Shown here is the entryway. 'One of the wonderful things we did was we wanted an entry with something a little different,' said Ms. Brandt. The couple had been to Abiquiu in New Mexico and were inspired by the colors there. With the architect, they decided to build adobe forms, which are finished with different colors of clay collected by Ms. Brandt and the home's architect, DeWindt Architecture LLC, from various parts of the country.

Mr. Brandt worked for 60 years at Trans-Lux Corp., which operated movie theaters until 2008 and currently focuses on electronic information displays. Ms. Brandt worked at the company as well, for eight years as a consultant. The couple, 'mostly' retired, is involved in pro-bono art committees. Here is an art wall constructed of plywood then covered with course linen fabric, which makes it possible to change the artwork without damaging plaster and paint, says architect Lila DeWindt. Art tours come to visit the home and collection.

The couple originally bought the nearly 12 acres of land as an investment, but Ms. Brandt says they quickly got the building bug. Though both have had professional design and building experience, this was their first time building a home and Ms. Brandt says they knew they wanted a timeless, artistic home. 'We wanted to build it for comfort and beauty, and we wanted to maximize the enjoyment of Santa Fe's landscape,' said Ms. Brandt.

The Brandts interviewed local Santa Fe architects and found the right fit with DeWindt Architecture. Lila and Adrian DeWindt stayed with the Brandts in Westport, Conn. to work on the design with them in 1986. 'Helen is so knowledgeable about architectural design that she had already written an extensive program document, which we reviewed together,' Ms. DeWindt said in an email. They spent a year and a half designing the home and the Brandts still have the detailed drawings, which they plan to give to the new buyer.

The living room, pictured here, focuses on three sets of French double doors that open to views of the Jemez Mountains. The ceiling is covered with hand woven wool runners.

Ms. Brandt describes the building and designing of the home as an educational and artistic challenge since neither of them had previous exposure to the traditional artwork and styles of the Southwest. (Ms. Brandt was born in Chicago and Mr. Brandt is a New Yorker.) Pictured is the family room area in the kitchen.

Pictured here is the den with rust-colored walls of authentic mud and straw plaster and a viga and latilla ceiling. The Brandts have different ceilings with river willows, salt cedars, or peeled aspen, says Ms. DeWindt. This room also features a wet bar.

The compound has two guesthouses as well as a unit for a caretaker and a three-car garage. The Brandts wanted to accommodate many families and guests, but not under the same roof. They have five children and six grandchildren scattered on the East and West coasts they visit often and the airport in Albuquerque is about an hour's drive away, says Ms. Brandt. This bedroom in one of the guesthouses features a kiva fireplace.

The home has many outdoor entertainment areas framing the house and almost every room has a doorway to the outdoors.

The views from the home are of the Jemez and Sangre de Cristo mountain ranges. Mr. Brandt says that people typically think of New Mexico as barren, low-lying desert, but where they live is nearly 7,000 feet above sea level.

The property is accessed by a long private driveway with a large arrival court. 'I hate to put this house on the market but at our age, there comes a point when you have to downsize.' Mr. Brandt says. 'It's a wonderful opportunity to decorate and run the house and we hope that we will sell it to someone that really appreciates it and understands it,' adds Ms. Brandt. The couple plans to stay in the area. The compound is listed at $2.25 million with Neil D. Lyon of Neil Lyon Group.