Our Approach to Mountain Retreat Design
In this month’s Journal, we’re embracing the new season and sharing our approach to creating modern mountain homes. For us, it’s about balancing comfort, style, and durability: soaring great rooms that frame the views, versatile bunk spaces for family and friends, and thoughtful details that make a retreat feel both functional and deeply personal.
Every step of the design process, from selecting durable materials to the placement of cozy living spaces, is carefully considered when designing a second home in the mountains. Whether it’s a lively gathering after ski lessons or a quiet evening by the fire, our process ensures that the final result supports how our clients want their home to enhance their lifestyle and daily rhythm in the winter months and beyond.
With all these functional needs in mind, here are four ways we approach mountain retreat design.
Inviting Spaces to Gather and Relax
We begin the process by listening to how our clients spend their time, whether with family, entertaining friends and neighbors, or simply curling up with a book. Through our discovery phase, we work closely to determine how each room should function, ensuring every decision is rooted in lifestyle. Sunken seating around fireplaces, cozy reading nooks filled with daylight, and layered textures combine warmth with sophistication. Each seating area is intentionally designed for conversation, game nights, or quiet reflection, helping families feel completely at ease in their winter home.
A Non-Negotiable Focal Point
No mountain home is complete without a fireplace to anchor the space. Beyond warmth, fireplaces serve as focal points for social and family gatherings. In our process, we collaborate on placement, scale, and materials to ensure they suit each family’s day-to-day living. From a double-height fireplace wall surrounded by stone and wood slats to playful, textural designs, these elements combine craftsmanship with comfort.
Thoughtful Function Meets Alpine Style
To balance function with style, we map out high-use spaces like mudrooms and entryways with durability in mind. Mudrooms, often overlooked in other residences, become vital in a winter home. Custom lockers, hanging systems for layers, and resilient flooring help manage everything from boots and coats to gloves and gear. Choosing materials that withstand snow, salt, and ice, like porcelain tile and natural stone, ensures that practicality doesn’t come at the expense of style. By planning these details early, we ensure that the function enhances the experience rather than limiting it.
Designing for Every Season and Stage of Life
We view mountain retreats as homes that evolve with a family, not just as seasonal getaways. We look to design spaces that accommodate every age and activity level. Multipurpose rooms, art studios, media lounges, and private saunas support creativity, wellness, and relaxation throughout the winter months. Partnering with our trusted collaborators, we ensure that every retreat harmonizes with its natural surroundings, leaning into that sense of place while reflecting the family’s daily life and personality.
Ready to begin your own journey? Let’s start a conversation about bringing your vision to life. Download our Introduction Brochure today to get started.
Live well,
