Tranquil doesn’t begin to describe the feeling evoked by the running water and mature trees on the large secluded lot along a waterway in Aspen. Enthralled with the possibilities, a philanthropic couple commissioned designer Noelle Hernandez and architects Bill Poss and Kim Weil to design a home on the site. “It’s a place of renewal,” the wife explains, “where people can feel relaxed and connected to nature.”
Horizontal cedar siding and vertical reclaimed barn wood complement the natural setting, while steel accents and a standing seam metal roof give the dwelling contemporary cred. “This is a modern house, but the barnwood adds texture and gives it a sense of belonging on this site with all the trees and the river,” Hernandez explains. “There’s a nice balance.”
Indeed, large windows frame the views to create a seamless link between inside and out. Large-scale porcelain tile floors laid in a subtle herringbone pattern flow out onto the exterior patio, further strengthening the connection with the exterior. It’s just one in a palette of tone-on-tone neutrals that maintain the focus on the view. “By keeping the inside quieter, you immediately look out to the greenery and river,” the designer says. “The eye travels and enjoys the treats.”
