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At the helm of Emerson Bailey—an international interior design studio and antiques gallery formerly based in Denver—Susan Weiss is no stranger to working on second, third, and fourth residences owned by high-end clients all over the world. In doing so, she’s often tasked with completing a project within a tight time constraint. “We sometimes get people who say, ‘This is my fourth home, and I just want it done quickly to host my extended family of 20 for Christmas,’” Weiss says. “And it’s hard to execute a really thoughtful design when you’re doing a deadline-based home.”
But for a European family’s vacation home in Beaver Creek, Weiss was encouraged to take her time layering in custom details and heirloom furnishings. “They didn’t want to rush through it and cut corners,” Weiss says of the three-year buildout. “They wanted it to be fantastic and special, even though it wasn’t their primary residence.”
Weiss entered the new-build project during the construction phase, just in time to tweak areas of the interior layout and upgrade the finishes. Her vision? A European-inspired mountain chalet. “My clients’ past homes were very contemporary,” she explains. “So we took that sophisticated, international essence and mixed it with the organic, natural feel of living in a rustic mountain environment.” Here’s how she pulled off that approach in every space of the home—even the gym.
Living Room
“We changed pretty much all of the builder-grade finishes to be more custom and high-end,” Weiss says. Throughout the house, walls were finished with a handmade plaster for subtle texture, and European white oak floors received a custom stain with a hint of warmth. That organic-modern foundation set the tone for Weiss’ furniture selection, which includes a mix of refined essentials and eye-catching antiques.
In the living room, the clean-lined sectional sofa and limestone coffee table are offset by sculptural pieces, including a folk art bench that Weiss found in London, a 19th-century cast iron crucible that sits atop a mid-century-modern pedestal from Sweden, and a cognac-leather Arne Jacobsen egg chair. “It was really hard to part with, but when something is perfect [for the space], really nothing else will work,” Weiss says. A hand-blown glass lamp by New York designer Joseph Pagano hinges like a seesaw and doubles as a piece of art.
Kitchen & Dining
The homeowners desired two types of dining spaces: one for casual grab-and-go meals before hitting the slopes and another for formal family dinners. In the kitchen, cream-hued leather barstools tuck neatly beneath an island topped with black marble, which was also used for the backsplash, countertops, and fireplace surround in the living room. To keep clutter out of sight, the refrigerator is concealed by cabinetry that matches the kitchen, etched-glass upper cabinets filter the appearance of dishes, and large appliances are stored in a back kitchen accessed through a doorway. “That’s where the blenders and toaster ovens and easy-access snacks are so we were really able to focus on the beautiful aspects and keep this part of the kitchen really clean,” Weiss explains.
In the dining room, a sculptural chandelier and an off-center art piece act as conversation starters. “I think art and lighting are two of the key aspects of a space—they can’t be an afterthought,” Weiss emphasizes.
Bedrooms
Weiss focused on layers of luxurious natural fabrics (mohair, linen, cashmere, wool) in neutral hues for each bedroom. “You walk in and you just feel good,” she says. “It’s quiet; it doesn’t scream, but it has this complexity that begins to reveal itself after you’re in there for a minute.” A sprinkling of antique chairs, including a Chinese yoke back chair from the Qing Dynasty, add function and form to the intimate sleep spaces. The sophisticated bunk room includes four full-size beds, vertical white-oak wall paneling, and subtle details like the cashmere-blend rug’s leather lacing. “But it’s still inviting enough that if you had an eight-year-old in there, they would think it’s really fun to climb up that ladder,” Weiss observes.
Bathroom
Extra muscle and problem-solving skills were needed to position the primary bathroom’s solid marble bathtub. “They had to bring a crane in and load it through the patio doors,” Weiss recounts. “And it was so heavy that they had to place it on top of round pipes and roll it inch by inch until it got to the right place in the bathroom. It was really challenging, but oh my gosh, it’s fabulous.” Smoked glass conceals the shower area, while dark, vertical-slat wood panels hide a linen closet. A vintage rug adds color and pattern to the space. “If you took that piece out, it would look like such a boring room,” Weiss comments. “Adding pieces that have a soulful presence makes a contemporary space feel comfortable and inviting so it’s not too cold, not too glossy.”
Home Gym
“Any kind of utilitarian space can be very beautiful,” Weiss says of the fitness space, which features materials and design techniques found elsewhere in the home. A mix of concrete and wood paneling in varying sizes adds depth to the walls, while corkboard flooring absorbs the shock of high-intensity workouts.
