Since its grand opening last December, Studio Como’s ‘Living Room’ has quickly established itself as Aspen’s most distinctive design destination.

Unlike traditional showrooms, this intimate space feels like stepping into a meticulously curated modern home, where new Minotti offerings take center stage around the striking Supermoon sofa. The thoughtfully designed space creates a unique experience for visitors, combining high-end furniture with rotating contemporary art pieces from Hexton Gallery.

At the helm of this refined design sanctuary is Mimi Van Dyke, Studio Como’s newest design consultant and Aspen showroom manager. Having joined Studio Como last October after completing her interior architecture degree at Colorado State University and an internship with Norcross Interiors in Chicago, Mimi brings a fresh perspective to the space. But her connection to design—and to Aspen—began much earlier.

“I’ve always been interested in design and fashion and anything I can do with my hands,” Mimi shares, explaining how design courses that included sewing, paper making, and other craft techniques stimulated her interest in furniture and materiality. Growing up in a family of art and design connoisseurs and spending summers in Aspen gave her an early appreciation for the relationship between mountain environments and thoughtful interiors.

We sat down with Mimi to learn more about her design philosophy and to hear how Studio Como Aspen (aka the Living Room) is creating a new kind of luxury experience for Aspen’s design enthusiasts.

You’ve been working with Studio Como for a little over six months. How would you describe your personality as a design consultant, and what do you try to emphasize when working with clients?

I really enjoy making meaningful connections with Studio Como clients. I like to learn about who they are—their personalities, families, pets—and how they live day-to-day. I put a lot of care into understanding how each client defines comfort—because it’s different for everyone. That kind of insight helps me guide them toward pieces that truly suit their lifestyle. Whether they love entertaining or prefer a cozy, quiet space, I take all of that into account. I ensure every person who walks into our showroom feels like they’re getting a luxury experience—whether that’s offering them a coffee or inviting them to sit down and touch, feel, and explore the pieces we have. When clients visit the Living Room, I want them to feel relaxed and inspired. It genuinely feels like walking into a high-end home, and I think it gives people a clear sense of what we can do for them.

Tell us about your personal design aesthetic and what Studio Como pieces you love best.

My design aesthetic is eclectic but not maximalist. I love natural materials and organic shapes. I’m really drawn to the minimalist, mountain modern style, but I absolutely love color, so I try to bring the two together. One of my favorite Studio Como brands is Van Rossum—their thoughtful use of natural materials deeply resonates with me. I come from a creative, design-oriented family, and my aspiration is to someday have homes in different parts of the world, each carefully designed to reflect its specific surroundings.

What do you find unique about working for Studio Como?

What I love about Studio Como is how personalized everything is. I notice that Aspen clients are particularly drawn to seeing something different from the established brands that have been in town for a while. Our clients value being able to work directly with a design consultant to fully customize their space. Studio Como also invests deeply in us as design consultants. Traveling is huge for me, and it’s such an advantage that we travel as a team to visit the factories where our pieces are made, allowing us to cultivate that education and relationship-building in person. When I first began, I completed a full month of hands-on training in the Denver showroom with design director Laura Folgoni. I learned so much through the experience of touching, sitting on, and even disassembling some furniture pieces to truly understand them inside and out.

What motivates you when you’re working on a project?

I come from an interior architecture background, so I have enjoyed shifting my focus toward space planning and layout. My program was geared toward commercial design; it’s been rewarding to work on a smaller, residential scale where every detail matters. I’m motivated by the challenge of making spaces that are not just aesthetically beautiful, but also meaningful and livable. I feel lucky that my job aligns with my passion, and I find that even in my free time, I am often looking at interior design imagery or drawing floor plans. I’m fueled by the whole creative process.

The Aspen showroom has a different concept than the Denver flagship showroom and Studio Como’s other outposts in Bozeman and Salt Lake City. Tell us a little bit about its features.

There’s such a distinct atmosphere in the Living Room. In a home, the living area is one of the most important spaces—it’s usually where people choose to show off their design style, so that’s what we’ve done here. Even though our Living Room is small by showroom standards, it captivates clients because it has that intimate, refined feel. The space is focused on Minotti’s Tagliaferri collection, with the Supermoon sofa at the center. An Eikund Fluffy Chair brings character, while a variety of Minotti coffee and side tables provide function. We have lighting by Giopato & Coombes and Lee Broom, warm flooring by Arrigoni Woods, and custom millwork by Mexico City designer Simon Hamui, who has a dedicated showroom space across the hall. I manage both spaces and appreciate the symbiosis that their proximity creates. It works seamlessly. People fall in love with Simon’s work quickly, especially after stepping into a space as beautiful as his.

Finally, we have an exciting partnership with Hexton Gallery, a contemporary art gallery in Aspen. Together, we select pieces by artists they represent to show in our space. We currently feature works by Rachel Garrard and Evan Hecox, and we will continue to rotate pieces as they sell or move to exhibitions elsewhere. Simon primarily shows Mexico City-based artists in his space; these balanced offerings really appeal to our diverse clientele.

What else are you excited about when it comes to life in Aspen?

There’s always something vibrant happening in Aspen. I’m excited to be involved in the projects here and the people I meet throughout the process. Aspen attracts a wonderful variety of visitors who choose to spend their time here—whether to enjoy outdoor activities and winter sports, or art and culture. I’m particularly looking forward to the upcoming Aspen Food & Wine event happening June 20-22. We’re thrilled to announce our partnership with Bocci during this major culinary weekend. We’ll be unveiling two stunning Bocci lighting displays and offering a curated selection of their table lamps available for immediate purchase. Lighting is such an integral part of our Living Room experience, and Bocci’s extraordinary approach to design makes them an ideal partner for creating memorable moments in our space.

The best part? I’m a real people-person, so I can’t wait to welcome guests to the showroom during this exciting collaboration!

Thank you, Mimi!