Mountain retreats are often comfortable spaces that combine classic design with woodsy charm to deliver that unmistakable cabin-styled escape. They bring back memories of many childhood summers and winters or even that one special holiday where the entire family came together for an unforgettable vacation. The Lookout House designed by Rowland+Broughton Architecture moves away from this curated traditional image and brings modern aesthetics to a mountain home that is surrounded by the imposing Elks in Aspen, Colorado. Here you get a delightful blend of the old and the new that veers more towards new-age design and polished aesthetics.

On the outside, it is the glass and metal frame that makes the biggest visual impact with concrete slabs filling in the blanks. Step inside you find more of the same with a color scheme that largely utilizes just gray and black all around. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls and picture windows bring in both natural light and the expansive scenery outside as the mountain range leaves you enthralled. By keeping most of the interior neutral, you allow the views outside to make a bigger visual impact even as the art collection of the homeowner adds more color and contrast to every room.

Gallery-style walls in white are another important feature of the house that adorn the hallway, bedrooms and living areas that ensure that the art collection is not lost amidst the distant Rocky Mountains. Expansive outdoor sitting areas, fireplace and other curated hangouts complete this sophisticated hideaway. [From: Brent Moss]