WITH BESPOKE FURNISHINGS, SCANDINAVIAN INSPIRATION AND A HOMEOWNER’S ROBUST ART COLLECTION, A DESIGNER STRIKES A DELICATE BALANCE BETWEEN MINIMALISM AND WHIMSY.
Ghislaine Viñas, posing here in the home’s dining room, was inspired by the sensibilities of European ski resorts. PHOTO BY GARRETT ROWLAND
OVER THE LAST TWO DECADES, renowned New York interior designer Ghislaine Viñas and contemporary art collector Paige West have collaborated on projects, so when the time came for West to re-imagine a family vacation home of her own, naturally, she entrusted the project to Viñas.
Originally built in Aspen in 1979, the 5,800-square-foot home was due for an overhaul. Joseph Spears of S2 Architects directed the architectural renovation, and Madigan & Co. served as general contractor—but the interior millwork, finishes and furnishings were the purview of Ghislaine Viñas (ghislainevinas.com).
A minimalist approach to design allowed Paige West’s artwork to shine through. PHOTO BY GARRETT ROWLAND
West’s personal taste leans toward modern, fresh and colorful. The home is effectively a backdrop for her ever-expanding art collection. The minimalist architecture allowed the art and decor to add personality and soul without overpowering the spaces. The result is a contemporary aesthetic layered with vibrant hues that create the unexpected in every corner. “In our pursuit of a sleek yet inviting aesthetic, we were adamant about maintaining a clean, minimalistic vibe throughout the finishes,” Viñas says. That meant, for one, the ash-clad walls, millwork and cabinetry seamlessly complement the white oak wood flooring. “It took meticulous coordination, with numerous samples shuttling between Aspen and NYC, until we achieved the perfect color match.
PHOTO BY GARRETT ROWLAND
“Paige is Danish and is very inspired by Scandinavian design,” says Viñas, who incorporated nods to Scandinavian design throughout the home’s three levels and eight bedrooms, from Swedish Dala horses to a vintage Swedish clock handpainted by artist Mark Muroney in the entryway. Viñas and her team custom-designed some of the furnishings, whimsically riffing off European ski culture. “The whole project became a sort of hybrid of these inspirations,” she says. The Gaidra Home dining chairs are handpainted by artist Tom Ward with traditional Swedish motifs—with the initials of family members incorporated into the design. Crosses carved into the dining table evoke both the iconic Swiss ski patrol symbol and the country’s flag.
Fresh color pops played an important role in the interior design. PHOTO BY GARRETT ROWLAND
“There are no rules when it comes to design inspiration, so we had fun blending all of these ideas into a cohesive look,” Viñas says. “Sometimes the inspiration is obvious and sometimes more subtle—but everything has a story.”
PHOTO BY GARRETT ROWLAND
No ski house would be complete without a significant gear closet for family members and guests. The renovation transcended the simple idea of a mudroom with three dedicated storage rooms with benches, hooks and cherry-red lockers for the storage of skis, skiwear and other bulky necessities of an Aspen-based outdoor adventure. Because clever storage is an art unto itself.
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