Cherry Hills Western Eclectic in the Colorado Mountains

This elegant expression of a modern western style home combines a rustic regional exterior with a refined contemporary interior in Cherry Hills Village a suburb of Denver, Colorado. The Cherry Hills residence has been designed by Ekman Design Studio in collaboration with interior design firm Comstock Design. The client’s private art collection is embraced by a combination of modern steel trusses, stonework and traditional timber beams. Generous expanses of glass allow for view corridors of the mountains to the west, open space wetlands towards the south and the adjacent horse pasture on the east.

Photos: Ron Ruscio Photography

Mountain contemporary eco-residence in Park City

2381 Lucky John Residence was designed by The Jaffa Group in Park City, Utah. From day one owner/architect Scott Jaffa wanted to design an innovative energy conscious home that looked toward integrated design and energy solutions. This LEED-certified 5,300 square foot, four bedroom and four-and-a-half bathroom home is truly a mountain contemporary residence blending modern architectural elements with finishes from the surrounding environment. This home is not only tasteful but more importantly, thoughtfully designed with no amenity or ounce of finish work overlooked.

The flat 1.25-acre lot allows for a private front entry court that creates a sense of arrival while the rear courtyard is perfect for private entertaining. This outdoor entertainment area contains a firepit and enormous yard. The exterior hardscaping and landscaping is also an integral part of the overall design. The great room and kitchen are overwhelmingly comfortable and light, which inspire a true sense of “home” — a place to enjoy quality family time or host thoughtful celebrations, with a window wall that brings the outdoors in.

Not only is this home a completely fresh approach to contemporary architecture in Park City, but also strives to be “green.” It uses maintenance-free exterior finishes and self-sufficient utilities. Two solar panel systems were installed to capitalize on the nearly 360 days of sun that Park City receives annually. The first set of panels provides hot water to heat the floors and provide all of the home’s domestic hot water. The second system is 6-kilowatt photo-voltaic array, which brings in enough electricity to power 300, 100-watt light bulbs everyday.

The home has been thoroughly insulated to assist in regulating the homes temperature against the drastic temperature swings of the mountain climate. Insulation was blown into all interior and exterior walls. One and a half inches of rigid foam insulation was attached to the exterior walls with an additional four inches of rigid foam on the roof. A unique drainage plane behind all exterior materials is used to control exterior moisture. Finally, triple-glazed windows, horizontal roofs and steel sunshades offer further protection for the home.

Photos: Courtesy of The Jaffa Group

Wapiti Valley Residence with breathtaking views

Wapiti Valley Residence is a private home situated in the Wapiti Valley of Wyoming near the east border of Yellowstone National Park. The residence was designed by STUDIO.BNA Architects in collaboration with studioryker, completed in 2007.

From the architects, “The wapiti valley landscape is vast, the weather is dramatic, and the changing light and seasons provide for an endless transformation of phenomena. The prominent stone figure of the China Wall resides over the land breaking up an otherwise near constant pitch downward to the river below.

The landscape in which the Wapiti Residence is situated is exposed and revealing. The series of structures that comprise house, gym and guest house were developed to blend into the landscape, but not disappear. Slipped between the seasonal drainages, native grass, and sage brush, the building forms are strong on the land like the China Wall, itself.

Without apology, the simplified architectonic forms expressed through walls of rammed earth, steel, and teak screen, sheltered by a butterfly canopy, are at times the drama of the valley, and at others a shadowy figure in the land.”

Photos: Matthew Millman

Expansive modern mountain home in Aspen

This stunning home on Red Mountain is nestled into the mountainside and opens to views in all directions in Aspen, Colorado. A project in the making, 20 years prior to construction, this home is owned and designed by Charles Cunniffe of Charles Cunniffe Architects. The architect had applied lessons he had learned from previous commissions to his own house, incorporating his own wishes and influences. The 10,000 square foot home applies warm yet contemporary materials to create a nurturing family home for Charles, his wife Angela (owner of a model and talent agency) and their two kids.

Carefully placed windows allow for ample natural light, while the open layout with doors opening completely to the outdoor waterfall and decks, and provide spacious entertaining spaces. Most of the spaces are housed on two floors, living areas and master suite on the first floor, with children’s rooms, a family room and services downstairs, while the aforementioned guest suite is on the second floor, and an office is perched in the third-floor tower. The plan of the linear house is like a dumbell — the center is an open living area, and smaller spaces are on the ends; this applies to both the first and lower level.

The master suite bathroom is split into his-and-her sides, his-and-her toilets, his-and-her vanities, with a glass-enclosed shower sitting in between. A tub sits at the exterior wall, soaking in the stunning mountain views.

Photos: Courtesy of Charles Cunniffe Architects

Mountain modern home perched in Emigration Canyon

This incredible modern home is perched on an acre in one of the most desirable mountain communities of Salt Lake City, Utah. The Emigration Canyon residence is comprised of 4,243 square feet of living space, with three bedrooms and three bathrooms. With large windows giving away a fantastic panoramic display of the adjacent mountains and bringing in plenty of natural daylight, there is nothing not to love about this dreamy home. With custom built-in furnishings throughout and an open plan design with spaces that are perfect for entertaining. A private, automatic gate opens to a circular driveway and sitting area designed for valet guests. The views from outside are even more incredible, from an unbelievable 1,300 square foot outdoor deck that features a swim spa. A private, wooded backyard area comes complete with a babbling brook.

This home is the epitome of perfection and is listed for sale at $2,700,000, from here.

Luxurious Chalet Spa Blanche in Verbier

Feast your eyes on this luxury ski chalet packed with fabulous spa facilities, high tech gadgets and sumptuous furnishings. Chalet Spa Blanche is a delightful timber chalet that blends in well with the alpine scenery, nestling in the smart Swiss resort of Verbier. This residence combines a bright, high tech contemporary interior with a traditional wooden chalet design. Everything about it is hyper-luxurious, from the Bose sound system and home cinema room to the mirrors that turn into TV screens at the touch of a button. With four bedrooms, the chalet can accommodate up to nine people.

In the living room, located on the top floor, the central fireplace adds to the room’s very modern feel thanks to its mantelpiece decorated with mirrors. It has a hearth that is level with the floor. The living room, with a superbly equipped open-plan kitchen, opens onto a large covered terrace furnished with magnificent sofas and a table that can seat up to 10 people. Zen artwork and sculptures enhance the magnificent design of the chalet. The chalet has the exclusive use of the spa, with treatment room, sauna, steam room, plunge pool, hammam and a fully-equipped gym area, offers a large bay window overlooking the terrace with a large jacuzzi with “swim against the current”.

Rates start from $33,011 per week, from here.

All four beautifully furnished bedrooms have en-suite bathroom facilities and two of the bedrooms can connect.

The chalet is equipped with a lovely cinema and games room with a dart board and European billiards table.  The fabulous wine cellar adds a superb finishing touch.

Out on the enormous covered balcony, you can round off the evening on comfy chairs with a warming Cognac, looking out over the twinkling lights of Verbier. You might even be tempted to slip into the huge swim spa on the decking below.

Timber holiday houses in Leis, Switzerland

A beautiful timber residence in the mountainous region of Leis, Switzerland has become available to rent. For the first time ever, Peter and Annalisa Zumthor are opening up one of their cozy holiday homes in this quiet hamlet to the public, enabling them to rent The Unterhus for weeks at a time. The owners, Peter and Annalisa Zumthor describe their project: “In 2009 we built two timber houses, the Oberhus and the Unterhus, in the hamlet of Leis, just over 1,500m above sea level in the community of Vals in Grisons. From 1 December 2012 onward we are letting out the Unterhus for vacations. A third timber house, the Turmlihus, will soon complete this little ensemble. The Turmlihus will welcome its first guests in autumn 2013. We are very much looking forward to having guests in our timber vacation homes in Leis.”

To rent one of the Zumthor Ferienhäuser holiday homes, prices range from CHF 3,500 to CHF 4,800 per week, from here.

A tiny hamlet of around 20 people, Leis is a remote community set in the soaring mountains of Vals, south-east Switzerland. During the winter months, the area is doused in thick snow with opportunities to ski or gather round the fire of Leis’ only inn, whilst in the warmer seasons two families tend the mountain meadows.

The timber-clad Unterhus property has four-and-a-half rooms and sleeps four to five. With a total area of 150 square meters, it extends over three floors with the top floor advertised as ‘an enclosed viewing platform with a balcony facing southwest’. Floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides provide uninterrupted views across the mountainous landscape, also viewable from the southwest-facing bedroom on the middle floor.

There are two bedrooms to choose from, one with a king-size bed and the other with two generous single beds which can be pushed together to form a double. A writing desk and day bed occupy the study which can be used as a workspace or additional bedroom, and the lounge on the top floor features a traditional wood-burning soapstone stove for added warmth.

The Türmlihus, which will take in its first guests in the autumn of 2013, has three-and-a-half rooms and sleeps four. With a total area of 128 square meters, it extends across three floors. Both houses have furniture and designer lighting. The kitchens are fully equipped, including an Italian coffee machine, steamer, fondue set, and raclette grill. Each house is fully equipped with all of the modern electronic amenities one could possibly need.

Luxury Chalet Norte nestled in the Swiss Alps

Chalet Norte is an exceptional luxury ski chalet in Verbier, Swiss Alps, Switzerland. Though commanding uninterrupted, breathtaking views over the whole resort, the chalet is incredibly private and a real retreat. Norte is the epitome of elegance and opulence, carrying a regal feel and style up its spiraling staircase from the entrance, all the way up to the beautiful living room. Perfectly placed halfway up the property is the vast wellness area, housing an inviting pool. Not many chalets provide a pool with a view, but floor to ceiling windows at Chalet Norte allow one to feel perched on the mountains edge.

Found throughout the property are numerous works of art, which decorate this incredible chalet to the highest degree. Its luxurious decor and furnishings come courtesy of one of London’s leading interior designers, and floor to ceiling windows provide a constant reminder of the beauty of your surroundings. The chalet staff complete the experience with exceptional service matched only by a 5 star hotel and a traditional twist, not commonly found elsewhere.

Chalet Norte has yet more to offer with a beautiful private cinema, perfect for those winter nights and a wine cave which houses top quality wines to suit all tastes, complete with a peephole window to the depths of the pool. Quite simply, the chalet has everything. Completion was only in 2011, so this truly is a new chalet but with a commanding presence one would expect from a chalet which has seen many a guest come and go.

Incredible mountain retreat in Whistler: Belmont Estate

 The Belmont Estate is perched on the mountain side, allowing for unobstructed jaw-dropping views across the valley’s ski runs in Whistler, British Columbia. This private chalet is incredibly spacious boasting over 8,072 square feet (750 square meters) of living space with a contemporary feel. Nestled on seven acres of land, the stunning chalet features five bedrooms all with en-suite bathrooms, and the guest house has two bedrooms with a loft. Belmont’s most unique attribute is that it has a helipad right outside the door. Forget ‘ski in, ski out’, welcome to ‘Heliski in, Heliski out’!

Stonebridge is one of Whistler’s most exclusive neighborhoods, so it is no wonder this incredible property is located within it. With some fabulous facilities, including a heated outdoor  pool and hot tub, a steam room, outdoor firepits, a billiards room, a media room, cinema, private gym, its own garden and not least its own heli-pad, the Belmont estate is a truly exceptional chalet destination for those looking to travel a little further afield.

This sensational ski chalet sleeps 10 + 6: 5 bedrooms & a guest house, with prices ranging from $CAD70,000 to $CAD120,000 per week, from here.

Delectable fairytale cottage in Courchevel 1850

Sheltering amidst the snow-laded pines, Chalet Gentianes is one of the most sought-after luxury ski chalets in Courchevel 1850, France. This is a ski in and out chic mountain retreat with only a five minute walk away from the buzz of Courchevel. Don’t ski past the turning for your private pathway through the trees as you head down the Bellecote piste, or you’ll have to do the run again.

The chalet has been built in a sympathetic alpine style with wood interiors, beautiful aged oak beams and a huge open fireplace and elegant decor. From the deep sofas, squashy sheepskin stools, large dining table with the finest glassware and china, everything in this property has a feeling of understated class. At the basement level, you will find a private swimming pool, Jacuzzi and steam room, a self-contained gym and a massage room.

As you head upstairs and prepare to discover the private cinema and games room, the sumptuous en-suite bedrooms and spectacular top floor living area. Look out for those special little touches such as fresh flowers and luxury toiletries in the bathrooms as you go, the chalet even has a lift.

Now all of this would be impressive enough, but there’s more. Staying at Chalet Gentianes is like being wrapped in a blanket of love. A team of people attends to your every need, from the highly qualified chef to the chauffeur and minibus at your disposal. Not forgetting the dedicated private ski instructor and the near-constant attention of housekeepers. There’s even a concierge service to fulfill your every whim.

Prices start from 2,095 per person for 7 nights with fully catered services, from here.