Alpine Home and Hearth on EasyLiving Front Range Colorado

Native stone hearths, reclaimed wood beams, cowhide throw rugs, burnished metal accents … all of these Western-themed design elements are commonly found in Eagle County homes, hotels and commercial buildings.

But for every antler chandelier and longhorn wall hanging, there are a handful of other elements that create mountain style.

Conserving the environment is key element of interior design here. According to Jan Rosenthal Townsend, owner of Shadey Deals/Alpine Ambiance in Eagle and Edwards, her clients regularly ask about eco-friendly products and window treatments.
As an authorized dealer of Hunter Douglas window coverings, Rosenthal Townsend says one popular style she sells is the new energy-efficient Architella™ honeycomb shades. “People really like the heat retention these shades offer,” she says.

Fabric treatments on windows—including side panels, drapes and valences—seem to be making a resurgence, says Rosenthal Townsend. “Their purpose is two-fold. They help prevent heat loss, and fabrics with varying textures can make a room appear cozier.” In other words, fabric accents on windows add warmth to a room both literally and figuratively.

She notes that some fabric manufacturers have also introduced environmentally friendly lines. Kravet Green’s textiles feature all-natural and sustainable yarns or recycled components.

“Bringing the outside in” is also a popular mountain style element. Amy Anderson, owner of Seasonal Thymes in Eagle, focuses on nature-inspired accents for the home. The décor items she stocks change seasonally—such as poinsettias, fresh garland and custom wreaths in the winter to pumpkins, gourds and hay bales in the fall.

Interestingly, even with all of the fresh natural products she carries in her store, Anderson isn’t afraid to steer her customers to artificial items, as well. “A beautiful pot full of fresh greens is lovely,” she says. “But in our dry climate and with our direct sunlight, it may not last through the season.” She’ll usually suggest her clients weave some faux accents into fresh decorations.

And Anderson says you can’t “over do” when it comes to decorating. “It’s really a personal choice. Some clients of mine decorate to the hilt come Christmastime, with trees and lights in every room. Others make do with a simple poinsettia on the hearth. There’s no right or wrong.”

Finally, a touch of Europe is what you’ll find at Karin’s Interior Accessories and Design in Beaver Creek. For more than 20 years, Karin Lanham’s hand-chosen items from far-flung locales like Italy and France, as well as Morocco and Asia, have graced homes in the valley.

“It’s a nice alternative” to the rustic, Western design that is so prevalent in the mountains, says Lanham. “I call it a European country look. It’s timeless and elegant.”

Lanham says that classic accents like a “ginger jar” or an Italian jug can complement many different design schemes, even in homes that are primarily contemporary. Similarly, pillows made of luxurious silks or brocades, as well as her unusual faux-fur throws can add warmth and texture to any room.

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