private chalet | aspen | colorado

This resolutely contemporary chalet breaks the codes of mountain decoration and imposes its urban style.

Carefully designed to harmonise with the surrounding landscape and wildlife, this family home in Aspen, Colorado, seems to float above the ground on which it was built.

The owners envisioned a house in harmony with the natural environment: aspens, green oaks, pines, natural grasses, and pastures. 'We wanted to build within a watertight building envelope and leave the rest wild,' explains the owner. Therefore, it was essential to choose a design team with the same aesthetic. The nearly 1000 m² residence, comprising seven bedrooms and 11 bathrooms, is filled with works of art.

It is accessed via a long private road, offering an incredible view of the surrounding mountains. The first glimpse of the house is its flat roof integrating 134 high-efficiency solar panels nestled among sedums and native grasses that echo the fields below. 'The plantings are all native to this area,' explains the owner. 'They are perennials and change colour at different times throughout the seasons.'

Nathalie Ryan, from the Parisian studio Kirei, who is both the interior designer and architect, oversaw the interior design of the building. From the beginning of the project, Nathalie was captivated by the view, the magical quality of the light, and the region's rapidly and radically changing climatic conditions.

These elements guided her choice of colour palette, materials, and textures, thus meeting the owners' desire to blend into the natural environment. The owners also worked closely with the interior designer to select custom-made furniture, fabrics, and rugs that perfectly match the tones of the stone and walnut used consistently as a common thread throughout the property.

Exclusive vintage pieces from France mingle with custom-designed furniture and lighting.