Interior Design Styles 101

Discovering Your Home’s Personality

At Collective Design, we believe that the heart of a home lies in the relationships it nurtures and the stories it tells. Each design style is not just a visual preference but a way of life that resonates with your personal journey. Explore with us how these design styles can transform your space into a sanctuary of comfort and elegance.

Mountain Modern: Where Nature Meets Contemporary

Imagine walking into a home where the beauty of the rugged outdoors meets the sophistication of modern design. Mountain Modern style is all about blending natural materials like wood and stone with sleek, contemporary lines. Large windows frame breathtaking views, while cozy, modern furnishings invite you to unwind. It’s a style that captures the essence of mountain living—warm, inviting, and intimately connected to nature.

Traditional: Timeless Elegance with a Modern Twist

Traditional design is like a love letter to the past, where classic European style meets modern comfort. Rich colors, luxurious fabrics, and intricate details create a space that feels both rich and inviting. It’s about creating a home where every piece tells a story, from dark furnishings to uniquely crafted accessories. This style is perfect for those who appreciate the past and the beauty of refined craftsmanship.

Minimalist: The Art of Serene Simplicity

Minimalist design embraces the “less is more” philosophy with neutral tones and uncluttered spaces. Our goal is to create serene environments where every detail enhances relaxation and mindfulness. It’s about crafting a tranquil, orderly space that radiates simplicity and sophistication, perfect for those who appreciate sleek, serene living. It’s the perfect choice for those who seek a mindful living environment where every element is functional and has a purpose.

Eclectic: The Ultimate Creative Adventure

Eclectic design is where creativity shines. This style celebrates personal expression by blending diverse elements from different periods and cultures into a dynamic look. Vibrant colors, unique textures, and varied furnishings come together in a way that feels intentional and personalized. Our designers thrive on creating exciting spaces full of character and individuality while keeping the design cohesive.

Scandinavian: Simple, Functional, and Inviting

Scandinavian design merges the best of various styles while focusing on simplicity and functionality with a cozy touch. Characterized by light woods, muted colors, and textiles like wool and fur, it creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. We appreciate how Scandinavian design balances clean lines with a homely feel, making spaces both elegant and practical. It is perfect for those who love clean, uncluttered spaces that still feel inviting and warm.

Mid-Century Modern: Retro-Futuristic Elegance

Celebrated for its timeless appeal and distinctive charm, this style blends clean lines, organic shapes, and a mix of materials. Bold colors and geometric patterns add a lively touch, reflecting the era’s forward-looking spirit.

Integrating this retro-futuristic elegance into contemporary settings is both a rewarding challenge and a chance to create spaces that are modern and functional while embracing a unique historical charm.

Transitional: A Balanced Blend of Classic and Modern

Transitional design bridges the gap between traditional and contemporary styles, blending classic elegance with modern simplicity. It combines the warmth and richness of traditional decor with the clean lines of modern design. With a balanced mix of old and new, transitional interiors are timeless and inviting.

Discovering Your Design Style

Understanding different design styles can help you create spaces that are both functional and reflective of personal taste. Whether it’s the rugged charm of Mountain Modern, the simplicity of Minimalism, or the rich elegance of Traditional design, each style offers something unique. Knowing how Eclectic blends diverse influences, Scandinavian combines functionality with warmth, or Mid-Century Modern brings retro flair can guide you in creating stylish, personal spaces.

Let’s Create Together

We love designing across a range of styles and bringing unique visions to life. Each of our designers has a distinct approach, allowing us to offer diverse styles and solutions. We’re dedicated to working closely with you to ensure your space truly represents your personality and taste.

We’re excited to help you explore and express your design preferences, creating a home that feels like your own. Let’s collaborate to turn your design visions into a stunning reality.

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High-Country Style

HIGH-COUNTRY STYLE IN WINTER PARK SKI-IN, SKI-OUT HOME

The owners of this newly built, three-level Winter Park home came to Collective Design’s interiors team with a big request – they wanted us to furnish and finish the whole home with a lot of natural elements but a modern look. The house is the family’s vacation home, but it’s also in the rental pool, so we had to make it beautiful and durable.

The design team set to work creating spaces defined by gorgeous furnishings and layered with pops of color and surprising artwork in the five-bedroom house. In the open living-dining-kitchen area, a live-edge wood dining table gives the space a mountain-inspired feel, complemented by upholstered chairs in a contemporary style. A hair-on-hide rug and triptych artwork—a photo of an elk from London’s Trowbridge Gallery—nod to life in the West.

In the nearby living room, the centerpiece is a custom console that wraps around the back of the sofa and offers shelf space for displaying beloved objects, books, and pretty décor. A custom beam coffee table is a sleek counterpoint to the stone fireplace, and layers of texture—wool rug, fur throws, and leather and linen upholstery—give the room an inviting vibe. The design team made sure there’s plenty of seating for people to hang out, spend time together, have a glass of wine at the end of the day.

The home’s middle level houses all of the bedrooms (except the fun and playful bunkroom, which is on the lowest level). The design team dreamed up serene guest suites that pay homage to nature and coziness; in the bedroom featured here, for example, a headboard in a pattern that riffs on tree trunks takes center stage. By layering textural neutrals in the space, the designers created a luxurious retreat.

But that approach didn’t preclude the design team from having some fun, too: “The clients love pops of color, so we got to have some fun with fabrics and art,” Boettner says. Case in point: The designers created a gallery wall of more than a dozen vibrant ski posters in the bedroom hallway. They also added benches upholstered in colorful fabrics to transition spaces in the home to bring energetic hues to the space.

The owners’ personalities are also evident in the home’s lower-level rec area with games, shuffleboard, pinball machines, and a pool table. The cement floors give the space an industrial feel, while a custom modular sofa gives spectators a comfortable place to sit and cheer. A built-in bar and custom bar-top table that seats 10 people complete the space’s good looks.

The interiors’ beauty gives way, on all three levels of the home, to expansive decks. The team gave each outdoor area distinctive vignettes to accommodate various uses. On the deck outside of the master suite, for example, blue upholstered chairs and a table make a perfect scene for evening cocktails. A hanging pod nearby is an irresistible spot for an afternoon nap.

Collective’s approach delivered exactly what the clients needed: high function, gorgeous spaces, and a look that embraces the home’s unique location adjacent to Winter Park’s ski resort. To begin a conversation about how we can help you create the mountain home of your dreams, get in touch.

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Remodel Before & After

BEFORE & AFTER: HOW TO TRANSFORM A LOG HOME
INTO A TIMELESS CLASSIC

This Edwards home has a remodel story that only a pandemic could produce: The owners found themselves quarantined in the home—tucked in the beloved community of Cordillera—during the COVID-19 pandemic. They had approached Collective Design Director, Lisa Yates, to help them remodel their kitchen, but the longer the pandemic wore on, the more they noticed other areas of their home they wanted to change: the dining room, the living room, the main bedroom suite, the mud room and laundry…Before long, the list of areas the owners wanted to transform included nearly every space in the 4,780 square-foot home.

Yates was up for the challenge her clients (and a worldwide pandemic) offered: In lieu of meeting in person, they connected virtually, selecting all finishes and fixtures, furnishings, and décor to give the home a warm, modern feel within the context of its original architecture. The owners wanted Yates to replace the home’s dated and overly ornate elements with a holistic look that was both casual and classic. And instead of ignoring the interior log details, the clients asked Yates to craft a design that embraced them while still giving them a brighter, more modern aesthetic.

For the kitchen, Yates revamped the island shape to make the kitchen more expansive and specified cabinetry in two different finishes from Leadville-based Cutting Edge Woodworking: The kitchen perimeter cabinets are painted Benjamin Moore’s Dorian Gray, while those on the island are finished in a warm brown finish dubbed “Spanish Oak.” Cardoso Black granite countertops on the perimeter and White Pearl quartzite in a leathered finish on the island add to the kitchen’s palette of layered neutrals. New furnishings and a modern light fixture in the breakfast nook make the kitchen a delightful place to enjoy morning coffee, prep dinner, and host guests.

The adjacent living room got an overhaul that began with the fireplace surround: Fresh stacked stone and a more contemporary sandstone mantel set the tone for the space’s new vibe. Yates replaced dated furnishings with a large sectional from Lee Industries and nesting cocktail tables. The simple, elegant lines of the furnishings and the muted color palette help draw attention to the beautiful views from the room’s large window.

One of the designer’s favorite elements in the home is the master bedroom’s live-edge wood headboard, crafted by one of Collective’s custom fabricators. Against the silk Phillip Jeffries wallcovering, the bed is a handsome standout—a contemporary riff on high-country design. Details such as custom pillows from Kravet and lamps from Jamie Young Co. add to the room’s elevated feel.

“It’s been really enjoyable to see the evolution of Cordillera throughout the years and be a part of a project that can carry the neighborhood into a new generation,” said Yates in her recent video interview.

The home’s transformation underscores Collective’s ability to slide seamlessly along the spectrum between traditional and modern to deliver the exact look and feel each client desires. We’re always eager to work with homeowners to create their dream homes—whether your project is a new build, a kitchen remodel, or anything in between. Contact us here to begin a conversation about how Collective’s team can help you achieve your home-design goals.

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Our Guide to Furniture Customizations

A Step-by-step Guide to Furniture Customizations

Your home is a unique representation of you and your family and should be filled with items that are a perfect fit for your space, vision and lifestyle. At Collective, we’re here to help you plan your spaces and guide you through customization options, ultimately to craft one-of-a kind furnishings that provide the perfect balance of function, comfort and style.

Most of our products, including upholstery, bedding, case goods, and accent pieces can be customized to uniquely serve both the needs of your space as well as your personal preferences. While you may begin by falling in love with something on our furniture store floor, you can further customize it with your choice of size, shape, fabrics, finishes and details.

As an example of how we approach the customization process, I’ll walk you through the steps we take to help you create a sofa or sectional that is high-quality, long-lasting, and exclusive to you and your aesthetic.

Step 1: Choosing Layout

Seating is the centerpiece of any living area. Selecting the right configuration is the first step in creating a piece that feels as though it was destined for the space.

Standard
To maximize seating whilst remaining open to the surrounding space, standard sofas come in a variety of lengths, and can easily pair with additional seating options.

Loveseat
To economize space and maintain openness, you always have the option of a shorter profile sofa, The Loveseat. A loveseat as an accent piece offers an opportunity to experiment further with complementary finishes and fabrics.

Chaise Sectional
Provide a more relaxed feel to any space with a chaise sectional. This option also lends a great amount of seating at a more versatile size than an ‘L’ or ‘U’ shaped sectional.

U-Shaped or L-Shaped
These sectionals allow for incredibly inclusive seating. We often employ this style when working with a large space focused around one centered-seating area.

Step 2: Choosing Back Height & Seat Depth

Sofas, sectionals, and chairs can be personalized in terms of height and depth. You can change the vibe of a room depending on these simple measurements. A lower back height with deeper seating is associated with a more modern look, while a higher back and shallower seat depth leans a little more traditional in style.

Step 3: Choosing Arm Style

When it comes to arms, style and functionality are key factors for completing your custom piece. Track arms tend to be popular among our clients here in the mountains and can be further customized by having the option to choose the width of the arm. There are also more traditional and contemporary options like the English Arm or Rolled Arms.

Step 4: Choosing Leg Options

The right leg for your upholstery item can depend on what pieces are already in your room. If you have abundant pieces in the room that you can see through the underside (such as coffee or side tables), a box leg or another style that meets the floor helps to balance the space. Short, box legs tend to feel more modern, a taper leg is contemporary and can swing either modern or traditional depending on other pieces throughout the room, and ferrule legs are the most traditional. These styles are all equally popular in our clients’ mountain homes.

Step 5: Choosing Upholstery

Durable, performance fabrics are becoming more and more inclusive to different style choices. We have access to a wide variety of fashion-forward, high-quality fabrics that ensure longevity. Pay close attention to weave when choosing upholstery; a tighter weave prevents snagging if your day-to-day includes kids and pets utilizing the furniture. After we’ve narrowed down the right fabric type for your lifestyle, we can play with different schematics to help guide a color palette.

Step 6: Choosing Nail Heads & Stitching

Nail heads are often a custom upholstery option that can showcase as traditional or industrial based on your style preference. When considering nail heads, it’s best to match them with your fabric first. For further customization of the details, you even have the opportunity to select the thread color on a multitude of welt and seam options.

Step 6: Choosing Nail Heads & Stitching

Step 8: Final styling

Finally, make your living space cozy and welcoming by accessorizing with textural throws and lots of pillows, adding style and comfort. We can help you construct completely customized pillow schematics.

We’re here to help with every step along the way in order to create and design beautifully made pieces just for you. Our goal as designers is to serve as an additional source of inspiration, as well as a catalyst for bringing your vision to life.

VISIT OUR FURNITURE STORE

How To: Style Your Coffee Table

REMODEL TIPS FROM COLLECTIVE DESIGN’S PROS

Lisa Yates

Design Director

When you think of a living room, it should bring you memories of gathering. Whether it’s playing a board game with your family or having friends over for cocktails, everything happens on or around the coffee table. It can be where you showcase some of your favorite possessions, be a functional piece and even a one-of-a-kind showstopper, all in one. Here, I get to share my personal interior design tips and favorite items for how to style your coffee table.

It’s all about style, texture, and scale when it comes to your space and furnishings. As for coffee tables, people are moving away from glass-top coffee tables and towards more comfortable, livable profiles. In your mountain home especially, natural elements are the way to go.

Round coffee tables are hard to find, and this one is especially beautiful with the unique use of the natural wood slices. Our chamcha wood Boscage Coffee Table brings a stunning natural element into your living space.

Must-have items on every coffee table:

Books

Three of my favorite coffee table books are Colorado Black On White by John Fielder, with over 200 images of his life’s work in Colorado, Ice Is Black by Laurent Baheaux, showcasing arctic landscapes and wildlife, and The Equestrian World by Peter Clotten, for his journey behind the scenes at world-famous equestrian competitions, races and more.

A Tray

Every coffee table needs a tray to serve as a catch all for remotes, coasters, candles and more. Our pine tree or skier trays are unique, fun, and perfect for your mountain home. If you’re looking for something different, we have some gorgeous hair-on-hide trays that are beautiful and mountain-modern.

Coasters

Coasters are a necessity but can still be stylish and natural. Our olive wood coasters are patterned by the natural grain of wood, and each has a unique patterning making no two ever the same. Or our hair-on-hide coasters are a chic accent and pull in an elegant look. I like to keep it clean and simple. Depending on the style of the space, textures of décor and scale of the coffee table, consider adding a candle or greenery help give it some height. Also, changing the candle and flowers based on the season is a fun way to mix things up and show off your personal style.

Candles

For a different texture, I love our wild groves metal candles that are industrial and clean without being overwhelming, Accessorize with a cute set of matches, too!

Greenery

Brighten up your space with some natural greens. I love our faux succulents that come in sets of 3. Display them all together or disperse around your home on tabletops. Fresh or faux, greenery is always in-style and freshens up your space.

GET IN TOUCH

Interior Design Styles 101

Discovering Your Home’s Personality

Mountain Modern: Where Nature Meets Contemporary

Traditional: Timeless Elegance with a Modern Twist

Minimalist: The Art of Serene Simplicity

Eclectic: The Ultimate Creative Adventure

Scandinavian: Simple, Functional, and Inviting

Mid-Century Modern: Retro-Futuristic Elegance

Transitional: A Balanced Blend of Classic and Modern

Discovering Your Design Style

Let’s Create Together

HIGH-COUNTRY STYLE IN WINTER PARK SKI-IN, SKI-OUT HOME

BEFORE & AFTER: HOW TO TRANSFORM A LOG HOMEINTO A TIMELESS CLASSIC

A Step-by-step Guide to Furniture Customizations

Step 1: Choosing Layout

Step 2: Choosing Back Height & Seat Depth

Step 3: Choosing Arm Style

Step 4: Choosing Leg Options

Step 5: Choosing Upholstery

Step 6: Choosing Nail Heads & Stitching

Step 6: Choosing Nail Heads & Stitching

Step 8: Final styling

REMODEL TIPS FROM COLLECTIVE DESIGN’S PROS

Must-have items on every coffee table:

Coasters

Candles

Greenery

BEFORE & AFTER: HOW TO TRANSFORM A LOG HOME
INTO A TIMELESS CLASSIC