Tour a Magical Aspen Guest Home Inspired by Classical Music

When a music-loving family in Aspen, Colorado, decided to add a modern guest house to their Victorian home, they turned to CCY Architects to design the Music Box, a space where they could hold music recitals and host overnight guests. The addition was designed to coexist with the original 1880s Victorian on the left; combined, the homeowners dub this the Victorian Music Box.

Since Frederic Chopin’s "Nocturne in E-Flat Major, Op.9, No.2" is one of the homeowners' favorite pieces of music, the team, helmed by CCY Principal John Cottle and CCY Architect Evan Barrett, decided to translate it onto the guest home's exterior. They did so by breaking down the composition into notes and chords, then superimposed the pattern onto recycled, perforated aluminum to create an unexpected sheet music effect.

The guest home's main bedroom features minimal, simple design. Wraparound windows and a skylight add literal and stylistic warmth to the small space. Custom millwork and minimalist storage options complete the clean look. What the room lacks in a musical theme it compensates for by providing a serene retreat. "Restrained and thoughtful would also be another good way to describe the Music Box, as each and every element in the project was chosen and refined to meet the vision of the team and each and every detail thoughtfully considered and mocked-up during design," John explains.

The compact living area's focus in the Music Box guest house is kept on the baby grand piano. The homeowner is a classically trained pianist, but the couple also enjoys inviting musicians from the Aspen Music School to perform for small groups of people. To that end, the design team chose an acoustic plaster ceiling to optimize reverberation times during performances.