By Nancy Milligan

	Click for more images Architect: The Mulhern Group Interior design: Carol Mathers Interiors Builder: C & H Construction

The entry hall of Laurie Galbreath’s mountain home does more than welcome guests—it speaks volumes about her approach to design. Rich woods, textural fabrics, heated limestone floors, and hand-troweled walls are the language of understated elegance and sophistication that defines the interiors. The unexpected fire pole tells you that this is a fun, family home as well, built for the pleasure of Laurie’s three rough-and-tumble sons. The homeowner’s goal was to create a comfortable, yet classic, haven for her family and friends, where they can indulge their passion for Colorado’s outdoor lifestyle and mountain scenery. “I want this house to be well-used…. The more the merrier,” Laurie says. “Having a place away from our everyday life in Denver is an opportunity to enjoy each other on a different, more relaxed level.”

Although Laurie had renovated several homes, this was her first venture in building a house from scratch. “My strengths lie in finding really great people to work with,” she says. She turned to known professionals Mike Mulhern (along with his associates Kate Hilberg and Roger White) of the Mulhern Group, whose work she knew; and interior designer Carol Mathers, who had done the interiors of Laurie’s Denver home. “They all listened to and had respect for the direction I wanted to go,” Laurie says. Mulhern agrees that a good sense of communication is key to building a house: “Laurie was always organized in her thoughts and goals,” he says. “We all brought ideas to the table and worked together as a team.”

The structure’s exterior architecture is a contemporary adaptation of shingle style, defined by horizontal lines, gracious porches and balconies, and rich detailing. “Great expanses of glass and the use of local buff ledgestone make it compatible with variant mountain styles found in Summit County,” Mulhern says. “The house is designed to capture the unique aspects of the site, maximizing mountain views and bringing in the light.”

Light and color were the key starting points for the interior design. “Everything else developed from there,” Mathers says. She and Laurie began with a warm palette of terra-cotta, persimmon, and orange to play off the neutral hand-troweled glazed walls. “A Tuscan-inspired theme evolved as we designed the interiors around those rich, warm colors and the mountain light,” she says. “That suggested rustic, dark wood and lots of texture.”

Wood is a dominant element in the house, from structural trusses to window frames to the abundance of furniture-quality custom cabinetry. Knotty alder was selected for its rich color and natural, random pattern; pitted iron door handles and pulls are in keeping with the distressed wood. Everything is textural,” says Mathers, who introduced additional texture in the finishes and fabrics, from pillowed limestone floors, to an unlikely mix of chenille and leather upholstery on the classic sofas and chairs.

Laurie’s design style is both relaxed and refined: “I like elegant, European country style, but I don’t want to be the mom who says ‘hands off’ to the kids,” she says. “It’s okay if they jump on the couch and put their feet up on the coffee table.” Mathers created a balance of easy-going refinement that is kid-friendly without sacrificing style: “Our philosophy was that exquisite items can also be practical, such as the contemporary concrete-and-iron coffee table. All the woodwork is heavily distressed, so another little nick or two won’t change the beauty of it. And the gorgeous fabrics wear like iron.”

With the goal of building a livable family retreat, the architects designed the 3,400-square-foot home with separate spaces for kids and adults as well as an open great room in which everyone can mingle. The fire pole and a more conventional staircase lead to the kids’ lower-level domain, featuring a bunkroom, family/playroom, and a secret hiding space concealed behind bookshelves. “The great room on the main floor is as open as it can possibly be, with vaulted ceilings, wood columns, and a soaring fireplace as the focal point,” Mulhern says. “The big, welcoming kitchen is part of what’s happening…the prow of the ship.” Upstairs is a private master suite with its own fireplace and sumptuous bathroom. A cozy loft tucked under the eaves and two guestrooms offer sleeping space when there is a crowd.

“The house has a level of detail that is elegant, yet soft and inviting,” Mulhern says. “Our goal was to create a home where people walk in and say ‘wow,’ and yet there is a sense of comfort for both kids and adults.”