Fairways at Pole Creek

Nestled among the pines in the Fairways at Pole Creek golfing community near Winter Park, Colorado, this modern mountain home holds grandiose views of Winter Park ski area and the Continental Divide mountain range beyond. We knew we could accommodate the homeowner’s desire for something more up to date, even eclectic, than the traditional rustic mountain abode. They were looking for a mix between contemporary and traditional, warm but with an edge.

Inspired by Craftsman-style architecture but with a mountain twist, the fantastic result has a series of gables and flat, low-sloped roofs, many with exposed rafters and bracketing. The grand dwelling’s rustic Douglas fir siding accents the Oklahoma stone walls, which flow into the interior, enhancing the connection between inside and out. The ceiling trusses have a gentle arc shape, and many of the light fixtures have a swoop detail that softens the angular architecture.

Inside the solid walnut front door, visitors are greeted with a mountain view through the soaring windows in the open living room. A Mongolian wool chair and bespoke throw pillows add a pop of texture to the serene, neutral living room. The large, dramatic windows makes it feel more modern by creating a bright, airy interior that is not typical for mountain timber-frame homes.

A floor-to-ceiling raw steel fireplace holds its own against the views, its three-sided hearth allowing the flames to be seen from every point in the open great room. While the homeowner was initially skeptical of the idea of the industrial raw steel, once installed realized what a piece of art it becomes.

The raw steel complements the exposed stone wall, oak floors and beetle kill pine ceiling—a mix of rustic and contemporary that pervades the interior. For example, the walnut cabinetry in the open kitchen is accented by a raw steel range hood and jet-cut glass tile backsplash. And geode-like glass globes illuminate both the Cristallo quartzite waterfall island and the open dining area for a modern touch. The lighting design, furniture and accent pieces bring an element of shine to every room.

In the master bedroom a German silver-leafed bed reflects the natural daylight flanked by matching wood-and-silver-leaf side tables and accented by a fur floor throw. The spa-like handmade ceramic shower tile in the adjacent master bathroom likewise pops against the white ceramic subway tile while the metal branch-like chandelier adds a touch of nature.

The other bedrooms are conveniently located on the lower level, which also features a large family room decked out with a wet bar, built-in bunks and a pool table. At night, this home glows, thanks to its many indirect light sources, including cove lighting in the basement ceiling and concealed lighting underneath the edge of the kitchen island and beneath the lower lip of the fireplace.

Just outside, a flight of steps leads to the covered deck off of the dining room, where a double-sided stone fireplace separates the living and dining area from the hot tub. Our team was able to retain as much natural beauty of the lot as possible. Tall pines, decorative boulders and native wildflowers surround the deck, creating the sense of being in the wild despite the nearby neighbors.