Photo: Tahovory Bunting

A single-family home in Denver’s LoHi got a complete interior refresh to better reflect the style preferences of its new owner. The approximately 3,500 square foot abode combines living space over four levels. “The homeowner collects art, and her pieces were the foundation upon which the design was built,” says Margarita Bravo, chief creative officer and founder of her eponymous interior design firm.

“The client wanted an outgoing, eclectic look that juxtaposes modern with traditional. The desired vision was achieved using a mix of walnut and white oak, bold wall coverings, vibrant colors, and textured fabrics creating depth and interest.” An intentional, cohesive flow throughout achieves a lively, timeless appearance.

Photo: Tahovory Bunting

Main level living includes the kitchen and dining space, a living room, a small office, and a powder room. The second floor is home to the primary bedroom and bath. Two secondary bedrooms are joined by an additional full bath. The upper level features a bar space and outdoor deck, while the basement contains a second bar, a gaming and entertainment area, a gym and a wine cellar.

“The kitchen was redesigned to maximize the use of space and create a sense of balance,” says Bravo. The island accommodates seating for four and contains extra storage space. A Wolf Sub-Zero appliance combo and a uniquely colorful backsplash makes cooking a joy, and a built-in wine fridge keeps bottles chilled and ready to serve. The adjacent dining niche seats six and features a stunning chandelier over the table reflecting the whimsy of a textured balloon bouquet. 

Photo: Tahovory Bunting

The main floor living area is appointed with plush, sink-in-and-kick-back furnishings that offer respite and relaxation. The dramatic fireplace is surrounded by a single piece of cut-to-measure tile and a floating metal mantel. The second-floor bedrooms beckon with clever combinations of colors and patterns designed with an eye for contrast. Sumptuous bedding, and bath amenities including black Murano glass vessel sinks and custom lighting and tile create a welcoming vibe.

The upper-level bar and deck is a perfect place to unwind during the warmer weather. The lower level contains every amenity for wellness and entertainment. Margarita Bravo’s main design studio is in Denver, with satellite locations in Santa Barbara, CA and Miami, FL. The firm prides itself on understanding a vision and bringing it to fruition. Margarita Bravo relies upon a longstanding dedication to process. Says Bravo, “Our clients trust us to deliver beautiful spaces.”

Photo: Tahovory Bunting

Photo: Tahovory Bunting

Photo: Tahovory Bunting

Photo: Tahovory Bunting

Photo: Courtesy Inside Stories

Wreaths decorating front doors, garlands circling banisters and trees glowing in the night—the holidays invite everyone to get glitzy. This may be the one time of year people look forward to unpacking boxes, since every bundle of tissue paper yields a glittery ornament or colorful nutcracker. All those rediscovered trinkets need a backdrop such as a Christmas tree or leafy garland. Which inevitably brings up the question: real or artificial?

Whatever homeowners prefer, suggests Miranda Cullen, founder and principal of Inside Stories design studio. “Do they want something that smells nice? Do they need it to last year after year?” she asks. “A majority of the holiday decoration we do includes both.” Some merry-makers prefer permanent botanicals for practical reasons. According to Natasha Huralska, creative director of Beck’s Silk Plant Company, “Silk is not going to smell, shed or dry.”

For this modern home, designer Miranda Cullen of Inside Stories combined silk greenery from Beck’s with metallic accents. “We love mixing greens with the miniature trees on the island … it’s a little bit of fun,” she says. The Christmas tree also incorporates silver and gold ornaments, alongside a lot of white to complement the home’s decor. Photo: Courtesy Inside Stories

And today’s silk plants look better than ever. First-rate silk foliage is difficult to distinguish from live plants. Huralska advises customers to invest in premium quality. “We carry high-end designer products, nothing you’d find in a regular retail store … incomparable silk flowers,” she stresses. But what about the scent of pine? Interior designer Cullen offers ideas for all holiday homeowners: either add natural elements or light scented candles. “There’s always fresh pine,” she notes, “and fresh garlands or wreaths give you a very earthy scent.” On the other hand, “Candles provide a holiday scent—cinnamon, apple or one that smells like baking and vanilla yumminess.”

Nikki Holt, design studio director at Kimberly Timmons Interiors, agrees. “A lot of the time candles can add the holiday scent; people love scented candles,” she says. Holt and Cullen are also in the same stocking when it comes to the primary benefit of silk: longevity. “Our clientele prefers the ease and longevity of faux,” Holt states. Cullen concurs: “Longevity is the issue … with silk, we just come back and put it all up again—dress up the banister and freshen things up.”

Cullen used existing accessories to create holiday vignettes. She added a sprig of greens and a lotus pod to a vase on the coffee table. | Photo: Courtesy of Inside Stories

Beck’s Huralska echoes the designers. However, she has a caveat: “Proper storage is key.” She advises, “Wrap everything in tissue paper; otherwise, you’ll break branches, lights or ornaments … and Christmas trees go in Christmas tree bags!” Color presents another holiday décor debate. Classicists love red and green, while modernists prefer neutrals. Ever the peacemaker, Cullen embraces it all, “whether we Christmas it out with the reds or stay with neutrals.”

She likes green too: “Pops of green give a holiday aesthetic and an earthy touch.” Everyone we interviewed suggests using silk foliage as a base, then adding color and embellishments. “For our clients, that’s one of the benefits of silk,” Huralska says. “They buy a wreath when their kids are young and make it playful; now they’re empty-nesters and they want a more serious design—we can use the wreath and remake parts of it.” Ditto for Cullen, who relies on Beck’s for inventory. “You can really add or subtract anything you like: One year you want more red, and the next year you want to add a little teal.”

Red placemats add a touch of Christmas color. The dining room’s decorative bowls offer the perfect spot to introduce festive greenery. | Photo: Courtesy of Inside Stories

Tips of the Iceberg: Festive decorating secrets

The designers offer creative pointers to spruce up holiday décor. Their suggestions run from the practical to the artistic. Neutral Nuance Huralska admits going neutral is trending among homeowners, but it can’t be boring beige. Make it interesting: “Go neutral but warm—cream, taupe, faux fur, gray and silver, gunmetal and gold.” Cullen suggests adding texture with “wood trees, branchy twigs, metallic accents and some feathers.”

Photo: Courtesy Inside Stories

Colorado Color

Use natural details with­out going overboard. Holt incorporated little textured antlers in a mod-glam Colorado home. She also found perfect bows for the Christmas tree: “It reads like aspen, and the loops make it look like logs.”

Ornament Clusters

Create full trees by clustering ornaments. Holt chooses small, medium and large ornaments and makes clusters. “Twist them around branches deep within the tree to fill spaces … When you look at a department store tree, the clusters are the hidden secret.”

Designer Nikki Holt of Kimberly Timmons Interiors created a multi-layered centerpiece for this foyer. | Photo: Nikki Holt

Gold deer above the mantel add Colorado glam. | Photo: Nikki Holt

For a neutral home with natural elements, Holt was inspired by miniature faux antlers she found at Beck’s Silk Plant Company. Organic textures, charcoal trees, a wooden tray and glitzy deer complement the green silk needles nestled in a lovely vessel—the look is upscale Colorado. | Photo: Nikki Holt

Silk Florals: Beck’s Silk Plant Company
Interior Design: Inside Stories, Kimberly Timmons Interiors

As seen in CH&L’s November/December 2024 Issue

Photo: Dallas & Harris Photography

Chris Desino wasn’t planning on buying a condo when he stepped into a unit at The Gant in downtown Aspen a few years back, especially after having a bit of sticker shock at the real estate prices and realizing that the space needed to be remodeled. But he had to have it. “I purchased it on a whim,” admits the Florida developer.

A native of Rochester, New York, Desino grew up skiing competitively and traveled in the West, yet had never visited Aspen. “Then I spent 24 hours and was in love,” he recalls.“Aspen has the convenience of a big city with the charm of a small town. You walk outside and everything you need is there.” While this was the first condominium remodel Desino had undertaken, he had renovated four historic properties in Charleston, South Carolina, and his business specializes in horse property real estate.

Photo: Dallas & Harris Photography

So, he was prepared for the effort and resources that would be needed for permitting, demolition, construction and furnishing the two-bedroom, two-bath residence that measures just 1,060 square feet. “I settled in and realized that there’s demand in Aspen, and it wasn’t time to cut corners,” he says. Desino found solid partners in Anne Grice and Whitney Norton of Anne Grice Interiors.

They had a tight timeline, due to an HOA requirement that construction must be done between the end of ski season and the beginning of the summer season so that it wouldn’t disturb guests at The Gant. Another motivation to get the project finished—Desino was getting married and wanted to be able to enjoy the remodeled home with his partner following their June wedding. Grice has overseen multiple remodels at The Gant, which was built in the early 1970s, and got to work turning Desino’s visions into reality.

Photo: Dallas & Harris Photography

“We had quite a few meetings where we laid everything out room by room,” she says. “He wanted something very upscale in natural materials. There are wood walls and a cabin feel, but the style is more formal and sophisticated.” Desino envisioned the interior to be lasting, not trendy. “I’m not in it for the moment. I think that if it is maintained nicely, it will be a true timeless look. I had seen a lot of white boxes and didn’t want that. I wanted it to feel cozy in winter but fresh in summer.”

Speaking of boxes, Grice refers to the condominium as a “jewel box,” and it won the ASID Crystal Award in Colorado and New Mexico for 2023 for the best remodel under 5,000 square feet. “Every surface was thought through and works together,” she says, noting they incorporated beautiful accents such as the collection of framed Hermes silk scarves in the dining room, the Franz Viegener gold plumbing fixtures and such custom furniture pieces as a green velvet banquette. “Each piece can stand on its own but together makes up a jewel box.”

Photo: Dallas & Harris Photography

Grice worked closely with Janckila Con­struction and Aspen Cabinets, deciding early on to use the same white oak on the living and dining room walls, shelves, ceiling and window valances to provide visual harmony to the space. The bedrooms have built-in white oak cabinets to provide storage and eliminate the need for excess furniture. Bathrooms have stone tile floors and walls tiled from floor to ceiling. “There were tears when they walked in here,” Grice adds. “Chris has done a lot of remodels, so it was rewarding to us for him to be so happy.”

Photo: Dallas & Harris Photography

Interior Design: Anne Grice Interiors
Construction: Janckila Construction
Cabinets: Aspen Cabinets

As seen in CH&L’s November/December 2024 Issue

Photo: Courtesy of Colorado Style Home Furnishings

The holidays are just around the corner, making it the perfect time to give your home a refreshing update that brings warmth, style, and a touch of festive charm to every room. Whether you’re hosting family dinners, planning intimate gatherings, or simply creating a cozy retreat, a few thoughtful changes can make all the difference. Focusing on the living room and dining room, let’s explore how to layer textures, adjust lighting, and choose furniture and accessories to create a welcoming ambiance ideal for both Thanksgiving and Christmas entertaining.

Indulge in Sumptuous Textures and Rich Colors

Photo: Courtesy of Colorado Style Home Furnishings

One of the best ways to reflect the warmth of the holidays is to infuse your home with varying textures and a rich, warm color palette. In both the living room and dining room, think plush fabrics like velvet and boucle, chunky knit throws, and textured pillows in deep reds, greens, and golds. For Thanksgiving, earth tones like burnt orange, cranberry, and warm browns feel festive, while Christmas décor tends toward classic reds, greens, and icy whites.

Change out artwork and accessories to reflect the change of season. Add a trio of brass candlesticks to a new side table, bring in a festive bar cart, or layer in a few extra mirrors to reflect the muted light of fall and winter. Inviting colors and varied textures will instantly make your space feel warm and welcoming, setting the tone for memorable holiday gatherings.

Freshen up the Living Room

Photo: Courtesy of Colorado Style Home Furnishings

In the living room, arrange your furniture for optimal mingling. Place seating options closer together and add a plush rug underfoot to make the space feel even cozier. Sectionals and swivel chairs can be excellent choices for creating an intimate setting.

Sectionals can be adapted for larger gatherings, providing a comfortable space for lots of folks to settle in. And swivel chairs are particularly versatile because they allow guests to pivot between the main conversation area and other parts of the room. Be sure to add in strategically-placed tables to accommodate snacks and beverages and consider bringing in a few colorful poufs for extra seating.

Photo: Courtesy of Colorado Style Home Furnishings

Rethink the Dining Room

Photo: Courtesy of Colorado Style Home Furnishings

The dining room should be as inviting as the living room, with an atmosphere for both feasting and lingering afterward. Choose the right table for your space, one that is versatile enough to accommodate intimate family dinners as well as larger gatherings and reflects your home’s style and personality. Add chairs that are both comfortable and properly proportioned for your table.

Photo: Courtesy of Colorado Style Home Furnishings

Set the Holiday Mood with Lighting

Photo: Courtesy of Colorado Style Home Furnishings

Lighting is key to setting the mood, especially during the holidays. Consider layering different types of lighting to create a warm, inviting glow. Use table lamps for soft, ambient light in the living room. Over the dining room table, add a dazzling chandelier with a dimmer switch.

Photo: Courtesy of Colorado Style Home Furnishings

For a little extra flair, try using LED candles for a safe, long-lasting glow or hang fairy lights to bring a festive twinkle into the room. Lighting can truly transform the space, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations to find what feels just right for your home.

By incorporating a thoughtful mix of elements, it’s easy to create an inviting space perfect for entertaining at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and beyond. So get creative, add a few personal touches, and make your home the go-to gathering spot for the holidays.

Brent Simon is an owner at Colorado Style Home Furnishings, a South Denver-based fine furniture showroom that offers over an acre of top-quality comfortable, sophisticated in-stock furniture and accessories. View their profile or contact one of their highly experienced design professionals at (303) 741-4240.

Content for this article provided by Colorado Style Home Furnishings.

Sitting Area The living room includes Huggy swivel armchairs by Ellison Studios; a ceramic side table by Bari Ziperstein, Los Angeles; a Kneedler Fauchère custom ottoman; and a one- of-a-kind coffee table by BDDW. | Photo: Kimberly Gavin

Wellness. Spirituality. Sustainability. A connection to the outdoors. These are the key design elements showcased in this North Boulder remodel, a project by Home Within, a wellness-focused branch of Joe McGuire Design. The owners, famed yoga teacher Amy Ippoliti and her husband, Taro Smith, a visual artist, photo­grapher and wellness consultant, opted first for an architectural redo. The original house, a 1971 ranch with full-height front windows overlooking down­town Boulder, was reimagined by Brad Burch of Index AD. Burch reconfigured over 80 percent of the original exterior with all-new interiors, including three bedrooms, three bathrooms, an elevated yoga loft and an art studio.

“They really wanted to take advantage of the expansive surroundings, so I think they originally imagined a glass box,” Burch explains. Instead, he integrated a wall of windows, 70 feet long and 20 feet high, along the backside of the 4,800-square-foot home. “It’s an amazing property where the site slopes down toward the back of the house, so the openness of the glass allowed us to really engage the landscape.” Burch also designed the interiors with clean lines, including an entirely new kitchen and bathrooms. “Amy and Taro are fairly minimalist, so they preferred white walls and all-glass handrails and guardrails with concealed hardware,” he says.“There’s not a lot of fussiness.”

Entry The entryway, brightened by new, wider windows on either side of the front door, features a Chilewich rug and a 1950s Scandinavian bench by FDB Møbler. | Photo: Kimberly Gavin

Next, the couple turned to Joe McGuire Design to finish the interior décor. “Part of what drew them to work with us was our wellness-and-holistic approach to design,” says Matthew Tenzin, principal designer at the Aspen- and Boulder-based firm. “They wanted really comfortable, livable, super-functional spaces while also prioritizing health and wellness elements that are natural, nontoxic and sustainable.” Tenzin, a former Buddhist monk who developed the Home Within design philosophy in the firm, adds: “Studies say we spend 90 percent of our time indoors, and the majority of that time is spent in our home, so our living spaces have a huge impact on us.

Besides the physical and aesthetic aspects to a space, there are the emotional, energetic and spiritual layers. And if we attune to those in a way that’s aligned to the clients’ life path and values, we can create a space that really supports what we call deep wellness.” For this design, Tenzin started outside. “We wanted to tune in to the sensory, physical, energetic and spiritual aspects of the land to feel more inspired by it—the plants, herbs, flowers, grasses, trees and rocks above their home. We lay there doing guided visioning, and two hawks started circling above.

Exterior The front of the 1971 ranch remained mostly unchanged, with the mustard-color brick restacked and stained a bone color. The huge front window wall, which overlooks downtown Boulder, was part of the original design. | Photo: Kimberly Gavin

It was this vision of harmony and flow that (Ippoliti and Smith) were really craving, as well as a connectedness to nature. They also tuned in to the colors surrounding the home, which led to the soft color palette we used, the earth tones, sages, terra cottas and blues.” Next, they focused on balancing energies in the house. “In every home, there might be a heaviness in one room, and a light, joyful feeling in another,” says Tenzin. “In an energy-balancing process, we walk through spaces and notice how they feel, filling the spaces with positive emotions.

It’s about focus and intention, about feeling the light within ourselves.” After that, they moved into the actual design process, looking at meaningful, sacred elements to bring into the design. “The art was a big factor for Taro and Amy; a lot of it includes imagery of bicycles, which are big for Taro, who is an avid cyclist,” says Tenzin. “And they also were interested in pieces that were handmade, more natural or sustainable.” Says Ippoliti, “When you walk in the front door, you walk into the see-through staircase that looks out onto the whole back wall of glass. It’s kind of a see-through house. “It’s like a reimagined Midcentury Modern home. All of the glass brings nature close by, so you almost feel like you’re floating outdoors.”

Kitchen The kitchen, with custom acrylic cab­­­­­­­­inetry, was moved to the back of the house, facing large windows—perfect for watching the parade of wildlife outside. “We wanted to bring in a lot of light and to maximize the views,” says Ippoliti. “Because we do a lot of informative nutritional videos, we also wanted a kitchen we could use for filming, with ample counter space.” | Photo: Kimberly Gavin

Dining Room The home­owners were interested in furniture that was sus­tainably sourced, like this dining table. “It’s by a maker called Ethnicraft that does natural finishes like a low-VOC finish and uses sustainable oak,” says Tenzin. | Photo: Kimberly Gavin

Living Room The new back windows are 70 feet long and 20 feet high. The Sengu sectional, from Denver’s Studio Como, is made of recycled materials, and the rug is from a Moroccan women’s rug weaving collective and is all-natural wool. | Photo: Kimberly Gavin

Yoga Space Architect Brad Burch was able to design a loft yoga studio for Ippoliti, elevated above the kitchen. “It’s in the back of the house, against the hillside, so the field is almost a canvas on that wall,” says Burch. “We were able to get real openness without privacy concerns.” | Photo: Kimberly Gavin

Bedroom View A vintage 1940s Swedish lounge chair, reupholstered in shearling, sits next to a ceramic-and-wood Natan Moss side table; the rug is by Loloi. | Photo: Kimberly Gavin

Main Bedroom The homeowners’ bedroom is also elevated to create the feeling of a sleeping pod. The EQ3 upholstered bed is surrounded by BDDW night­stands, with Victoria Morris table lamps. | Photo: Kimberly Gavin

Interior Design: Joe Mcguire Design
Architect: Index Ad
Construction: Field West Construction
Landscape Architect: R Design Studios
Artwork: Multiple artists including Darryl Pottorf, in collaboration with homeowner taro smith, with separate pieces by robert rauschenberg

As featured in CH&L’s November/December 2024 Issue

Dining Room A cozy dining room features Made Goods chairs upholstered in Schumacher fabric which flank a table from Columbine sitting atop a Jaipur rug. The chandelier is by Visual Comfort, while the room in accented with decorative vessels and bowls from various local boutiques. | Photo: Emily Minton Redfield

When Matt Murphy, a vineyard owner in Santa Barbara County, decided to buy and remodel a second home in Denver, he and his wife, Cat, took the road less traveled: They chose quality over quantity. “They didn’t want to turn this into a project that maxed out their square footage,” explains architect Matt Lawton, of Sexton Lawton Arch­itecture. “They wanted to be sensitive to the neighborhood with an appropriately scaled project.”

In doing so, he and the Murphys worked together to preserve the historical integrity of a 1900s home while infusing it with modern amenities, natural light and a functional floor plan.“We just loved Wash Park—it was our top pick in Denver,” says Cat Murphy. The couple had been renting an apartment in Cherry Creek to be close to Matt’s young daughter for half the year, spending the other half at their California vineyard, Presqu’ile Winery. But after a while, they realized they wanted to buy a home to give them a sense of place, a cozy sanctuary of sorts, so they purchased a Craftsman-style bungalow on a coveted block in the Washington Park neighborhood. “We liked the family-oriented vibe, the established trees, the preserved bungalow houses—it’s old Denver with new life,” she says.

Exterior A trans­formed Washington Park bungalow, now sleek with a bold black exterior and a striking teak slat accent under the truss, blends modern texture with classic charm. | Photo: Emily Minton Redfield

Fortunately, Lawton and the Murphys shared an aligned vision. “Our goal was not to start over, but to keep the spirit of the house and build upon it with contemporary details and enhanced spatial clarity,” says Lawton. He avoided the predictability of a pop-top remodel by keeping the front portion of the house and entry porch, while rebuilding the entire back of the house, including the kitchen, breakfast nook, family room and guest suite, as well as reconfiguring the main staircase. “We wanted to preserve the integrity of the home while removing the quirk,” says Murphy, explaining that there had been two previous additions that didn’t quite feel cohesive.

Interior designer Andrea Schumacher was brought in to infuse the interior with her signature vibrant colors, textures, bold patterns and timeless layered design. “I wanted to skirt the lines of maximalism and be in the middle of modern and traditional,” she says. “The home is more transitional, with clean-lined upholstered goods mixed with antiques.” Schumacher used traditional rugs with contemporary upholstery and a hint of bohemian, resulting in a balance of old and new.

Kitchen In this custom kitchen, the refrigerator and pantry mimic elegant armoires, with a playful wine-colored BlueStar range as a nod to the owners’ Santa Barbara vineyard.” The hanging pendants over the island are from Visual Comfort. All cabinetry was built by Wood-Mode LLC, with custom hardware. | Photo: Emily Minton Redfield

The “wow” is about the details and proportions, not square feet, she explains. “I tell my clients to trust me. You just have to take the leap.” And they did. The home has a luxurious modern quality with approachable durability for sleepovers, family dinners and wine industry gatherings. “Our goal was to carve out intimate yet welcoming rooms similar to the bungalow’s original character,” adds Schumacher. She and Lawton achieved their clients’ vision by designing a dramatic entry screen to let natural light shine through, and installing a grass-cloth wallcovering for subtle sophistication—along with a carved marble mantel, white oak cabinetry adorned with brass hardware, and a wine-colored BlueStar stove as a nod to the couple’s vineyard (and Matt Murphy’s passion for cooking).

“It’s funny because the older I get, as an architect, the more respectful I’ve become of historical context,” says Lawton. “That’s not to say, when you’re starting a project you should just replicate all of the historical details. The best is a blend of historical and new, and that’s where the real finesse comes in—putting those two together to make sure they fit into our modern lifestyle.”It’s clear that all parties involved in the renovation agree with Lawton’s assessment. Sums up Schumacher, “In a neighborhood where many historic homes are scraped for newly built residences that stretch to the lot limits, the Murphys wisely opted to invest in the details and preserve the natural charm.” Wise, indeed.

Sitting Room This cozy space includes an elegant Fortuny chandelier and wallcoverings in mauve grass cloth by Phillip Jeffries. The sofa is from Columbine, with fireplace chairs by Vanguard and a coffee table by Villa & House. The area rug is from Kravet, with a side table by Made Goods and a rug stool from Shaver-Ramsey. | Photo: Emily Minton Redfield

Entryway “We rotated the stairway 90 degrees and created a landing,” says designer Andrea Schumacher. “We didn’t want to have a two-story blank wall, so we created a custom screen to draw the eye visually toward the stairs.” The entry light was sourced from a vintage outlet, and sconces are from Visual Comfort. The area rug is from Shaver-Ramsey. | Photo: Emily Minton Redfield

Living Room The family room, which was part of the addition of the home, features a sectional sofa from Vanguard Furniture, while an existing ottoman was reupholstered in a textural Kravet fabric. The pillows are by Lee Jofa and Stroheim. The area rug is from Shaver-Ramsey. | Photo: Emily Minton Redfield

Powder Room “The powder room was a tiny little gem of a space, so we wrapped it in hand-painted wallcovering,” says interior designer Andrea Schumacher. The sconces are from Visual Comfort, and the mirror is by Regina Andrew. | Photo: Emily Minton Redfield

Bedroom In the primary bedroom, Schumacher used Moroccan mother-of-pearl nightstands to give the home a bit of a traveled look. The bed is by Vanguard Furniture with bedside lights by Visual Comfort. The duvet and shams are from Ivystone. | Photo: Emily Minton Redfield

Bathroom In the primary bathroom, Schumacher sourced a vintage walnut console that was modified by Dovetail Restorations to be used as a vanity. The sconces are from Visual Comfort. The two rounded-corner mirrors are from Uttermost; the brass parrot is from Garage Vintage. | Photo: Emily Minton Redfield

Architecture: Sexton Lawton Architecture
Interior Design: Andrea Schumacher Interiors
Construction: Larraz Building Excellence

As featured in CH&L’s November/December 2024 Issue

A scenic overlook can elevate any living space. From added dimension to a luxurious touch, we take a look at five homes across Colorado that were thoughtfully designed with expansive views in mind.

Expansive & Ecological in Estes Park

Photo: Kevin Benes

Contemporary and Panoramic in Telluride

Photo: Emily Minton Redfield

Cozy and Serene in Fairplay

Photo: David Lauer

Bright and Airy in Snowmass

Photo: Dallas & Harris Photography

Sophisticated and Elegant in Denver

Photo: Ian Warren Photography

Photo: Courtesy of California Closets

Entertainment centers have evolved far beyond the traditional function of housing TVs. Today, they are considered a stylish focal point in living rooms, offering both beauty and functionality. Whether you’re looking for sleek, modern designs or classic, storage-heavy options, a well-organized entertainment center can elevate your space and create a seamless entertainment experience. Here’s how to choose and maintain an entertainment center that fits your lifestyle.

1. Maximize Storage

Entertainment centers come in a variety of configurations of cabinets, drawers, and shelves that can serve as a valuable storage hub. Look for designs with closed storage to keep items like games, DVDs, and controllers out of sight, and open shelving to showcase decorative pieces or books. Multi-functional units will help keep your space tidy and organized.

Photo: Courtesy of California Closets

2. Wrangle Wiring

With so many devices in one place, managing wires and cables is key. Look for units with built-in cutouts, and use cord clips or cable ties to keep wires untangled and tucked away. This not only improves the look but also prevents dust buildup which makes cleaning easier.

3. Choose the Right Size

Make sure your entertainment center is proportional to your room and TV. Measure the wall and your TV to ensure the center isn’t too large or too small. Consider extra space for speakers, sound bars, and other tech accessories.

Photo: Courtesy of California Closets

4. Consider Your Design Aesthetic

Entertainment centers come in various styles—modern, rustic, mid-century, etc. Choose a design that complements your existing décor. Opt for finishes and materials that match your style. For instance, choose metal and glass for a more contemporary vibe or choose distressed wood for a rustic look.  It’s important to strike a balance between style and function.

5. Organize Media

Use dedicated compartments or shelves for media players, gaming consoles, and remotes. Label drawers or baskets for easy access, and consider dividers or stackable storage for DVDs and video games to avoid clutter.

Photo: Courtesy of California Closets

6. Plan Lighting

Incorporate strip lights or spotlights within your entertainment center for subtle ambiance. Lights can also be helpful when accessing media components and add a cozy, cinematic feel to the room during movie nights.

7.  Install Safely

If your entertainment center is large or heavy, be sure to secure it to the wall to prevent accidents, especially in homes with children or pets. Ensure that items on shelves are evenly distributed to avoid tipping, and use anti-slip pads for stability.

Photo: Courtesy of California Closets

An entertainment center can be so much more than just a place to store your devices. It can be a stylish, functional piece that enhances your living space.Choosing the right design (and keeping it organized) will enable you to create a comfortable, inviting area for both entertaining and relaxing.

Lora Covington is a senior designer with California Closets. Specializing in customized closets, storage and organizational materials, California Closets has been delivering design solutions for clients for over four decades. View their profile or contact California Closets directly at 303.754.0415 to set up an appointment.

Content for this article is provided by California Closets.

Photo: Cassihise Photography

October marks National Kitchen and Bath Month, the perfect time to rethink and refresh the two most-loved spaces in our homes. To kick off the month, interior designers from HighCraft Builders in Fort Collins, Colorado, are spotlighting five kitchen and bath trends they expect to thrive in 2025.

Depth of Natural Texture

Photos: Cassihise Photography

While engineered woods and smooth laminates will always have their place in design, a shift toward higher-quality, natural materials is expected in next year’s kitchens and bathrooms. “Solid hardwoods and natural stone countertops are making a comeback,” says Jill Sanchez, Design Manager for HighCraft Builders. “And they’re going to be literally bigger than ever.” She suggests looking for more granite, quartzite, and marble countertops up to six centimeters thick, along with bold stone accent walls, bulkier wooden posts, and rough-sawn timber beams. “We’re talking visually heavy natural elements with a satisfying depth of texture.”

Creative Tile Installations

Photos: Cassihise Photography

“Subway tiles will always be a reliable go-to for designers and clients,” says designer Kelly Allen, interior designer at HighCraft Builders. “But in 2025, we’re going to see more complex and unique installations of familiar tiles, like the classic subway or plank tile.” She predicts a push toward more creative and labor-intensive installs, mixing different tile styles in unconventional patterns and directions or using contrasting grout tones. Allen also notes that hex and floral-patterned tiles are waning in popularity.

More Layered Lighting

Photo: Cassihise Photography

Abundant light is essential in any design, but the strategic layering of ambient, task, and accent lighting – from floor to ceiling – can add extra dimension to a kitchen or bathroom. “We’re going to see more lighting under shelves, toe kicks, stair railings, and behind vanity mirrors,” says Sanchez. “Also, look out for mood lighting in unexpected places like floors, showers, and countertops.”

Bold Hardware

Photos: Cassihise Photography

“Metal, in general, is such a fun and easy way to add visual interest to any room,” says Allen. Cabinet hardware, she adds, is becoming as central to a kitchen or bath design as the cabinets themselves. “This is where clients are going to splurge a little to create a statement.” Allen points to features like cabinet cremone bolts and pulls and knobs with knurled accents for added texture as great examples.

Back in Black

Photo: Cassihise Photography

Black will continue to be a strong presence in 2025. “Black doesn’t have to mean edgy or stark in the kitchen or bath,” says Sanchez. “In the right application, it can feel rich, grounding, and soothing.” While next year’s overall color trend will embrace warm, comforting earth-toned neutrals, Sanchez notes that soft, contrasting black accents can enhance those tones. “Expect to see dark tiles, stains, fixtures, and faucets – even matte black toilets – used to showcase off-white walls, neutral countertops, and earthy brown floors, beams, and cabinetry.”

Kira Koldeway, Allied Member ASID, Affiliate IIDA, is the General Manager of Design at HighCraft Builders in Fort Collins, Colorado. Founded in 1998, HighCraft’s design-build team provides quality remodeling and custom home building in the cities, plains and mountain communities of Northern Colorado. Visit their website or contact them at 970.472.8100.

Content for this article provided by HighCraft Builders.

Entry The designers selected pieces like the curved Roche Bobois chaise and gold swivel Thayer Coggin chairs to soften the crisp architectural lines. The high-gloss table is from Chaddock, the artwork is by Penelope Umbrico, and the lighting is from Studio Como. | Photo: Dallas & Harris Photography

“The first piece of clothing I ever designed was a yellow jumpsuit,” says Lee Evans Lee, referencing her Mrs Momma Bear clothing line— which she describes as having the comfort of your favorite yoga pants in a glamorous package. “The color appears in rainbows and exudes a feeling of happiness and joy.” It was those emotions and a fashionable merger of ease and elegance she hoped to evoke when outfitting the Aspen-area townhome she shares with her husband and 11-year-old son.

Located in the Tiehack base of Buttermilk Ski Resort, the fully remodeled residence with its modern glass-and-metal staircase, concrete floors and Venetian plaster walls was the dream backdrop for the sophisticated yet playful interiors Lee pictured. “I’ve always had a wild imagination, and I wanted things like a chandelier that looks like a cloud in the entry, and an all-black primary suite,” explains Lee, who found a kindred spirit in interior designers Preethi Rajaratnam and Amanda Furlong, both of Cathers Home.

Portrait Homeowner Lee Evans Lee models an outfit from her Mrs Momma Bear clothing line. | Photo: Dallas & Harris Photography

“They were totally open to my ideas and worked hard to find what I envisioned.” With the homeowner’s fashion-forward vision in mind, the design duo dressed the entry with a crescent-shaped black bubble chaise that nestles into the crook of the staircase, and a massive chandelier featuring over 20 hand-blown glass bulbs. “Our goal was to soften the crisp architecture while keeping the wow factor going,” says Furlong. A series of photographs depicting abstract versions of the Andes Mountains poised above a pair of golden cut-pile velvet chairs reference the owner’s passion for color.

When styling the primary bedroom, the designers pondered, “How do you make tone-on- tone black come to life?” Lee’s fashion lines, which incorporate tassels and textures, provided the answer. “We emulated that idea with levels of textures,” says Furlong. “In the bedroom we went from a three-inch pile sheepskin rug to a velvet bed to linen on the walls.” Combined with a white linen chaise and another bubble light fixture—this one featuring a mixture of frosted and clear bulbs—the overall effect is a soft counterpoint to the square architectural lines.

Primary Suite A custom bed and linens fashioned with Westbury Textile fabrics all by The Home rest on a black alpaca rug from Fibre by Auskin. The Lawrence Clan ottoman with removable backrest and side table are from Minotti, and a cluster chandelier by Bocci illuminates
the textural layers. | Photo: Dallas & Harris Photography

“It’s moody and romantic but still represents the powerhouse that Lee is,” adds Rajaratnam. In the adjacent office, separated by a sliding door, an oak wood desk with high-gloss black lacquer legs resting on a wool pile rug, and a black sheepskin-covered chair follow the layering motif. Colorful abstract paintings by Kate Shepherd lining the walls above the porcelain tile fireplace enliven the space.

Color plays a more dominant role in the guest quarters, where the Christian Lacroix wallpaper depicting exotic birds rendered in primary colors envelops the bed and a bright teal green ottoman. In the son’s room, a trip to Paris inspired the red velvet bed topped with black linens, and a series of large-scale photographs portray City of Lights landmarks. “Due to Lee’s association with high fashion, the house is naturally more avant-garde,” says Rajaratnam. “She wanted her home to be a reflection of the things she loves, and it is playful, vibrant and unique just like her.”

Office Located adjacent to the bedroom, the desk is from Arteriors and the black alpaca desk chair is from Lee Industries. The embossed vinyl with raffia weave wallpaper is by Élitis; the prints are by Kate Shepherd. | Photo: Dallas & Harris Photography

Bedroom The bed by The Home Stitchery touts JAB fabric and the photographs are by Marks Moore. The Mariposa floor lamp and side table are from Roche Bobois. | Photo: Dallas & Harris Photography

Bathroom The designers embellished the existing bathroom with Matrix sconces from Saint Louis. The green wallcovering is from Élitis. | Photo: Dallas & Harris Photography

INTERIOR DESIGN: Cathers Home 

As seen in CH&L’s September/October 2024 issue.