A cozy bedroom with a beige upholstered bed, patterned bedding, and multiple pillows. Two pendant lights hang on either side of the bed, with a nightstand and plants next to one. Large bay windows with blinds are in the background, allowing natural light into the room.
Modern bathroom vanity with black cabinets, marble countertop, two wall-mounted mirrors, and two wall-mounted lights.
Open-concept living area with a kitchen island, dining area, and living room. The kitchen features a large white marble island with a built-in microwave and beige chairs. The living room has a fireplace, TV, and cozy seating. Natural light fills the space through large windows.

Room to Gather in Steamboat Springs

A dining room with a round wooden table surrounded by six beige upholstered chairs, large windows with wooden blinds, a chandelier, and artwork on the walls. There are two paintings: one of a horse and another of a colorful autumn landscape. A sideboard with two lamps and a vase with flowers are also visible.

A thoughtful mountain home renovation that transforms a compact footprint into an expansive, welcoming retreat.

Located in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, this family retreat underwent a dramatic transformation designed to create more space for gathering, entertaining, and enjoying time together. Originally a series of small, compartmentalized rooms with eight-foot ceilings, the home offered limited circulation and little connection between its main living areas.

Working closely with the homeowners, architect, and builder from the early planning stages, Meg Jonsen helped reimagine the floor plan and guide the interior design. With only approximately 150 square feet added to the home's footprint, the renovation introduced soaring ceilings, improved natural light, and a cohesive arrangement of living spaces that feel significantly larger than before.

Project Highlights

Modern kitchen with navy blue cabinets, white countertops, a central island with four cream-colored chairs, a stainless steel stove, a window with white blinds, and wooden flooring.
Spacious living room with brown velvet sofa, beige armchair, coffee table, and decorative pillows. Open dining area with chandelier and artwork on the wall. Modern kitchen visible in the background with dark cabinetry and pendant lighting.

A Dramatic Transformation of Space

The most striking change is the vaulted wood ceiling, which rises from the original eight-foot height to nearly 18 feet. Warm wood planks complement the oak flooring below, creating architectural interest without overwhelming the space. An open connection between the kitchen, dining, and living areas allows natural light to travel throughout the home, while carefully considered materials bring warmth and continuity.

Designed for Gathering

Creating comfortable spaces for family and friends was central to the renovation. The main living area accommodates a thoughtfully scaled sofa and swivel chairs around a streamlined stone fireplace, balancing seating capacity with easy circulation. A large folding glass door opens to the covered front deck, extending the living space outdoors during warmer months.

The adjacent dining area and kitchen provide generous gathering spaces, allowing family members and guests to remain connected throughout the home. The goal was to create spaces that feel comfortable, interesting, and calming, whether enjoyed during a quiet weekend or a lively family gathering.

A bright bathroom with a large windowsill, a built-in marble bathtub, a glass-enclosed shower area to the left, and a black shelving unit with towels and decorative items on the right.

Custom Cabinetry That Maximizes Every Inch

With a relatively compact footprint, efficient storage became an essential part of the design. Meg helped develop custom cabinetry throughout the home, including thoughtfully configured bedroom storage, a highly functional primary bathroom, and integrated cabinetry in the main living spaces.

In the primary bathroom, an innovative arrangement of cabinets and drawers maximizes accessible storage without sacrificing valuable floor space. Bedroom built-ins provide practical alternatives to traditional closets, creating a simple space with all the necessities while keeping the rooms comfortable and uncluttered.

Spacious living room with brown velvet sofa, beige armchair, coffee table, and decorative pillows. Open dining area with chandelier and artwork on the wall. Modern kitchen visible in the background with dark cabinetry and pendant lighting.

Materials and Details in Harmony

Rather than relying on perfectly matched finishes, Meg worked with the homeowners to develop a complementary palette of warm woods, natural stone, soft neutrals, and subtle contrasts. From the flooring and ceiling treatments to cabinetry, hardware, and furnishings, each element contributes to a unified design.

An eclectic selection of lighting adds personality throughout the home, while custom details and thoughtfully proportioned furnishings create a sense of understated luxury that remains comfortable and inviting.

Close-up of a bathroom sink faucet and handles with a mirror reflecting a ceiling light and part of a marble wall

Meg’s Role in the Project

  • Early-stage floor plan development and spatial planning

  • Collaboration with homeowners, architect, and builder

  • Interior finishes, materials, and color palette development

  • Custom cabinetry, built-ins, and storage design

  • Door, cabinetry hardware, and fixture selections

  • Furnishing selections and space planning

  • Interior detailing and design coordination throughout the renovation

A Home That Makes Room for Living

This renovation demonstrates how thoughtful planning can transform the experience of a home without dramatically expanding its footprint. By understanding the homeowners' priorities and contributing early in the design process, Meg helped create spaces that feel open, functional, and welcoming.

The result is a mountain retreat that balances contemporary design with warmth and personality, creating a place where family and friends can gather comfortably for years to come.

Living room with a dark brown sofa, beige armchair, and a black coffee table. There are pillows on the sofa, a table lamp, and framed pictures on the wall. The room has a staircase and a door in the background, with blinds on the window.
Living room with beige walls, a fireplace with a painting of horses above it, multiple windows with white blinds, and various chairs and a coffee table.
Modern living room with a dark brown sofa, beige armchair, patterned pillows, a black coffee table with a decorative tray, and a textured area rug.
A small bar cabinet with a mirrored back and glass shelf, holding various bottles of liquor, glasses, and a decorative vase, set against a patterned wall.
A round wooden dining table with five upholstered beige chairs, a centerpiece of purple and white flowers in a white vase, and a chandelier hanging above. The room has white walls, hardwood floors, and artwork including a large portrait of a woman on
A dining room with a round wooden table, six beige upholstered chairs, two large windows with wooden blinds, a chandelier, a potted plant with flowers, two framed art pieces on the wall, a gray sideboard with two table lamps, and hardwood floor.
Modern kitchen with dark blue cabinets, a white marble backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a central island with a white countertop, a window with sheer curtains, and a hanging pendant light.
Modern kitchen with navy blue cabinets, a white island with a marble top, four white bar stools, a window with white curtains, pendant lighting, and hardwood floors.
Modern kitchen with blue cabinets, white countertop island, and hardwood floors. There's a window with blinds, pendant lighting, a metal bowl on the island, and a stainless steel stove. Two white chairs are at the island, and there's a potted plant n
Open-plan kitchen and living room with a wooden kitchen island, white chairs, a blue wall cabinet, and a fireplace.
Kitchen counter with two white coffee mugs and a toaster oven, blue cabinets, wooden open shelves, and colorful mosaic tile backsplash.
Kitchen with blue cabinets, white marble countertop, colorful mosaic tile backsplash, open wooden shelves with cups and bottles, coffee machine, and toaster oven.
A neatly made bed with a light-colored tufted headboard, decorated with multiple pillows in neutral tones with patterns, flanked by matching bedside tables with hanging pendant lamps, a small plant, and a window with blinds on the right side of the r
Modern bathroom with a marble shower area featuring three showerheads, a built-in shelf, and a glass door; a large bathtub next to windows with closed blinds; a black storage unit with orange handles on the right.
Bright bathroom with a marble bathtub by large windows, a glass-enclosed shower, and a black shelving unit with towel and toiletries.
Bathroom vanity with black cabinets, two mirrors, and three drawers, with a central black cabinet and marble countertop.
Close-up of a marble bathroom countertop with a wall-mounted gold faucet and a gold handle, a mirror above, and part of a sink visible.
Modern bathroom with double sink vanity, large mirror, glass shower enclosure, and white subway tiles.
Bathroom vanity with black cabinets, a white countertop, a round mirror, a potted plant, wall-mounted lights, and open shelves with towels.
Bathroom with a marble vanity, dark blue cabinet, rectangular mirror, subway tile and decorative patterned tile walk-in shower, wall-mounted lights, framed winter sports poster, and a modern toilet.
Double vanity bathroom with dark cabinetry, marble countertop, two rectangular mirrors, wall-mounted lights, and a black cabinet in the center.
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