Women in Design: Beth Slifer

THE ICON: Beth Slifer, Slifer Designs, Edwards, CO

You’ve been in the industry for more than 25 years. How has high-country design evolved in that time?
The early 1980s to 2010 has been the story of America’s love affair with second homes. When I arrived in Vail, vacation homes were like camps—very simply designed for sleeping the maximum number of family and friends in the minimum amount of space. But beginning in the late 80s, that concept evolved into what became the mega homes of the 90s and early 2000s, which were often more comfortable and beautiful than the owners’ primary homes. Today, there’s a new trend toward more moderate and modest second homes that don’t sacrifice quality and style. 

Tell us about modern design in the mountains.
Today there is a new experiment going on with the “mountain modern” [style], but I think most customers want a very modified version of modern. They don’t want to sacrifice comfort; they don’t want to feel that it’s too minimalist. They really see their high-country houses as an extended family room for their lifestyle. 

What are the hallmarks of your designs?
From the beginning, we recognized the importance for people to cocoon, if you would, as well as entertain in their second homes. As the spaces enlarged, so did the furniture, so that by and large, year after year, comfort has been the highest priority. We don’t sell our customers any furniture—whether it’s dining chairs or beds—that we haven’t first tested ourselves. And I think we have been a driver of the concept that comfort equals luxury. 

What’s your latest inspiration?
The most inspiring trend for me today is the return to the purity of lines: the stripping away of excessive clutter and over-the-top embellishments.  

Enlighten us with a new direction in architecture and furnishings.
My favorite direction right now is a mix of classic Palladian architecture from Italy and England mixed with modern furniture and clean lines. I think that captures today’s new preference for elegant simplicity. I think you even see that in shelter magazines—you see far fewer homes with massive collections of little odds and ends all over the place and many more livable, easier-to-maintain spaces. 

What’s next for you?
I have turned over the reigns to Yvonne Jacobs, who has a wonderful design background and 15 years of experience in New York and with Slifer Designs. She’s not only an excellent administrator; she is a talent in creative design and is doing a wonderful job of leading the company.