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Why You Should Hire a Full-Service Interior Designer in Aspen

  • aliagley
  • Oct 12, 2024
  • 8 min read

Updated: Aug 29

10 reasons why you should hire an interior designer in Aspen

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Did you know that a well-designed mountain home can significantly improve your happiness, productivity, and overall quality of life? Whether you're renovating your Snowmass vacation home or designing your dream residence in Aspen, professional interior design makes all the difference between a house and a true home.


At Aspen-based ALI & SHEA DESIGN, we specialize in creating elegant mountain interiors that perfectly balance style with comfort. We understand that great interior design goes far beyond selecting furniture and paint colors. It's about transforming spaces into beautiful, functional environments that reflect your personality and enhance your daily life.


This brings us to an important question many Aspen homeowners ask:


"Why should I hire an interior designer?"  The answer lies in our ability to see the potential in your spaces that you might miss, combining creative vision with technical expertise and deep knowledge of mountain living to create homes that are both stunning and perfectly suited to your lifestyle.

Whether you live in Aspen year-round or own a second home in Snowmass, professional interior design services can transform your property into a personalized retreat that captures the beauty of mountain living while meeting your unique needs and preferences.


In this guide, we'll explore the many benefits of working with professional designers and show you why investing in quality interior design is one of the best decisions you can make for your Aspen home.


Enhancing Your Mountain Home's Style and Function


Creating a beautiful and functional mountain home requires understanding both the unique challenges and opportunities that come with mountain living. From dramatic seasonal changes to the need for spaces that work for both cozy winter evenings and bright summer entertaining, your mountain home has specific requirements that generic design approaches simply can't address.


Here's how professional interior design can enhance your Aspen home's style and functionality:


1. Understanding Your Personal Style: 


Before any transformation begins, it's essential to identify your design preferences within the context of mountain living. Whether you're drawn to sleek contemporary mountain modern or prefer the warmth of refined rustic elegance, your style should complement both your personality and Aspen's natural beauty.


2. Thoughtful Room-by-Room Planning: 


Each room serves a unique purpose and deserves individual attention while contributing to your home's overall flow. A welcoming great room for après-ski gatherings requires different considerations than a peaceful master suite with mountain views, and professional designers know how to make each space shine.


3. Bringing Nature's Beauty Indoors: 


Aspen's stunning natural environment should be reflected throughout the interiors. Professional designers expertly incorporate natural materials like reclaimed wood, stone, and organic textures that echo the surrounding landscape while maintaining the comfort and elegance you desire.


4. Smart Storage Solutions for Mountain Living: 


Mountain homes require thoughtful storage for seasonal gear, outdoor equipment, and varying wardrobe needs. Custom closet built-ins and clever storage solutions keep your Aspen home organized and clutter-free while maintaining its beautiful aesthetic.


5. Designing for Seasonal Changes: 


Your Aspen home should feel equally welcoming whether it's powder season or summer hiking weather. Professional designers create flexible spaces that adapt beautifully to seasonal transitions through strategic lighting, textiles, and décor choices.


6. Adding Personal Touches That Matter: 


Whether you're an avid skier, love hosting dinner parties, or love showcasing your art collection, or prefer quiet evenings with a good book, your home should support your particular way of living. This might include dedicated mudrooms, wine storage areas, or cozy reading nooks with the best mountain views. Your mountain home should tell your story and reflect what matters most to you. 


How Professional Design Can Improve Your Aspen Lifestyle


Living in Aspen offers a unique lifestyle that combines outdoor adventure with refined comfort, and your home should support and enhance this distinctive way of life. 

Professional interior design doesn't just make spaces look beautiful. It makes them work better for how you actually live. 


Here's how thoughtful professional design specifically enhances mountain living: 


  1. Optimized Flow for Mountain Living: 


Aspen homes need seamless connections between indoor and outdoor spaces. We design elegant entryways that handle ski gear and hiking equipment without sacrificing style, and create great rooms that flow naturally from intimate fireside conversations to larger entertaining spaces.


  1. Color Choices That Support Well-Being: 


The right colors can make a significant difference in how you feel in your home, especially during Aspen's long winters. We select warm, inviting palettes that provide comfort during darker months while incorporating brighter, energizing accents that celebrate the area's spectacular summers.


  1. Smart Technology Integration: 


Today's mountain homes benefit from technology that enhances comfort and convenience without disrupting the home's natural beauty. We seamlessly integrate smart lighting, climate control, and entertainment systems that work perfectly in mountain environments.


  1. Wellness-Focused Design Elements: 


Mountain living should promote health and happiness. We maximize natural light, incorporate plants and natural materials that improve air quality, and create peaceful spaces where you can relax and recharge after active mountain days.


  1. Flexible Spaces for Year-Round Enjoyment: 


Aspen homes need to work well during dramatically different seasons. We design adaptable spaces that transform from cozy winter retreats to open summer gathering areas, ensuring your home feels perfect no matter the time of year.


  1. Increased Property Value and Market Appeal: 


Professionally designed interiors significantly enhance home values in Aspen's competitive market, making design investment financially beneficial.


5 Key Reasons Aspen Homeowners Choose ALI & SHEA DESIGN


why you need an interior designer

Most homeowners want confidence that they're partnering with professionals who truly understand both beautiful design and mountain living. We have worked with many homeowners to create interiors that truly improve their daily experience.  


Here are the top reasons why discerning Aspen clients choose ALI & SHEA :


1. Local Knowledge Combined with Design Excellence


We understand Aspen's unique design challenges: from altitude considerations to seasonal lifestyle changes, while bringing sophisticated design expertise to every project. Our team combines deep local knowledge with extensive design experience, creating homes that feel both authentically mountain and beautifully refined.


In our Faraway Road project in Snowmass, we created a stunning retreat by thoughtfully combining locally-sourced materials with custom furnishings, resulting in a home that perfectly captured the mountain setting while maintaining the luxury and comfort our clients desired.


2. Avoiding Costly Mistakes and Delays


Mountain home projects come with unique challenges that can lead to expensive errors and frustrating delays. Our experience with Aspen's building requirements, seasonal considerations, and trusted local suppliers helps you avoid common pitfalls while keeping your project on schedule and within budget.


3. Access to Exclusive Resources and Skilled Artisans


ALI & SHEA DESIGN has built strong relationships with talented craftspeople, reliable suppliers, and skilled artisans both locally and beyond. This network gives our Aspen clients access to beautiful furnishings, custom pieces, and specialized services that aren't readily available to the general public.


4. Professional Project Management You Can Trust


Renovating or designing an Aspen home while managing busy schedules can be overwhelming. We handle every aspect of your project from initial planning through final installation, providing regular updates and ensuring smooth execution so you can focus on enjoying your mountain lifestyle.


5. Timeless Design That Adds Lasting Value


Our designs are created to look beautiful today and remain stunning for years to come. We focus on classic mountain elegance that enhances both your daily enjoyment and your property's long-term value, making your investment in professional design a smart financial decision as well as a lifestyle enhancement.


Our full-service approach ensures every aspect of your project receives expert attention, from initial planning to final styling.


Our Professional Services Include:


  • Full-Home Interior Design and Renovation 

  • Mountain Home Style Transformations 

  • Vacation Home Furnishing and Styling 

  • Custom Furniture Selection and Sourcing 

  • Complete Project Management and Installation 



Ready to Transform Your Aspen Home?


From initial consultation through final installation, we're dedicated to making your design experience as enjoyable as the beautiful results we create together. 


Our integrated teams, comprising designers, project managers, procurement specialists, and architectural collaborators, work in parallel to streamline your experience. This structure optimizes communication flow, vendor coordination, and quality control, resulting in a less stressful and more efficient process for you.


Our comprehensive approach ensures every detail is thoughtfully considered and expertly executed, creating spaces that enhance your daily life while adding lasting value to your property.


We'd love to discuss your vision and explore how ALI & SHEA DESIGN can help bring it to life. 

Contact us today to schedule a consultation and discover why so many Aspen homeowners trust us with their most important spaces.


View our Residential Portfolio across Aspen, Snowmass, Denver and other locations.




FAQs About Interior Design in Aspen



Why Hire a Full-Service Interior Designer in Aspen?


Hiring a full-service interior designer in Aspen provides specialized expertise in mountain home design, comprehensive knowledge of local requirements, and deep understanding of seasonal lifestyle needs. ALI & SHEA DESIGN combines local mountain living expertise with professional design excellence, ensuring your Aspen home reflects both authentic mountain character and refined style while helping you avoid costly mistakes common in mountain home projects.


Do I need an interior designer for my Aspen home?


Whether you need an interior designer depends on your project's scope, your available time, and your desired results. If you want professional-quality outcomes that maximize your property's potential, lack time for project management, or want to avoid expensive mistakes, hiring an interior designer provides significant value. For Aspen homes specifically, professional designers bring essential knowledge about mountain living requirements and local resources.


When should you contact an interior designer for your Aspen project?


It's best to contact an interior designer early in your planning process, ideally before making any major decisions or purchases. ALI & SHEA DESIGN recommends reaching out during the initial planning stage, even before renovation begins. Early consultation allows us to provide valuable input on space planning, material selections, and design strategies that can significantly impact your project's success and budget.


Does interior design increase home value in Aspen?


Professional interior design significantly increases home value in Aspen's competitive real estate market. Well-designed mountain homes command higher prices and sell more quickly than properties without professional design input. We create timeless, elegant interiors that appeal to Aspen's discerning buyers, ensuring your investment in professional design benefits both your daily enjoyment and long-term property value.


What questions should I ask an interior designer before hiring them for my Aspen project?


Important questions include: 


  • Do you have experience with mountain homes and Aspen's specific requirements? 

  • Can you provide local references and examples of completed Aspen projects? 

  • How do you handle project timelines and budget management? 

  • What is your process for incorporating seasonal lifestyle needs? 

  • Do you have established relationships with local contractors and suppliers? 


Should I hire an interior designer or try DIY for my Aspen home?


While DIY projects can be rewarding, Aspen homes present unique challenges that benefit from professional expertise. Consider your project's complexity, available time, and the potential costs of mistakes. Mountain homes require specialized knowledge about materials, seasonal considerations, and local building requirements. ALI & SHEA DESIGN often works with clients who started DIY projects but realized they needed professional guidance to achieve their vision efficiently and successfully.


What are the benefits of hiring a professional interior designer in Aspen?


Professional interior designers in Aspen provide specialized mountain living expertise, access to exclusive resources, comprehensive project management, and designs that enhance both lifestyle and property value. 


ALI & SHEA DESIGN is Aspen's trusted full-service interior design firm, specializing in beautiful mountain homes that perfectly balance style with comfort. 


We offer local knowledge combined with design excellence. Additional benefits include stress reduction, time savings, budget protection, and long-term design satisfaction that adapts beautifully to seasonal changes.


Our distinguished work has been featured in Architectural Digest, Mountain Living Magazine, and Luxe Interiors + Design, showcasing our expertise in creating stunning mountain retreats.



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Elegant Braided Portrait

Alison Agley

Alison Agley, AIA, is a third-generation Californian turned Aspen resident. With a degree in architecture from USC and an MBA from the University of Denver, Alison brings 30 years of diverse experience to her role as partner and lead architect at ALI & SHEA DESIGN.

Alison's articles on architectural innovation and interior design solutions reflect her commitment to blending aesthetics with practicality, while maintaining creativity and functionality.

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