their attention. In their new Snowmass residence nestled along the Roaring Fork River and purchased near completion, the basement was “basically a white box ready for us to put our spin on it,” recalls Taylor of architect David Johnston’s design built by general contractor Kevin Herrman. The owners, whose favorite hangout is the Aspen après-ski destination The Living Room set within the Hotel Jerome, immediately envisioned a lower-level speakeasy-style bar, lounge and entertaining space. “We love the vibe at The Living Room,” shares Taylor, “and pulling interior inspiration from the hotel was something we wanted to incorporate if we were ever lucky enough to plant roots here.”
Now that this day had come, the couple engaged Taylor’s childhood friend, designer Ashley Daubert, after their move from San Diego to customize the interior finishes with Herrman and reimagine the design scheme for their new mountain home. “The architecture was already beautiful; the interiors just needed more personality,” recalls Daubert. “Taylor’s aesthetic is more transitional, so we focused on tonal neutrals and textures, selecting plush, soft materials to highlight comfort, and some modern touches.” With Daubert at the helm, the Harrises opted to redo elements of the kitchen and baths, added valences to support window treatments and, of course, installed the basement-level wet bar. Reclaimed-oak floors and the tobacco-stained alder trim, baseboards, doors and windows all remained, paired with the main living area’s snow-white walls. The exterior finishes, a mix of reclaimed-wood siding, cedar and a natural-stone veneer, were also kept as is. “There’s plenty of contrast and a clean finish overall, but elements like the reclaimed-wood flooring keep the look ‘mountainy,’ ” comments Herrman.
The speakeasy is easily the home’s moodiest space, with walls painted a deep green, lacquered wood-plank millwork and a faux-hair-on-hide accent wallcovering in charcoal that produces a stylish checkerboard effect. But the designer drew the speakeasy’s ambience throughout the rest of the interiors, peppering in black, dark gray and a gradient of green hues amid tone-on-tone neutrals. For instance, in the high-contrast kitchen redesigned by Daubert with Modern Kitchen Center (who also installed the downstairs wet bar), she added a statement waterfall island, countertops and backsplash all of a striking leathered quartzite that contrasts against the oak cabinetry. A blackened-steel hood stretches up to the ceiling and visually elongates the room while black dome pendants with gold interior shades complement satin-brass hardware and bring in a gilded gleam.
In the great room, neutral fabrics create an airy feel, with a black coffee table and dark-metal accents bringing balance. A similar effect is at play courtesy of the dining room’s dark wood table and elegant, curved-back dining chairs upholstered in beige. Daubert used weightier materials on accent pieces as well, such as the great room’s low leather daybed set by a wall of windows that offer views of the river and of the daily morning flight of a resident bald eagle. The owners’ bedroom, in turn, references back to the downstairs speakeasy with a softer olive hue while a smokier, verdant color envelops Sean’s home office. “We wanted to capture a certain mood in each of those spaces,” explains Daubert, “and every shade of green creates a different atmosphere but still works harmoniously with each other.”
Architectural lighting, too, not only adds in warmth but elevates the interiors with a contemporary vibe reminiscent of a high-end hotel—an area of the process that Sean was passionately involved in. For instance, to replace a traditional candelabra chandelier in the great room, Daubert sourced a modern oval pendant suspended by leather straps. “Lighting was definitely Sean’s priority,” notes Taylor. “He weighed in on the rest of the home, but otherwise Ashley and I took the reins.” Each choice throughout the design process, Daubert notes, was “super collaborative”—particularly as Taylor, a design consultant and the daughter of an interior designer herself, spoke the language. And working closely with Daubert built on a level of trust and friendship established back in elementary school. “I trust her sense of style so much,” Taylor shares.
Now, Taylor and Sean are folding in the generations with plans to soon welcome a baby. “His family is from the Roaring Fork Valley, and I fell in love with it,” Taylor shares. “We could always see ourselves raising our own family here.”
