It’s not small town Colorado anymore. Steamboat interior designer Valerie Stafford of Rumor Design and reDesign says mountain style is on trend, making it easier to find beautiful pieces and finishes.
It’s a familiar story: Valerie Stafford came to Steamboat from Los Angeles for a visit in 2000 and loved it so much she never left. Where her story takes a turn is when Stafford decided to leap head-first from a career in finance into art—specifically, interior design. “I was really lacking that artistic outlet living in So Cal,” says Stafford, who earned a degree in business and art from the University of California Santa Barbara. “When I moved to Steamboat I had an opportunity to work with an interior designer in town, and I knew right away this was what I wanted to do.”
Since then she’s spent over 10 years working on residential and commercial interior design projects, and earned her Master’s Degree from the Florence Design Academy where she spent a year studying in Italy. She joined forces with Bruce Caplowe in 2008 and founded Rumor Design, a boutique interior design firm in Steamboat. “I love that I have a good handle on the business side so I am able to pour my energy into the design.”
Stafford says Steamboat Springs has elevated its style in recent years, but that mountain modern—drawing inspiration from the outdoors and integrating it into a more streamlined, modern context—is having a moment right now. “On an international, global scale, this modern mountain look is everywhere,” she says. “The Rocky Mountains happen to be on the forefront of a current trend.”
We caught up with Valerie to talk interior design and asked her to pick five pieces that represent the essence of Steamboat style.
BRASS NESTING TABLES
“I think these are so versatile and simple yet elegant. We’re seeing more and more pieces that create function, yet these pieces will dress up any space instantly. And brass is a really fun accent color right now.”
LEATHER OTTOMAN
“This piece has been such a big hit for us. Metal and leather together, there’s something nice about that. Homes in Steamboat generally have a lot of wood, so it’s great to bring in these other elements. It would be amazing at the end of a bed, or it could be a coffee table, bench, or ottoman. The color is beautiful, and it fits with almost any décor.”
RIVETS WALLPAPER
“We all fell in love with this. It’s totally customizable. The squares can be either vertical or horizontal. You can pick nail colors and make it round or square. The background can be linen, burlap, silk, or vinyl and comes in a wide range of colors. Wallpaper is really making a huge comeback right now, but it’s being used more sparingly. It’s like its own art piece altogether.”
SELENITE
“This stone comes from caves in Morocco and Mexico. These pieces are really simple, but the pure white color is striking and soothing at the same time. It makes a nice impact but it’s a natural, organic material and no two pieces are alike. It can be used as a coffee table accent or in a bookcase. The stones are supposed to carry positive energy; the points direct your energy upwards and are intended to help create a happy home.”
FLOOR LAMP
“We love this little floor lamp. It’s got such an interesting personality. I love the combo of the metals, which is really on trend. It feels a little industrial but it’s not harsh. That little flair at the top is very purposeful, but it’s still modern and simple.”
For more information on these products or Rumor Design and reDesign, visit their web site.
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