chautauqua family home, boulder, colorado

we did an extensive remodel on this family home nestled under the flatirons in the chataqua neighborhood of boulder, colorado. originally built in the 80’s we updated the exterior with earthy wood siding and local stone, in keeping with the home’s mountain setting.

the interior palette includes clean white walls throughout, a range of warm woods from the white oak flooring, doors and framing to teak, walnut and rosewood in the furnishings, cool grays in the tile and kitchen cabinets all punctuated with matte black hardware and black steel railings. we brought in lots of texture and color pops in the art pieces, vintage rugs and textiles giving the home a vibrant, warm feeling.

in the entry you are greeted with a bright, rainbow flower painting by the talented sarah kinn. the custom, built-in bench is situated opposite a matching console shelf with saddle leather drawers to house all of the necessary sunscreen and sunnies for life in boulder.

rather than spot lighting on the ceiling, there are slim, linear lights framing the living room. these lights are carried throughout the house in various rectangular patterns.

the living room is anchored by a curvy, tufted, charcoal, L-shaped ethnicraft sofa set on a colorful, striped, vintage turkish rug. in lieu of a traditional coffee table, there is a large, hot water bottle shaped, crocheted ottoman from the manga collection by gan. cylindrical, red tomato felt side tables from bludot flank the ends of the sofa. next to the horizontal fireplace is a black leather lounge chair from the 70’s.

the black stained dining table is set under a roll & hill modo chandelier. curved back danish armchairs sit on the sides of the table with black leather armchairs on both ends. two sarah kinn color studies hang on the corner wall.

the bulthaup kitchen features floor to ceiling cabinetry in a soft gray. the paneled refrigerator disappears into the pantry design and there is a roll up “garage” to house various kitchen appliances. the island is lit by three tom dixon pendants with hand-beaten brass interiors.

the kitchen and dining area open onto the garden patio via a wall of folding glass doors. the outdoor table is shaded by a steel pergola with a die cut grid pattern that creates intriguing geometric shadows. the fire pit is framed by a large, cozy blue outdoor sofa, one of “rio’s” favorite resting spots.

the white oak stairs are accessorized with a fun, striped runner and lead up to the second floor which hosts a home office, a guest bedroom, the powder bath and the baby’s room.

the custom built oak and steel pocket door (crafted by roger sims) opens into the home’s office space. a colorful vintage oushak kilim rug covers the floor while a copper table lamp and ceiling fixture (from tom dixon’s melted series) bring warm shine to the room.

the powder room floor is tiled in a circular geometric pattern. a warm, walnut vanity is hung from a wall tiled in clean, white subway tiles.

the guest room features a leather and acacia wood framed bed that sits under a hot pink and orange abstract painting by sarah kinn. the copper ceiling melt light is accompanied by two tom dixon table lights.

like the other rooms on this floor, the baby room features a copper ceiling light. simple white furnishings: a crib, dresser and eames rocker allow the colors of the patterned rug and child sized pantone chairs placed around a walnut egg-shaped table to pop. the “nijntje” bunny floor light is a nod to the family’s dutch roots.

the primary bedroom is flooded with light from the floor to ceiling windows that frame stunning views of the flatiron mountains. vintage brass and charcoal upholstered circular chairs sit in the corner. a dip dyed yarn art piece hangs above the velvet upholstered bed, kitty corner to two vertically stacked sarah kinn water colors. a fringed, textured bench is placed at the foot of the bed. two mid century side tables with red “punk” lights from bludot serve as bedside tables. the whole room is grounded by the antique persian heriz rug.

down the hall, the primary bathroom includes a sculptural stand alone tub set against charcoal, linen, hexagon tiles. a rose-toned, vintage persian hamadan carpet runs the length of the bathroom. the glass enclosed steam shower is punctuated with matt black fixtures set against stacked, white tiles. the generous rosewood vanity hosts matching sinks set under rounded black mirrors and similarly styled sconces.

the lower level family room is outfitted with exuberant carpet tiles from flor, a pumpkin colored corner sofa and more cylindrical felt ottomans from bludot.

front exterior and stairwell photo: nate polta

interior photos: heather knierim of HBK photography

architect: mark gerwing of m. gerwing architects

builder: ron monahan of ron monahan construction

landscaping: ashley stevens of evoke

vintage pieces sourced from: mod livin’