
A Santa Fe Home Leans into Classic Southwestern Style (but with a Twist)
It’s vibrant and colorful.

A vacation home can be the perfect opportunity to be a little bit more playful with decorating and taking risks with the design. That’s what owner and principal designer at Atelier Interior Design Katie Schroder’s clients wanted to do with their Santa Fe, New Mexico, vacation house. Their goal was to find a home that had traditional Santa Fe architectural style and could accommodate their large family (four kids and three dogs). The home they landed on features a primary suite, guest bedroom, bunk room designed to sleep six, and two bathrooms.

Emily Minton Redfield
“They are a vibrant family with a deep appreciation for bold colors and eclectic pattern combinations, bringing energy and individuality to their style,” says Katie, who also worked on the clients’ main home in Denver. “Designing their vacation home provided an exciting opportunity to blend their unique tastes with the charm and tradition of Southwestern architecture. The vision was to create a space that felt both artistic and dynamic while maintaining a welcoming, cozy atmosphere where their family could feel at home.”

Emily Minton Redfield

Emily Minton Redfield
Katie’s clients wanted the interiors to reflect their playful spirit, with vibrant colors and creative design elements making the space feel alive. But they also wanted to balance the home with warmth through natural textures and nods to regional design traditions.

Emily Minton Redfield
“Being a vacation home, they were eager to take risks and infuse the property with inspiring and unconventional choices—a departure from the constraints of everyday practicality,” Katie explains. “This gave them the freedom to create a space that not only served as a relaxing getaway but also ignited their creativity, offering a joyful and rejuvenating environment for family gatherings and personal escapes alike.”

Emily Minton Redfield
Overall, the home was in great condition and offered a blank space of sorts for Katie’s clients. The interiors had neutral tones throughout, so a punch of personality was needed. And there were some upgrades needed: The three fireplaces needed to be updated to meet modern standards and the kitchen had dated finishes and fixtures.

Emily Minton Redfield
Katie and team updated almost every space in the entire home, focusing on cosmetic enhancements, new furniture, and decor. Those three fireplaces were updated for functionality and also given an authentic, traditional look. And while the two bathrooms didn’t get extensive remodels, they were updated with new tile.

Emily Minton Redfield
The kitchen got the biggest update—the old appliances were replaced, plumbing was upgraded, new countertops were installed, and the tilework was refreshed.

Emily Minton Redfield
Katie and team made sure to keep the original woodwork and terracotta flooring on the main level. “They are key elements of the home’s traditional adobe style and added a timeless, rustic charm that we didn’t want to lose,” she explains. “Our main objective was to modernize the home without losing its character, ensuring it felt fresh, current, and fully functional for the family’s needs while still embracing the rich cultural and architectural elements that define the Santa Fe aesthetic.”

Emily Minton Redfield
The traditional Southwestern architecture and warm wood beams pair so well with the bold colors, patterns, and tiles. The vibrant palette enhances the architecture rather than taking away from it or being distracting.

Emily Minton Redfield
“The home truly reflects their personal style and has become the perfect retreat for them, providing a space where they can unwind and enjoy quality time as a family,” Katie says of her clients. “They especially appreciate how the design captures both their unique tastes and the essence of Santa Fe, making it a place they look forward to visiting whenever they need a break from their busy lives. It’s not just a vacation home—it’s become a true sanctuary for them.”