Destination, Home: Aspen

Some call Aspen, Colorado, the playground of the rich and famous. It has drawn celebrities from John Denver to Charlie Sheen. The resort town with a population of just over 6,000 features world-renowned ski areas and golden thick Aspen tree groves that frame the Maroon Bells mountains. It's also busy with wine tastings, fashion and culinary events. Whatever it is that made you fall in love with Aspen, there’s no reason you can’t capture some of its magic in your own home.

Think Outside the Box

Aspen's charm is defined by its awe-inspiring landscape. It's a mountain valley filled with historic trees and surrounded by rivers and creeks. All of these scenic locations reflect the beauty of nature, and a sense of nature should be reflected in a design based on Aspen. Robin Baron, of New York City's Robin Baron Design, has done work in Aspen and says you don't have to take the nature thing too literally.

“You don’t have to have antlers coming out of the wall,” Baron said. “Make it your own personal interpretation. Sometimes, just getting new pillows and a thick chenille throw in warm colors can really change the feeling and give your room that Aspen spin.”

If money is no object, Andrew Schrage, home design consultant and co-owner of Money Crashers Personal Finance website, suggests going for a complete makeover of a family room or den. Schrage says the theme could be based on any of those snow-covered mountains that rise over Aspen or on the American Old West.

If your budget is tight, you can paint a room in earthy colors, such as deep green, gold or some combination of both. You could then fill that painted room with log-cabin style floor molding and trim, to give the feel of nature, Schrage says. He says you could also use log beams to complement the ceiling or as main points of support.

Schrage, who has spent some time in the Colorado city, strongly suggests people go there before trying any design.

“I’d at least go to see some log cabins or Aspen-style rooms where you can find them,” Schrage said. “This will help you ensure that you’re capturing the true essence of Aspen."

Before You Start

Before you start the design project, Andrew Schrage, home design consultant and co-owner of Money Crashers Personal Finance, says you need to follow some basic steps:

1. Talk to a professional. "Unless you have true talent in the area, consult with or hire a professional for the job," Schrage said. “A forced or inadequate Aspen look could be quite costly, especially if you eventually have to start over from scratch."

2. Include the family. “Consult with all members of the household before moving forward, especially your spouse. If you’re going with a complete makeover of a room, keep in mind the expense and the fact that you’ll be living and existing in that room on a daily basis for years to come," Schrage said.

3. Think about how long you plan to live in your home. “Depending upon the area you live in, if you are planning to sell your house in the near future, consider whether this remodel will help or hurt your ability to sell,” Schrage said. “Ideally, if you can combine an Aspen-like design with home improvements that will increase the value of your home, you can ensure that you’re planning for both the short and the long term."

Aspen Accentuate

A combination of accent pieces may bring some rustic charm into the home. Baron suggests matching a leather-framed mirror with fringed-leather or suede pillows to bring out a Colorado vibe. The mirror could also work next to a dark brown fabric sofa or an oversized sofa with a wooden piece.

The colors should be warm, such as rich burgundy or rust-toned browns and golds to channel the beauty of Aspen’s natural attractions like the Maroon Bells thick tree groves or those massive mountain ranges.

You can also use patterns to reflect Aspen’s richly layered landscape.

“Pattern is great, whether it’s some of the geometric or American Indian-style pattern, but again it doesn’t have to be literal,” Baron said.

Instead, consider mixing two different patterns, like stripes and floral with a rich color palette for a more textural feeling, Baron says.

Wall art is another easy, inexpensive way to add an Aspen-inspired look to your home. If you want to play it safe, Schrage suggests going with an eye-catching landscape photo or oil-based painting that can be hung in a room with a scenic representation of the Aspen mountain range. Schrage also suggests you get creative and make your own art.

“You can take a yard of fabric that has a southwestern feel and frame it,” Baron said. “Or even find some old wood and create a frame, which gives your room that heavy wooden style that’s often seen in Aspen.”

Bold Steps

Baron often encourages readers of her blog, Simplifying Fabulous, to take inspiration on what they can do instead of worry about what they can't do.

“It’s not about how much money you spend," she said. "There are so many creative ways to create an environment. … Some people hate do-it-yourself projects and that’s where people like me come in, while some love do-it-yourself projects. There’s a way for anybody with talent and inclination to create the home that they love. It’s about what works for you.”

Schrage’s website, Money Crashers, also features tips in “5 Easy Home Improvement Projects & Upgrades for the Winter,” that can help homeowners as they incorporate Aspen-themed decor to the home.

“Many of these are fantastic DIY home improvement project upgrades that won’t cost you a pretty penny,” Schrage said.

Most of all, Baron says, is to have fun creating an Aspen theme of your own.

“The more you think out of the box and have fun with it, the more your home will reflect you,” Baron said. “Maybe it’s going around to unusual places, like a secondhand store or flea market, to find that piece that reminds you of Aspen. Having fun is the most important part.”