Fixer Upper: Colorado Mountain House — A New Era of Rustic Elegance

When Fixer Upper first premiered, audiences fell in love with the show’s signature blend of creative vision, heartwarming storytelling, and the unmistakable charm of Chip and Joanna Gaines. Their influence on home design—warm woods, clean lines, timeless textures—has rippled across the country. Yet with Fixer Upper: The Hotel and later Fixer Upper: The Castle, it became clear the Gaineses were evolving, expanding beyond Waco while carrying their aesthetic and values into new territory. But Fixer Upper: Colorado Mountain House marks a refreshing shift: a return to the intimacy of personal home renovation, set against the dramatic landscape of the American West.

This Colorado project is more than a design makeover; it’s a love letter to nature, craftsmanship, and the feeling of coming home. And for fans, it offers a deeper look into how the Gaineses adapt their signature style to a drastically different environment—high-altitude, weather-worn, and rich with organic textures. The result is a home that seamlessly blends rugged mountain character with the warmth and sophistication that define the Fixer Upper brand.

A Setting That Changes the Story

Colorado’s mountains are a world apart from Texas. Everything—from the climate to the palette to the building materials—requires a reconsideration of what “home” means in such a landscape. The property sits among towering pines, granite outcroppings, and sweeping views that shift with the seasons. Instead of sunny plains and wide-open fields, the Gaineses were faced with snow-capped silhouettes and dense forest shade.

This change in scenery gives the episode a cinematic quality. The house appears almost tucked into the mountainside, blending into the environment rather than dominating it. Before the renovation, it felt dated and dark, weighed down by heavy wood tones that lacked contrast and life. Still, the bones of the structure held promise—high ceilings, panoramic windows, and a natural connection to the outdoors.

The challenge was clear: preserve the rugged identity of a mountain home while infusing comfort, light, and modern livability. And as always, Joanna approached it with a designer’s eye and a storyteller’s heart.

Warm Minimalism Meets Mountain Rustic

The finished design lands at the intersection of two compelling aesthetics: mountain rustic and warm minimalism. Rather than filling the space with traditional lodge elements—antler décor, dark log walls, or massive stone hearths—Joanna opted for a soft, refined approach that highlights natural materials without overwhelming the senses.

Color Palette

The palette draws from the landscape: soft whites like fresh snowfall, gentle grays reminiscent of foggy mornings, and deep greens mirroring the evergreen forest outside. Strategic touches of matte black lend modern sophistication, while natural wood warms everything up.

This restrained palette transforms the home from dark and heavy to bright, airy, and grounded. Light bounces across the rooms, amplifying the sense of space. The entire home feels like a sanctuary—calming but far from monotonous.

Material Choices

Wood, stone, leather, and linen take center stage. But unlike traditional mountain homes, the materials are used sparingly and thoughtfully:

• Exposed beams remain, but they’re lightened or softened.
• Stonework surrounds the fireplace, but in a smooth, organic finish rather than rugged stack stone.
• Floors are crafted from wide-plank oak, their soft grain adding texture without visual clutter.
• The house feels crafted, not rustic for rustic’s sake.
• Design Highlights That Steal the Show

Every room brings a distinctive charm, but a few standout decisions elevate the home into something truly memorable.

The Grand Living Room

Anchored by breathtaking windows overlooking the mountains, this room becomes the heart of the home. Joanna kept the furniture low-profile so the view remains the focal point. A cream-colored sectional curves around a stone fireplace, offering warmth in the colder months. Soft woven rugs stack on top of each other to add depth, and subtle greenery mirrors the outside world without competing with it.

The result: a room that breathes.

The Kitchen: A Study in Balance

Mountain homes tend toward dark, masculine kitchens, but not here. The layout centers around an oversized island—white quartz with gentle veining—paired with floor-to-ceiling cabinetry painted a muted sage green. Brass hardware brings gentle brightness, while open shelving features handmade pottery and wood accents.

It’s a kitchen that feels both contemporary and deeply rooted in nature.

The Bedrooms: Cozy Without Clutter

Each bedroom offers a minimalist retreat. Layers of linen bedding, reclaimed-wood side tables, and soft sconces create an atmosphere of quiet comfort. The Gaineses avoided heavy lodge décor, instead letting texture—wool blankets, woven baskets, raw-edge woods—carry the design.

There’s breathing room, which is perhaps the most luxurious element of all.

The Outdoor Spaces

What is a mountain house without spaces to appreciate the view? Chip and Joanna transformed the porch and deck areas into year-round relaxation zones. A large stone firepit, weatherproof seating, and a dining area built for gatherings blur the line between inside and outside. It’s the epitome of Colorado living: nature-centered, convivial, and timeless.

A Project Rooted in Story

What sets Fixer Upper apart from other design shows is always the emotional arc. This Colorado home is not just a renovation but a reflection of the family who owns it. The Gaineses spend time getting to know their lifestyle—how they entertain, how they rest, what the mountains mean to them.

Every design choice connects back to the homeowners’ dream of a retreat that brings people together. The Colorado Mountain House becomes a place where winter evenings are spent by the fire, summer mornings spill into the outdoor kitchen, and friends gather under the shade of towering pines.

The Gaineses’ Evolution in Real Time

This project showcases something deeply interesting about the Gaineses: their adaptability. While their signature style is unmistakable, they are no longer confined by it. They’re evolving, embracing new landscapes and challenges.

Colorado pushes them to think differently, to blend Waco warmth with alpine serenity. And in doing so, they prove that great design is not about replicating one aesthetic across different locations but interpreting the spirit of a place with humility and creativity.

Fixer Upper: Colorado Mountain House feels like an invitation: to explore, to adapt, to find beauty in contrast.

A Home That Breathes With the Mountains

By the time the reveal arrives, the transformation feels like more than physical renovation—it’s alignment. The home doesn’t fight the mountain environment; it becomes part of it. Light pours in from every angle, materials feel organic and lived-in, and the design encourages slowness, connection, and presence.

It’s a space that celebrates Colorado’s wild beauty while offering a warm, curated refuge inside it.

For fans of the show, this episode stands as one of the most compelling to date, merging scenic drama with thoughtful design. The Gaineses prove yet again that their work isn’t just about creating beautiful houses—it’s about crafting homes where stories unfold.