MOUNTAIN VILLAGE
living spaces

There are countless words that fold into architecture - engineering, designing, building, platting, environmentalism, symmetry, budget, creativity, personality, lifestyle and more. In essence, distinguished architecture is much like a finely orchestrated symphony. When the strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion and harps all deliver their notes in tempo and with clear articulation, the symphony hits a mark of greatness like Beethoven's Ninth did in the mid-1800s. Similarly with architecture, when design, functionality, materials, lighting, clean lines, open spaces, harmonious proportions of utility and living space are executed with precession and forethought, a paradigm of exceptional work is achieved - no matter if it is of the "symphony genre," rock-n-roll, country or jazz. In other words, fine architecture can be achieved in every style - Victorian, mountain lodge, log hybrids, country, contemporary, Tudor, Southwestern, adobe and post and beam to name a few. Telluride has many fantastic paradigms of architecture. Some are grandiose in scale, while others are minuscule and quaint. Some reflect the Old World , while others fuse the high-tech world with rustic charms that mirror cowboy and Indian traditions. Indeed, Telluride and Mountain Village architecture runs the gamut in movements and styles. The most prominent type of architecture in the town of Telluride is Victorian, while Mountain Village delivers a varied and creative array of structural designs. Though many schemes are blended, each falls under one category better than another. For example, many structures in Mountain Village 's core marry the Southwestern look with an alpine European flavor. There seems to be a common denominator our mountain homes feature: large windows framing the majestic mountain views; high ceilings with exposed timber, accented by large chandeliers; granite counter tops and stainless steel kitchen appliances; masterly-stacked stone fireplaces are often the focal points of living rooms, bedrooms and even kitchens. Authentic and quality materials that court the tapestries of nature add the finishing touches of Telluride's mountain style architecture.

Nesting Grounds
What surrounds us in our homes are most often those things we find inspiring, comforting, beautiful and most dear to our hearts. The interior decoration of our homes is a thumbnail sketch of our lives. How we decorate and keep our homes most assuredly says something about our inner selves, values, traditions, likes and dislikes as well as reflecting the very rhythm of our lifestyles. Decor captures the soul of the dweller and frames their personality and the individuality of each family member. It is the place where the "heart is worn on the sleeve" and an overall sense of balance is sought. The subliminal influences created in private spaces rouse our spirits and affect our psyches each day - though we may not always be cognizant of it. The Behind Closed Doors Home Tour has highlighted many of the lovely homes of Telluride. The architecture style of each home often sets the tone for the interior design. One parlays into the other; joined at the hip, the most masterfully-crafted homes keep their statements cohesive, flowing and in concert with one another. This ultimately creates a phenomenal nesting ground that lends itself to a feeling of harmony that is consistent with an underlying theme. As Tom, of Thomas W. Conyer, Architect, A.I.A. says, "Having designed homes in Mountain Village and Aldasoro, we feel the homes with the greatest appeal are the ones where the architect and interior designer interconnect or work as a team so as to achieve the subtle nuances the homeowners set from the onset of a building project." Often times, this may translate into the architecture firm ordering and installing lighting fixtures, appliances, facets and many other long-standing goods. Mountain style interior design has evolved from utilizing monochrome themes - log walls, log furnishings, log this and log that. Today's style seems to contrast colors, shapes, textures, patterns and materials. Old, reclaimed timber floors and beams accentuate ornate furnishings, just as grand spaces seem to be set off best when adornments are cozy, downy and intimate. Often times the outside is lured in by modest window dressings and the inside is brought out through inside-looking outdoor furnishings. The play on contradictions creates interest and dimension. It also has fired the imagination of the do-it-yourself decorator as well as the professional. It has become a process reflecting the spirit of Yin/Yang.