Where approachability and clean lines intertwine

Take a stroll through Boulder, Denver, or any mountain town in Colorado and you’re sure to find a multitude of home styles. One particular look that I think garners a lot of attention is warm Colorado modern. The perfect amalgam of modern and inviting. Where clean and simple design merges with rich, rustic textures and open spaces feel warm, comfortable, and welcoming. It’s one of my favorite design approaches.

This is because it’s the ideal solution for someone who is naturally drawn to clean lines and forms but doesn’t want their house to feel sterile or cold. The people who are often most turned off by modernism are usually only familiar with its international style, which is all about stucco boxes with drywall interiors. Warm Colorado modern style blankets this look with textured materials to create a space that’s warmer and more inviting, both on the interior and exterior. 

Defining characteristics include:

Clean lines and forms – This design is anything but overcomplicated. Minimalistic in approach and execution, time is spent emphasizing the simplicity of architectural features and interior design. 

Uncluttered elegance – The beauty is in the simplicity. In this design approach, the way the house is formed, through its clean connections, is on display rather than covered up with decorative trim. Unnecessary elements are eschewed in favor of a refined and harmonious aesthetic. 

Abundance of natural light – Through time and attention to homeowner’s health and well-being, focus is spent on designing a space that connects inhabitants to nature through floor-to-ceiling windows and skylights. It’s about seizing opportunities to maximize views.

Natural materials – Tying the home and its inhabitants to nature even further is the use of natural materials like stained wood siding, stone veneer, board form concrete, metal siding, and corten metal (weathering metal siding). You can make a home more contextual and authentic by utilizing local materials, which also reduce transportation costs. I recommend taking advantage of Colorado’s sandstone quarries and sea of pine trees. Another interesting way to bring natural or raw elements into a home is through the use of wood or concrete floors.

Texture – When texture or a particular finish is incorporated, say to the walls, it’s added to the entire plane of the wall. It doesn’t stop at wainscoting height like it does in traditional homes.

Outdoor living space – With the great weather we get, I always try to incorporate an area for homeowners to enjoy throughout most of the year. A covered patio, with killer views and heating elements for optimum temperature control, keeps people connected to nature.

Neutral color palette – To complement natural surroundings and contribute to the home’s serene atmosphere, most Colorado modern homes favor neutral colors, such as whites, grays and earthy hues like browns and beiges.

Sustainability – As a LEED Green Associate, I keep sustainability at the forefront when designing a new home. Through careful consideration of homeowner’s needs, lifestyle preferences and budgets, I create residences that will keep them happy and comfortable for years to come while creating a light footprint on the planet.

Are you interested in building a warm Colorado modern home? Let’s start a conversation about how the process works and what you want your dream home to look like.