Amy Elbaum, Founder and Principal Designer of AE Design in L.A., recently completed a familial project for her brother and sister-in-law’s newly built home in Park City, Utah. The chief goal of the designer’s thoughtful interiors was to accentuate the stunning mountain views surrounding the home. Organic simplicity — achieved by the generous use of wood and plaster — created a minimalistic sensibility. Elbaum used a calming, relaxed aesthetic reminiscent of California, where the family relocated from. “Designing a simpler home can be a fun challenge,” the designer said. “It requires a lot of restraint and there is a lot of emphasis on the materials chosen to warm up the space without overwhelming it. The materials in this home are some of my favorites and I am so thrilled with the serene and welcoming results.”
Gwen Donovan: What did your brother and sister-in-law request for the design of their home?
Amy Elbaum: When discussing a vision for this house, it was to create a home their family could live and grow in for years to come. A lot of the design revolved around incorporating framed mountain views and very high ceilings. The design direction was light, modern and organic.
GD: Expansive windows are a leading design feature, how do they enhance the home?
AE: The window selection and placement in this home was key. The great thing about new construction is you can really set your views and enhance them as much as possible. We used tall windows in the dining and living room to incorporate as much of the outside as possible while creating a light-filled space.
GD: How does the kitchen design play up the home’s minimalist style?
AE: The simple white oak kitchen cabinets create a really streamlined and organic feeling. Large windows are definitely a focal point of the space; we kept materials simple and understated to frame the view. A slab backsplash of a quiet stone adds a sense of quiet luxury. To bring in some colors from the outdoors we added a deep gray stone for the countertops and range hood.
GD: The rock-climbing wall is a playful contrast to the rest of the home, how did that idea come about?
AE: Being a mountain house, rock climbing is a very popular activity in the area. The kids in the house love practicing, so we created a safe space for that. I always like to add some color to a kid’s space to make it more fun. Here we kept the room neutral on the floors and walls and added in color through the decor and light fixture.
GD: The primary bath is spa-like; which design elements give it that resort-at-home feeling?
AE: This is a very large primary bathroom that we spent a lot of time designing to make sure it felt intimate without feeling overwhelming. All of the walls are covered in tadelakt (a waterproof plaster finish) that provides warmth and texture without the busyness of tile grout lines. We tried to emulate that on the floor as well with large format porcelain tile to mimic the plaster look. The warmth of the countertops and walnut cabinetry adds another textured and warm layer to the space. The arched vanity is a favorite design element of mine, making a large space feel more intimate.
Photography by Lindsay Salazar.
Styling by Noelle Wright.
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