Magic Mushroom Vacation House in Aspen The New York Times 1.16.09

Magic Mushroom Vacation House in Aspen
The New York Times 1.16.09

It's anything but normal! Manhattan Gallery owners Peter and Patty Findlay have an Aspen, Colorado vacation home that has a unique 1970s-era aesthetic of moss rock, rustic wood and stained glass. Built in the 70s by its original owner Andre Ulrych, the home's design was inspired by a nautilus shell &mdash there are 12 different levels (including platforms and loft spaces) that curl around the home and are connected by ladders and stairways. The New York Times gives us a peek inside...

We love that the Findlays have embraced the home's unique character (much easier to do in a vacation home). See the full story, No Home for Squares, and all the pics in the slideshow.

Pics: Michael Brands

Comments (17)

wow.
i love the lamp in 2nd photo.

posted by Barbara S on January 16th 2009 at 1:06pm
view Barbara S's profile

That light is Aqua Creations, which was featured here a few weeks ago. I couldn't enjoy being in this house at all. All the rock work would make me feel like either I was in the Grotto at the playboy mansion or I would fixate about all the nooks and crannys where dust and bugs could live.

posted by jfinteriors on January 16th 2009 at 1:08pm
view jfinteriors's profile

Tastefully designed? No. Fun place to explore? Totally.

posted by Tara77 on January 16th 2009 at 1:17pm
view Tara77's profile

Picture #2 makes me feel as if I were underwater...in some sort of aquarium!

posted by mns2000 on January 16th 2009 at 1:17pm
view mns2000's profile

Too much cement, too many hard angles.

I'll bet if you pulled out a lot of the stonework you'd still have a beautiful and unique home that didn't feel like a cave.

posted by yakimushi on January 16th 2009 at 1:18pm
view yakimushi's profile

so over the top.....love it!!

posted by freddyjjy on January 16th 2009 at 2:45pm
view freddyjjy's profile

It amazes me that there was an era in which architects designed rooms specifically for people to get high in

posted by baba yaga on January 16th 2009 at 3:25pm
view baba yaga's profile

Hey, the Copper Palace. Barbi Benton used to live here!

posted by alisong on January 16th 2009 at 3:26pm
view alisong's profile

my cats would sooooo love this place

posted by littlejex on January 16th 2009 at 4:02pm
view littlejex's profile

I'm feelin' a little Rocky Mountain High, here. 8^D

posted by btoddster on January 16th 2009 at 4:40pm
view btoddster's profile

can i live there????? :(

posted by Oneformybaby on January 16th 2009 at 6:34pm
view Oneformybaby's profile

Beautiful, but this looks like a very cold, damp, dark house for aspen winters!

I've lived in Aspen for the winter season, I was colder then i have ever been in my life, Colorado mountains during the winter. This stone cave is not cozy!

Without taking drugs I would also be hallucinating about all the creepy crawling things in all those rocks and crevices.

posted by dewi on January 16th 2009 at 7:28pm
view dewi's profile

I love that house!

posted by mischief7 on January 16th 2009 at 10:31pm
view mischief7's profile

It would be a fun place to vacation, but I couldn't live there for more than a week or two.

posted by Brandyjane on January 17th 2009 at 11:56am
view Brandyjane's profile

Reminds me of parts of the House On The Rock in Wisconsin. Groovy!

posted by s_boston on January 18th 2009 at 8:02am
view s_boston's profile

Wow! Love this place! There seems to be so much to explore that I would never get bored if I lived here. It has a very groovy vibe to it!

posted by suzy8track on January 19th 2009 at 11:49am
view suzy8track's profile

Don't bring your baby.

posted by LittleChris on January 29th 2009 at 5:38pm
view LittleChris's profile