Foothills Residence

Drawn by the allure of open spaces and breathtaking views, a family of five from Chicago found their dream home on four acres just outside Boulder. Enchanted by the property's proximity to nature and the foothills, they sought a house that embraced the landscape. However, their 7,600-square-foot home felt disconnected, with only a standard sliding door and window offering a glimpse of the iconic Flatirons.
To strengthen their connection to the outdoors, they turned to longtime friends Huili Feng and Ross Barney, founders of Tumu Studio. The architects replaced a long, west-facing wall with a 30-foot-wide set of glass folding doors, flooding the living room with light and erasing the boundary between inside and outside.
To enhance the cozy atmosphere reminiscent of a ski chalet, custom white-oak millwork was added throughout. From display shelves to a kitchen banquette for family gatherings, every detail was designed with rounded edges, ensuring a kid-friendly environment. The family embraced a modern aesthetic, swapping traditional furnishings for streamlined pieces like Eero Saarinen’s Womb chair and B&B Italia’s modular Tufty-Time sofa.
Feng and Barney chose nature-inspired upholstery fabrics—soft leathers, plush alpaca fibers, and felt—creating a warm ambiance. An innovative media room design featured a long bar counter that doubled as seating, proving that comfort doesn’t have to be bulky. Beneath the stairs, they carved out a playful nook with three spherical seats connected by a slide, quickly becoming the children’s favorite retreat.
Their vision extended to custom art that echoed the surroundings. An abstract painting by the fireplace captured sky and autumn hues, while acrylic branches in the dining room reflected a treetop the family photographed on a winter hike. Over the primary suite’s bed, a woven wall hanging mirrored the foothills visible outside, culminating in a home that beautifully celebrates its breathtaking views.