Hilltop residence in the Blue Ridge Mountains

This hilltop residence called ‘Leicester House’ is located at the edge of a wooded knoll in the rolling foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, North Carolina, with expansive southern and western views. Approaching through dense woods, one arrives at a striking single story facade of corten steel in a wood frame, designed by studio SPG Architects. A hint of the views is provided through the glass door, but it is not until entry that the full impact of the hilltop views can be experienced. The rear glass walls, facing West and South, open to rolling farmland below and the mountains beyond.

The entry level serves as the primary living area, with a guest wing carved into the hilltop on a level below. Functionality and energy efficiency are achieved both by this programmatic zoning as well as the careful choice of materials, fixtures, fittings, and energy. The ‘greening’ of the house complements its visual warmth, grounding the modern structure’s rural landscape.

Photos: Daniel Levin

Fireside Resort luxury ski cabins in Jackson Hole

Fireside Resort features an innovative new perspective on mountain town lodging in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The luxury resort offers 19 ski cabins that reflect the heritage of the valley’s original homesteader cabins. That rustic appeal is then combined with understated elegance and modern conveniences. Every cabin is designed to offer a combination of rustic and modern aesthetics. Designed by WheelHaus, the cabins are a “Wedge” design which features an angled roof, starting low above the bedrooms and builds to 17 feet in the living room.

Trapezoidal windows grow similarly from back to front, offering natural light while maintaining privacy. The front of the cabin is almost entirely glass. A large sliding glass door opens to a private deck. Each cabin has one bedroom, a bathroom, a kitchen/living room and a private deck. The ceilings and exterior side are covered with reclaimed Wyoming snow fencing.

The bedrooms feature a king size bed with two side tables and linen lamp style sconces. The kitchen/living room was designed to offer both comfort and functionality. The mini-kitchen is fully equipped with concrete countertops and modern rustic cabinetry. A large bomber leather sofa, two cowhide ottomans, two barn wood side tables, custom made wrought iron lamps and railroad cart coffee tables make up living room furnishings. A mini-high efficiency gas burning fireplace warms the room. Mounted above the fireplace is a flat screen HDTV and attractive, colorful art brightens every room.

The fully appointed bathrooms are small yet functional with custom vanities with concrete countertops/sinks and quartzite floors. An additional bonus for those that don’t want to vacation without their pets, the cabins are pet friendly!

To stay in one of these luxurious cabins, rates run from $289 per night, from here.

The ultimate mountain dwelling in the desert

This spectacular mountaintop resort home, which was spotted on Sotheby’s Realty, is situated in the acclaimed Desert Mountain, in Scottsdale, Arizona. The stunning single level transitional retreat features an open plan with retracting walls of glass providing seamless indoor/outdoor living and commanding views of the Valley of the Sun. Casual elegance is perfectly expressed throughout this 6,000 square foot, five bedroom, five-and-a-half bathroom home, from the stone and tile work to the furnishings, colors and textures. Experience ultimate outdoor living in the enchanting great room lanai and expansive poolside patio, both perched above dramatic vistas. Relax in the serene master suite complete with sleek Carrerea marble spa. The home also comes complete with a beautifully designed and fully-equipped guest casita.

This fabulous retreat is priced at $6,999,500, which includes all furnishings and a golf membership, from here.

Monastery transformed into charming mountain refuge

Surrounded by the spectacular beauty of the Pyrenees Mountains in Aragon, Spain and at the gates of the Ordesa National Park stands the majestic hotel of Casa de San Martin, a giant Sentinel of thick stone walls originating in the 18th century. The hotel is a former monastery and later a farm house, today has become a dream refuge of purist nature lovers and those who want to get lost between valleys and forests of conifers and forget about technology. The key to both charm and warmth lies in its careful reform, eco-friendly materials and typical elements of Aragonese architecture such as traditional fireplaces and wood slabs.

The spaces are designed to be cozy and comfortable with a warm ambiance despite the stone and strong frosts in the area. There are ten rooms decorated with care in an attractive rustic-chic style and incredible views of the endless mountains. In this place, away from crowds, there is no haste, only long walks, moments of reading and leisure and the enjoyment of nature. An old barn on the property was converted into a warm dining room with fireplace, providing a meticulous and creative cuisine cooked with products from the garden.

Luxurious Chalet Edelweiss in Courchevel 1850

Chalet Edelweiss is a newly-built temple of mountain luxury nestled amongst pine trees in Courchevel 1850, France. Extending over seven floors and offering a massive 32,292 square feet (3,000 square meters) of living space with eight bedrooms and eight bathroom, it successfully blends the line between a catered chalet and boutique hotel. The ski chalet is built around a stunning spiral staircase and has separate accommodation and access for the numerous dedicated staff.

This luxury chalet offers an entire floor of spa facilities with a pool, gym, therapy room and steam room, a private nightclub in the basement, complete with DJ booth, bar and dance floor. Other luxurious details include a private cinema room, two professional chefs and two butlers, and the ability to ski in and out, a private ski instructor and basement parking which is accessed by a car lift. The slopes are so close, all you have to do is just push open the door of the huge ski room, inhale the pine-scented mountain air, step into your skis and head off down the Bellecote piste.

Just like an exclusive, private hotel, the chalet has a large team to look after guests and provide an all-round pampering experience for everyone. The staff area has its own separate entrance and the privacy of guests is important. From the moment you wake up, everything is taken care of. Delicious breakfasts, bookings made for lunch in the mountains, a chauffeur-driven ride into town, private ski lessons and a massage at the end of the day, this fabulous vacation retreat has it all!

This fabulous ski chalet successfully sleeps 16 people, with a rate of $198,435 per week, from here.

Photos: Marc Berenguer

Marc Berenguer

Magnificent Chalet Trois Couronnes in Switzerland

Nestled into the mountainside, with spectacular views of the resort and surrounding scenery, Chalet Trois Couronnes is a private Alpine Estate in Verbier, Swiss Alps, Switzerland. This masterpiece finished in 2012 has been lovingly created by a team of highly skilled craftsmen, architects, art connoisseurs and interior designers from across Europe. As you turn the key in the ornate wrought iron lock of this luxury ski chalet, you immediately sense that you are entering a truly special and unique property. Stepping into the vast reception and banqueting hall with vaulted ceiling, complete with exquisite antique furniture, superb art gallery and glass wine cellar, confirms this, and yet, you have barely touched the surface.

Venturing deeper into the three buildings of this exceptional chalet, you can’t help but be blown away by the array of stunning authentic features. The chalet is adorned with antique pieces, fine art, gothic fireplaces, forged iron chandeliers and natural stone fountains and washbasins, old wood paneling and floors and ceilings from the 18th and 19th century. The impeccable attention to detail and quality and the adoption of local historical construction techniques translate into an authentic mountain experience.

The entire ground floor of the chalet’s middle building houses a fantastic spa area with pool, hammam, sauna, relaxation area, and terrace with incredible views and an outdoor hot tub. A 19th century, glass encased lift takes you to a lavish master bedroom, with open fireplace, luxury en suite bathroom and private balcony. Seven other luxury en suite bedrooms, each with unique features and plush furnishings are spread across the three wings, in addition to a massive living area, cinema room, wine cellar and Carnotzet and has underground parking for 8 vehicles. The chalet utilizes solar and geothermal heating and is the largest `Minergie` eco-friendly chalet in Verbier.

To stay at this decadent retreat, nightly rates start at $9,704, from here.

Mountain modern prefab blends into surroundings

This prefabricated mountain modern home incorporates touches of heavy timber to blend with its surroundings in Truckee, California. This striking home has been designed by architecture studio sagemodern, with 3,170 square feet of living space, the home was designed to blur the boundary between indoor and outdoor living. The functional floor plan maximizes common areas and bedrooms to accommodate family and friends. There is 1,700 square feet of exterior deck space of Ipe and copper-gray slate tile that is perfect for outdoor functions.

The residence includes five bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms, with a fresh, clean design. With designer fixtures and finishes throughout, the home features sustainably harvested hand scraped hickory and copper-gray slate tiles with radiant heating on the floor. The exterior facade is comprised of hot rolled steel, cedar channel siding and board formed concrete with heavy timber and trellis details. Energy efficient features include thermal insulation of walls, roofs and floors, energy efficient windows, sun protection and bioclimatic architecture and solar water heaters.

Gorgeous mountain getaway near Yellowstone Park

360 Ranch is a beautiful property developed by the patriarch of the family as a home base for family members spread out across the globe, enabling them a chance to recreate, reconnect, and relax over what sometimes could be trips of a month or more. Designed by Miller Architects, their large parcel of land is not far from Yellowstone Park, in Big Sky, Montana and a trout stream and several ponds are just a few of the prevalent water features.

The property encompasses the top of a mountain with a lookout tower, and down below, this approximately 7,000 square foot home delivers a sense of intimacy. Each bedroom is a master suite, with fireplace, private balcony, and adjoining children’s room, to ensure all generations have the space they need. The architects shared approach was to celebrate the romantic lodges of the past, leading them to choose small round logs like those used in Old Faithful Lodge, as one example. With plenty of space inside and out to decompress—but cozy, welcoming living areas as well—this lodge becomes the perfect family gathering place.

Photos:  Courtesy of Miller Architects

Impressive mountain dwelling nestled in Aspen

At 15,000 square feet, this contemporary mountain home in Aspen, Colorado’s exclusive Star Mesa enclave is warm and approachable from the start. Designed by Charles Cunniffe Architects, the home embraces and welcomes you inside with the stone steps widen as you approach. Douglas Fir Beams and dry stacked Telluride Stone, traverse the exterior and the interior of the home, with antique re-sawn White Oak flooring seen throughout. Two great rooms allow guests to spread out on the main floor. In lieu of the now traditional television above the fireplace, the Owners found “Bert,” a stuffed Highland Goat. With the addition of the second, more intimate great room, they found his brother “Ernie”. They tight-knit family loved the idea of keeping the brothers together.

Flanked by two great rooms and a casual dining space, the kitchen became center-stage with its sophisticated material palette and elegant lighting. Telluride Stone columns with Colorado Buff Limestone caps border the Stantos Redwood cabinetry, with a subtle reveal and clear hardware. The architect himself photographed the fall Aspen Trees for the client, and beautifully framed the massive image to create a window into the outside world. The master suite on the main level curves gracefully around the side of the home opening to the mountain views.

Furnishings by Fendi create a fresh yet luxurious feel with cove lighting and the stone fireplace. The opulent master bath was designed with two vanities separated by a glass and marble shower, opening to the bathtub with picture windows and crystal chandeliers. A generously sized master closet sits adjacent. Ascending the Antique White Oak steps, cut Colorado Buff columns with Ox horn lamps and glass doors open to the Star Mesa Wine Cellar housing 1,100 bottles. An arcade, custom theater, a bunkroom and additional guest rooms make up the lower level, which also share in the same rich material palette.

Decorative custom steel doors open into a spacious entry that serves as a casual sitting area.

Comfortable chairs cozy up to a gas fireplace set between stone pillars. Linear glass elements, backlit with LED lights, are embedded in the petrified-stone fireplace wall that soars all the way to the Western hemlock wood ceiling.

Luxuriously modern Colorado mountain home

Willoughby Way Residence is a luxurious contemporary home that honors its site on Red Mountain in Aspen, Colorado, designed by Charles Cunniffe Architects in conjunction with interior designer firm Pembrooke & Ives. With heavy timbers and stone to anchor the home onto its site, large expanses of glass help to encompass stunning the mountain views and brings into plenty of natural light. A mix of modern and mountain was created by combining clean line with spare natural materials. The beams are 120-year old recycled timbers from an old apple factory in Washington. By mixing the solidness of the materials with the transparency of the glass, a play of new and traditional was created.

To not detract from the view, the designers did not introduce too many materials in the home. When selecting the color palette, they took cues from the home’s architecture, which ranges from creamy beiges to chocolate browns. The beige and gray tones of the great room’s stonework inspired a rug in similar hues, while the dark stain of the antique beams is referenced in furnishings like the dining room table and chairs. They incorporated a lot of winter whites, organic shapes and only natural materials into the design scheme. Indirect lighting was selected to make the spaces glow, where lights play off materials on the walls to gain a sense of warmth. Solid hues showcase the clean lines of the furnishings, while rich, textured textiles create a sense of balance. Cashmere, wool, mohair and suede keeps the home feeling very warm and luxurious.