Going from rustic to Modern
Rider knew that to stay competitive , the resort would need to shift from what had become a tired northwoods feel to a more luxurious lodge aesthetic . Beginning in 2016 , Eagle Ridge began phasing the renovations of several buildings , and over the years has worked with the Ayres design team , led by interior designer Anne Petersen , to complete a wide variety of enhancements . Petersen said her team ’ s first important task was to understand what Eagle Ridge wanted the final guest experience to feel like .
“ In our initial meeting , we discussed the desired ambiance they wanted to present to their guests , as well as the upgraded amenities they wanted to include that would bring it up to the high standards of an upscale mountain resort ,” Petersen said .
Because the resort includes multiple buildings , she said it was also important to develop a set of material standards to provide durability and consistency throughout the various unit types . The resulting combination of deep wood tones , stone accents , modern lighting and bedding has elevated the resort ’ s atmosphere .
“ It ’ s night and day ,” Rider said . “ The units look beautiful , and the wainscoting and woodwork creates a real elegance . With everything that ’ s been updated – fireplaces , fixtures , furniture -- it really looks like a condominium you ’ d see in a ski resort out west .”
Other improvements include custom casework storage for ski equipment and seasonal gear , replacing hot tubs with modern steam showers , and sourcing a photographer to incorporate local images for the artwork .
Standing up to heavy use
Many of the upgrades were not only aesthetically pleasing ; they also solved problems . Petersen and her team assessed existing durability concerns and conditions with the quality control manager to help reduce daily maintenance . They integrated attractive porcelain floor tile and wood wall wainscot at each entry to act as a “ drop zone ” to withstand common wear and tear from equipment , luggage , and snow gear .
16 | TRENDS Ingenuity , Integrity , and Intelligence .