When an interior designer fell for a 1970s Vermont cabin sight unseen, she had six weeks, a tight budget, and a vision to transform it into a layered, colorful escape in time for ski season.

Proof that neutral interiors needn’t feel boring? This vacation rental, housed in a former bank in Germany. Just take a look at this bedroom, layered in materials and textures to keep the eye moving.

Visiting this estate had long been on my design bucket list. Here's what it was really like.