On the heels of a successful career in the beauty and fashion industries, Jen Cohen Bogan and her husband, Jeff, began thinking about a fresh start in Park City after several years living in Marin County, California. Park City is special to Jen as she spent much of her childhood learning to ski in Utah. Then the Bogans married in Deer Valley and later frequently visited the area with their two children.
The remote work option that flourished during the COVID pandemic made working from home an option for Jeff, a co-founder and CFO of Upgrade, a financial tech company in San Francisco. Meanwhile, Jen is founder and CEO of Bluejay Electric Bikes.
As fans of the outdoors, the relaxed atmosphere and sheer beauty of Park City spurred the Bogans to purchase and renovate their dream home. With family living on both coasts, the location of their new abode makes it easy for guests to travel and “meet in the middle” for holidays and vacations. “We were really thrilled to be able to live where we wanted without having to consider ties to an office,” says Jen.
Conquering Renovation Challenges
The couple chose an 8,544-square-foot, six-bedroom and seven-bath property built in the 1990s. The plan eventually involved gutting and renovating the entire space. They reached out to Sheri Russell at InStudio Design in Park City to facilitate the 18-month process. The InStudio Design team worked with the Bogans to create a bespoke design that incorporates the Scandinavian simplicity they prefer with a mountain-inspired, custom aesthetic.
“The project was phased, and the floorplan and configuration changed a bit as the plans evolved,” Russell explains. “The roofline was reconfigured, and new windows were installed in the upper level.”
Challenge became opportunity when charring within the walls was discovered. Russell says, “We rewired to bring everything up to code for safety and efficiency, which was well worth the extra time to complete.”
Floor leaks also were found and repaired and new flooring with radiant heat installed throughout, providing an unplanned upgrade.
Classy and Comfortable
The home’s main living area includes chandeliers crafted from antlers. White oak flooring and walnut cabinetry and trim offer contrast, and a dramatic fireplace was redone to give a new twist to a classic look. The neutral design showcases white, cream and caramel in the rugs, pillows and throws to add visual interest. Layered throughout are textural elements, including the limestone fireplace. “With the desire to define and accentuate the natural beauty of the outdoors, the interior focuses on the home’s gorgeous surroundings,” says Russell.
The kitchen features a large island perfect for informal seating and entertaining, and two ovens, dishwashers, and sinks help make group meal preparation easy and fun. The sleek column refrigerators and hardware-free cabinetry keep the look streamlined and easy to clean, and the beautiful outdoor views serve as the kitchen’s art. “The space is a great place to appreciate the relaxed, outdoor lifestyle Utah is known for,” Jen says.
Colorful Scandinavian linens and artwork enliven the dining room, and pops of dark blue, yellow-gold and warm gray in the home’s lower level create a vibrant atmosphere.
The primary bedroom is crafted to induce relaxation. “We chose a quiet palette to create a Zen-like space, and the en suite bath is reminiscent of a spa,” she notes. The neutral palette is enhanced by layering ivory, cream, wheat and white for a peaceful aesthetic. Plants add a splash of green, making the space a cozy and inviting place to unwind.
All the bedrooms are unique, using color to give them individual personalities. Their son’s room is wallpapered in rich hues of green. Pale, icy shades of blue in their daughter’s bedroom are inspired by the beautiful Utah winters. Her room also has a loft space accessible by a ladder. The guest bedrooms and a separate bunk room easily accommodate overnight guests.
The remaining bathrooms and first-floor powder room feature details like colorful subway tile, mixed metals and whimsical wallpaper to give each one a character of its own. Thick, luxurious linens and green plants accentuate the comfort and appeal.
Welcome Amenities
Always a hit, the game room gives the home a wow factor that appeals to kids of all ages, and an entertainment area is a perfect spot to gather and watch a movie. The ski storage space is convenient for storing skis and outdoor equipment, and a custom wine cellar keeps a variety of libations close at hand for family and guests.
At the back of the home is a spacious outdoor deck with a hot tub for soaking after a day filled with work or vigorous outdoor exercise. A full outdoor kitchen includes a pizza oven that the couple received as a housewarming gift. The outdoor living space is a great place to prepare snacks or a meal, entertain, or simply hang out with friends.
A New Place to Call Home
The renovation gives the family a beautiful home base and offers a green lifestyle they feel good about. “We are close to multiple bike paths, Willow Creek Park, a dog park and pickleball courts,” says Jen. “We especially enjoy noodling around town on our bikes, visiting Park City Gardens Flower Barn and our neighborhood coffee shops. Our home gives our family of four a chance to embrace our appreciation for nature and successfully enjoy balanced work-life living.”
Bluejay Electric Bikes
After devoting time to raising her two children, Jen Cohen Bogan knew she wanted to put her business experience to use and start a company of her own. With an eye on the lifestyle category, she pivoted her work direction away from the beauty and fashion sectors and founded Bluejay Electric Bikes.
Bluejay offers a full selection of vintage and sport-styled e-bikes that are both beautiful and functional. The company counts celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Melissa McCarthy and Kourtney Kardashian as part of its growing fan base. Bluejay Electric Bikes are available for individual purchase and are frequently used in partnership with luxury hotels and resorts.
“I really felt that e-bikes seemed like a fantastic opportunity to offer a product that encourages a lifestyle change in addition to an opportunity for exercise. An e-bike with a vintage, classic design that has withstood the test of time for over 100 years is also the way of the future,” says Bogan, who earned her MBA from Harvard Business School and bachelor’s degree from UCLA.
“Innovation is at the forefront of everything we do,” she emphasizes. “Consumers can customize their saddle, grips and tires and choose from a curated selection of baskets and accessories.”
Bluejay Electric Bikes has a line of meticulously crafted and approachable e-bike designs to meet every need. The electric feature ensures a sweat-free arrival at your destination and eliminates the hassle of locating a parking spot. Accessories like baskets, helmets, cargo nets and bike locks make e-bike travel a convenient alternative to driving.
A brick-and-mortar flagship shop in Newport Beach, California, is complemented by a website offering complete product descriptions and e-bike purchase options. The easy-to-navigate process makes getting advice and buying the e-bike best suited for individual requirements a snap.
Bogan says she’s proud to have founded a woman-owned business producing high quality e-bikes for the entire family. As an alternative mode of transportation, the bikes are perfect for a ride to the farmers market, workplace or fun on the weekends while reducing an individual’s carbon footprint and encouraging a health and wellness-based lifestyle.
