This Rocky Mountain home is in ski country, Steamboat Springs, Colorado (pop. 12,088), which lies in the northwest part of the state. The home's colorful landscape is adjacent to Fish Creek, whose high alpine waters flow down Fish Creek Canyon to spill over 280 foot falls, one of the most popular destinations in Steamboat.

The intent of the landscape design was to capture the essence of the Rockies for the year-round enjoyment of the Texas-based owner and his family. Highlights of this idyllic environment include a recirculating stream, numerous sculptural pedestals, nine colorfully planted iron planters, a stainless steel spa, three fire elements, a secret garden and a variety of hardscape treatments that incorporate a snow melt to afford easier wintertime use. The sophisticated lighting system and fire elements are controlled via smart technology that the owner can operate remotely from as far away as his primary residence in Houston.

The home is set within an alpine landscape of large specimen spruce, pine and aspens, with wild mountain rose dominating the understory canopy. Maintaining this environment and adding interest and color was an early challenge. The solution was a plant list with a wide variety of resilient perennials. Year-round color was a high priority for the owner. Spring, summer and fall are a riot of color and the existing wild rose adds interest during the winter. The thematic landscape is divided into six garden zones that include a sunrise garden, a sunken garden, an alpine garden and a tranquil secret garden entered through a twig arbor upon paving stones etched with the names of the owner's grandkids. Seating is of the natural kind: hand picked granite boulders placed by the landscape architect and the owner.