The Magnificence of Moonrises Inspire a Home’s Architectural Ethos and Direction
This east-facing home in Edwards captures the rising sun—and moon
The homeowners asked architect Suzanne Allen Sabo to design a home with as many windows as possible. The great room, bedrooms and common areas all offer beautiful vistas. | PHOTOS: MARIE-DOMINIQUE VERDIER
The homeowners of this Edwards, Colorado, residence chose the location primarily for its expansive east-facing view. However, they were not necessarily thinking about sunrises. “I love sunrises—but, more particularly, moonrises,” the wife says. “I love the moon. We bought a piece of art that’s a photograph of the moon. It’s quite large, and it was integral to the design.”
The front entrance is all about symmetry. Twin windows flank a grand front door that features a beautiful wood-grain pat- tern. Doorways and sculpture niches face each other in the foyer, and limestone walls emphasize bringing the outside in. | PHOTOS: MARIE-DOMINIQUE VERDIER
The moon is a special inspiration. The homeowners knew they would need an exceptional architect, whom they found through a fortuitous conversation. “I don’t know if people are going to believe this story,” the husband recounts. “We reached out to a friend who’s a realtor and architect by training. We were showing him clips from Mountain Living from the prior decade, and he pointed out that a healthy proportion of the homes we admired were from the same architect—we met with her two days later!”
The kitchen layers wood, metal, stone and leather in a modern design. To maintain clean lines, cabinetry is free of hardware. | PHOTOS: MARIE-DOMINIQUE VERDIER
The architect in question, Suzanne Allen Sabo of Allen Guerra Architecture, helped make their vision a reality—a process that intentionally focused on art. Not only did Allen Sabo accommodate the moon photograph, but she also designed a special place for the homeowners’ sculptures: “I really enjoyed working with their extensive art collection, and I love the gallery hall, which incorporates space to display their small pieces.”
The staircase, which had to be installed through a hole in the roof, is sinuous and sculptural. Custom pendants and tread lights emphasize its artistic silhouette. | PHOTOS: MARIE-DOMINIQUE VERDIER
The homeowners found another place to highlight their art—the staircase. “We had a strong idea that the staircase would be a sideways barrel vault,” the husband explains. The sculptural shape sets off more of their art collection. At the bottom of the stairs, the family keeps a book featuring the art of photographer Peter Lik. “What’s so fun about it,” the husband says, “is that my wife and the kids flip to a different image every week or so.”
A double-sided fireplace connects living and dining rooms. Ensconced in a tower of limestone, the fireplace is also a dramatic architectural element. | PHOTOS: MARIE-DOMINIQUE VERDIER
The wife adds, “The view from the top of the staircase is always changing.” Organic materials like stone and steel are also artfully integrated into the home’s design. A double-sided fireplace heats both the living and dining rooms, surrounded by a vertical wall of limestone. “What’s really unique about the limestone is that it’s filled with fossil shells,” the husband says. “It’s also the same material used in the exterior of the home; the design is really contiguous.”
The homeowners fell in love with a piece of back-painted glass they found in a stoneyard and decided to use it in the shower of their primary bathroom. | PHOTOS: MARIE-DOMINIQUE VERDIER
The outdoor spaces, in fact, also feature art. On the back deck, the homeowners selected a custom-built fire sculp- ture by New York-based artist Elena Colombo. “The whole thing lights up,” the husband muses; “it’s just gorgeous.” The wife adds, “One of our most relaxing times—alone or with friends—is sitting on the back deck and animal watching.”
A double-sided fireplace connects living and dining rooms. Ensconced in a tower of limestone, the fireplace is also a dramatic architectural element. | PHOTOS: MARIE-DOMINIQUE VERDIER
When they entertain, the homeowners especially enjoy their kitchen and dining room. They chose a custom dining table by Canadian furniture maker Jeff Mack. It’s made of black walnut with a live edge and epoxy ribbon. “Usually, the tables are made with blues and greens,” the wife explains. “Personally, I didn’t want to commit to a color. I saw the pearlescent finish, and it fits perfectly in the space with the clouds in the sky or the snow falling.”
PHOTOS: MARIE-DOMINIQUE VERDIER
BUILDER: MEADOW MOUNTAIN HOMES
ARCHITECTURE: ALLEN GUERRA ARCHITECTURE
As seen in ML’s September/October 2023 Issue
