A recently completed home in Empire Pass softens its modern elements with the addition of wood in the ceiling and floors, and using today’s well-engineered glass and windows, it concurrently offers views of an observation tower while creating the interior experience of warmth and conviviality. Interior designer K. Rocke Design works with architect Ron Lee (Heber City) and builder Mike McNulty to coordinate the livability of the design while working with the heavy beams necessary for managing the snow loads of the location.
All photos by Scot Zimmerman
This shot demonstrates the layering of the living spaces. In the foreground is the kitchen seen in the opening shot, the dining room to the side, and the living area anchored by a fireplace with a deep patio for outdoor living.
The dining area shot shows off the sculptural brass table base, but you can also see the covered outdoor dining beyond the glass window wall and the stairway in the distance.
Kristen Rocke (K. Rocke Design) delights in trying new recipes and experimenting with combinations of ingredients, and she carries over her love for being in the kitchen to her kitchen designs. She completes the kitchen with ample cabinet storage, a secret pantry, illuminated open shelves for collector pieces, an inner working island, and an outer island to stage dishes for setting or clearing with an attached table for gathering and chatting during meal preparation or for a simple breakfast.
I pulled back the stools so you can appreciate the whimsical table legs, designed by K Rocke. The organic quality is a great speed bump to juxtapose against the rectilinear cabinet design.
To create a greater intimacy for the living area, K Rocke designed the curved sectional and the corresponding curving console table. The design makes the views outside equally important to those of the fire.
Staying on the same level of the home, we move to the primary bedroom. The room draws on neutral tones with the dark wood of the furniture and soft greens echoing the forest tones outside.
The primary suite’s bathroom opens spaciously and symmetrically with paired vanities. A glassed shower enclosure is just to the left of the soaking tub.
There are two other levels to the home, transitioned by this wooden staircase with tread lighting and hanging pendant lights in the shape of trailside cairns.
The loft is a private bedroom suite with its own sitting room and office space, a perfect place for visiting one’s parents.
Downstairs are two seating areas and an open bar set in front of the wine room. Not seen are a pool table and dedicated home theater.
The white stone is illuminated from behind to display all the interesting veining. The black stone of the bar is veined with white and supported by black metal legs in the same proportions as the black window mullions of the wine room.
Wherever I worked photographing the home, I found myself distracted and looking out the windows. Skiers passed in lifts above, skiers crossed between the home and its neighbor on the way down to the lifts, and in every direction, there were skiers on the runs. The contours and trees made for beautiful shadows, and sunset came early and lasted a very long time. Another spectacular place in the mountains.
You can find more bold interiors by K. Rocke Design here!
