For the designer Victoria Hagan, creating beauty often means not getting in the way of nature. Many of her clients are fortunate enough to have homes in extraordinary locales, from beachfront villas to sprawling apartments on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue with unparalleled views of Central Park. Hagan is always extremely careful never to let the interior design detract from such splendor.
"You don't want to let your ego get in the way of the setting," she says. "The goal has to be harmony."
No matter what the setting is, Hagan has a talent for making lovely spaces that embody both brio and restraint. But in the Aspen getaway she designed for a Wall Street financier and his family, the power of the landscape put her to the test. The spectacular vertical residence - four stories built into the side of a mountain - was remodeled by the Connecticut-based architect Joeb Moore.
Custom bed, Classic Design; bed linens, E. Braun & Co.; chairs in a Donghia fabric, Roman Thomas; vintage stools, Pascal Boyer Gallery; bedside table, Victoria Hagan Home Collection; lamp, Armani/Casa; pendant, Homer Design; Roman shade in a Romo fabric, Susan Lind Chastain; carpet, Mansour.
Today, it is a study in whites as fresh as a snowfall, augmented by vibrant colors - in addition to soft pale hues, there are hints of aubergine, butter yellow and sapphire - that interact in miraculous ways with the blinding outside light.
"It seems a lot whiter than it is," Hagan says. "It's actually full of color, and the sun reflecting off the snow gives those shades a life of their own."
A rug in vivid blues adds color to the largely white interior. Table, Hudson Furniture; chairs in an Edelman leather, John Houshmand; chandelier, Jean de Merry; custom rug, Mansour.
Hagan didn't dwell on individual furnishings, opting instead for a more holistic approach: "I kept my eye on the big picture," she says. "I wanted to design a home that is incredibly comfortable - a place where it's fun to hang out."
But comfort doesn't mean a lack of aesthetic discipline. A soothing atmosphere requires simplicity and order: The eye has to rest. To that end, there are touches like bronze window frames, muscular and dark, as well as strong lines to contrast with the mountain views. The art, which includes works by Richard Prince and Andy Warhol, adds to the graphic, pared-down vibe.
Sofa in an S. Harris velvet, Classic Design; chairs in a Maharam fabric, Paul McCobb; cocktail tables, Lucca & Co.; round side table, Avenue Road; lamp, Vaughan; rug, Sacco Carpet; artwork, Richard Prince.
"I love the juxtaposition of the organic geometry with the rugged wildness of the outdoors," Hagan says.
There are five airy bedrooms and multiple levels of capacious common space, but the centerpiece of the home is the staircase. Before she and Moore redid it, the stair was austere and dark. While there was a window running its length, you didn't get the drama of the outside panorama. The new staircase is wrapped in glass and bronze and designed around a series of small landings.
The open bronze-and-glass staircase allows the home's architecture - and the vistas beyond - to shine. Walls in custom oak-plank paneling.
"At any point, you can stop for a moment," Hagan says, "and enjoy the breathtaking view." The house was also boldly made for entertaining - a crucial part of the Aspen ethos.
Hervé Van der Straeten console, Ralph Pucci; 1940s side chairs.
The state-of-the-art kitchen is "command central," says Hagan, and there is a sculptural bar in the living room. "It all really sets the tone," she says. "People know they're supposed to relax."
Custom kitchen cabinetry; Glassos countertop, CCS Stone; barstools, Henry Beguelin; sink fittings, Dornbracht; stove, Wolf; refrigerator, Sub-Zero; drum pendants, the Urban Electric Co.; ceiling fixture, Howe.
The owners have a big family, so at any given time, there are people everywhere. Throughout the day, they return from the slopes and curl up on a soft chair or sofa inside, or head out to the terrace, which hangs over the mountain. Wrapped in cashmere blankets beside the giant rectangular outdoor fire pit, sipping hot chocolate to fend against the chill air, they drink in the view, the whole world seemingly spread out before them.
Outdoor sofa and love seat in a Donghia fabric, Sutherland; custom fire table in bronze and steel.
This story originally appeared in the January-February 2017 issue of VERANDA.
