In this month's edition of Design In Focus (yes, we have a new name!), Homes Editor Kelly Phillips Badal celebrates LUXE’s Colorado + the Rockies region. (The newly expanded region is right on the cusp of celebrating its 20-year anniversary, as the upcoming July/August 2025 issue marks the publication's 100th edition!) Keep reading to explore what the area's design scene has to offer, from the iconic mountain enclaves to the canyon communities that continue to shape the design language of the West.
The Local Design Landscape
Encompassing Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and Montana, the Rockies region showcased in LUXE is varied and vibrant, including cities, world-renowned ski towns, mountain enclaves and dozens of other beloved communities with unique personalities.
Architecturally, Denver is especially known for its historic and reimagined classic homes (see even: the boxy, early-1900s “Denver Square” style; here's an especially elegant example). However, the city truly embraces everything, from traditional to contemporary builds, as does Salt Lake City, where Art Deco elements mix with Prairie styles and modern masterpieces alike. Aspen and Vail’s iconic A-frames and elevated ski chalets enjoy a timeless charm, while Jackson is known for its blend of Western elements and elevated rusticity. Both Bozeman and Big Sky draw together a range of historic styles and mountain modern designs.
What unites this entire region is its connection to the great outdoors. Nearly every home is oriented toward the Rockies and incorporates materials that relate back to nature. And nearly all design pros—architects, interior designers, builders and landscape architects alike—speak of their work as both honoring and conversing with the land.
This Denver residence by R/terior Studio embraces bold, colorful texture and pattern.
"Everything relates back to the great outdoors; it’s a unifier for this entire region."
— Kelly Phillips Badal, Homes Editor
A love of land, stone and the earth itself hard-launched the vision for this retreat in northeastern Wyoming graced with long-range views of the Black Hills mountains by Lauren Griffith of Alma Interiors and Brandon Daigle of N38 Architecture.
What's Hot In Interiors
Given that this area’s stunning natural surroundings are so revered, residences with indoor-outdoor connections are a must. From dramatic glass curtain walls that frame the peaks, pocketing sliders that blur the boundaries between the indoors and out, and of course, plenty of al fresco living, dining, and recreational spaces, life in the Rockies region is lived outside just as much as in.
Color schemes and textiles largely nod back to the surroundings, too. Here, earth tones and natural neutrals meet patinaed leathers and fabrics like boucle, wool, linen and fur—picks that simply fit this storied section of the U.S. No matter where the project, most design teams in the Rockies want their work to reference the area’s iconic topography and abundant wildlife—in ways that range from subtle to bold. We’re all for a sophisticated twist on a rustic antler chandelier—see the glass-rendered take on one that caps off this Big Sky home’s primary bedroom—and we love a witty alternative to taxidermy, like how this Denver bedroom’s four-posted bed cleverly ends in "hooves."
A Closer Look
Here's a home that exemplifies what Rockies residents want right now: So jaw-dropping that it graced two of our May/June 2025 covers, this art-forward Jackson Hole residence by WRJ Design is a landmark achievement that celebrates a deep connection to its surroundings. It boasts harmonious interiors that honor craftsmanship and fine details—all set off by an edgy, notable contemporary art collection anchored by two site-specific Jedd Novatt sculptures.
In the living area of this Urbaine Home-designed Montana retreat, the fireplace wall’s board-formed concrete creates a cool-toned backdrop.
Trending Materials + Themes
Rammed Earth Walls
Currently growing in popularity, these ultra-strong structural elements celebrate natural soil and sand, expressed in organic wave-like patterns. Prime example: This striking northeastern Wyoming property, envisioned by Brandon Daigle of N38 Architecture, features two massive monoliths extending 60 feet in length by 34 feet at their highest point, bisecting the house. (Fun fact: the residence belongs to a couple with backgrounds in geology—which is so apropos.)
Classic Cabin Styles Made Modern
This Aspen stunner by CCY Architects and KA Design Group references classic Colorado cabins through stacked plank walls, textured granite and a timber canopy paired with large swathes of glass. (“it’s not your grandfather’s log cabin,” architect Rich Carr points out.)
Fresh takes on theWild West
Cowboy nostalgia, given a modern, unexpected, even cheeky twist, is having a resurgence—see the motifs of cowboys, horses and even a playful painting of a “Wanted” poster that designer Lauren Griffith chose for this Wyoming home, which wink to its Western locale.
CCY Architects worked with landscape architect Scott Sone on the water feature outside this contemporary log cabin set into the Aspen hillside.
Leading Designers + Top Talent In Colorado + the Rockies
Colorado
Denver-based Andrea Monath Schumacher’s eye for whimsically layered, colorful interiors have earned her devoted client and admirers in Colorado and across the U.S., and she’s recently spun off part of her business to focus on hospitality projects—and hinted at a follow-up to her popular book, Vibrant Interiors.
We’ve also been seeing incredible work from Denver’s Ruggles Mabe Studio for literally decades (the firm was founded in 1970!). This year the firm re-established as Ruggles Lindemann Bell, elevating interior designer Emily Lindemann and architect Justin Bell to new prominence.
Utah
Salt Lake City-based Anne-Marie Barton of AMB Design has risen to national prominence lately.. She’s celebrated for her warm, richly layered interiors and empathetic, intuitive design approach. We’ve written about her new, artisan-inspired collaboration with Visual Comfort & Co., and she also recently debuted a 26-piece line with Eliko Rugs by David Ariel.
We’re also admiring the artful interiors of fellow Salt Lake City designer Susannah Holmberg of Susannah Homberg Studios, and of course, Salt Lake City mainstay Shea McGee of Studio McGee’s celebrated signature modern heritage aesthetic (and various popular homewares lines) continues to keep traditional and transitional styles feeling fresh.
Andrea Monath Schumacher paired Sanderson’s Bird of Paradise wallcovering with Benjamin Moore’s Central Mauve on the ceiling of this Denver retreat.
Wyoming
Out of Jackson Hole, Rush Jenkins and Klaus Baer of WRJ have set the standard for that oh-so-coveted rustic yet refined style that exemplifies luxury mountain living. (Their best-selling book, Natural Elegance, is a Rockies region design library must!) We’re also keeping an eye on WRJ-alum Emily Janak of Emily Janak Interiors, who maintains offices in Jackson Hole and Bozeman and is turning out excellent work.
Montana
The work of Bozeman-based Skye Anderson and Rain Houser of Urbaine Home recently wowed us (check out how they achieved this colorful, modern minimalistic home in Big Sky); the pair also maintain a high-end home and lifestyle atelier. We’re also consistently noting the design talents of Bozeman’s Abby Hetherington of Abby Hetherington Interiors as well as the innovative team behind Pearson Design Group.
Read exclusive interviews from Abby and other top designers in our LinkedIn newsletter
"Montana design doesn't fall under just one aesthetic," designer Abby Hetherington notes, "but textures and prints are very Montanan, as well as the mix of modern, rustic and vintage all in one space. Our version of 'rustic' now skews more vintage."
The Region's Design Hot Spots
Denver’s Cherry Creek neighborhood is exploding into the major design destination of the Rockies, as home to showrooms including: Ann Sacks, Ballard Designs, Roche Bobois, Natuzzi, Joybird, Herman Miller, Boffi | De Padova, The Den, Design Within Reach, HW Home, Arhaus, The Brass Bed (a staple!), Element Home and White Peacock.
Just 10 minutes out is the IDC Building, which just debuted ThermaSol’s Ultra Wellness Center (brought to life by a Creative Living and Benjamin Moore partnership).
A short romp away are the showrooms of the Denver Design District, where a Phillip Jeffries showroom will soon land. Plus, the homes at the much-anticipated Waldorf Astoria Residences are soon to become among Cherry Creek’s most coveted addresses.
Finally, the redevelopment of Cherry Creek West, a massive 13-acre project peppered with residences, office space, retail and park space is set to cap off the neighborhood.
Italian furniture brand Natuzzi Italia’s Cherry Creek North showroom allows Coloradans to experience firsthand the harmonious design that is so crucial to the Apulian luxury lifestyle.
If You're Visiting Denver...
Take it from me: Stay at the modern boutique hotel the Halcyon, right in the center of the action, and grab a meal next door at Quality Italian—one of Denver’s tastiest, friendliest, always buzzing restaurants, designed by the same firm that restored Denver's Union Station. Then, take a stroll (the city experiences about 250 sunny days per year!) to explore many of the spots mentioned above.
About The Author
Kelly Phillips Badal has been a writer and editor covering home design, decor, lifestyle and travel for more than 20 years. Originally from Columbus, Indiana, and a former New Yorker, she currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband, photographer Tanveer Badal, and daughters Aria and Sahara. Read more of Kelly's work here.
