The modern farmhouse has become a staple of design shows and moodboards. In the last half-decade, this style of home has swept social media, with architecture buffs, interior decorators, and designers admiring how the farmhouse brings together natural palettes, spacious minimalism, industrial accents, and antique furnishings—a mix of timeless trends.
The farmhouse look achieves the right blend of refined and relaxed, upscale and down-to-earth. And few homes elevate this aesthetic to the same level as this unique contemporary farmhouse in the heart of Aspen’s scenic resort country.
Designed by Al Beyer and built in 2015, this residence pays proper homage to the farmhouse’s history, which originated with American pioneers in the 1700s and flourished in Aspen by the late 1800s. With log wood siding along with custom stone masonry, the home is faithful to both its cultural heritage and natural surroundings.
Outdoor Oasis
Aspen, Colorado | Chris Klug, Aspen Snowmass Sotheby’s International Realty
While a typical farmhouse might look out over fields, Aspen takes views to new heights. The home borders on the forested mountains of Colorado’s world-class hiking and skiing country, while the backyard of this nearly one-acre property leads onto lush woodland trails. Pastoral landscapes are a must for farmhouses, but few can claim a setting as covetable as Aspen’s idyllic slopes.
The garden mirrors the authentic country environment, with gambel oak, serviceberry trees, and the town’s namesake aspen trees alongside native flowers, and features an enclosed area for growing organic herbs and vegetables. These gardens encircle a spa nook, where a hot tub sits adjacent to low-slung loveseats and an elegant latticed canopy.
The wrap-around porch is another hallmark of the farmhouse aesthetic, and this home offers guests several sheltered corners to choose from. The porches are furnished with natural wooden lounge chairs and rockers, as well as a full outdoor dining set, complemented by the property’s finely hewn woodwork and custom stonework. The porch is completed by not one, but two hearths that turn this garden-side oasis into an ideal gathering place no matter the season.
Immersive Interiors
The living room marries comfort and grandeur with nature: its towering ceilings, stone fireplace, gracious windows, and sweeping mountain views set it apart. The wide plank floors, wood paneling, and wrought iron chandelier are classic farmhouse touches, all taken to new heights by both the scale of this space and its clean, contemporary lines. Beyond the main living space, a formal dining room creates a more intimate environment, made welcoming by warm earth tones and the rustic appeal of exposed wood beams.
The farmhouse kitchen remains true to the home’s country roots without skimping on elevated details. Ample workspace, an apron sink, and shaker-style cabinets are traditional, yet where an ordinary farmhouse kitchen might have butcher block, there are marble countertops; where other spaces would have metallic accents in black or silver, there is warm, gold-toned brass; and rather than leaving the whole room a neutral off-white, lively teal touches make a memorable statement.
The kitchen opens onto two adjacent spaces: a breakfast nook and living room that connects to the outdoor dining area, and an addition that houses the stainless steel chef’s oven, the wine fridge, a sizable pantry, and plenty of extra sink and counter space.
Rooms Amongst the Trees
Though the home is new, it takes its cues from classic farmhouses in that the stairs are centrally located near the kitchen. One flight leads to the lower level, where a parlor is surrounded by three large and well-appointed suites, as well as the laundry room. The other flight leads to the home’s light-filled upper level. Here, hardwood floors, wall-to-wall windows, and balcony access are appealing and restful features, while a craft room creates a natural buffer between the home’s first and second bedrooms.
The first bedroom, which includes a private balcony, enjoys views of the surrounding mountain peaks, and features floor-to-ceiling windows that are tiered to make the most of the exquisite backdrop. The ensuite’s standalone tub is framed on three sides by windows that also look out onto the slopes and trees.
The second bedroom uses large windows on opposite walls to turn the space into a corridor of natural light, embracing the openness and immediacy of the outdoors. The room includes an impressive walk-in closet.
With its classic peaked roofs, exterior siding of timber clapboards, synergy with the natural world, and even a garage modeled after a traditional barn, this home is the gold standard when it comes to authentic farmhouse architecture and design. Yet in its fine details, streamlined structural components, and overall openness, it also possesses a distinct contemporary flair. Combine all that with the scenic beauty of Aspen’s resort country, and the result is a farmhouse that truly is a cut above the rest.
Looking for a farmhouse to call your own? Find one from amongst these luxury farm and ranch properties.
