For this home in Blue River, Colorado, designer Lauren Richards collaborated with the in-house architects and builders at Collective Design. “The property backs up to a pond—it’s absolutely beautiful,” she says. “The design is more subdued… With the location of the home, nothing is competing with the outside.” 

The kitchen’s open space accommodated two islands perfectly. One is for cooking while the other is for family and friends to congregate. Both the homeowners and their guests can enjoy the view. “There are a lot of windows,” Richards explains, “so the design is more toned down because we didn’t want it to distract from the outdoors.” 

The final design incorporates neutrals, including white quartz countertops and a backsplash with dramatic gray streaks. “When our client walked in, she said, ‘Someone needs to pinch me. I feel like you’re going to wake me up and tell me this is not my home.