Old Town Area

Old Town Steamboat Springs is located in a well-established grid of intimate tree lined residential streets. Within this urban fabric, it is rare to find larger, more private, natural enclaves within walking distance of the restaurants and shops of main street.  Our clients found such an opportunity only three blocks from the heart of downtown Steamboat.  Just one step through the antique oak and frosted glass courtyard doors it becomes clear that you have entered another world; a sanctuary of eclectic historic structures surrounded by playful gardens and intimate patios.

The original cabin was built as a home for Charlotte Perry, one of the two directors of Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts Camp, the longest continually running performing arts camp in the country.  Charlotte Perry and her co-director Portia Mansfield spent their first summers at camp living in a canvas tent, then living in “Cabeen”, the original cabin which still exists on the property, before building their own homes in Steamboat. For her permanent home, Charlotte built on this South facing property overlooking a majestic meadow surrounded by the meandering Soda Creek below.

While much functionality had been added to the cabin and original home over the years, missing from this cozy compound were main living spaces and master suite commensurate with the scale and current value of the property. From the onset, we had a very clear collaborative vision with our architecturally sophisticated and renovation savvy clients, for the creation of these critical spaces.  Respecting the historic nature of the property and the haphazard yet functional configuration of the existing structure, we created the addition to blend seamlessly into the fabric of the entry courtyard.  As with previous modifications to the property, it is difficult to distinguish the original historic from the more recently introduced forms.  Subtle carved log details, traditional long shed and simple gable features remain consistent within an expanded framework of chinked log and sage stained clapboard siding.

Beyond this casually elegant façade, white painted wood planked entry walls continue the existing cottage theme while reclaimed hand hewn log slabs in the great room provide a warm, rustic contrast.  Consistent with the occasional whimsical and surprising detailing of the existing structure, more contemporary structural steel forms exist side by side with the utilitarian, rural custom detailing of the steel kitchen shelving and range hood. Eclectic antique faux painted cabinets and reclaimed rafter beams/ceiling boards reinforce the casual nature, while expansive glass lift and slide doors meet at the main view corner making intimate connections with the outside covered living spaces.

The sophisticated interplay of cottage, contemporary detailing, and rustic elements continues as a consistent theme throughout the private master suite, office and laundry of the lower level.

Our client’s sophisticated understanding of furnishing, accessories, and finishes become the colorful jewels and playful surprises within a framework of finely crafted warm wood and subtle steel details.  It was truly a joy to work together with such passionate and trusting clients to bring this historic cabin forward into the present on a very special and unique property in Old Town Steamboat.