This Stunning Colorado Home Gets Modern European Style Just Right

If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like when every detail is considered, this Cherry Hills Village home might be the answer. Designed by Smith and Drake, the complete gut renovation transforms a 1989 house into a modern European cottage that feels warm and deeply layered. Natural stone, custom millwork, and vintage finds (sourced from all over the world) set the tone, while thoughtful construction and turn-key detailing make the home feel finished and beautifully lived-in.

Design: Smith and Drake | Photography: Dru Smith | Florals + Styling: Alex Fairchild

Builder: Karpov Construction | Architect: Kelsey Nichols

A Kitchen Designed as the Heart of the Home

The kitchen became the clearest marker of the renovation’s shift. What was once dark and enclosed was opened up and reworked to feel calmer, brighter, and better suited to daily life. Rather than defaulting to white paint, the team at Smith and Drake opted for a deeper cabinet color—Cromwell Gray by Benjamin Moore—as a nice contrast against the Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee walls.

Marble trim around the windows introduces a quiet architectural detail, while a sculptural plaster hood adds texture and softness overhead. A black La Cornue range anchors the space visually—“true kitchen jewelry,” as Smith and Drake put it—balanced by modern barstools and pared-back finishes that keep things feeling current.

Bathrooms Where Natural Materials Take the Lead

The bathrooms lean heavily on material rather than decoration, but the primary bath steals the show by far. The room centers around a fully slabbed Calacatta marble shower and custom metalwork, paired with limestone floors and soft alpaca drapery that bring warmth to the space. LED mirrors add a subtle, contemporary note without drawing attention away from the stonework.

Secondary bathrooms follow the same material logic, relying on natural stone to create cohesion throughout the home. The repetition feels deliberate, giving each bath its own identity while still tying back to the larger story of the house.

Living Spaces That Balance Comfort and Character

The living room, dining area, and study all share the same approach: they’re layered with character and designed to feel collected rather than styled. Vintage pieces, like the antique Swedish daybed, are mixed with contemporary furnishings, creating spaces that feel homey from the start. Moody wallcoverings and textured rugs add depth, while the furniture layout prioritizes comfort and movement. There’s a sense that these rooms were designed with use in mind, especially for a household with young children and dogs.

A Foyer Designed to Make a First Impression

The foyer is the first space you encounter when you walk in and the last one you pass through on your way out, making it feel like a quiet bookend to the house. Floor-to-ceiling custom paneling adds structure right away, while checkerboard limestone floors beautifully nod to European tradition without feeling formal.

A Spanish console from Formations grounds the entry with warmth and subtle patina.

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