Desert landscape with distant mountains and lone house in sage brush terrain.

firm: Nelly higginbotham (self-built)

location: Hotchkiss, co.

PHOTOgraphed: Fall, 2024.

One of my favorite projects to date has been to photograph my mother-in-law's home on a 40-acre sage-brush painted plot of land with 360-degree views of the expansive Western Colorado landscape. Nelly's story is fascinating and I am grateful to have gotten an up-close perspective at the process of building her second home from the ground up. She had previously built an earth-house, but opted for more time-efficient building methods for this design. Still, it is off-grid, sustainable, and uniquely Nelly's.


The full story of Nelly and her process can be found in the Fall 2024 issue of Modern in Denver.

Dramatic sunset over desert landscape with sunbeams breaking through cloudy sky.
Modern desert home with angular architecture photographed during golden hour.
Minimalist adobe house exterior with circular window under blue sky.
Modern adobe-style house with angular roof and black door nestled among desert rocks with large windows.
White dog resting against a peach-colored stucco wall on gravel ground.
Minimalist black and white architectural photo of a house with distinctive octagonal window.
Dramatic sunset sky with dark clouds forming a circular pattern against vibrant orange and blue hues.
Modern adobe-style building illuminated at dusk with glowing windows and dark blue sky.
Desert home exterior at dusk with warm lighting illuminating the adobe walls and geometric features.
Spacious modern interior with silhouette by large windows overlooking desert vista.
Modern desert home kitchen with wooden cabinets and pendant lights featuring panoramic windows.
Modern kitchen with light wood cabinets, black appliances, and pendant lighting under a window with stained glass detail.
Spacious kitchen with natural wood cabinetry, dining table, and large windows offering mountain views.
Modern open concept kitchen and living area with natural wood cabinets and pendant lighting.
Cozy southwestern living room corner with patterned armchair and large picture window overlooking desert landscape.