A new build with an old soul at the base of Whetstone Mountain
By Kendra Walker / photo by Alex Fenlon
or the owners of Barking Cow Ranch, their new home not only offers the natural beauty and seclusion of the mountains just minutes from town, but it’s also a curated collection of memories, travels and family heirlooms that carry into their lives in Crested Butte.
After looking to upgrade from their 1800s miner’s cabin in town for a bigger place to call their full-time home and support their growing family, they encountered a rare find within the Whetstone Mountain Ranch neighborhood. The lot at the base of Whetstone Mountain was just one mile from the bustle and amenities of town yet also offered the nature and privacy of the mountains they were looking for to raise their family.
With access to the Slate River, ponds to skate on in the winter and woods to explore right out the front door, here they could build a home not just to look at the mountains, but to live fully among them.
The homeowners worked with SHM Architects to bring their vision to life. “The property was just an awesome opportunity to really celebrate great indoor/outdoor connections,” says SHM founding principal Mark Hoesterey.
“With a house design like this one, you can stretch out and get light on every side of every room. There were so many opportunities to capture natural light and hone in on certain views, looking toward Mount Crested Butte and looking right up at Whetstone in the fall with the changing colors,” he says.
The surrounding nature and scenery inspired them to incorporate the outdoors inside the home as much as possible. “One thing I love about the house is that it has these really cool galleries – we lined the hallways with glass so as you’re walking through the home, even in the transition spaces, you’re experiencing the views outside,” says Hoesterey. “So throughout the day and throughout the seasons you get a different experience.”
The homeowners also wanted a house that felt thoughtful and functional for everyday life with smaller, homey spaces and large enough to comfortably host family and friends for holidays and gatherings.
“You have all these different scale spaces, cozy rooms to curl up with a book and a fire and then bigger rooms that open up for people to gather,” says Hoesterey.
They broke ground in 2022 and worked with local builder Jay Sunter. The construction process was a two-year feat due not only to lingering supply chain complexities from the pandemic, but also the heavy snowfall earlier in 2022 that delayed pouring in the foundation. However, these delays proved to be a blessing that allowed for ground-water remediation and time to make thoughtful design adjustments.
“That building process was not easy,” says Hoesterey. “But their perseverance to see it to the end really reflects their personality and their family and paid off in the end.”
New build, old soul
One of the owners explains that her goal was to make the home feel old and lived in from day one, and everything was chosen for its durability to withstand their kids’ activities, dog and active lifestyles.
Many elements to the home incorporate repurposed materials – the siding is composed of reclaimed snow fencing corrals from Wyoming, while the interior floors are distressed, reclaimed oak and the mudroom features flooring made from old Belgian blocks.
“It was fun to source all these different, natural materials,” she says. “We wanted the house to fit the Western, ranchy vibe, and also give this feeling that it had been built over time.”
In the kitchen, the French-made range provides a cozy, old-world focal point, while cabinetry mimics the natural green and wood hues of the surrounding pines outside. “We wanted to play off of what’s already here,” she says. The marble countertops are sourced from Marble, Colorado, and gold finishings add modern yet timeless detailing to the warm and inviting space.
The home feels less like a new build and more like a collection of stories gathered over their past travels and family history. “Pretty much everything we had before was an antique. It was important to us to keep those interesting, old things,” she says. “We have bits and pieces from all over, so it was fun to piece it all together in a new space.”
The kitchen is anchored by an antique butcher block that spent 40 years tucked away in a family member’s garage. “My favorite thing in the whole house is the huge butcher block,” she says. “My dad and I refinished it together. I knew this would be the centerpiece of the kitchen.”
Family heirlooms and nostalgic memories are nestled throughout the house – a camel saddle from her father’s days in the Navy, an entry bench made from an old wagon seat, rugs from travels through Morocco, Nepal and India, a patio table made of wrought iron from a naval ship. An old Peachtree Lift chair serves as an outdoor bench looking out toward the peak of Mount Crested Butte.
In the office, a desk is crafted from a live-edge mahogany slab they brought back from Indonesia. Another desk was once the owner’s kitchen table growing up, made from the reclaimed wood of a bowling alley floor.
But the old elements blend seamlessly into the modern space. Additions of fresh color, inviting patterns and masterful layering of textures in the furniture and textiles add a sophisticated yet cozy aesthetic. “The cozier the better,” she says, pointing out the medley of fluffy and colorful throw pillows and blankets on almost every bed, chair and sofa.
The owners say they utilize the two indoor gas fireplaces almost every day, and enjoy roasting s’mores in the exterior woodburning fireplace on warm summer evenings.
Wallpaper also adds fun pops of color flair in the bathrooms, mudroom and laundry room. Light fixtures, tilework and furniture in the kids’ bedrooms and bathrooms include elements of whimsy and playfulness.
Hoesterey applauds the tasteful interiors. “The things they added and layered in were just awesome. It allowed the personality of the family to come through the home instead of someone else dictating what’s in style or not. It doesn’t come at the expense of a cold feeling. There’s a warmth to their home while still allowing what’s great in a modern house. It sets the stage to relax and put you at peace.”
The owners partnered with several local subcontractors and craftspeople throughout the build, including Gold Hill Excavation, Sawtooth Electric and 4th Generation Mechanical. They worked with Precise Painting, CB Custom Closets and Electronic Solutions. The stonework on the exterior, kitchen walls and fireplaces was done by Salvador Ocampo and the stair railings by Rustic Metal Welding LLC. Brian Armbrecht custom-built the wood trusses in the living room.
“These are complicated homes, but the level of talent in the subcontractor pool here is remarkable,” says Hoesterey.
Now fully moved in and enjoying their home, Barking Cow Ranch is exactly as the owners hoped it could be. “There is not a thing we wished we had done differently. We love being here in Crested Butte. It’s different, it’s a real community. It fits very naturally into our lifestyle and the way we wanted to raise our kids. We are so lucky. It’s a little piece of heaven.”
