Search
Interiors

This Utah Residence by D’Apostrophe Design Artfully Balances a Bold Collection of Works with Relaxed Family Living

The studio masterminds a mountainside haven in Deer Valley, Utah, prioritizing cozy furnishings and kicky art

By Ian Phillips Photography by Richard Powers Styled by Anita Sarsidi
Modern living room with large sectional sofa, abstract art on walls, and spiral staircase in a bright, open space.
In the great room of a Deer Valley, Utah, chalet devised by Francis D’Haene of the firm D’Apostrophe Design, a custom sofa joins an Axel Vervoordt cocktail table, Charlotte Perriand stools, and a vintage side table from Espasso that hosts an Hervé Van der Straeten lamp from Ralph Pucci. A Rose Wylie painting hangs next to the D’Haene-designed staircase, and a William Eggleston photograph is mounted on the mezzanine above.


Editor’s note: Shortly before this story went to press, Galerie was deeply saddened to learn that Francis D’Haene had died. The text was written and edited before receiving the news. Our thoughts are with his family and the D’Apostrophe team.

Several years ago, Francis D’Haene, founder of the New York firm D’Apostrophe Design, received a call out of the blue. On the line was a woman who worked at a gallery he had renovated on the Upper East Side. Her parents had just bought a vacation home in Deer Valley, Utah, and needed a decorator. “She asked if I knew one,” recounts D’Haene, “and I said, ‘How about me?’ She hadn’t realized I don’t do just architecture.”

The couple’s attachment to Deer Valley began with their first visit 35 years ago. “We weren’t necessarily skiers back then,” the wife says. “But the majestic mountains became something we loved.”

Modern living room with floor-to-ceiling windows, large sectional sofa, dining area, and view of trees and mountains.
A sculpture by Carol Bove perches on a Jorge Arturo Ibarra credenza next to a custom sofa covered in fabric by Cowtan & Tout, while near the windows an Allied Maker floor lamp and a vessel by Jennifer Rochlin stand beyond a pair of Axel Vervoordt lounge chairs. D’Haene designed the 16-foot dining table in reclaimed oak, which he surrounded with Pierre Jeanneret chairs and adorned with ceramics by Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance.

The house they bought is located in a mountainside enclave of around 50 properties. They chose it for the spectacular views and because it was large enough to accommodate their expanding family—four children and, at the last count, 12 grandchildren. They also liked that there’s a run directly in front of the residence. “We can wave at skiers going by,” says the husband.

Modern multi-level house in a forested area with large windows and a spacious outdoor deck surrounded by tall trees.
The exterior of the house is variously clad in stone, steel, and dark cedar.

It was, however, no architectural beauty. “It was a typical logwood house that was not pretty,” recalls D’Haene. “Inside, it was very convoluted. There were split levels and strange staircases.” His clients initially intended to just refresh the interiors, but the more they talked with D’Haene, the more they realized radical action was required. “We couldn’t get the views or the number of bedrooms we wanted,” says the wife. “Finally, Francis said, ‘You won’t get out of this house what you want if you don’t start over.’”

modern bedroom with large windows, abstract art, cozy chairs, white bed, and unique ceiling light fixture
In the primary bedroom, a Max Wade painting adds a splash of color next to the custom-made Dune bed, upholstered in de Le Cuona fabrics and flanked by Jacques Jarrige lamps from Valerie Goodman Gallery. A John Procario light fixture swirls above Pierre Paulin chairs from Ralph Pucci, a Dombak side table, and a Liaigre table topped by a Jane Yang-D’Haene ceramic vessel. The rug is by Tai Ping Carpets.

D’Haene retained most of the old structure’s foundation walls as well as one of its chimneys and largely kept within the existing footprint. The rest was swept away. The new house he designed consists of four distinct volumes linked by glazed passageways. The first volume contains the garage, two others are dedicated primarily to the eight bedrooms, and the last hosts a double-height great room with free-flowing living and dining areas that can be opened up to an expansive outdoor terrace.

Above the base level of stone, the exterior is faced in ledge stone, cold-rolled steel, and dark-stained cedar. “The color is like at the bottom of mountain forests, which are always in shadow,” asserts D’Haene, who framed the windows—many with casement-style openings—in darkened steel.

modern bathroom with large mirror, wooden vanity, cushioned chair, freestanding bathtub, and glass shower enclosure
Calacatta Namibia marble lines the wife’s bath, which is outfitted with a custom vanity trimmed in bleached walnut and framed by Dimoremilano sconces from The Future Perfect as well as a Yabu Pushelberg chair and a Boffi tub with Fantini fittings.
Modern hallway with black accent wall, abstract painting, and minimalist white staircase railing.
At the top of the stairs, a Harold Ancart painting pops against dark wenge paneling.

When it came to the interiors, D’Haene sums up the approach as “simple and quiet.” Though that description doesn’t do justice to the sinuous staircase the firm conceived to connect the great room to a catwalk above with serious flair. The top priority for the clients was to make the rooms feel cozy. “We’ve rented a lot of ski homes over the years that are kind of cavernous and cold,” explains the husband. To warm things up, D’Haene used reclaimed timber for the great room ceiling and old-growth oak for the floors, while most walls are finished in a creamy lime plaster. Throughout, the designer emphasized soft, luxurious carpets and sumptuous, make-you-want-to-touch fabrics.

Modern living room with large windows, yellow sofa, bookshelves, and contemporary chandelier overlooking a scenic forest view.
The designer emphasized soft, luxurious carpets and sumptuous, make-you-want-to-touch fabrics.

One of the wife’s requests was for a dining table that could seat 22. D’Haene came up with a 16-foot-long custom design in reclaimed oak, which he surrounded with Pierre Jeanneret rattan-back chairs. He was less responsive to the husband’s desire to integrate his favorite hue—the green of the PGA Masters jacket. “I have an aversion to green,” explains D’Haene. “It became a running joke not to put it in the house.”

Modern kitchen with dark cabinets, marble backsplash, red stove, and decorative green vases on the shelf.
When it came to the interiors, D’Haene sums up the approach as “simple and quiet.”
Modern living room with stone fireplace, large windows, wooden dining table, chairs, and decorative vases on table.
A 16-foot-long custom design in reclaimed oak is surrounded with Pierre Jeanneret rattan-back chairs.

With the exception of a vibrant upholstery choice here and there, much of the animating color is provided by an art collection that includes works by Harold Ancart, William Eggleston, Sue Williams, and Robert Rauschenberg. The clients, advised by their daughter, already owned much of the art. A newer addition is the Rose Wylie diptych at the base of the stairs; it’s the subject of much family discussion. “It’s one of those pieces you study and wonder what it is,” says the wife. “Every child and grandchild thinks it’s something different.”

Modern bedroom with large windows, mountain view, cozy chair, elegant bed, soft lighting, and neutral decor tones.
The couple chose the home for the spectacular views.

The couple’s emotional introduction to the finished house came just before a Christmas they spent there with the family. “I walked in with great trepidation and burst into tears,” admits the wife. “It was beyond anything we’d imagined.” For the husband’s bath, D’Haene had a special surprise. When he opened the double closet doors, he discovered one shelf had been clad in leather—in unmistakable Masters green.

Modern mountain home with large windows and a spacious deck, surrounded by tall trees and a clear sky.
Eric D. Groft of Oehme, Van Sweden oversaw the landscaping.

A version of this article first appeared in print in our 2026 Spring Issue under the headline “Peak Chic.” Subscribe to the magazine.