303-620-9911
Denver, Colorado
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Country Estate House

Country Estate House Project Introduction

The exterior architecture and overall design of this Colorado residence were by Architect Arthur C. Ranes. Robert Larsen, Denver Architect, was retained to design the extensive interior architecture in collaboration with Interior Designer Dennis Leczinski. Larsen designed the custom woodwork, paneling, cabinetry, doors, moldings, ceiling treatments, and other architectural detailing that give the individual rooms their distinctive character.

The Owner envisioned the interiors as an expression of his personal interests, collections, and sense of fantasy. When asked after completion what had inspired him to build the house, he answered with a single word: “Fantasy!” That spirit provided the inspiration for interiors ranging from richly paneled and highly ornamented formal rooms to spaces designed specifically around his extensive personal collections.

Expansive landscaped estate with a stone residence overlooking a reflecting pond, surrounded by mature trees, lawns, gardens, terraces, and stone balustrades.

Exterior View of The Estate

When asked after completion what had inspired him to build the house, the owner answered with a single word: “Fantasy.” That spirit guided the design of its richly ornamented interiors. Working within a residence designed by another architect, Denver Architect Robert Larsen designed the interior architecture throughout the home, developing an extensive vocabulary of custom woodwork, paneling, moldings, doors, cabinetry, ceilings and other architectural details. The result reflects the owner's desire for interiors that were deliberately grand, theatrical and highly personal. Ron Ruscio Photo

Grand residential foyer with a sweeping dark wood staircase, ornate chandeliers, stained-glass domed skylight, paneled walls, classical artwork, sculpture, and decorative furnishings.

Rotunda & Grand Stair

Denver Architect Robert Larsen designed the interior architectural detailing for this residence. The two-story Rotunda forms the architectural centerpiece of the home, with the curving Grand Staircase and upper-level balcony wrapping dramatically around the space. A large domed skylight crowns the Rotunda, bringing natural light into the center of the house and emphasizing its vertical scale. Richly stained wood balustrades, paneled stair construction, substantial newel posts, and deep wood trim contrast with the lighter walls and marble floor. The sweeping geometry of the stair and balcony is complemented by the circular skylight, chandelier, and patterned marble floor below, creating a strong architectural composition around which the home's highly ornamented interiors are organized. Ron Ruscio Photo

Elegant residential entry hall with stained-glass front doors, dark wood paneling and trim, arched doorway, stone flooring, ornate furnishings, and large framed artwork.

Entry Hall

Denver Architect Robert Larsen designed the interior architectural detailing for this residence, including the richly stained woodwork that gives the Entry Hall its distinctive character. Custom detailing continues at the entry door and surrounding openings, while the dark-stained wood provides a rich contrast with the lighter stone walls and limestone flooring. Together, these architectural elements create an elegant setting for the homeowners' extensive collection of art, antiques, and furnishings. Ron Ruscio Photo

Formal dining room with richly detailed dark wood coffered ceiling and paneling, arched leaded-glass windows, crystal chandeliers, antique furnishings, artwork, and upholstered dining chairs.

Dining Room

Denver Architect Robert Larsen designed the richly detailed interior architecture of this formal Dining Room. Dark-stained woodwork forms a deeply coffered ceiling and continues around the series of tall arched windows, creating a strong architectural rhythm along the exterior wall. Custom paneled cabinetry and wainscoting extend the wood detailing around the room, while the substantial moldings and carefully articulated window surrounds complement the homeowners' collection of antique furnishings and artwork. An unusual movable chandelier system allowed the lighting to accommodate different dining arrangements: for a large table, both chandeliers could be positioned over the table; for a smaller gathering, one chandelier could be centered over the table while the other was moved out of sight into a closet. Ron Ruscio Photo

Elegant formal living room with deep red walls, ornate plaster ceiling, carved stone fireplace, chandelier, antique furnishings, classical artwork, and richly patterned rugs.

Parlor

Denver Architect Robert Larsen designed the richly ornamented interior architecture of this formal Parlor. An elaborate plaster ceiling composed of interlocking geometric panels, decorative moldings, rosettes, and ornamental relief gives the room its distinctive character. A deep, layered cornice provides a strong transition between the ceiling and walls, while classical trim surrounds the tall openings. The carved stone fireplace and overmantel form the principal architectural focal point of the room. Together, the finely detailed plasterwork, stonework, and moldings create an appropriately elegant setting for the owner's extensive collection of antique furnishings and artwork. Ron Ruscio Photo

Richly detailed wood-paneled sitting room with Gothic-inspired cabinetry, coffered ceiling, carved stone fireplace, stained-glass window, patterned chairs, and equestrian sculptures.

Den

Denver Architect Robert Larsen designed the richly detailed interior architecture of this Den. Dark-stained wood paneling surrounds the room, incorporating Gothic-inspired arches, carved detailing, and custom cabinetry. A coffered wood ceiling continues the architectural character overhead, while a carved stone fireplace provides a contrasting focal point at the center of the room. Continuous wood friezes beneath the ceiling beams were designed to display the Owner's collection of individually hand-carved ornaments. Each carving was uniquely designed and attached with Velcro, allowing the Owner to rearrange the collection at will. Together, the extensive custom woodwork, ceiling treatment, fireplace, and unusual movable ornamentation create a warm, intimate room with a character entirely its own. Ron Ruscio Photo

Elegant wood-paneled sitting room with coffered ceiling, Gothic-style detailing, stained-glass windows, arched openings, patterned furnishings, and richly detailed wood flooring.

Den with Small Bar

Richly detailed dark woodwork gives this sitting room a warm, old-world character. The coffered ceiling, Gothic-inspired wall paneling, carved trim, and broad arched openings create a strong architectural framework, while stained-glass windows and decorative glass panels introduce color and filtered light. Patterned upholstery, oriental rugs, artwork, and traditional furnishings complement the elaborate interior architecture without competing with it. Ron Ruscio Photo

Spacious traditional kitchen with exposed timber trusses, light wood cabinetry, granite countertops, large center island and curved breakfast bar, and ornate wrought-iron lighting above the cooking area.

Great Room Kitchen

Denver Architect Robert Larsen designed the interior architecture of this spacious Kitchen around its dramatic exposed timber ceiling. Heavy wood beams and trusses define the soaring volume above the room, with lighter plaster surfaces providing contrast and emphasizing the structural geometry. Custom natural-finished wood cabinetry continues the warm material palette below. An elaborate suspended wrought-iron fixture provides lighting over the work area while complementing the scale and craftsmanship of the timber construction. Together, the exposed structure, extensive custom cabinetry, and carefully integrated architectural detailing give the Kitchen a warm and distinctive character. Ron Ruscio Photo

Luxurious traditional bedroom with an ornately carved four-poster wood bed, floral bedding, carved furnishings, stone arched fireplace, decorative ceiling molding, and draped windows.

Primary Bedroom

Denver Architect Robert Larsen designed the interior architectural detailing of this Bedroom with a more restrained character than many of the home's formal rooms. A deep, layered cornice incorporates delicate ornamental moldings and concealed indirect lighting, which softly illuminates the textured ceiling above. A substantial stone arch frames the passage to an adjoining area and introduces a contrasting natural material into the room. Carefully detailed window trim and wall moldings complete the architectural treatment, providing an elegant but relatively quiet background for the Owner's richly carved furniture, patterned fabrics, and collection of artwork. Ron Ruscio Photo

Luxurious primary bathroom with a large soaking tub, curved stained-glass windows, ornate double vanity, decorative ceiling details, classical sculptures, and a broad stone arch opening to the adjoining bedroom.

Primary Bathroom

Denver Architect Robert Larsen designed the interior architecture of this spacious Bath as a series of interconnected areas defined by substantial stone arches and richly detailed ornamental moldings. A broad stone arch frames the passage between the bathing and dressing areas, while the same stonework is carried into adjoining openings to give the suite a strong architectural character. Custom cabinetry incorporates painted decorative panels, and arched mirrors echo the forms of the stone openings. Layered cornice moldings and delicate ornamental friezes continue around the ceiling, while tall leaded-glass windows bring natural light into the tub area. The raised tub platform, stonework, custom cabinetry, and decorative plaster detailing combine to create a bath that is both highly functional and appropriately theatrical for the character of the home. Ron Ruscio Photo

Elegant bedroom with carved four-poster wood bed, richly colored bedding, deep purple walls, ornate plaster ceiling, traditional furnishings, and tall windows with striped draperies.

Bedroom

This richly appointed bedroom combines dramatic architectural detailing with an eclectic mix of color and pattern. An especially elaborate ornamental plaster ceiling and deeply molded cornice provide a striking contrast to the darker walls and furniture, while tall windows and colorful striped draperies bring abundant light into the room. Ron Ruscio Photo

Custom wood-paneled whisky collection room with floor-to-ceiling shelves displaying hundreds of bottles, leaded-glass door, richly detailed cabinetry, and tartan carpet.

Scotch Room Vestibule

The vestibule leading to the Scotch Room was designed by Denver Architect Robert Larsen as a display gallery for the Owner's remarkable collection of miniature Scotch bottles. Custom mahogany shelving extends from floor to ceiling and wraps around the walls, with closely spaced shelves specifically proportioned to accommodate hundreds of individual miniatures. A substantial paneled mahogany door surround provides a strong architectural transition into the adjoining Scotch Room, while decorative leaded-glass panels enrich the custom door. The Owner's tartan carpet continues through the vestibule, visually connecting the two spaces and reinforcing the celebration of his Scottish heritage. Ron Ruscio Photo

Custom wood-paneled whisky bar with curved counter, floor-to-ceiling bottle displays, red upholstered bar stools and leather chair, decorative woodwork, and tartan carpeting.

Scotch Room

Denver Architect Robert Larsen designed this custom Scotch Room to display the Owner's extensive collection and celebrate his Scottish heritage. Rich mahogany woodwork surrounds the room, complemented by highly figured pommele sapele panels and extensive built-in display shelving. The curved bar forms the architectural centerpiece, with a matching curved overhead canopy incorporating a series of heraldic shields. Paneled walls, pilasters, decorative moldings, and carefully integrated bottle displays create the character of a traditional private club while providing extensive storage and display space for the Owner's Scotch collection. Interior Designer Dennis Leczinski custom ordered the tartan carpet in the plaid associated with the Owner's Scottish heritage, completing this highly personal room. Ron Ruscio Photo

Custom whisky room with richly detailed wood cabinetry, extensive bottle displays, curved bar, red upholstered seating, small tasting table, and red-and-blue tartan carpeting.

Scotch Room

This custom whisky room was designed as both a display for an extensive collection and an inviting space for tasting and conversation. Richly detailed wood cabinetry incorporates illuminated floor-to-ceiling bottle shelving, decorative columns, carved moldings, and carefully integrated display panels. The curved bar and small tasting table provide intimate gathering areas, while deep red upholstered chairs and traditional tartan carpeting reinforce the room’s warm Scottish character. Ron Ruscio Photo

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303-620-9911
Denver, Colorado