Love Where You Live
Here, it's more than a mantra.
Summer 2019
Written By: Darby Doyle | Images: Kerri Fukui of cityhomeCOLLECTIVE
WE HELP CLIENTS PRIORITIZE THEIR NEEDS. WORK THEM IN [TO THE DESIGN],” SAYS CODY DERRICK OF CITYHOMECOLLECTIVE’S HOLISTIC DESIGN APPROACH FOR RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL PROJECTS. “IT CREATES SPACES IN WHICH THEY WILL FLOURISH.”
Or, in the case of their recent major renovation of Park City Mountain Resort’s Mid-Mountain Lodge, they recreate spaces where visitors can dine in style. If you didn’t get a chance to check it out last winter, it’s definitely worth a virtual gander at the cityhomeCOLLECTIVE (CHC) online portfolio as the lodge won’t fully open again until the snow flies. Or, if you’re really lucky this summer, you’ll attend a private event or wedding at this space that will surely become a must-do event destination. The historically significant building–originally the Silver King Boarding House–has been updated cosmetically several times over the years, but it was looking dated and more than a little rough around the edges. In collaboration with Utah-based Lloyd Architects, CHC Design Division Lead Lauren Bald had a specific vision in mind.
“We wanted to restore some of the orig-inal features of the building and highlight the ‘lodge’ feel,” says Bald. “We also wanted to pres-ent a fresh look to coincide with their significant menu and branding overhaul.” The resulting space has a light, bright, and airy quality grounded in earthy natural materials and lots of texture. As for the “lodge” feel, the inter-pretation is crisp, elegant, and modern. And the cozy outdoor seating areas around flickering fire pits? Order another glass of wine, please. We may never want to leave. The project is an example of how Derrick, CHC owner and founder, reaffirms concepts with his boutique real estate and design groups constantly:
“Our aesthetic is a meticulously detailed vision, executed with thought and purpose.” Since starting the firm in 2006, Derrick has seen the scope and mission of the agency grow in exciting ways. “While we’re based in Salt Lake City, we have an extensive referral net-work across the state and country,” says Der-rick of their real estate reach. And they’ve been involved with residential, commercial, and hospitality design projects in cities like Los Angeles, Austin, and New York.
“We’re in the business of holding hands,” says Derrick of the sometimes-overwhelming process of relocating or coordinating a second-home design project, especially for out-of- state clients.
Derrick points to other recent Park City projects as an example of CHC’s client-focused design process. From the renovation of a modern family retreat on Sampson Avenue to Der-rick’s own historic miner’s cabin to a unique Old Town listing.
MODERN FAMILY REMODEL ON SAMPSON AVENUE
Says Bald of the Sampson Avenue remodel, “Our Bay Area clients wanted to feel like they were on vacation in the mountains, but not go literal with the ‘mountain home’ impression.” Bald describes the home’s original feel as very “bachelor pad,” which they knew wouldn’t work with the client’s vision for a modern and cozy family retreat. CHC updated the paint and finish materials as well as furniture and accessories for the entire home. “We worked to mix designer and custom pieces in various textures to add a layered and comfortable vibe to the space,” says Bald of the now finished project. Natural elements of pale stone and earthy wood give a nuanced texture in juxtaposition to the lush fabric choices. The neutral color palette and added pops of color enhance, rather than compete with, the home’s stunning mountain views.
HISTORIC MINER CABIN MAKEOVER
On the other end of the palette spectrum, enter-ing Derrick’s Main Street dwelling is like stepping into a dark, slightly quirky, den of iniquity. The walls are painted such a deep glossy green as to seem almost black, the tone is mirrored with lux-uriant custom couches that beg for lazy nights spent with a gothic novel and a glass of chilled absinthe. The theatricality of the room pops with bright brass elements, Derrick’s collection of crystals, and stunning oversized artwork, creating a natural transition to the adjacent kitchen and the tight stairway leading to the two upstairs bed-rooms. “I wanted it to feel like a vacation spot,” says Derrick of the space, “But with the ambience of a modern opium den in a historical structure.”
RENOVATION OF HISTORIC OLD TOWN HOME : Situated near Park City Mountain Resort’s Town Lift, a new CHC listing by agent Brian Tripoli brought immediate attention to the community. Says Tripoli of the recent renovation of the nearly 130-year-old home, “[the owners] made a keen effort to keep true to the soul of the spot,” in Old Town, sporting original architectural elements and an enviable wrap-around porch from which to take in the Park City scene. The interior spaces of the home speak squarely to a contemporary aesthetic without looking trendy or dated (interior shown on pages 64-65). True to CHC’s emphasis on impeccable staging, the home shows as equal parts comforting and time-less. Says Tripoli of the space, “What impressed me most was the owner’s commitment to keep-ing true [to] the pared-down beauty of the residence during renovation.” He continues, “It all makes for a Scandinavian aesthetic that feels beautifully simple and very much like home.”
After traveling to many far-flung locales him-self, prodigal Utah-native Derrick has plenty of praise for the Beehive state.
“People are moving to Utah in general and Park City in particular in droves for myriad reasons,” he notes. But Derrick says one of the biggest draws of the city is its proximity to urban conveniences and its easy access to outdoor activities. Also, “Our scenery speaks to the modern style,” says Derrick of the mountain-town aesthetic.
Yet another reason why we absolutely love where we live. n
Editor’s Note: Darby Doyle is also a freelance writer for CHC.