
Creating mountain elegance that embraces nature’s elements was the extraordinary assignment of this design project. Karlene Hunter Baum and team were asked to capture and carry nature’s colors and textures throughout each room in a non-intimidating, more contemporary manner than what is usually found within a mountain home. The plan steered clear of traditional mountain decor by creating soft, clean lined features and fixtures that interpreted the Western mountains and made it seem as though the home had always been embedded above the shores of the mountain lake and nestled comfortably within the mountain.
Working with the architect's original plan, Karlene and team selected materials taken from the area such as the Mountain Chief Stone selected for the fireplace. An abundant use of copper, warm timber and cherry woods were used as well as custom lighting. Tipi shaped chandeliers measuring 54 inches in diameter by 84 inches in height were custom designed to create a gracious, illuminating statement in the great room.
"An interior designer's goal is to make the design process more enjoyable for the client. Satisfaction comes from seeing the client's individual style emerge during the design process."
As a professional Interior Designer, Karlene’s passion is to help clients create homes that drastically improve their mood and quality of life. Functional. Beautiful. Timeless.
In her 20 years as a designer, Karlene has developed an approach of mixing design elements ranging from historic to contemporary. She prides herself on asking questions that facilitate the design process. "While listening to my client's responses, I also hear the underlying information," she says. This verbal and nonverbal communication enables her to create a plan uniquely suited to her client's needs and desires.
She has been chosen to design model homes for Parade of Homes. Since 2003, Karlene's work has been featured in the Robb Report — Exceptional Vacation Properties.
Karlene earned her B.A. in Interior Design from North Dakota State. She completed post-graduate work in Interior Design in Stuttgart, Germany.