At Quinn’s Junction, a three-acre plaza sits at the heart of Studio Crossing, the largest affordable housing project in Park City and proof that “affordable” and “aspirational” can come together beautifully.

Family real estate developers Crandall Capital (Gary and Debbie Crandall along with sons Ryan and Matthew) funded the project privately with the dream of creating a small scale, mixed-use community within the region that they love. Every detail leans into a rich mix of housing types and community life, embracing the natural beauty and outdoor lifestyle of Park City. It’s been a labor of love for everyone involved.

The Minds at Modern Out West

Turning the vision of a dynamic mixed-use community into reality fell to architecture and design firm Modern Out West—a studio of friends and collaborators spread from Salt Lake City to Milan—guided by a simple idea: good work, great people. Founder Trent Smith calls their working philosophy “serious play,” trying and tinkering with design solutions before settling on one. For Studio Crossing, that meant exploring, talking with tradespeople, and testing how materials weathered over time and shaped the feel of the community.

Staying small has kept the design team hands-on through construction—from defining and designing through development and delivery stages—and they’ve been co-creating the five-phase project with the Crandalls at every step. Planned future phases will expand available options, but Studio Crossing currently offers affordable housing over retail spaces and larger, market-rate three- or four-bedroom townhomes.

Mining Gets Modern

Smith describes the design language for Studio Crossing as an approachable “mining modern,” nodding to the heritage of Park City. The community is designed to look like it grew over time, gaining buildings the way a family gains generations. Each building fronts the plaza or the mountains beyond it (or both), so every resident can enjoy million-dollar views.

Chosen for its durability and authenticity, the grounding material in the build is a brick sourced from Utah, with cool-toned stone, exposed steel, and rusticated metals in layers above it. The exterior color palette reads like it was lifted straight from the hills nearby—sage, weathered ochre, deep brown—so the buildings blend into the landscape instead of standing apart from it.

Sustainability shaped much of the material list: low-emitting materials, drought-tolerant landscaping, planned e-bike sharing stations, and energy-efficient appliances in every kitchen.

Quality was never overlooked in the name of affordability. “We believe it’s completely possible to build affordably while creating homes that feel as high-quality as market-rate,” Smith says. The luxury feel didn’t come only from finishes. It came from centering the resident’s experience and spending where it counts.

The Difference is Daylight and Details

Inside, ample natural light keeps every home feeling high-end. Every bedroom gets a window—even though code allows secondary bedrooms without them. Spaces are designed to support circadian rhythms, aligning windows with doorways so daylight carries room to room through what Smith calls “pathways filled by light.” And light isn’t the only detail that shines.

The finishes in the homes are cozy and comfortable—perfect for all-season living. Townhomes offer spacious kitchens that pair white oak, slim-shaker cabinets with quartz countertops, designer range hoods, black hardware, and stainless appliances. Sleek corner fireplaces anchor the living room like “a candle in the corner,” to use Crandall’s terms. And in the bathrooms, softly textured tile meets ceramic flooring, marrying rustic charm with modern polish.

Throughout the homes, walls are painted a soft off-white with warm undertones. Floors are manufactured hardwood in a European oak finish or textured loop-pile carpet in soft neutrals. It’s an ideal backdrop suitable for any style. 

The Plaza and Beyond

Outside, retail on the ground floor favors local businesses, putting restaurants, coffee, and gathering spots within walking distance. The central plaza offers plenty of seating, places for play, a babbling brook, firepit, and fountains for people to gather around. The grounds will also feature sculptures from local artist Malen Pierson, made from salvaged John Deere tractor parts, adding unique personality to the landscaping.

Studio Crossing leans into the thing Park City does best: recreation. Bike trails, multi-use courts, and pocket parks are right out the front door. The Park City Sports Complex where Olympic athletes train is easily accessible across Kearns Blvd., Deer Valley is just around the bend, and Main Street only a short ride away.

The community is designed to bring together young professionals, service workers, and ski-industry employees with families, seniors aging in place, and visitors staying in nightly rentals. It’s proof that people from all walks of life, neighbors who’d otherwise never cross paths, can connect through the shared love of Park City and surrounding areas. It’s purpose-built for common ground.

See more in the 2026 Fall Home magazine

The post Elevating  the Wasatch Back: Common Ground appeared first on Park Record.

Animal print has never been the quiet choice, and current trends are going even bolder. Whimsical images on walls and graphic abstractions on upholstery add a taste of the exotic, and plush pelts on flooring create a literal walk on the wild side. Today’s animal print is so much more than a trend. It’s a tool. And nobody wields it better than Lauren Bald and Cameo Winn of Salt Lake City’s A\ Typical Design Studio.

“I consider animal print basically a neutral,” Bald says. “It goes with anything—any genre, any style, any decade. It can be very traditional, more subdued, or layered and eclectic. It’s a trend, but also timeless.”

Bald and Winn started A\ Typical nearly four years ago, and their portfolio reveals talent that’s anything but “typical.” Every project is given a song title as its “anthem” and features brave decisions and expertise at turning clients’ wishlists into spaces with swagger.

“We don’t have a signature style,” Bald notes. “We work with our clients’ personal style—what they have, or what they aspire to—and create something distinct to them.” And today’s animal prints fit right in. 

 Big Cats Are Where It’s At 

Leopard and cheetah have long been mainstays in interior design. But tigers have taken their place at the top of the food chain. Their feline forms are showing up on bedding, rugs, wall art, and more. 

Within the tiger kingdom, one particular species keeps surfacing: the Tibetan tiger, with its stylized stripes and grinning faces. Originally woven on protective rugs for Buddhist monks, this graphical tiger is now one of the most desired patterns in design—adding a curated aesthetic to any space. Adorning everything from wallpaper and upholstery to accent pillows and hand towels, the print reads more like art than animal.

A\ Typical has their own tiger stories. A large Tibetan tiger makes a bold statement on a House of Hackney upholstered chair in a recent project. And in “Paint It Black,” clients who liked a little edge went bold. “They wanted a bar area. They loved black, and they loved a sexy vibe,” Bald recalls. So, A\ Typical created a focal point with wallpaper in a Gucci tiger print (now discontinued) that was just what the space called for. 

Lions and Tigers and… Zebras? And More. 

Zebra is also having a bit of a moment—not only geometric images of zebras on vibrant accent pillows, but also in wide swaths of flooring. “We just did a stair runner that’s zebra print, and it’s so cool,” Bald says.

The bold, graphic drama of zebra instantly draws the eye. But other animal prints can be more tame. On the opposite end of the spectrum is fawn print with soft, irregular spots in warm biscuit and chestnut. It acts like a subtle neutral that reveals itself only when you get close.

In Utah, cowhide has always been part of the mountain vocabulary. “There’s leather on everything,” Bald points out. “That’s an animal print, too.”  The difference now is application. The geometric spots bring cowboy culture to a polished mix of pillows. And cowhide on sleek accent furniture makes the traditional animal print look completely modern. 

Some of the best applications are small and unexpected. In a recent library project, the A\ Typical designers tucked a playful monkey print onto the back of a bookshelf, behind the art. It’s a surprise that comes into focus slowly. “You don’t realize what it is until you look closely,” Bald explains. 

Ready to Walk on the Wild Side? 

If you’re ready to try a new breed of animal print in your own home, it’s easy to start small. “Splurge on throw pillows,” Bald continues. “That’s low commitment. If you don’t love it, you’re not ripping down wallpaper.” 

Hardware is another unique way to veer from the predictable: drawer pulls shaped like jaguar heads, snake-shaped door handles, lion-claw feet on chairs. Bald advises, “Find fun hardware on sites like Etsy for an off-the-shelf dresser, and it immediately feels custom.” 

For a bigger splash, consider bringing in experts with a trained eye like A\ Typical. “Balancing animal print with other finishes in a room really is an art,” Bald explains. “A lot comes down to scale. Pair two large prints and it feels overwhelming. Pull a subtle tone from one print and carry it through, and it feels balanced without being matchy. Doing that well is one of the things we bring to the table as designers.”

And if you’re nervous to let your inner animal out of its cage, don’t be. “It’s okay for your home to be an ever-evolving space,” Bald concludes. “And animal print? It’s never going to go out of style.” 

See more in the 2026 Fall Home magazine

The post  Trend Report: A New Breed  appeared first on Park Record.

Tucked in historic Old Town sits a remodeled home with a new outlook. Walk through the front door and, below the distinctive whitewashed wood chandelier, the first thing you see is glass. A clear column climbs four stories up the center of the home, wrapping an elevator shaft surrounded by heavy timber built to look like a mine—a nod to Park City’s history.

It’s a feature that could have been a gimmick. Instead, it’s the showstopper that gave the project its name: Glass House.

We took it from having a very mineshaft look—like steel gray—to encasing it with vertical glass around it,” says general contractor Kyle Hedman of Sagewood Builders. The glass theme continues as you climb the stairs. Clear panels set into the landings allow you to peer down to the floors below, a distinctive transition of lightness between the heavy wood stairs inset with plush Turkish rugs.

The Team Behind the Glass

The attention to detail in Glass House comes courtesy of a builder and interior designer who found each other through the client. Founder and Principal Designer of Area Design Lia Aguirre had worked with the homeowners on an earlier, surface-level refresh in the same house, and they called her back and brought Hedman in to handle the remodel. It was the first time the two had worked together and became the beginning of a lasting partnership.

Their philosophies lined up fast. Area Design doesn’t bring the same aesthetic to every home. “We don’t have a signature style,” Aguirre explains. “We take a lot from what the client wants, what they like, what they don’t like, and turn it into a space that’s livable for them.” 

Her instinct runs toward the layered and collected, “bringing in pieces that the client currently has, new pieces, and some found pieces, whether it’s from a thrift store or antique shop. The goal is always something that really feels livable, not one-sourced,” she continues. It’s a philosophy that works. Area Design is a three-time “Best of Houzz” award-winner, and their portfolio displays adept handling of a wide variety of tastes and styles.  

Sagewood’s philosophy is about people as much as a quality build. “I should have a better relationship with everyone involved at the end of the project than I do at the beginning,” Hedman says. It’s a standard he admits is “outside of industry norm.” On a build, that means no finger-pointing. “All decisions, good and bad, everyone has accountability. It’s a team. At the end of the day, the final product is a team effort.”

Dedication Brings the Vision to Life

Glass House had a number of issues to manage, big and small. Logistics were the starting point. The home sits on Gold Coast—the stretch of Woodside Avenue behind Park City Mountain Resort. Ski-in, ski-out, and tight on every side.

With limited parking and a large-scale project, plus remodeling a house in phases while the owners lived in it, the job got complicated quickly. The fix was a dedication to being deliberate from the start and figuring out, in Hedman’s words, “how do we hit the ground running from day one?”

Sagewood excels at deliberate details. This became evident when they took a beloved hand carved bookshelf and customized it to look like a built-in that had always been there. Getting the heavy piece to the fourth floor was daunting, but the team knew it was the right choice for the home.  

It’s this commitment to honoring a home’s character that shines in Sagewood’s craftsmanship. And it’s a key reason they earned the 2025 Cindy Matsumoto Historic Preservation Award—the city’s annual recognition of projects that honor Old Town’s character. They’re experts at making something new feel like it always belonged. 

Livable Luxury

The brief for Glass House came down to a single phrase: livable luxury. “The clients wanted it to feel luxurious and high-end,” Aguirre says, “but they also wanted everything to be durable and to be able to fully use every aspect of their house.” 

In its original state, the house worked against that—dark, heavy, and chopped into small rooms. Aguirre and Hedman opened it up, brightened it up, and created a neutral backdrop that turned the heavy timber into a design asset in every space. They paired it with creamy whites, lighter woods, and a little gray to create visual contrast and breathing room.

You see the intention everywhere, including the kitchen, where a subtly veined quartzite countertop and full-height backsplash along with crisp, white walls provide a quiet backdrop to a dark steel hood and espresso cabinets. White lower cabinets keep the space visually light. And the island is set below classically simple polished-nickel globe pendants with leather and walnut stools for modern seating. It’s an inviting, open space designed for entertaining with ease and a sense of welcome. 

The living room continues to offer a casual, warm space for gathering. A stacked-stone fireplace flanked by window seats adds natural texture that complements the timber as it climbs floor to ceiling. A tufted leather ottoman stands in for a coffee table in front of a simple sofa, while an antique console tucked against the wall between living and dining helps the space feel curated over time. It’s a room, as Aguirre puts it, where “you can put your feet up with a cocktail in your hand and not have to worry about anything.”

Rooms with a Mood

Not every space plays it light. The powder bath drops into shadow with rich wood paneling, mossy green walls, a single, thick slab of stone floating as the sink and brass fittings catching the muted glow of a fluted glass sconce. It’s a small room that’s big on drama.

The bar and family room carry the same moody confidence. Mirrored subway tile behind suspended shelving, dark cabinets, brass details, and a cluster of barrel chairs around a low, round table promise game nights to remember, while an unfussy sofa layered with textured pillows invites you to sit and stay awhile.

A Size Challenge Turns Into a Showstopper

Some of the home’s best moments started as challenges. The primary bath is one. “That all came about from the closet size,” Aguirre explains. The original closet was cramped and the bathroom layout impractical. So, they reworked the whole thing. 

What they built in its place is arguably the most striking room in the home. Mirrors hang in front of the windows and line the walls, so daylight reflects throughout the space. The quartzite countertop gets a unique treatment, breaking up banks of drawers with apron fronts—an eye-catching and practical detail to manage water spillover. Off to one side, above the fireplace, a large black-and-white photograph of a horse looks out over the room. The closet shortfall became the showpiece.

The Quiet Rooms and the Wild Card

The primary bedroom stays calm—a black four-poster bed, neutral linens, a cowhide bench at its foot, all anchored by another beautiful Turkish rug, which shows up throughout the house. The office gets personal: a walnut desk and a painting of skis propped against snow.

The garage is where the house cuts loose. A mural runs throughout that shifts scenery from Old Town Park City into the blues of Hawaii’s Hanalei Bay—a nod to the two places the owners call home. It’s a spark of the unexpected in a luxury home. “You have these houses, they’re obviously very serious and very high-end,” Hedman says. “I think it’s an opportunity and a space to say, OK, let’s just abandon a color palette maybe in this one location and just add something that’s super fun.”

Clear Through

What Aguirre and Hedman pulled off isn’t really about glass. But it is about a clear vision—taking a phased, four-story, lived-in remodel and making it read as one settled home. 

“When you walk in, it feels like it was all done at once,” Hedman says. “It’s not a series of remodels and eras.” From the moment you enter to the time you take a seat on the newly finished outdoor patio, it’s a seamless experience infused with luxury that feels accessible and approachable.

“I’m really proud of us for how we remodeled a house of that size and complexity and made it feel like one home,” he concludes. That’s the trick of Glass House. You can see clear through it—to the history infused through it, the talent of the team behind it, and the values of the life lived inside it.

The post Heart of Glass appeared first on Park Record.

The Quiet Kitchen

There’s a reason quiet luxury has been a buzzword in the design industry for some time. It leaves behind “over-the-top” in favor of enduring style that reflects today’s lifestyles. And many kitchens turning heads right now are leaning hard into this idea. They’re concealing complexity with seamless integrations. Details feel clean. Layouts are inclusive while hiding the mess. Timeless focal points and finishes are layered with modern touches. It’s a thoughtful approach that means the first thing you feel when you walk in isn’t just impressed. It’s peaceful.

Call it the quiet revolution. The 2026 kitchen is streamlined, smart, and designed for visual calm.

The Refined Cabinet

Clean is king for cabinets: Shaker style has had a serious slim down. The new ultra-thin profiles preserve the familiar line of traditional trim while reading as decisively modern. Its quieter sibling is the flat slab door, giving the kitchen a seamless, serene flow with zero visual interruption. 

Designers are treating cabinetry with the same attention as furniture, integrating visible legs, toe-kick cutouts, and refined joinery details. Reeded and fluted wood accents are appearing on island cabinet panels, mirroring contemporary furniture and slat wall details. 

Accent cabinets are often treated like built-in case pieces with glass fronts, mullions, and slim black metal insets, and interior LED strips to illuminate displays inside. Color is also evolving. Up to three coordinating cabinet colors are being used to establish identities for different zones.

Appliances and hidden pantry doors are vanishing into the cabinetry entirely. 

When it comes to wood finishes, white oak has earned its place as a classic. But richer, darker woods reflect the shift toward warm, more intimate spaces. Walnut, darker-stained oaks, and pecan bring depth and character. While painted shades like deep green or warm neutrals add nature-inspired color in accent pieces or secondary spaces like bars or prep kitchens. 

The range wall is the place to take a functional cooking zone and turn it into an architectural feature. 

One option is rustic and deeply romantic, with the range recessed into a deep plastered stone nook, often arched or lined with a beam of warm wood. This European-inspired style uses natural stone to add warmth and texture, framing the range or cooktop the same way a fireplace frames a hearth. 

The more modern take trades stone for wall-spanning steel, most frequently in inky black but also beautiful in aged brass. Panels run nearly the full width of the cooking wall and anchor the space with a commanding horizontal presence. 

Endless variations exist between these two options, but the intention is always the same: the range wall becomes the room’s defining moment. It’s not just a place for cooking. It’s the focal point.

The Countertop with Character

Natural stones are still the go-to for performance and aesthetics. But the look is getting bolder. Whether it’s with sweeping, high-contrast organic veining or more subtle swirls, natural quartzite delivers the visual soul of marble with more resilience. 

While light, neutral tops will always be in style, dark stones and bold patterns are growing in popularity, mirroring the moody trend sweeping homes now. Finishes are also shifting with honed or leathered surfaces lending a softer touch.

Backsplashes and integrated ledges in the same material create visual unity. Often they’ll go monolithic—running all the way to the ceiling.

For the cutting-edge in quiet performance, invisible induction technology (electromagnetic heating coils embedded directly beneath a continuous stone or porcelain slab) crosses from novelty into new builds. Your counter is your cooktop. Set a pan down, it heats. Lift it, the surface cools. No visible burners, no glass panel, no seam where appliance ends and stone begins. A premium investment, but a countertop that also cooks is no longer a prototype, it’s a true possibility. 

The Light as Architecture

Layered lighting is essential to quiet luxury. Think toe-kick lighting that makes cabinets appear to float from below, frosted sconces shine beside the range hood, and linear bars, sculptural blown glass, or swagged strands that light the island. Even under-cabinet lights create a luminous glow. The goal is a kitchen wrapped in illumination that adjusts throughout the day so the space feels warm at 6 am and chill at 9 pm. 

The Place for Everything

An organized kitchen goes well beyond a trip to The Container Store. Dedicated functional zones are being incorporated into every layout.

•  Hydration stations deliver filtered water straight into your water bottle. 

•  Built-in coffee and espresso makers make every morning easy. 

•  Dedicated pet-feeding stations mean even furry family members are considered.

One of the most requested kitchen features—the scullery, prep kitchen, or butler’s pantry—tucks much of the mess of cooking and cleanup into a separate room, so the main kitchen never has to show it. It’s the room that makes a restful kitchen possible.

And for larger spaces, two islands rather than one is an emerging trend: A working island for cooking, and a social island for seating, conversation, and staying connected with the action in the kitchen.

That’s the idea behind the quiet kitchen—intentional choices to prioritize presence. Streamlined, carefully designed aesthetics minimize visual noise and create a sense of inviting calm while also still functioning as a work horse.  

Your home has always been a reflection of who you are. Today’s kitchen is designed to enable how you want to live.

See more in the 2026 Summer Home magazine

The post Trend Report: Kitchen Trends 2026 appeared first on Park Record.

Perched at the top of a mountain, surrounded by stunning views, pine and aspen trees, and a dusting of snow in the winter, Summit Haven already had a sense of place. What it needed was an interior worthy of its grandeur.

That’s where Johnna Martin comes in.

Martin is a co-founder and principal designer at J Studios, a full-service interior design firm she built around a gap she saw in the market. Big firms handled high volumes of secondary residences, meaning projects were often managed for efficiency instead of personalization. Clients, many of them out-of-towners, often felt it too.

“I saw a massive hole in the industry,” she says. “My forte is connection and focusing on a few projects at a time.” So, she left, brought along Jeff Larsen—one of the top designers she’d worked alongside—and J Studios was born.

By Martin’s own description, the partnership is yin and yang and every project benefits from that balance. Larsen brings exceptional technical precision and Martin brings the entrepreneurial spirit and natural ability to develop close client relationships. Over the course of multi-year projects, Martin strives to make clients feel genuinely cared for and constantly connected with what’s happening with their projects. 

What surprises people most is the nearly identical aesthetic instincts shared by both Martin and Larsen. “We go about projects in very different ways but see them through the same eyes,” Martin explains. “We know when we love it. We know when we don’t.

The Three Pillars

A ski-in/ski-out home in Deer Valley demands a different conversation than a farmhouse in Midway. So, every J Studios project begins with three questions: Where is the home? What does the architecture say? And who, exactly, is living here?

Martin calls these her three pillars—location, architecture, client—and they’re non-negotiable for creating personal, timeless design. “We really, really cater to those three things and that makes a very unique home in any area,” she says. The result is a portfolio where no two homes look alike, even when they sit next door to each other.

For Summit Haven, the location spoke first. Secluded acres at the summit of a private development, ringed by pines and aspens. “It felt like a gem up in the mountains,” Martin recalls. “And we tried to create a gem on the inside.”

From Entry to Entertaining

Before you see a single room, Summit Haven makes a statement. The entry is anchored by an oversized black steel pivot door—its sheer scale making each arrival feel like an event. Cross the threshold and your eye is drawn upward to an arched recess in the ceiling covered in a deep blue plaster treatment, accented by a sculptural cluster of glass globes glowing softly overhead. On one wall, stacked ledgestone grounds the space and creates visual unity with the great room beyond. 

One step inside and you can sense this is somewhere special. 

The great room validates this sense. A steel fireplace climbs the full height of the wall, commanding the room but not competing with the floor-to-ceiling windows. The unobstructed view makes nature feel so close, you get an immediate sense of calm. Welcoming neutral sofas and slate-blue leather swivel chairs are complemented by dark woods and warm textiles. The color palette echoes the landscape, tying indoor and outdoor together with intention that makes the space feel inevitable.

The kitchen sits across from the living space and was touched lightly in the remodel with new light fixtures—four perfectly scaled matte black dome pendants that mirror the materials on the fireplace—and a tucked-away prep kitchen. The new back pantry handles the work, so the main kitchen can host the party at the three islands. The light-color cabinets and stacked tile in the pantry create their own sense of place that coordinates with the deep-toned cabinets and luxurious countertops in the main kitchen, creating unique spaces that flow together effortlessly.  

The Gem Reveals Itself

J Studios was originally hired to solve one problem. The client—a dedicated entertainer with a steady stream of guests and a collector’s passion for rare spirits—needed a way to display his collection. The firm designed an entire gallery around it, adding elevated details like hide wallcoverings, and the client saw what was possible.

“When they saw what we did with that gallery,” Martin says, “it turned into the entire home.” Every bathroom was reimagined. Every bedroom elevated. The transformation was total.

The bathrooms excel at telling the story of J Studios’ skill. Each is different but all are unmistakably from the same hand. From the floating marble vanity with a sculptural trio of staggered brass pendants to a more moody space with cool grey linear stone tile, marble floating vanity, and frosted teardrop pendants—every bathroom is its own moment—distinctly not cookie-cutter.

The primary bath is a masterful retreat. The soaking tub sits in front of a steel-framed window with the pine canopy, mountain sky, and nothing else between you and the view. Above it, a vintage-inspired chandelier resembles sparkling jewels. The shower is clad in striking Calacatta Gold marble with crisp white and dramatic grey-and-warm-gold veining. The waterfall-edged vanity in the same stone turns the functional surface into something more like furniture.

“Clad it in marble,” Martin says simply, “to create a sense of luxury with elevated materials when you redesign the space.” And ensure quality installation. Martin credits European Marble and Craftsman Cabinetry for bringing the vision to life with craftsmanship evident in every detail.

What the Walls Were Hiding

Every project has a surprise. At Summit Haven, when the contractor opened the walls, they found a hidden concrete safe room that J Studios turned it into the home’s best-kept secret. It’s now somewhere to sit, pour something special, listen to music, or strum a guitar.

As you walk through the concealed entrance, you encounter a space ensconced with rich walnut. Integrated shelving lined with LED light displays curated collections. A smoky mirrored ceiling reflects warm light back into the space, making it feel intimate and sultry. Sensuous textures abound: suede wallpaper, a cognac velvet sofa, low chairs with glimmering fabric. Even the oversized canvas in deep forest green and gold is textural, glowing under a brass picture light. 

“It’s the next level of entertaining,” Martin says.

Livable. Luxurious. Entirely Theirs.

In the primary bedroom, a four-poster bed in warm walnut with slim black crossbars sits next to a full wall of steel-framed windows. The views once again call the eye, with a direct sightline beyond the balcony into the trees. Behind the light oyster-white headboard, the wall is clad in contrasting dark woven grasscloth, creating a dramatic focal point. A cozy rug underfoot and curved cream bouclé chair invites you to lounge beside the stacked stone fireplace. The room feels sophisticated and completely, deeply restful.

Even the closet was reenvisioned during the remodel, leaving everything elevated, luxurious, and livable. 

When the keys were handed over, there were tears. There almost always are, Martin shares. “That is the paycheck for me—the reveal. It’s connecting with my clients for a year or two and then watching them see what we were able to make from what they knew they wanted but didn’t know how to make happen.”

Summit Haven was already a gem. J Studios just brought out the cut.

How to Create Livable Luxury

Advice from Johnna Martin J Studios

Less is more. Don’t try to incorporate everything you love into one room. Simplicity reads as elegance at any price point.

One wow moment. Choose one element and let it lead. One tile, one material, one statement piece. Build everything else around it.

Choose timeless finishes. Unlacquered brass, classic brushed nickel. It’s real and therefore lasting. Trendy finishes date. Go for something natural and it will look just as good twenty years from now.

See more in the 2026 Summer Home magazine

The post Hidden Gem appeared first on Park Record.

Murals are having a moment. Designers are using them to add instant character and one-of-a-kind style to any space. From creating a focal point with a single, scene-setting wall to establishing fully immersive environments, murals make any room an intentional experience that’s truly unique.

Driving the trend is a deep desire for interiors that feel curated, not cookie-cutter. Homeowners are craving spaces with emotional depth—rooms that feel collected, storied, and unmistakably their own. Murals do that in a big way. They help the room tell an expressive story and transform walls or ceilings from a background player to the star of the show. 

Make a Statement

A common way to add a mural is the single-wall statement. A significant elevation of the single-color accent wall, today’s statement murals are more like large-scale artworks, anchoring a room without overwhelming it. 

Designers use murals to create presence when placed above or behind beds, to add a pop of color to a game room, or to cover expansive walls in stairwells, hallways, or other areas that can be difficult to accessorize. A statement wall visible through a doorway adds drama that elevates formal spaces like living or dining rooms. The key is adding a mural where one expansive image can add a big splash of style or set an emotional tone in the room. 

A pastoral landscape framed by custom molding, a bold jungle print, an abstract shape, or wash of color can provide depth and atmosphere while allowing the rest of the room to breathe. And don’t forget the ceiling for an unexpected design element that elevates the eye.

Statement walls are excellent for impact without total immersion. They’re particularly effective in rooms lacking any strong focal point or to set off strong architectural features.

Surrounded by Story

Harkening back to old-world traditional styles, the immersive mural is growing in popularity as styles have shifted toward the comfort of past eras. In living and dining rooms, walls are often enveloped in a continuous forest scene in muted tones. Half baths and powder rooms might be wrapped in a sky full of fluttering butterflies, exotic birds in flight or singing in branches, or oversized florals blooming in jewel-box colors. 
These 360-degree environments create a sense of place that transports the room’s inhabitants into imagination, creating a sense of escape within the home.

To keep immersive from becoming overwhelming, restrained palettes, tonal shifts, and thoughtful integration with architectural details look sophisticated. Or go bold and theatrical to lend a space a distinctive, designer style that energizes and inspires. 

Where Craft Meets Custom

Officially, murals are defined as a painting or other work of art (e.g., tile or fresco) executed directly on a wall. Murals for interiors today primarily range from fully hand-painted works to made-to-order wallpaper printed to exact dimensions. Both can be beautifully done.

Work with a local artist. For matchless warmth and charm, commissioning a custom mural to be painted directly on the wall or ceiling by a local artist allows for true collaboration and one-of-a-kind results, especially on areas with architectural quirks. 
Made-to-measure wall coverings. For ready-to-hang historically inspired prints or bold patterns in a wide selection of hues, custom wallpaper murals with made-to-size programs are available through many design suppliers. Or check out websites like Etsy or Walls Republic for custom and semi-custom options that are often available in a variety of substrates to fit your project. 

The key isn’t the method—it’s choosing a mural that suits the space, the timeline, the cost, and how permanent you want the statement to be. 

A Lasting Impression

Ultimately, the appeal of murals lies in their ability to tell a story, mark a moment, and reward confident design choices. They’re a unique way to add color, pattern, movement, and a dash of the unexpected. Used as a single statement or a fully immersive environment, murals move beyond decoration to create spaces that feel emotional, distinctive, and highly personal.

The Magic of Murals — A Designer’s Perspective

A Dramatic First Impression by Lisa Van Dyke, Principal Designer, Riverwoods Interiors

Murals have become a go-to design move for creating rooms that feel memorable the moment you step inside. As Lisa Van Dyke, Principal Designer at Riverwoods Interiors, puts it simply: “Murals are a great choice in the home because they spark interest and tell a story.” In this living space, that story begins immediately upon entry.

The home is anchored by a strong black-and-white palette, clean-lined and modern throughout. Rather than introduce a contrasting color moment, Van Dyke leaned into that restraint, selecting a mural that amplifies the home’s graphic clarity while adding depth and atmosphere. The result is striking without feeling busy—a space that feels intentional, composed, and quietly dramatic.

“For this particular mural, we wanted to stick with the black and white theme of the home and also bring the outdoors in,” Van Dyke explains. The forest imagery does exactly that, echoing the vertical rhythm and natural calm of the landscape just beyond the windows. Rendered in tonal shades, the mural introduces pattern and movement through repetition rather than color, setting a distinctively dramatic mood that is carried throughout the residence.

One of the most compelling details is the mirror placed at the center of the mural composition. “The mirror in the center reflects the window which shows the evergreen trees outside in the center of the black and white mural,” Van Dyke notes. It’s an unexpected moment that deepens the connection between interior and exterior, layering reflection, light, and imagery into a single focal point. The effect feels thoughtful and immersive—almost cinematic—without overwhelming the room.

The mural also serves as a powerful backdrop for the furnishings. A black grand piano reads as sculptural against the soft forest imagery, while modern seating in black and contrasting light neutrals provides balance. Linear sconces reinforce the mural’s verticality and add an atmospheric glow, keeping the space feeling contemporary and cool.

Van Dyke emphasizes that execution matters just as much as selection. “My advice for choosing a mural is to choose something that you won’t tire of or is not trendy,” she says. “But most importantly, choose a wallpaper installer who understands how to do murals and is very meticulous. It will make all the difference!” In this space, that attention to detail is evident—proof that when chosen and installed thoughtfully, a mural can define a room with confidence and lasting impact.

The Magic of Murals — An Artist’s Perspective

Range, Personality, and Scale with Local Artist Chelsea Blosil

For muralist Chelsea Blosil, large-scale painting has always been about possibility. “With a career spanning over the past 18 years, I’ve had fun with the art of large-scale mural painting,” she says, “bridging the gap between imagination and reality for a wide range of clients.” Her work spans professional environments—office boardrooms, break rooms, hallways, and franchise spaces—as well as community-driven projects for nonprofits, local schools, and donated murals for hospitals and service groups internationally.

That range is evident in the two projects shown here, each revealing how murals can shape a space in entirely different ways. The ceiling mural created in collaboration with AMB Design—still a work in progress—turns an often-overlooked surface into a defining design moment. Rather than remaining neutral, the ceiling becomes an expressive canvas that adds personality and surprise while reinforcing the room’s sense of individuality.

“I love using color and creativity in my work,” Blosil shares. For this children’s room, she leaned into bold, organic shapes layered across a soft gray ground. Muted blues, warm ochres, and earthy neutrals drift overhead, creating movement that feels playful but balanced. “I ran with the idea of bold shapes for this children’s room,” she explains. “I wanted to create a unique ceiling pattern to blend with all the patterns and color being added into the room.” Subtle personal details are woven into the design as well like disguising the clients’ names in the design.

In contrast, a wall mural for a different project highlights another side of Blosil’s work. Saturated and vibrant color, strong geometry, and a graphic approach give the space a bold, energetic personality. Where the ceiling mural feels whimsical and immersive, the wall-forward composition is confident and dynamic—demonstrating her ability to shift style based on the needs of the space and the client.

“It’s fun to merge the world of fine art and murals with high-end interior design,” Blosil says.

Outside of mural work, Blosil balances her practice with custom canvas art and family life. “When I’m not painting, you can find me cooking up a yummy meal for my family or around the campfire on a weekend adventure with my husband, little boy, and golden retriever,” she says. Living close to the Wasatch Mountains offers constant inspiration. “I love being inspired by what’s around me and collaborating on unique ideas, bringing in bold color for the wide range of clients I work with.”

See more in the 2026 Spring Home magazine

The post Mad for Murals: The Designer Touch of the Moment appeared first on Park Record.

You don’t simply enter The Preserve—you arrive.

The experience begins at the threshold, where the sound of a cascading waterfall sets a softer tone the instant you step inside. Before you’ve taken into a single room, something feels different. You slow down as the outside world falls away, captivated by a space that feels removed from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. 

This sense of arrival is intentional. For Julie Bargowski, principal designer and project manager at Aude Design, a home should do more than function beautifully—it should take you somewhere new. At The Preserve, “You’re transported upon arrival and truly feel as if you are living in your own special, private space,” Bargowski explains. 

That belief is a distillation of the firm’s guiding ethos: dare to live by your own design. At The Preserve, that dare means letting go of the expected visual language often associated with Park City homes and instead creating a place that feels personal, layered, and timeless. It’s a sanctuary defined by feeling rather than formula.

The soothing sounds and shifting views of the water feature continue to shape the experience throughout the home. Several spaces in the main residence and the sleeping quarters are connected by an indoor “zen walkway,” with the waterfall flowing directly below. From there, every turn is another moment of discovery, filled with details designed to delight. 

Harmonizing Nature, Tradition, and Contemporary Living  

Set on a 10-acre parcel with sweeping views and frequent wildlife sightings, The Preserve draws deeply from its surroundings—just not in literal ways. Rather than mirroring the landscape outright, the design highlights and interprets it.

Throughout the home, expansive steel-framed windows frame the landscape without turning it into a backdrop. Sight lines were carefully prioritized so nearly every room maintains a visual connection to the outdoors. Light shifts across stone walls. Greenery reflects softly in glass. Inside and out feel quietly linked.

“My favorite projects are those that draw inspiration from the surrounding environment without being too explicit or obvious,” Bargowski says. “The color palette was drawn directly from a collection of native plants and tree branches arranged into a floral display that sat in my office for four years. Every aspect of the home harmonizes with the colors in that bouquet, from stone and wood selections to textiles and finishes.”

That harmony between colors, materials, and the surrounding landscape creates a natural sense of flow throughout the home. The environment is always present but never overpowering. “We were careful to ensure there were welcoming spaces to sit, observe, and appreciate the wildlife and views,” she explains.

Inside, traditional elements are layered with modern lines, materials, and amenities, unified by a cohesive approach to color, form, and complementary eras. The goal was to create a home that wouldn’t feel like it was “built yesterday,” but instead one that would continue to evolve and age gracefully over time.

That philosophy extends to how Bargowski approaches existing architecture and furnishings as well. Aude Design often works with pieces that might initially feel outdated or out of context, embracing—and even highlighting—what makes them distinctive. One of the most rewarding, and challenging, aspects of the process Bargowski notes is working with heritage pieces and unique architectural forms.

The Background of Aude Design 

Bargowski’s design sensibility was shaped long before Aude Design existed. It began at home, and was nurtured by a mother who “could make a shoebox feel like a penthouse,” instilling an early appreciation for craftsmanship, texture, and thoughtful detail. 

That foundation expanded through experience. An innate pull toward textiles led Bargowski to study in China, which left a lasting impression. Back in the U.S., her nomadic path eventually led to Chicago, where she spent years designing her own boutique pastry and coffee shops, eventually expanding into a consultancy focused on designing corporate cafes and retail spaces.

After selling her Chicago business and relocating her family to Utah, Bargowski began applying that layered, experiential approach to residential design. With her children now in college, she’s had time to make Aude Design a fully realized practice. Her unique aesthetic is informed by lived experience rather than a single, linear path.

That depth is further shaped by Bargowski’s identity as a Utah native of Ute heritage. “I feel like I am honoring the past and pulling it forward for future generations to reflect upon,” she says. That belief quietly but consistently informs her work. 

This perspective comes through vividly in the artwork at The Preserve. A custom mural painted by local artist Anna Nizhoni in a guest bathroom depicts native grasses, landscapes, and birdlife. It’s a moment of discovery deeply rooted in celebrating place and personal touches.

Elsewhere, the same care is evident throughout the home. Original works from several local artists—from native photography and ski paintings to nature photos and drawings appear alongside custom marble vessels and mosaics. Every detail reflects close collaboration with local trades and artisans and adds another layer to the home’s story.

The Collaborative Process 

Aude Design approaches collaboration at every stage with the same rigor as aesthetics. While interior design is often viewed as an added expense, Bargowski sees it as an essential role—one that increasingly acts as a liaison between architects, builders, and trades that ultimately helps save time and money.

Each Aude project follows a structured 15-step management strategy, supported by 24/7 access to a customized online client portal for communication, selections, timelines, and billing. Service offerings range from hourly consultation packages to full remodels and new-build consultations—all tailored to meet clients where they are.

Bargowski begins each project with understanding the client’s tastes. She brings a keen eye for blending the old and the new to make every space feel deeply personal. “Once a client is under contract, we spend time exploring their current inventory of pieces and their vision for their home. We explore what they want to see in color and form in their living space, combine that with the architecture, and then merge them into a tangible plan,” she says.

Spaces like the kitchen illustrate that coordination in action. Custom cabinetry, substantial stone countertops, and sculptural lighting work seamlessly together, creating a room that feels both hardworking and expressive.

Functional Daring 

At The Preserve, function is never an afterthought—it’s an opportunity.

One of the home’s most distinctive features is the indoor-outdoor studio, a flexible space that shifts with the seasons. In winter, it serves as a ski room and plant-filled retreat. In summer, doors open fully, transforming it into a covered gathering space adjacent to the pickleball and basketball courts. “It’s a perfect studio for hosting a gathering, grooming pets, or working on an art project,” Bargowski notes. 

That same flexibility carries through the interiors. Seating is generous and inviting, arranged to encourage conversation or quiet observation. Upholstery feels plush and welcoming, not formal, while vintage and contemporary pieces sit comfortably side by side.

In one sitting area, a gallery wall of collected artwork overlooks a small round table and mixed chairs—more European salon than mountain lodge. Elsewhere, curved sofas soften large-scale rooms, reinforcing the idea that comfort and character don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

Bargowski’s advice for homeowners navigating similar juxtapositions is refreshingly simple. “Dare to show the items that you love, even if they are not on trend. If you have two items you love, you can often find a third that ties them together.” Color, shape, and function become the bridge that turns personal preference into a cohesive story.

A Lasting Impression 

The goal at The Preserve was not only to make an impression but also create something lasting.

Even in the home’s quietest spaces, that intention holds. Bathrooms feel spa-like without tipping into trendy clichés, softened by warm metals, luxurious stone, and views that pull the outdoors in. In the primary bedroom, a dramatic fireplace clad in boldly veined blue marble anchors the space, offset by a soaring wood ceiling and sculptural glass chandelier above. 

These are spaces designed for pause and defined by a presence that will feel as vital 10 years from now as it does today. 

During the Park City Showcase, visitors frequently asked when the house was built—a question Bargowski took as confirmation that the home had achieved a vintage quality. On Instagram, one comment captured visitors’ sentiments perfectly, stating “it’s a smoke show of a home.”

The enthusiasm underscored what had been clear from the start. This was never meant to be a themed mountain house or a nostalgic interpretation of place. It was designed to feel entirely of its own time and entirely personal. When one observer remarked that the home “did not belong” in Park City, Bargowski took it as a compliment. “I am proud that this home has its own personality,” she says. 

Because when a home dares to reflect who you are—not what’s expected—it becomes timeless by design.

See more in the 2026 Spring Home magazine

The post Daring by Design appeared first on Park Record.

As we enter 2026, decorating is all about warm, layered, livable design—and a confident break from anything bland, safe, or sterile. Furniture is no longer just background: it’s the language we use to tell the story of our lives. This year’s trends show that form doesn’t only follow function—it adds presence, personality, and a point of view.

Modular Moves

Flexibility is the defining feature of today’s homes. In living rooms, modular sectionals are shapeshifting to suit everything from a sprawling open plan to a cozy movie night, often with built-in tables, consoles, or even discreet tech features tucked into the arms. It’s seating that can reconfigure to fit how you live—inviting you to sit and stay a while.

In home offices, the modular theme continues with desks that expand or contract and mobile storage that glides between tasks. The idea is to keep spaces fluid—so you can quickly shift from work time to family time.

The look itself is flexible, too. Sofas and storage elements continue to reflect a strong Art Deco trend, with curvier, more comfortable and sculptural silhouettes that feel approachable and sophisticated. On the flip side, Brutalist-inspired pieces with blocky, architectural presence can anchor a room with weight and permanence.

Color Confidence

The color story for 2026 is a tale of two moods. First, warmth: browns, caramels, and terracottas are stepping into the spotlight. These earthy tones feel grounded and cozy, creating spaces that are both calm and character filled. Think tobacco-colored leather chairs, a chocolate-stained credenza, or a terracotta settee that throws off a soft sunset glow.

Deep, moody shades and pops of jewel tones are equally on trend, bringing energy and drama. These powerful and emotionally engaging shades signal the importance of color confidence in creating a space that feels both timeless and fresh.

Bold Texture and Scale

Darker woods like walnut, espresso, and mahogany are making a decisive return, often paired with boldly veined marble or chunky travertine for high-contrast drama. Textiles bring equal richness: velvets with their sheen, textured linens that catch the light, chunky weaves that feel tactile and grounded, and just enough bouclé to stay relevant without overstaying its welcome. Pairing smooth stone with nubby upholstery or polished wood against soft textiles creates a visual contrast that keeps things interesting.

Scale is expanding, too. Bedrooms, in particular, are embracing oversized upholstered headboards that either tower overhead or expand extra wide. Built-in beds have been modernized to span wall-to-wall with sleek integrated nightstands, shelves, or nooks for lighting. These designs transform the bed wall into an architectural statement that’s functional and fashionable.

Authentically Collected

One of the clearest shifts this year is away from a singular style to a more eclectic and collected look. Homes feel more curated, mixing antiques, artisan finds, and personal treasures with new designs. A flea-market mirror with gilt edges, an antique chest picked up on travels, or a hand-carved chair from a local maker bring character no catalog can replicate.

One-of-a-kind pieces carry stories and lend rooms a sense of individuality along with sustainability. Already-loved items bring charm and character while also keeping furniture in circulation to sidestep the waste of mass production. For homeowners, the effect is layered and soulful—spaces that feel evolved, unique, and deeply personal.

The Return of Detail

Minimalism may have favored clean lines, but subtle ornamentation is quietly slipping back into the spotlight. Tailored skirts on sofas, fringe edging an ottoman, and contrasting trim on a chair are details that elevate everyday pieces. Curved arms, turned legs, and inlay details are all ways to add polish that can make a piece feel bespoke. Designers are leaning into traditional motifs—florals, toiles, or menswear-inspired wooly plaids and tweeds—that give upholstery a fresh yet familiar appeal.
These traditional details signal the broader shift toward a more traditional, English-inspired aesthetic that is gaining momentum across the country. The beauty is in restraint and thoughtful flourishes that turn a simple piece into something that feels familiar and memorable.

Tell the Story of You

The defining trend of 2026 is intention—choosing pieces that feel personal and considered. The pieces you bring home should speak your design language, whether that’s travel souvenirs mixed with modern lines, colors that lift your mood, or furniture that feels hand-touched and crafted. The joy comes from layering what feels right until your home tells the story you want it to tell. Lived in. Loved. Distinctly yours.

See more in the 2025/26 Winter Home magazine

The post Storied Style appeared first on Park Record.

Lesa Peers Design unites timeless design with modern sophistication for a space that feels right at home in the heart of Deer Valley.

When the homeowners of a Deer Valley condominium came to Lesa Peers Design, they had one guiding request: “Our client wanted to feel like they were living in Deer Valley, not in an old log condominium.”

That request set the tone for the entire project. The vision was about crafting a space with refinement, timeless appeal, and a sense of sophistication that fit both the setting and the client’s life.

A Home that Highlights Utah’s Beauty

Utah has its own kind of design advantage. As Peers says, “I think the beauty we enjoy every day makes design unique in Utah. Whether it’s the mountains, trails, red rock, or reservoirs, we all have a piece of paradise we can design around. Windows in our spaces allow beautiful colors and our unique climate to integrate into every space we design. Oftentimes, the artwork we enjoy is right outside the window.”

Inside this Deer Valley retreat, that philosophy plays out in soaring glass windows framing snow-covered peaks, soft natural light that bounces off warm wood floors, and a palette that balances crisp, clean lines with the kind of comfort you crave after a day on the slopes.

From Ski Season to Showtime

The project came with its own mountain-sized challenge. “We were on a tight timeline with deadlines set by the end of one ski season and the beginning of the next. We had to have design decisions made, selections purchased and products ready ahead of time, so when demo day came around we could just work!”

The effort paid off. Today, the living and dining area is a seamless invitation to gather. The dramatic black fireplace wall serves as the focal point, flanked by soaring windows and softened by plush seating. In photos, you can almost feel the texture of velvety gray swivel chairs, their rounded lines echoing the snow-drifted slopes outside. Above, a sculptural light fixture punctuates the room with a burst of modern energy.

This is refinement without stiffness: clean-lined sofas topped with downy pillows, textured curtains that pull geometric rhythm into the space, and a dining table where branches arranged in a cobalt vase tie to the nature photo on the wall and bring the outdoors in.

Designed for Real Living

“We listened to their needs for hosting family and friends, as well as relaxing and needing storage spaces for skis, coats, and even toys for the grandchildren,” explains Peers.

That practicality shines in the details. A dedicated ski landing zone makes transitions from mountain to hearth effortless—boots, coats, helmets, and poles all have their place. Under the staircase, clever slide-out cabinetry hides bulky gear while keeping it accessible.

For the grandchildren, a playful bunk room layers fun over function. A soft gray sofa sits beneath a mountain print, toys spill across the carpet, and beds with navy duvets promise sleepovers after snow days. It’s relaxed, youthful, and still in harmony with the rest of the home’s palette.

The Art of Personality

The home is elevated by the personal touches that make it sing. “We helped them choose art (most of it purchased in Park City art galleries and at the Park City Arts Festival) that would add beauty and fun to the spaces, but most importantly, art that they loved and spoke to them.”

In one guest room, a striking bear portrait takes pride of place—majestic yet playful, the perfect balance for a mountain retreat. Skiers hit the slopes in an original piece in a bathroom. Or a slat wall in a bedroom becomes the backdrop for curated details: a small, framed watercolor; a handmade piece of pottery; a textured zigzag pillow. These are the moments where the home stops being a project and starts being a story.

“Often people feel scared to work with a designer,” says Peers. “True expertise lies in understanding the unique vision of each and every client—from how they want to sleep to how they organize their kitchen to how many people they like to entertain at one time. We like to see the personality of each client expressed through the seamless combination of aesthetic and function.”

Timeless Principles, Modern Expression

Durability was just as important as style Peers continues. “We added clean lines, comfortable seating, and durable surfaces…to last.”

You see it in the deep brown cabinetry of the kitchen, topped with timeless solid countertops. In the bathrooms, repetition and rhythm bring harmony: a whole wall of deep blue square tile paired with a trio of mountain prints, or a double vanity framed in soft herringbone patterns and earthy wood.

Balance and proportion play out across the home—the grand scale of the fireplace is offset by low, cozy furnishings; light walls frame dark accents; bold modern art is softened by organic touches like greenery and flowers. The effect is unity. Nothing screams for attention, but everything feels intentional.

“We always lean timeless—so clients feel like they will enjoy their spaces and selections for a long time,” Peers states. “It’s fun to add a few trendy touches in, but too much of anything gets old quick.”

A Decade of Design

This project also reflects the evolution of Peers’ own journey. Lesa Peers Design began 10 years ago with Lesa doing everything herself. Today, it’s a small but robust team indispensable to the success of each project—from helping select interior finishes and final details to overseeing full-scale renovations and custom builds.

Her foundation in design stretches back to her studies at BYU in the 1980s. “I learned to draw in one-point perspective using graph paper and a pencil,” she recalls. “We used Prisma color markers in 20 shades of warm and cool gray to understand shadows and depth. Now, we draw digitally and can show clients rooms and spaces three-dimensionally. We can even physically walk through rooms at full scale that have been drawn on a 2D floor plan, testing spatial flow and refining details before the project is built.”

For Peers, technology may have transformed the field, but timeless design principles—balance, harmony, rhythm, proportion, detail—still form the foundation. In the end, she says, the most important thing is “helping great clients create spaces that make them happy.”

A Touch of Glam, A Lot of Heart

“A little glam came into this design too,” she remarks. “It made it fun to help the client feel fancy, even off the slopes of Deer Valley.”

That touch is subtle but present: a shimmer in textiles, golden accents in dresser pulls, a glossy canvas in a neutral room. Paired with Utah craftsmanship and curated local art, it gives the home a one-of-a-kind feel.

“Travel, art, and nature are where I find almost all my inspiration. And my passion for quality definitely guides my choices,” she explains. That passion shows in every corner of the home, from the thoughtful placement of a bedside lamp to the perfectly chosen vase on the kitchen island.

In the end, this is what makes the Deer Valley home extraordinary: refinement grounded in timelessness, warmed by personality, and carried through with integrity. As Peers quotes Nashville artist David Arms: “We believe your home says more about you than words do. A guest should leave knowing you to some degree just by their time spent in your surroundings.”

See more in the 2025/26 Winter Home magazine

The post Modern Chic, Mountain Soul appeared first on Park Record.

Bree Lindhardt doesn’t design for the algorithm. She’s not interested in “safe” choices or copy-paste aesthetics. As Principal Designer and Partner at Root’d Design Studio in Park City, she believes the best interiors are the ones that feel unmistakably you—bold, beautiful, and built for the way you live.

“We always say, if someone walks into a space and either loves it or hates it, that’s a win,” she says. “It means it made them feel something.”

That emotional resonance is baked into the Root’d approach. Founded in 2007 by Melissa Crotty, the studio started in Cincinnati before relocating to Utah. The move brought fresh inspiration and a deeper connection to nature-driven design. What began as a design-meets-retail space on Park City’s Main Street has since evolved into a full-service studio with a growing portfolio of high-end homes across Utah and beyond.

In 2023, Root’d moved to a dedicated design studio in New Park, featuring a showroom and spacious material libraries and room to collaborate. Today, Lindhardt and the team lead projects in Park City and the surrounding areas, with standout homes in Tuhaye, Promontory, Victory Ranch, and beyond. Their portfolio stretches from the mountain towns of Montana to the coasts of Southern California—every space is rooted in originality and grounded in story.

Creating one-of-one style along the Wasatch starts with a special signature: “When you’re working in the mountains, there’s already a sense of atmosphere,” Lindhardt observes. “We’re just building on top of that.” And while the projects may start with a similar landscape, Root’d crafts unique narratives for each home and every client. “There’s no one-size-fits-all here,” she continues. “We design around how people actually live—and push that vision just a little further.”

Inside a Swiss Story

One recent example? Swiss Story—a ski home tucked just off Main Street in Park City that was designed for a couple from Southern California as their mountain escape. “It’s a modern nod to a cozy Alpine chalet,” says Lindhardt. The couple wanted warmth, texture, and a sense of retreat. The design team, made up of the Root’d team along with California-based designer, Celeste Trudeau, and John Ford Construction, delivered on the vision—and then some.

Though technically a remodel, the project was essentially a full gut. The layout was reimagined, finishes overhauled, and natural light became a key design driver. “We brought in as much daylight as we could with skylights to open up everything,” she says.

The natural and rich color palette creates a luxury mountain hideaway with blonde wood, creamy whites, and warm greys. Sophisticated marble and stone create calm, while tactile textures invite comfort. Vaulted ceilings clad in warm wood planks and a soaring fireplace wall pull the eye up, creating expansiveness and room to exhale. 

And then there are the little moments—the sleek custom bar, the cozy entry bench, the bunk room that manages to be both playful and elevated. The restrained neutrals, refined silhouettes, and Scandinavian influence all work together to make the finished space a serene retreat that soothes the senses.  

That subtle magic is the result of Root’d’s highly personal process. “We listen. A lot,” Lindhardt explains. “We get to know how clients live, what draws them in, even the things they don’t consciously notice. Then we bring a creative lens and build something they couldn’t have come up with on their own.”

And if a client hesitates on a bold choice—a dramatic light fixture, a wall of texture, a piece of art that doesn’t “match”—Root’d leans in. “That’s often the sweet spot,” she says. “If it makes you a little nervous, it’s probably worth doing.”

And as Lindhardt explains, bold doesn’t have to mean bright or wild. In Swiss Story, you see fearless touches in the sculptural lighting, angled fireplace, and statement stone. It doesn’t have to be loud. It can be a confident shape, an unexpected placement of a fixture, or just the right moment of contrast.

Inspirations for Brave, Beautiful Spaces

As for what sparks ideas, Lindhardt points to nature and travel. “The Utah landscape is huge for me—the greens of the mountains, the warmth of the desert. I pull a lot of color and texture from that,” she says. “And I love bringing home art or vintage pieces from my trips. I was just in Croatia and came back with work from local artists that’s already inspiring me.”

Her take on trends? Proceed with purpose and intention. “Trends usually come from something classic. The key is knowing when to hold back and when to lean in,” she says. “I love a checkered pattern, but it has to be used in a timeless way that won’t feel dated when trends change.”

Design, done right, should be aspirational and livable—a phrase that’s become something of a calling card for the studio. “It’s about trusting your designer and the process,” Lindhardt explains. “And blending who you want to be with how you actually live.”

That’s the magic of Root’d: soulful spaces with polish and personality—built not just for perfection, but for the people who live there.

See more in the 2025 Fall Home magazine

The post Root’d in Story appeared first on Park Record.