Telluride retreat: a mountain home showcasing indigenous art

A designer's inspired vision in the colorado rockies

Sasha Bikoff’s recent visit to Telluride, Colorado, arrived at the perfect moment – peak fall foliage season and the town’s annual Golden Tree Festival. The designer was immediately captivated by the landscape, stating, “Being out West in the mountains is incredibly humbling and magical.” This experience fueled her vision for a client’s new home: a contemporary mountain dwelling that seamlessly integrates the surrounding scenery and provides a stunning backdrop for the client's impressive collection of contemporary Indigenous art.

The gochman family collection: a mission-driven display

The home, commissioned by philanthropist and art collector Becky Gochman in October 2022, serves a dual purpose. It’s a family vacation retreat and a showcase for the Gochman Family Collection, a lending collection of contemporary Indigenous art. The collection’s mission is clear: to support living Indigenous artists by acquiring their work and ensuring it’s publicly accessible. A remarkable 60% of the collection is on public display at all times, a figure Gochman hopes to continually increase.

Interior design: restraint and a landscape palette

Bikoff's approach was to create a space that allows the art to truly shine. She opted for an ethereal, tone-on-tone palette inspired by the Telluride landscape – mountain streams, aspen groves, and the vast Western sky. Each room was given a distinct personality, such as the Midnight Sky and White Snow guest bedrooms. This deliberate restraint, she explains, doesn't equate to blandness but rather a sophisticated and understated elegance.

Architectural constraints and creative solutions

Designing in Telluride comes with unique challenges due to the town’s strict historic preservation rules. The Historic and Architectural Review Commission governs all construction, requiring careful consideration of materials. Bikoff and the team embraced these limitations as an opportunity for creativity, treating the house almost like a “scrapbook or patchwork” to playfully incorporate a variety of materials.

Material choices reflecting telluride's character

The design thoughtfully incorporates elements that echo the surrounding environment. The kitchen features Ceppo Bianco tile that resembles mini pebbles and rocks found in mountain streams. Natural stone, wood, and glass are used throughout the home, contributing to what architect Tommy Hein describes as “textural eclectic chic.” Barstools are from BDDW, the stove and range are by Thermador, and flush mount lighting is the Jackson from Urban Electric.

A boutique hotel experience for guests

Bikoff adopted a boutique-hotel approach to the bedrooms, ensuring each one possesses a unique character. “The idea is that guests can switch rooms each visit to experience them all,” she explains. The art plays a crucial role, acting as “the missing puzzle” that completes each room's aesthetic. This design philosophy extends to the guest house loft, which serves as a residence and creative space for visiting artists.

A holistic design philosophy

Becky Gochman emphasizes the interconnectedness of the design elements.