The view was the deciding factor. The site, nestled at the base of the mountains in Colorado Springs, offered a commanding, almost cinematic vantage of iconic Pikes Peak and the surrounding ranges. It was that perfectly framed "tunnel" view that convinced homeowners Curtis and Debbie Barber to purchase the lot and build their primary residence.
Even guest bedrooms layered in noncompeting neutrals drew inspiration from the impressive landscape views beyond. The home's exterior and interior play off one another in a striking contrast of light and shadow as seen in the main living spaces. Natural materials—unglazed terra-cotta, oak floors, and rich wood finishes—anchor the design in its surroundings.
Having never built a home from the ground up, the couple—now in their sixties and longtime residents of a fourth-generation farm—knew exactly who they trusted to take on the deeply personal project: their daughter, Brit. An architect and interior designer, Brit Epperson is the founder and chief creative officer of Studio Plow, a firm recognized for its clean modern lines and refined interiors. Designing her parents' retirement home was nothing short of a dream.
To understand how the house should truly inhabit the land, the Barbers and Epperson went so far as to camp on the property, tracking how sunlight filtered through the trees over the course of the day. "A great deal of thought went into siting the home," explains architect Daniel Epperson, Brit's husband and co-owner of Studio Plow. Brit explored multiple iterations, each one anchored to the view. "The rear of the house ultimately frames that dramatic, tunnel-like sight line to Pikes Peak and the surrounding mountains," Daniel adds.
With family guiding every decision, Brit designed an open floor plan where the kitchen, dining, and living spaces flow seamlessly into one another, all while keeping the view firmly center stage. "Every design move was incredibly intentional, especially around gathering," says Daniel. Expansive walls of glass in the main living and dining areas blur the line between indoors and out, encouraging effortless movement between the two. Layered seating allows the space to flex easily—equally suited to quiet moments for two or lively gatherings with family.
Charged with the interiors as well, Brit looked to her family's love of hiking and the outdoors, shaping a luxurious mountain retreat designed not only for her parents but for extended family gatherings. "We have our clients come to us with ideas and we suss out what they're drawn to—to create a design vocabulary, if you will," says Daniel. "Something to draw inspiration from."
Clean, modern lines were softened with tactile fabrics, warm neutrals, and organic finishes, creating spaces that feel refined yet relaxed. Drawing cues from the landscape, Brit layered in unglazed terra-cotta, earthy woods, and oak flooring. "It was about striking that balance of a modern home yet still finding that warmth and relationship with the nature," explains Daniel. These minimalist features and finishes were wholly intentional, allowing the outside landscape and views to shine.
Adding a deeply personal touch, her brother, Barrett Karber, crafted the custom dining table, walnut handles on the front door, and game table further grounding the home in craftsmanship and family.
The finished home strikes a rare balance for the Barbers—modern yet warm, intimate yet refined—with a view that reads as the home's most striking work of art. "Our goal is to help every client realize a dream," says Daniel. "There's also an understanding that a project continues to evolve even after it's complete. That ongoing discovery is part of the real adventure."
Written by Blake Miller / Photography by Nicole Franzen
