By Suzi Mitchell

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS- It’s happy hour in Steamboat Springs, and Jerry Leonard is behind the bar pouring an eclectic mix of shots for his plethora of friends. The New Yorker-turned-part-time-Steamboat-local is a familiar face on the party scene, and the entrance to his recently remodeled townhome is a revolving door.

“It’s the furthest I was prepared to walk in ski boots,” he says about the property he bought on the mountain in 2011. His ties to Steamboat go back to 1985, when he first arrived as a ski bum. Following five years of skiing and running the former Steamboat Yacht Club, he relocated to Hilton Head, South Carolina, where he owns a 225-seat barbecue restaurant. “There wasn’t a year I didn’t come back to visit, but now I’m planning to be here in Steamboat more,” Jerry says.

In 2018, he enlisted the services of Sierra Fallon, a good friend and interior designer for Rumor Design, to carry out a much-needed remodel of the dark and impractical space. 

“I wanted to keep the elements of a warm mountain home while maintaining a level of masculinity,” Sierra says. Functionality was key, so the duo opted for wood flooring that can withstand ski-boot-clad guests and visiting pets on the main level. A custom bench in the entryway is tall enough for ski boots, with built-in outlets to power boot-heaters. Cubbies on the wall serve as ski lockers for Jerry, his three children and any guests. 

The hub of the home is the open-plan kitchen and sitting room, which centers on a commercial-style bar. Jerry opted to eliminate a dining room in favor of an oversized island with bar stools. “I had the Super Bowl in mind when we came up with ideas for the space. I wanted a bar with wall space for a big-screen television and somewhere for everyone to gather,” he says. Walnut cabinetry offsets the neutral tones and rich textures used for accessories and accent walls, including a trendy tweed-style wallpaper in the powder room.

Three bedrooms occupy the lower level, each with a custom en-suite bathroom.  “Not every client would let you paint the bathroom walls black and accent with black and white tiles,” Sierra says, laughing. In the master suite, an elongated single sink occupies one wall of the galley-shaped bathroom with an oversized walk-in steam shower. “Sometimes I think I’ve made it too comfortable – people don’t want to leave,” Jerry says. 

With his open-door policy and proximity to Mount Werner, Jerry Leonard is living the ultimate ski bum and outdoor enthusiast’s dream, except his is now the grown-up version. 

Vendors

Design –                      Sierra Fallon, Rumor Designs

Construction –           Silva Flex Construction

Cabinetry –                 Karman Cabinetry, designed by Rumor Designs