Yesterday, a few of my co-workers and I were treated to a slice of the good life at the second annual Cordillera Home & Garden Tour. Yes, we made it past the gate at the Valley’s most exclusive community to enjoy some of the “most distinguished” homes the area has to offer. And I think it’s safe to say that none of us wanted to leave. The homes we visited on the tour were truly unique and welcoming structures. Yet, each also maintained elements (like an original Lichtenstein and a 19th century billiards table) that you would not expect to see outside of a museum. It was a fine line to skate, but each of the houses we saw did it quite well. The first stop on our abbreviated tour was 3359 Fenno Drive, a stately home designed by acclaimed Valley architect Scott Turnipseed. An amazing, almost ethereal great room commands a formidable presence over the residence. The room is quite large and bordered on all sides (with the exception of the entrance) by large windows, giving a sense of grandeur while maintaining an air-y feel. The luxurious pad also sports an indoor basketball half-court which includes a mural of one of Cordillera’s most famous visitors (hint: the owners are Lakers fans). But my favorite element of the Fenno Drive residence was the massive lower deck that runs the length of the house and features a hot tub, several classic wooden chairs, swings and works of art. It reminded me of the Mountain Lake hotel, the filming site of “Dirty Dancing” and a resort where I spent many a happy summer.The second, and unfortunately, final stop on our brief tour, was perhaps one of the finest houses I have ever seen. The residence at 672 Webb Peak sits on a summit ridge and possesses some of the finest views of Cordillera and the Valley. The large five-bedroom, 4.5-bath is two stories of elegance and comfort, and features one of the finest garden exteriors in Cordillera. The backyard is built to the edge of the mountain, providing unobstructed views of the Valley. Additionally, the garden features a lily pond, a small waterfall, a goldfish pond, a hot tub, fire pit and numerous soft stone sitting areas. The interior was designed to the tastes of generations of family members and potential future family members. These include the billiards loft featuring the antique pool table, the golfer’s bathroom and the Aspen room with bath outfitted in the mother-in-law’s favorite shade of blue. Perhaps the most impressive is what was dubbed “The Children’s Wing” of the home. This region of the house, designed with potential grandchildren in mind, features a state-of-the-art entertainment system, a candy bar, a bunk bed room that would make any kid dream of summer camp and an authentic popcorn machine. Thus, 672 Webb Peak was a truly amazing home, and the Plum crew and I were prepared to spend the rest of our days in its confines. But we would never find a way to hide from Patti Brave’s vigilant Home Captain crew. The Cordillera Home & Garden Tour is not only a great opportunity to view some of the finest homes the Valley has to offer, it also supports some great causes. All proceeds from the second annual Cordillera Home & Garden Tour benefit the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens and the Vail Valley Medical Foundation/ Efraimson–Sutphen Cancer Support Fund. If you missed out this year, don’t worry, I think it’s safe to say that this successful event will return.
For more information on Cordillera or the Home & Garden Tour, check www.cordillera.com
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