Written by Mike Haskew
Imagine the humble fish camp. One of the most unlikely materials that comes to mind is steel, right? Not for Edward and Kay Herring, whose vision of a family getaway takes the form of a custom-built home that fuses a mix of rugged materials, including steel.
Edward, co-founder of a private equity firm, and Kay, a volunteer and full-time mom to their school-age children, reside in Dallas, Texas, but felt the call of Colorado’s streams. A property nestled on the banks of the Taylor River near Almont, Colorado, not far from the iconic Western town of Crested Butte, was the answer. “We wanted a cozy cabin that has great indoor and outdoor features ready for fishing as soon as the hatch starts,” explains Kay.
The Herrings teamed up with local architect Dan Murphy to bring these design ideas to life. “He translated our thoughts into architectural specifications,” says Kay, recalling their desire for a design that capitalized on the proximity of the river and allowed its soothing sounds to flow through all the rooms. “The cabin is just feet from the river. We step off our front porch and cross the walking bridge, and we are standing in the river, fly-fishing.”
A strategic approach — and a bit of out-of-the box thinking— to combine classic materials with modern details brought the design to fruition. “We used reclaimed timbers and beams, but we also sought that ‘mountain modern’ vibe,” Kay explains. “So, we incorporated metal chinking and metal beams inside and out.”
Dan credits interior designer Carolina Alling of ID Studio with the idea to introduce some of the key metallic materials that achieve the “mountain modern” aesthetic. “The home combines rustic elements along with the metal in the beams and the metal chinking, rather than [acrylic],” Dan explains. “We had some ideas and started working with them, but it was Carolina who found the metal chinking and helped us to go in that direction.”
The use of rustic timbers and barnwood for siding make the steel really stand out, says Dan, and the handiwork on the timbers — created using an adz to achieve that “chipped not sawn” appeal — paid off. “The siding along with the sleekness of the metal is really a beautiful look,” Dan adds.
Inside, a smart layout achieves the Herrings’ desire to bring the waterfront to every room. “We have views of the Taylor River from all of the living spaces,” explains Dan. “The breakfast area, screen porch, living room and primary bedroom all overlook the river.”
Curated materials and furnishings carry the exterior’s aesthetic throughout the inside. Take for example the kitchen, designed for optimal functionality, which boasts steel accents around the island and steel baseboards, along with a hidden pantry. Caesarstone countertops add extra durability. “We’re both big cooks, so we love the flexibility of manmade stone, since it’s indestructible,” says Kay. A neutral color palette allows the kitchen to seamlessly integrate with the other open-concept living spaces.
Throughout, colorful accents and rustic-industrial textures add layers of character, while metal features create a cohesive aesthetic. “The bunk room has very cool built-in metal ladders, and the fireplace is a custom-made metal wall with glass,” Kay explains. “Even our bathrooms have the personality of the cabin. Each is a different bright color in painted wood along with a beautiful, tiled vanity.”
Today, the home undeniably showcases the sleekness of steel, the wonder of wood and strength of stone in a dazzling display of mountain-modern style. But perhaps, more importantly, it offers an escape into an all-natural lifestyle, where the Herrings can slip away for a bit of fishing and appreciate their impressive views — both inside and out.
Home Details
Square footage: 2,900
Bedrooms: 4
Baths: 4 full, 1 half
Architect: Daniel J. Murphy Architect
Interior Designer: Carolina Alling
Builder: Pike Builders
