At the foot of the mountains in Colorado Springs, just an hour from Denver in America’s southwest, this house is an ode to the region’s memorable red rock formations and forest views. It’s this unique environment (one that has long served as fertile inspiration for creatives) that convinced homeowners Curtis and Debbie Barber, a couple in their sixties, to undertake the ambitious project of building their dream home.
When the moment came to choose who would help them turn fantasy into reality, the answer was a no-brainer: their daughter. An architect and interior designer, Brit Epperson – founder and chief creative officer of Studio Plow – jumped at the chance to tackle the challenge of both reflecting her own voice through the project and responding to her parents’ needs and taste.
She drew influences from their passion for hiking and camping to shape what has become a luxurious refuge in the woods. Rustic and refined touches intertwine in spaces where the breathtaking vistas are always the main protagonist. ‘The exterior and the interior of the house provide a contrast between light and shadow’, says Brit. ‘Selecting minimalist finishes was an intentional choice to keep the design quiet.’
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Through this very personal project, Brit also had the chance to test a theory. Turning convention on its head, she chose to start from the interior and work outwards to bigger architectural decisions. ‘The end design is the result of the many choices made to determine the layout and flow,’ she says. ‘For example, we considered couches before we thought about siding [used to clad the exterior].’
Cohesion was assured by Brit’s insistence on utilising materials inspired by or drawn from nature, such as unglazed terracotta, oak floors and wooden finishes. The warm, neutral palette is then dotted with textiles and characterful vintage pieces that bring personality.
And Brit’s isn’t the only personality on display; other family members had the chance to express their own talents. Brit’s brother, Barrett Karber, handcrafted the dining table and other pieces, while their parents installed all the decorative lighting themselves, as well as hanging the many artworks using frames they’d made from remnants of oak skirting board, left over from their home’s construction.
‘As a communal creation, the goal was to create a special place, a forever family home,’ says Brit. From the first sketches in 2016 to the final result, this house is a labour of love that embraces the surrounding landscape and honours the deep connection to kin. studioplow.com
