The Key to Achieving Balance in Mountain Home Design

In life, the best outcomes seem to derive from a sense of balance. And when it comes to designing a mountain home, the same is certainly true. A mountain home needs to reflect a sense of place, but it also needs to reflect the owners’ values, personality and their own unique story. The home needs to have a sense of style, but it shouldn’t be contrived. Elements from seemingly opposite ends of the design spectrum can intermingle. For example, mountain homes can be both contemporary and organic. And responsibly-sourced materials and furnishings can be both “Eco” and “Chic”.

There’s something to be said about the value of “honest” design—no gimmicks or fake embellishments. Organically inspired luxury is achieved through the purposeful use of stunning, authentic materials.

In the gorgeous powder room above, a solid bronze sink rests upon a reclaimed spruce timber. Above, an ebonized antique Chinese mirror is perched between hand-blown crystal sconces and the whole of the room is enveloped with a custom, opalescent wall covering made entirely of shimmering natural shells.

Using organic materials in unexpected ways injects a dynamic quality to an interior. Organic materials also often lend themselves to dramatically scaled designs, lending excitement and a bit of grandeur.

The furnishings for the multi-million dollar cliffside home shown above had to step up to meet the power, grandeur and scale of a very dramatic house and the stunning surroundings of Big Sur. The substantial scale of the solid dining set in the foreground blends seamlessly with the natural beauty beyond the expansive window panels. 

Again, it is critical to keep the concept of balance top of mind. For example, featuring a wildly organic cocktail table in a room would be uber-chic, but it should be balanced with a comfortable seating arrangement.

The exquisite room above features a reclaimed California black walnut root system which was split and slabbed to create one-of-a-kind dining table. Surrounded by plump, downy-soft seating enveloped in organic, hand-loomed fabric, the space is transformed into a cocoon; within view of, but safely perched above, the wild and beautiful elements of nature.

Finally, adding in a few antiques (the ultimate in eco-chic—repurposed furniture) and some well-chosen artifacts contributes character, a sense of history and interest, too.

Above, every detail tells a story—an authentic Indian basket tucked on the shelf of the console table flanked by an ornate Victorian chair on one side and a rustic Craftsman chair on the other, burlap wall coverings and vibrant antique, hand-loomed rugs.

Below, this handsome office evokes the comforting environment of a secret treehouse nestled above the trees in Aspen, Colorado. The room exudes a strong sense of history with distinctive furniture including an antique school desk, an Arts and Craft rocking chair and a comfy overstuffed sofa clad in fabric made from reclaimed vintage curtains. Personal items such as the owner’s gold club and a pitcher’s mask from his youth add a note of nostalgia.

In addition, accessories indigenous to the area—a rawhide lamp shade, an Indian painting and a Navajo rug—give a nod to locale and provide the space with an authentic sense of place. 

Mark Boone is the President of Mark Boone Inc., Interiors and Mimi London, which continues to lead the industry with its unique approach of creating organically inspired, powerful, luxurious furnishings. View their profile or contact them at 310.855.2567.

Content for this article provided by Mimi London.