The skies above Santa Fe, New Mexico—clear, wide open, and impossibly blue—are so legendary they have their own Instagram hashtag: #santafeskies. In this sophisticated 5,000-square-foot home high in the hills of the coveted Sierra del Norte neighborhood—aptly nicknamed the “Sky House”—spaces indoors and out were designed to make the most of that crystal blue cloud-dotted firmament, with oversized windows, walls of glass, traditional portales, and a chic courtyard.

 

 

Blending quintessential Pueblo-style architecture with a sleek soft contemporary aesthetic, the single-level custom-designed and -built residence is an ideal setting for both relaxed day-to-day living and fabulous entertaining. Every space is flooded with Santa Fe’s singular light, and every detail, element, and fixture was painstakingly chosen and expertly crafted, from the hand-cut moss rock and beeswax-finished diamond plaster walls to the striking, deeply hued ceiling beams and the wide-plank oak and distinctive black brick floors.

 

 

The open-concept floor plan is anchored by a cook’s and entertainer’s kitchen with grain-matched walnut cabinetry, quartzite countertops, two islands, a six-burner Wolf range, a Sub-Zero refrigerator, a wet bar, and a pantry with an auxiliary dishwasher. On either end are welcoming living areas with fireplaces. The more formal of the two is flanked by disappearing window walls enjoying access to both a west-facing portal and a courtyard enclosed by the hillside, while the more relaxed space has been outfitted with a discreet vanishing television and doors to a portal with a built-in grilling area. Also flowing directly from the kitchen is a formal dining room wrapped with windows and sliding glass doors.

 

 

The owner’s suite features a room-sized walk-in closet, a glamorous bath with a steamshower, sliding doors to a hot tub deck, where a breathtaking vista unfolds toward the Jemez Mountains and the Badlands. The three peaceful guest suites are separated in their own wing for utmost privacy. The auto aficionado and hobbyist will appreciate the home’s generous motor court, oversized three-car garage, and workshop space.

 

 

Environmentally friendly and drought-resistant xeriscaping contributes to the soigné setting in the courtyard, which is tucked into the piñon- and pine-strewn hillside. Thanks to the expanses of glass in the main living area, this space shares views of sunsets from its secluded, serene position. Santa Fe’s sunsets are equally renowned as its skies. Fittingly, the residence boasts a series of linked portales that face west—all perfect for entertaining or lounging while basking in the dramatic rosy glow of day’s end, as the sky transforms from brilliant blue into a sparkling bowl of stars.