Like Mother Nature, we went totally white this winter. Of course we love Aspen during ski season, but we're delighted to announce that we also spent a lot of time New York City on a complete interior redesign for a flat on Warren Street. And to offset the gritty side of Manhattan, we made sure it was serene respite enveloped in the simplicity of white. 

By allowing natural light to bounce off the the white walls, counters and furniture, it makes the room seem even brighter than it is. That airy feeling is sometimes reserved for seaside bungalows, but we love using it here right in the heart of the Big Apple. (Yes, Kristin Dittmar Design has expanded business nationwide.) Subtle touches like large photographic prints and items from the couple's travels personalize the rooms. Natural tones are seen in throw pillows, and soft rugs warm common areas. 

Our vision for this property was chic with style. By focusing on a very neutral palette, but combining things like textures, the emphasis is placed on the feeling of the space rather than the space itself. This was designed for a young couple starting their lives together in a new city, and what better way to represent blank slate than by a true representation of that in their living quarters? 

Did you really think ski season was over? Psych. Aspen Mountain opens 120 aces for skiing and snowboarding for three days over Memorial Day weekend, May 28-30. Riders can take the Silver Queen Gondola up to the top of the mountain for skiing on the Ajax Express.

Skiing will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the Sundeck will be open until 4 p.m. Season passes are valid, and tickets are just $39 for visiting friends and family. Take a few glory turns and then settle into the mountain-top Adirondack chairs (a design feature we heart) to work on that summer tan. (Or with the way the weather is looking for the weekend, buckle in those boots and enjoy a few fresh powder turns first thing in the morning.)

More adventurous, and knowledgeable, skiers can head up to 12,095-foot Independence Pass. Highway 82 crosses the Continental Divide here, and the road just reopened for summer on Thursday after its annual winter closure. Go prepared, and early. Just because it's spring doesn't mean it's 100 percent safe. Bring a beacon and a partner. There is ample exploring off both the Aspen and Leadville sides of the pass, with many opting for Mountain Boy or Fourth of July bowl as descents. And with the large snowpack, the latter might just be living up to its name this year. 

While most Aspenites spent the month of May working on their tans in far-flung beach locales (which we did too, of course), it was hard for us interior designers to pry our eyes from New York, where the International Contemporary Furniture Fair was taking place at Javits Center in Manhattan. More than 530 exhibitors from around the world came for the event, with industry leaders in everything from seating, carpet, floor, lighting, outdoor furniture, wall coverings, textiles, kitchen and bath. It's a playground for those in the design world. 

Because life in the mountains is full of activity, we wanted to focus on something we don't always do a lot of, but enjoy: sitting. Chairs made a splash at the event, and in all different ways. Japanese designer Shin Azumi debuted Loku stools (pictured above) that use a plywood veneer technology to maximize style and comfort.  

Other designers opted for comfort above all else. The VIA57 chair, designed by Bjarke Ingels for furniture brand Fritz Hansen along with KiBiSi, pays homage the tetrahedron-shaped building also designed by Ingels. We aren't in New York to experience the Danish architect's headline-grabbing building on 57th, but the piece of furniture allows us to bring his touch to Aspen. That exposure to new ideas and design concepts is what travel is all about. Hopefully you enjoyed your offseason ... 

Because we live in the mountains we talk a lot about finding inspiration in nature. In Aspen, this alpine environment inspires everything from wall textures to earthy tones in our interior design. But sometimes nature does more than inspire; it actually creates and we just mimic it. 

That's the case with the herringbone pattern. The repetition of staggered rectangles comes from the pattern found in the bones of a fish, like the herring. When stacked a 45-degree angle, the herringbone creates an incredible design touch. It can be used in everything from tiled walls to fabric patterns. It gives enough texture to add some complexity to otherwise simple spaces. With the right material, it gives a modern edge even though the pattern is actually timeless and classic. 

We're giving the herringbone a two-tone kick in a current project (not pictured below, but used for inspiration). Layering the rectangles in two different colors adds a dynamic element. Here it's done in with a sense of randomness, but when stacked in symmetrical style it can also create a pretty stunning visual effect.  That Mother Nature, she was really onto something when she came up with this one. 

Living in the mountains, we all know about the art of layering. It's integral to any outdoor activity, during which the weather can change from sunny and 70 to snowing and sleeting in just minutes. By wearing coats and long sleeves over T-shirts and tanks, we can avoid overheating or being too cold. But did you know you can apply layering to interior design too? 

That's right. One of the easiest ways to cozy up a room and give it some messy vitality is to layer colorful rugs. It can either be done by using different prints on prints to create a kaleidoscopic effect. Or simply put a bright, shaped rug over something neutral like a sisal rug to add some depth to the floor coverings. 

Layering isn't limited to rugs though. On couches, use a set of throw pillows in different colors and textures. On the wall, even try layering curtains -- something airy over a sturdier drape. And even on the coffee table, stack and layer books and decorative materials like boxes for a three-dimensional splash. The key to this is to no overdo it. While it may be appropriate to layer a few areas in a room, don't do it everything. Just like dressing for the mountains, you don't want to end up with too much stuff. 

Last month when most Aspenites were plotting their offseason trips to warmer climes, a different sort of reference point took place halfway across the globe: Milan Design Week (aka Salone de Mobile Milano). Headquartered in arguably the fashion capital of the world, the mid-April week is a gathering of what's to come in furniture and design for the next year, and it's a feast for both industry nerds and amateur interior designers.  (We're the first.)

All the major players were there, and they brought the forza. At the top of that list was Fendi. The brand has taken its fashion house sensibilities and imparted them on decorative style. Who says fur is just for wearing? Fendi took it to a new level, layering real fur on wall coverings and even sconces, creating an oddly cozy feel to luxe room settings. 

Fendi steps off the runway and into the room. 

Italian designer Giorgetti blurs the line between fashion and furniture, creating rich leather pieces which actually seem like they should be worn. For the 2016 Milan Design Week, the label reissued the iconic Mobius chair (seen below), which was originally released in 1987 by Umberto Asnago. The '80s are totally making a comeback. 

And not to be outdone by the Italians, the French made an impressive showing with Baccarat, its lighting and decorative materials powerhouse. The company has combined the exquisitely classic crystal with modern designs which balance on perfection; the 2016 collection demonstrates just the right amount of poise with playfulness. We're hoping that's a cue for the coming year's international design scene and Milan set a worthy stage. 

Another ski season in Aspen is set to wrap up in the coming weeks, and it looks like Mother Nature is on her best behavior. Between the usual dose of spring snow showers, temperatures will hover around T-shirt weather and rumor has it people were already skiing in denim shorts this past weekend for the closing of Buttermilk Mountain. 

Aspen Highlands' legendary party is set for Sunday, April 10, when thousands of skiers and snowboarders take to the resort's slopes and then dance on the Highlands Alehouse deck until the sun goes down. The pond-skimming "Schneetag" contest is one not to miss, and goes off at 1:30 p.m. at the base, before DJs start spinning and the beer from Highlands Alehouse starts pouring. And though it's "closing," Aspen Skiing Co. just announced Highlands will reopen for two bonus weekends on April 23-24 and April 30 and May 1. (Snowmass Mountain also closes Sunday, April 10.)

On April 17, Aspen Mountain lifts spin for the last time this season. Riders will be decked out in one-piece ski suits and colorful costumes -- some leftover from the Highlands' bash -- as they take to the hill for slushy bump skiing. Then, revelers head to Sky Hotel or Ajax Tavern for apres-ski sessions and sun-soaking that will have everyone wishing for the season to continue. See you on the slopes!

Party-goers throw down at Cloud 9 on Aspen Highlands. 

Guess what's better than one plain porcelain tile? Lots of them. Neutral colored tiles have a misappropriated reputation for being boring, and interior designers will opt for bright colors or different materials to make a splash instead. But recent trends are proving that lots of natural colors together can make one striking effect. 

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We tried on the ceiling for a recent home in Aspen. By combining several shades from one palette -- white, ivory, pearl, taupe, ash-gray, gray and black -- into different geometric shapes the product can be as impressive as surfaces that appear more intricately designed. Simple square, rectangular and hexagonal shapes can be transformed into elaborate patterns resembling circles, flowers, blossoms and bursts. 

This sort of design is great for Aspen's alpine environment, where natural earth tones are abundant. It allows us to bring in some of the outdoors inside in an elegant way, while channeling the coastal climates in which tiles are often more popular. It's a design tip that once again proves multiples are better than one. 

The Aspen Skiing Co. and Aspen Art Museum began a partnership in 2005 called Art in Unexpected Places. The collaboration reaches people who wouldn't normally engage with art, and ensures that Aspen also remains a thriving art community. Anyone who has a season pass or lift ticket will recognize the featured works on them as part of this campaign. 

This winter, art is also popping up at altitude. Inside Snowmass' Elk Camp Restaurant, Shinique Smith created a site-specific mural spanning 30 feet inside the main dining room. It opened with the season in November and will come down before next winter, but in the meantime guests can enjoy the kaleidoscope of color, calligraphy and collage. Part graffiti, part color explosion, the mural is meant to draw in the audience and keep them engaged. 

Smith usually works out of her studio, but public art is not a departure for her. In 2014, Americans for the Arts named Smith's "Seven Moon Junction," in Boston's Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, among the year's best public art projects. She spent part of the fall creating this work in Snowmass, using everything from the Aspen Art Museum's painting supplies to T-shirt scraps. 

Though we can't all commission pieces for our own interior design purposes, it's a good reminder that art is a key centerpiece to any room -- and it serves a good conversation-starter. 

The spirit, and works, of Hunter S. Thompson are still alive in Aspen. The irreverent, flamboyant and sometimes controversial writer was known for his fight against authority and reckless lifestyle, as well as his revered style of journalism which became known as "gonzo." He killed himself in 2005, and some would say it ended an era in Aspen. 

But, the Gonzo Gallery and a team of dedicated fans are making sure his legacy lives on. Founded by DJ Watkins, the Gonzo Gallery is a place that keeps the energy of Thompson's Freak Power movement burning. The gallery is home to dozens of works including artist Thomas Benton's campaign and wall posters created for Thompson's various political movements, as well as works by Ralph Steadman and William Burroughs. 

The posters are iconic around town, and we even used one in a recent renovation as a piece of local flair to fit the home's interior design decor. 

Besides being a homebase for Thompson's ongoing legacy, the gallery is also a space for emerging artists. Each Saturday, Watkins and his team host an opening reception along with a party, music and libations. It's added vitality to Aspen's downtown scene, and something even Thompson may have supported. 

Palm Springs' Modernism Week wrapped up at the end of February. If you've been to Palm Springs, then you  know it's an epicenter in this type of design. The week features decorative and fine art dealers all specializing in the 20th century, and even includes home and double-decker bus tours to scope out modernism architecture in action. 

Synonymous with the movement is Christopher Kennedy, a Palm Springs-based interior designer and modern furniture maker. Instead of just showing what he has to offer, he brings it to life with the Christopher Kennedy Compound. Using a vacant house he designed, he invites colleagues to "take over" rooms in it to create a collaborative work of art and interior design. Among this year's participants were Martyn Lawrence-Bullard, who created a sumptuous '70s-style living room, and an outdoor living space by Jamie Durie. 

We don't get to see as much mid-century modern design here in Aspen. But, Palm Springs is home to one of the largest concentrations of the architecture style in the country. It's still winter here, but this meeting of the modern minds has us dreaming of the desert. 

We're still fresh into 2016, and that means we get to think about the design trends that excite us most for the coming year -- and do away with the ones we didn't like from last year. Like fashion, interior design trends are always changing. Sometimes they sample from the past and other times they're completely new. Here are three which do a little of both. 

Black Metal: It's not flashy and that's great when it comes to decorating this year. Dark steels are versatile and being seen everywhere from bathroom fixtures to overwrought bed frames. In these cases, the black is easily complemented by the lighter palettes often found in these rooms and together they're a nice contrast. Another benefit of black metal? Guaranteed sturdiness. 

Scandinavian Flat Weave: Goodbye sisal and jute carpeting and hello folksy weaves. The geometric prints are serious centerpieces and a playful splash to any room. In alpine Aspen, Scandinavia's sleek and contemporary designs are versatile enough to complement the most modern or chateau-like home. 

Mexican Midcentury Modernism: Combining the clean lines of modern design with cultural flair, such as natural wood and stone elements, is at the heart of Mexican midcentury design. And it's coming back. Here in the mountains, these two things go together like champagne and apres -- clean design with natural accents is what alpine style is all about. 

When people think of interior decorating with blush tone -- aka several shades of light pink similar to a rose wine -- they may be reminded of the '80s, when the color was overused in often curious situations. Today, it's lovely accent used for much more than little girls' rooms. 

We love it for the warmth it add to otherwise neutral color palettes. An alpine Aspen living room done in shades of black, gray and white can immediately be transformed into a cozier space with just a touch of blush. 

And besides lightening stark rooms, light pink can also be reminiscent of a French countryside or St. Barths' cabana, putting a romantic touch on any setting. In Aspen interior design, we are constantly incorporating the natural environment so that the transition between home and surroundings is seamless; using blush is such a pleasant and surprising way to do this. Go ahead: Use a little blush today and don't let if flush your cheeks at the same time. 

The storm that walloped the Elk Mountains this week left nearly 40 inches of fresh snow and huge smiles in its wake. It started Saturday night and the sun didn't shine again until Tuesday afternoon, revealing a winter wonderland that valley residents had been enjoying on skis and snowboards for days. 

With school canceled and the six-inch rule in full effect, each morning the line at the Silver Queen Gondola on Aspen Mountain wound up like a maze next to The Little Nell. But despite the crowds, people were polite and excited -- and there was plenty of snow for all to enjoy. Most of the town must have been on the slopes (not sure much got down in the way of the work) and that includes us. Interior design can wait when there's this much snow to ski. 

Lap after lap produced bottomless runs. People proclaimed it the best days they'd ever had. Others whimpered in pain from being too sore and tired. Regardless, it makes for one happy community when people can start their day skiing like a hero. We know we'll be talking about it for years to come. 

Elk Camp Restaurant's salad bar may be legendary, but it's receiving accolades for a green of a different kind: It recently received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification through the U.S. Green Building Council, making it the fifth of Aspen Skiing Co.'s buildings to earn such accreditation. 

The building is highly energy efficient through a complex energy management system and improved mechanical equipment. In terms of interior design, carpet tiles were made from renewable and recycled product; the wood used throughout is 50 percent FSC certified; and all water use is reduced through efficient landscaping and technology. All of the paint used is even VOC-free! 

Even with all of these touches, Elk Camp is architecturally and design-wise a feat. Nestled above 10,000 feet, the building maintains a sense of warmth and rugged mountain feel for which Aspen is known, and achieves this green status without sacrificing in style. It's something we look to when considering our own designs and will continue to turn to Aspen Skiing Co. and its building departments for inspiration. 

When SkiCo opened the Sundeck in 1999, it became LEED certified and was just one of 11 buildings in the world to earn that praise. Since then, ASC has built four more LEED buildings, with one more under construction. The other buildings are the Snowmass Golf Clubhouse (silver, and no longer owned by ASC), Holiday House employee housing (Platinum), Sam’s Smokehouse (gold), and now Elk Camp (silver). ASC’s new Limelight Hotel in Ketchum, Idaho, will also be LEED certified.

Way to go SkiCo! Cheers at altitude to you. 

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Sixty-five years ago, some Aspenites came up with the idea for irreverent activity during the month of January to bring some vitality and spirit to an otherwise slower time following the holidays. The result is now a longstanding and beloved tradition: Winterskol. The word literally means toast to winter, and the four-day festival kicked off yesterday and will continue through Sunday with (mostly free) activities throughout town. We're even going to leave our design posts to check out some of the fun. 

Among some of the favorites are Soupskol, a competition between local restaurants for the town's best soup, as determined by judges and the public (Friday, 4-6 p.m.); the canine fashion fashion in Wagner Park (Saturday, 1 p.m.); a second-floor view of the fireworks from the Wheeler's newly renovated lobby (fireworks go off at 8:15 p.m on Saturday.) followed by a free screening of the "Blizzard of Ahhhs";  a broomball tournament at the Aspen Recreation Center starting Sunday morning; and the ongoing Men's and Women's Health village at the base of Aspen Mountain featuring free coffee and cocoa, swag and spa services during the day throughout the weekend. Cheers!

Lighting is one of the simplest ways to make a good space a great one. Besides the actual differences in the ways light is cast into a room, the fixtures which throw those hues can be structurally interesting or sculpture-like on their own. 

Looking forward at the year, there are two companies we keep turning to for lighting in our projects. Kevin Kolanowski''s Fuse Lighting is one them. When he launched the company in 2000, there were few options straddling traditional and modern lighting. He combines light and texture with unusual materials to create interesting works that surprises clients. It's sometimes called "jewelry for the home." We agree. 

Volar by Fuse Lighting. 

And not a newcomer to the industry at all is Boyd Lighting. The company started in San Francisco in 1921 and has prided itself on solid craftsmanship for nearly 100 years. Boyd Lighting's fixture have a timeless elegance, and can be found in homes and public buildings throughout the world. Plus, they have a facility in Colorado Springs, and that makes is easy for us interior designers here in Aspen. 

Boyd Lighting

It's a new year full of new projects. Exciting design trends will constantly evolve, but hopefully this helps shed some light on one. 

To call passing by Manhattan storefronts during the holidays "window shopping" is an insult. Many of the nation's most reputable department stores transform their exteriors into pieces of art, making the past time of strolling by and viewing the works more of an exercise in gallery viewing than simply scoping the stores. 

Luxury store Barney's partnered with Lexus to present a scene called "Arctic Chase," featuring a one-minute animation of glittery penguins chasing one another. For Bloomingdale's, designer Jeff Leatham installed mirrored animals with floral displays to create a classy and enchanting scene. 

Sticking with the bright and shiny theme, Bergdorf Goodman honored Swarovski's 120th anniversary with a dazzling crystal display featuring adorned dancing figures and crystal balls. And jewelry giant Tiffany & Co. took the opportunity to show off its signature blue with in winter scenes of miniature animals. 

We may not have the exquisite storefronts here in Aspen, but can thank Mother Nature for putting on her own shimmery show. 

When renovating the interior of Cloud Nine at Aspen Highlands, Champagne-proof paint came up in discussion. That's because the raucous mid-mountain restaurant is known for its wild, dance-on-tables dining experience, and as it underwent a remodel, officials wanted to make sure it could stand many more years of partying. All told, the $1 million-plus remodel, completed by Aspen-based design firm Rowland + Broughton, brought the aging, high-alpine establishment up to date, and capitalizes on its biggest asset: the views.

Photo: Tom Zuccareno; courtesy Aspen Skiing Co. 

The European-style restaurant has limited seating for about 130 people, and only offers two times for parties to sit down at 12 and 2 p.m. (It can also be booked for evening, snowcat dinners.) With the renovation, the main room will remain a social place while a second room with huge windows and views of Pyramid Peak and the Maroon Bells offers a little bit more seclusion. In recent years, Cloud Nine has become a requisite stop on visitors' party-ski circuit, and often people purchase bottles of $130 Veuve Clicquot -- to spray in the air. But, serious eaters shouldn't pass the establishment by, as it's become well known for treats like raclette, fondue, smoked trout and roasted chicken. The food is good, and now the interior design ups its style, although nothing compares to the breathtaking views found outside. 

Photo: Tom Zuccareno, courtesy Aspen Skiing Co. 

Checking out your neighbors' holiday decorations is all part of the season, but what happens when your neighbor is the White House? Decorating to the extreme. Each year, the presidential palace is dressed up in seasonal style and this time First Lady Michelle Obama enlisted the help of her favorite fashion designers to help with the interior design. 

In the China Room, Carolina Herrera covered boxes in her signature red and placed them in the middle of the room which had plaid-draped walls and an eight-foot tree. In the Vermeil Room, Duro Olowu chose vintage African fabrics to complement the three faux trees made out of seashells. In the library, Carol Lim and Humberto Leon paid tribute to the titles held in that storied room with tree-toppers made of books and custom ornaments made from the specific book on each tree. 

This year's theme is "A Timeless Tradition," and the White House family is honoring the military. Perhaps nothing does this better than the 18-and-a-half foot Fraser fir with graduated lighting in red, white and blue along with inscriptions written from military families to their members overseas. 

Over the holidays, more than 68,000 people guests will tour the White House to see 62 trees and more than 70,000 ornaments. And since here in Aspen they're not actually our neighbor, we can admire from afar -- and be glad we don't have to deal with that traffic!