A Playful Blend Between Eclectic and Traditional Styles

Entry Wooden owls by Maine artist Dan Falt take perch in the entryway, overlooking a CR Laine ottoman and chair upholstered in Schumacher fabric. The dining room features a Visual Comfort chandelier and a rug from Serena & Lily. | Photo: Kimberly Gavin

When Brooke and Henry Heckman and their two sons decided to reestablish their roots in the U.S. after 13 years in Hong Kong, they weren’t quite sure what to expect. How would they blend their eclectic mix of furniture and art from East Asia with their traditional family antiques? Could they find a way to successfully mingle the two styles? It was all an unknown, but with truckloads of heirlooms, along with a few treasures from their expat years, the family embarked on a new journey—to Colorado.

They landed in the Greenwood Village neighborhood in a light-filled 5,800-square- foot home built in the late 1970s. The Heckmans brought in interior designer Kirsten Brundage, principal of The Interior, to help them integrate their existing furniture and family antiques, thus allowing the couple to add a delightful array of vibrancy and glam to the traditional home. Brundage calls the design “timeless,” a playful juxtaposition of Old World antiques and new furnishings in current colorways with bold patterns, fabrics and wallcoverings.

Living Room Sofas by CR Laine sit atop a custom Aztec rug, with a CR Laine upholstered ottoman in Moore & Giles leather. The two Bernhardt ottomans are upholstered in Schumacher’s Jokhang Tiger Velvet, and the two chairs are by CR Laine, also upholstered in Schumacher fabric. The throw pillows are all from Genesis Custom Drapery. | Photo: Kimberly Gavin

“Henry was worried that it would be a bit of a dog’s breakfast, but there’s an undertone of classic, cozy and happy,” explains Brooke. “I wanted our home to represent our life and travels, with things we picked up from Cambodia, India and even Maine. We wanted our house to show our experiences, plus the history of my husband’s family.”

The Heckmans worked with Brundage to recover, reupholster and upgrade their existing pieces, adding contemporary furnishings to find a balance between the heavy antiques and her vision of bright, light and colorful. “It was a challenge to create a warm and friendly environment with the elegant, dark antiques,” says Brundage, who was able to achieve this by honoring the family’s heritage while taking notice of the youthful nature of the household and incorporating playful patterns and prints.

Sitting Room A wooden penguin by Maine artist Dan Falt stands on a rug from Kas, Turkey, while a CR Laine sofa with Schumacher custom pillows by Genesis Custom Drapery is placed next to a Bernhardt coffee table. The lamp shade is by Table M. | Photo: Kimberly Gavin

“Everything in the house is curated to reflect Brooke and Henry and their family. Each space in the house tells a different story,” explains Brundage. For example, Brooke’s favorite spot in the house is her office because it reflects her love for the color pink, leopard print and refined Asian design. Brooke relates, “I gravitate toward color and brightness because it makes me happy. I like the pop and color and bling. It doesn’t add calmness that I need with two boys, but it does bring the flair!”

Their artwork had to be incorporated in the home, which presented another interesting challenge for Brundage. She and the Heckmans strategically placed artisan wooden creatures throughout, evoking memories of Henry’s summers as a child in Maine, where he would watch his neighbor carve and paint wooden animals in a nearby barn. “These pieces really added to the whimsical, happy aspect of the interior design,” says Brundage.

As for the Heckmans, they have easily transitioned into Greenwood Village, a tight-knit community where everyone has been extremely welcoming. “Relocating from another country to a new city can be challenging,” says Brooke, “but it was fairly easy because everyone wanted to help us find our roots here.”

Primary Bedroom A CR Laine bed upholstered in Brook Perdigon fabric matches the wallpaper. Table M lamps are placed on top of Made Goods nightstands, and the bench is by CW Stockwell in Martinique Navy fabric. | Photo: Kimberly Gavin

Interior Design: Kirsten Brundage, The Interior