Luxury meets cozy in the mid-century modern-style Barrett House, perched on a 7,000-foot-high mountaintop. And this home is a brag-worthy vacation rental that looks even more glorious in person. If spinning vinyl in the woods sounds like your kind of vibe, keep reading — you’ll want to reserve this cool house in the Boulder foothills asap.
You don’t have to leave the city to find sanctuary: Barrett House is just 8 miles from downtown Pearl Street, but it feels like a world away. This fully renovated three-bedroom, three-bathroom home sits on a scenic 3-acre summit, surrounded by winding trails and the occasional woodland friend. Tucked at the edge of Roosevelt National Forest, the Barrett House is no stranger to wildlife sightings, including regular visits from a curious neighborhood fox, giving this home away from home enchanted-forest vibes.
Indulge in the fantasy from huge windows that frame picturesque mountain views or from the covered patio and large furnished deck, perfect for outdoor meals, morning coffee or casual bird-watching.
This 1970s masterpiece also has a cool origin story, but more on that later. Inside, you’ll find all the modern comforts and then some: a vintage igloo fire pot furnace to cozy up to, a dedicated office, a beautifully designed full kitchen, a theatre room with an 80-inch big screen and a game room to boot. But the most extravagant feature might just be the luxurious en-suite bathroom, complete with a spa jet shower, heated floors and a stunning sink basin made of petrified wood.
The Barrett House is an Airbnb “Guest Favorite” for a reason. Built in 1971 by celebrated architect Charles Haertling, this three-story hideaway was inspired by Usonian design, a style where modernism meets nature. So, you can expect lots of organic elements and sustainable features like cork flooring and surprisingly plush rugs made from recycled plastic bottles. The whole structure is made up of three stacked levels of woodsy geometric shapes. It's part sculpture, part sanctuary and all kinds of unforgettable.
Sleeping in a stylish home on a mountain just outside Boulder? That feels pretty “Colorado” to us! Add in mid-day naps in the hammock, followed by stargazing from the hot tub with a local craft beer in hand, and you’re officially doing it right. The vintage charm of the Barrett House, paired with its beautiful natural setting, creates a cool Colorado vibe that’s hard to beat.
Walking into the Barrett House is a blast from the past. Every piece of furniture and decor is a love letter to mid-century modern design, down to the Mad Men inspired bar and dining room setup. The place is so stylish it even got a cameo on HGTV’s Frozen in Design.
In an Instagram post, the owners described their concept: “We wanted the house to look like it belonged to my wealthy grandmother, imagining she was friends with Jack Lenor Larson, Pierre Cardin, Jerry Hall, Andy Warhol, Yayoi Kusama, Paul Evans, Renato Zevi, Clotilde Barrett [and] Bob Dylan …”
Mission accomplished. Retro design pieces, like a Knoll tulip dining set and a vintage Louis Vuitton trunk, bring it all to life. The vinyl collection adds the perfect finishing touch, ideal for an impromptu dance party in the woods. Sounds like a pretty groovy time.
Let’s not dance around it — the outdoor, private hot tub is the main event. Picture this: You, bubbling waters, mountain views, the quiet hush of forested seclusion and the soft music of songbirds. It’s basically spa-meets-nature-meets-you-never-wanting-to-leave.
Let’s not dance around it — the outdoor, private hot tub is the main event. Picture this: You, bubbling waters, mountain views, the quiet hush of forested seclusion and the soft music of songbirds. It’s basically spa-meets-nature-meets-you-never-wanting-to-leave.
“There are so many cool amenities and spaces to enjoy at Barrett House that we didn't have time during our three-night stay to try them all. Mainly, we hung out and soaked up the vibe. It is such a clever, colorful, shag-carpeted wonderland! We listened to vinyl and enjoyed views of the mountains, snow and icicles. We were a little worried about driving up to the house in the ice and snow but, with an AWD vehicle, it was not a problem. The location is the best of both worlds: the mountaintop feels completely remote, but Trader Joe's is just 20 minutes away. I miss Barrett House already!”— Molly, airbnb
Nature? Check. Civilization? Also check. You’re in the backyard of Roosevelt National Forest, where mountain woodlands and shortgrass prairies offer up wildlife sightings like elk, moose, black bears and prairie dogs. It’s also a prime spot for fly-fishing with trout-rich waters in both Middle St. Vrain Creek and South Boulder Creek.
If you're looking for something a little closer to town, head to the Colorado Chautauqua and explore the iconic Flatirons — the dramatic sandstone slabs that define Boulder’s skyline. The park offers multiple trails, on-site dining and year-round events at the historic Chautauqua Auditorium.
When you're ready to head into the city, Boulder’s Downtown Historic District and Pearl Street Mall are just a short drive away. Or, for a slower pace, sip your way through a tea tour at Celestial Seasonings.
Photos courtesy of airbnb
