CH&L Design Blog

Join us at the Cherry Creek Arts Festival Opening Night Gala

May 11, 2012 in Art, Events, Food & Dining, Philanthropy by Mary | No comments

We’re gearing up for one of our favorite events of the year: The Cherry Creek Arts Festival, which takes place July 6-8 in Denver’s Cherry Creek North shopping district.

The CCAF is Colorado’s signature cultural celebration of the visual, culinary and performing arts that draws about 350,000 visitors from around the country each year. The 9th Annual Opening Gala, held Thursday, July 5, 2012, signals the start of the weekend festivities; it begins at 5pm with a private art preview and buying reception with 32 of the 230 juried artists for the 2012 show. The evening is topped off with the “Art of Gourmet” dinner and entertainment gala at the JW Marriott Denver hotel.

I attended this event for the first time last year, and it really was a wonderful evening—except for one little glitch: During the private art preview I found the piece I wanted to buy, but I mistakenly chose to wait until the next day to purchase it. By the time I returned to the artist’s booth it had already sold. You can bet I won’t make that mistake this year!

Gala patron ticket packages are on sale now and also include exclusive pre-event invitations, three-day valet parking, three-day access to the “Festival VIP Club,” a framed 2012 commemorative poster and complimentary one-year subscription to Colorado Homes & Lifestyles magazine.

The CCAF 2012 Commemorative Poster © Chris Vance

The 2012 “Distinguished Patron” honoree is Mr. Nick LeMasters, General Manager of the Cherry Creek Shopping Center. The Arts Festival annually honors passionate and dedicated contributors to Denver’s art community, art experiences and art education.

The 2012 Opening Gala is hosted by the JW Marriott Denver and presented by Colorado Business Bank and Colorado Homes & Lifestyles magazine. The Opening Gala benefits the CCAF’s 501c3 non-profit mission and year-round education programs in schools. Information at tickets available at CherryArts.org/Gala. This event sells out every year, so don’t wait! I look forward to seeing you there.

Tags: art festival, Cherry Creek Arts Festival, Cherry Creek North, Cherry Creek Shopping Center, Chris Vance, event, JW Marriott Denver, Nick LeMasters, Opening Night Gala, philanthropic event

Expert Tips: Create a lush high-altitude landscape

May 10, 2012 in Gardening, Landscape Design by Caroline | No comments

Our May Outdoor Living Issue—now on newsstands and at coloradohomesmag.com—is all about beautiful gardens and easy outdoor gathering spaces. To learn how to grow a lush, high-altitude garden, we checked in with president of Designscapes Colorado Phil Steinhauer. Here, his tips for creating a stunning outdoor oasis:

PLAN EARLY
“The sooner you bring the landscape architect into the design discussions, the more you can save during the construction process,” Steinhauer says. “For example, if you’re running a gas line for an inside fireplace, you might as well run one for the outside fireplace. Your landscaper can also coordinate the design and materials so they work with the house.”

GATHER INSPIRATION
“We encourage our clients to bring photos and clippings of gardens, patios and landscaping that they like. We also ask a lot of questions, such as, ‘Do you tend to host big parties or small, intimate gatherings? Do you have kids and pets?’”

KNOW YOUR STYLE
“Along with discussing the specific plants and colors a client likes, we determine whether the landscape should have a formal look or something more casual and natural. The landscaping should be tied to the architecture of the house.”

THINK SEASONALLY
“We like to design landscapes that are interesting year-round. Often we’ll combine deciduous trees and shrubs with evergreens. We think about the off-season elements of a plant like branch structure and color, and whether it produces berries or seed pods. We also consider ‘hardscape’ features like boulders, pergolas and arbors for winter interest.”

Photography by Emily Minton Redfield.

Click here for more tips on creating a high-altitude landscape.

Tags: Colorado landscape, high-altitude gardening, high-altitude landscape, mountain landscape, native plants

Design Pros: Join us and be inspired!

May 9, 2012 in Events, Inspiring Design Conference by Mary | No comments

Architects, interior designers, builders, design trade professionals: Have you registered to attend our fourth annual Inspiring Design Conference? If not, we hope you’ll do it today and be a part of this exciting two-day professional enrichment conference, June 6-7 at Roth Distributing (17801 E. 40th Ave., Aurora, CO 80011).

This year’s lineup starts with special keynote speakers Kathryn Ireland and Michael Lammel, and continues with speakers David Romanelli, Kerrie Kelly and Johnny Klein. These speakers will provide cutting-edge design ideas, upcoming trends, insightful tips for customer analysis, communication strategies to increase sales and motivational tools for overcoming challenges to achieve success. Continuing education credits (AIA, ASID, NKBA) will be available.

This is also a great opportunity to network and share what’s new in your corner of our exciting industry. The entire Colorado Homes & Lifestyles staff will be there and we look forward to seeing you!

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER ONLINE, visit coloradohomesmag.com/IDC.

Here’s to another incredible IDC,

Tags: architects, builders, design professionals, Inspiring Design Conference, interior designers, Roth Distributing

It’s Heirloom Tomato Time!

May 3, 2012 in Events, Food & Dining, Gardening by Elaine | No comments

Denver is enjoying a warm and sunny start to May, and it’s time to get your locally-grown heirloom tomato plants for the garden!

It’s always good to wait until the temperature does not drop below 45 degrees at night to plant, as the cooler air will stunt your lovely plants for the season.
Be sure to “harden off” your plants by placing them outside for a few hours in part sun and gradually moving them to a sunnier spot over the course of a week. This helps them deal with the scorching sun and strengthens their stems in the breeze.
When planting, the deeper the better (to a point). I always plant mine right up to lowest leaves, and if needed, I’ll carefully wrap a leggy stem around the root ball, planting deep. I also put a bit of good organic fertilizer in the hole. (I use Gardens Alive: Tomatoes Alive).

If you love unusual and flavorful heirloom tomatoes as much as I do, I recommend buying your plants at Heirloom Tomato Farms. This year, they have two locations for their annual sale and the plants are luxurious!

All plants are organic, strong and sturdy, and there are 50+ varieties to choose from. The two-day sale will be held at two locations in Denver. Sale dates are Friday, May 4th from 1pm – 6pm and Saturday, May 5th from 9am – 4pm at both locations. Visit their website for tomato varieties and more information. Get there early–when they’re gone, they’re gone! (And be sure to bring a box or bag to carry your tomato plants home.)

Heirloom Tomato Farms specializes in the cultivation and preservation of organic Heirloom Tomatoes.

SALE LOCATIONS:

CENTRAL DENVER
South of Capitol Hill
475 Corona Street
Denver, CO 80218

*Cash or Check Only

DOWNTOWN DENVER

RINO Weilworks
3611 Chestnut Place
Denver, CO 80216

*Cash, Check or Credit Card

P.S. Do you have a great heirloom tomato recipe? Share it in the comments!

Tags: Gardening, Heirloom Tomato Farms, heirloom tomatoes, plant sale

Annual Uncorked event raises $635,000 for the Denver Art Museum!

May 3, 2012 in Art, Events, Philanthropy by Mary | No comments

Honorees Ray and Sally Duncan, Kevin and Leanne Duncan, Gail and Michael Folwell, Renee and Michael Duncan

For two glorious evenings—Friday, April 20 and Saturday, April 21—art patrons came together for DAM Uncorked, Denver Art Museum‘s annual spring fundraising event. During Friday night’s wine tasting, hosted by Applejack Wine & Spirits, guests were offered more than 300 wines from vintners around the the world as well as tasting guides and delicious hors d’oeuvers. A few of our staff members enjoyed a few sips!

Mountain Living's Multimedia Production Manager Caroline Graf with CH&L Senior Editor Caroline Eberly and Marketing and Promotions Manager Emily Kaiser

Saturday night was the more formal dinner and auction. Honoring the Duncan family for their years of generous support, guests were treated to an expansive silent auction that included fine art (including pieces from Salon du Musée artists), rare wines and fun vacation packages, followed by a scrumptious seated dinner and a very exciting live auction (the first item, four bottles of wine, went for $10,000!). All told, the events raised $635,000 for our beautiful art museum.

Co-chairs Jenifer and Lance Marx

Colorado Homes & Lifestyles is proud to be the media sponsor for this important event!

P.S. If you haven’t been to the DAM lately, make some time to go soon. From now through July 9, see the Yves Saint Laurent Retrospective, which is absolutely divine; other current exhibitions include Focus: Robert Motherwell, Read My Pins: The Madeleine Albright Collection and What Is Modern? And in October, the big one: Becoming Van Gogh, which brings together more than 70 of the artist’s painting and drawings.

Tags: DAM, Denver Art Museum, Duncan family, fundraising, philanthropic event, Uncorked

Hot Happenings: The best May events!

April 26, 2012 in Events by Caroline | No comments

Admire art in the city
We have a great reason to hang around the Mile High City this Memorial Day weekend: the 14th annual Downtown Denver Arts Festival, May 25-28 at Denver Pavilions. More than 135 artists (100 of whom call Colorado home) will display their masterpieces in fiber art, sculpture and furniture. Click here for more info.

Take a (cocktail) tour of Boulder
Three of Boulder’s best watering holes serve as the “classroom” for the fun yet educational Boulder Cocktail Tour, May 10, hosted by Local Table Tours. Guests will get the chance to meet Boulder’s top bartending talent, learn about different spirits and gather tips for mixing the perfect drink. Click here for more info.

Get inspired in Steamboat
Gearing up for summer home projects? Breathe in some fresh mountain air while shopping for home and garden ideas at the 5th annual Steamboat Home & Garden Expo, May 12, where more than 30 local vendors set up booths featuring the latest trends and products. Click here for more info.

Don your party hats
Not only is the Derby Party the biggest—and best—Kentucky Derby Party outside of Churchill Downs, but the event gives all proceeds to the Sean “Ranch” Lough Foundation, which sends low-income students to CSU on scholarship. On May 5th, don your festive summer attire and join other party-goers in downtown Denver, at 14th street near the Performing Arts Complex, for lively indoor/outdoor festivities. Click here for more info.

Photo by Elizabeth Grant, courtesy of Local Table Tours.

Find more May happenings at CH&L‘s online events calendar.

Tags: art festival, Colorado events, Colorado festivals, Derby Party, home and garden events

THE BRASS BED: Treat Yourself to Natural Luxury

April 23, 2012 in Community Pages, Fabrics and textiles, Home furnishings, Products We Love by DesignDiva | No comments

We know that when you give your body the nurturing, respect and attention it needs, a level of calm and well being is fostered. THE BRASS BED prides itself in this philosophy, and for 34 years has searched the world for the best natural products for your body and home environment.

Experience products like our superior, natural, chemical-free and hand-made Hypnos mattresses from Great Britain.

Hynos mattresses are made without polyurethane, using natural cottons, lambs wools, silks and cashmeres.

Be soothed to sleep in our incredibly soft, 100-percent certified organic luxury sheets by the Purist Collection/SDH.

Take advantage of the healing properties of our Kneipp eco-friendly bath and body care products made from Germany’s natural salt bed, and why not finish off your bath with amazingly soft bamboo towels by Peacock Alley.

Treat yourself to our Italian Legna wood-pulp sheets by SDH, which are woven from wood fibers gathered from sustainably-raised cedar trees. This textile feels and acts like silk but is cared for like an easy care cotton.

At THE BRASS BED, it is easy to treat your body like a temple, and feel good about how the rest of the earth gets a little nurturing too. It’s a mind-body experience you never dreamed possible.

Dress your table in our colorful yarn-dyed French linen tablecloths by Le Jacquard Francais, the world's oldest fabric woven in a great colorful and colorfast way.

THE BRASS BED
fine linens & furnishings
3113 East Third Avenue
Denver CO/ Cherry Creek North 80206
303 322 1712
1 866 2-LINENS (1 866 254 6367)
info@brassbedofdenver.com

Tags: bedding, Cherry Creek North, Denver, fine linens, furnishings, tabletop, textiles, THE BRASS BED

IKEA Office Makeover: Now for the fun part

April 20, 2012 in CH&L magazine, Community Pages, Home furnishings, Products We Love, Remodeling by Caroline | No comments

We’re moving offices (you can read about our progress here and here), and in our mission to create a space that’s as organized as it is stylish, we’ve gotten to the good part: choosing furnishings and accessories, those building blocks and finishing touches that will make the space come to life.

With the help of IKEA, who’s partnering with us to outfit our space, we’re shopping for some big pieces—new desks and shelving to pair with some of our existing office furniture—as well as smaller ones, like lamps, magazine holders and picture frames. Staff members are getting the chance to pick the pieces they want for their individual offices, so each workspace will have its own unique feel.

We thought you might like to see what’s on our wish list…

Kvissle Magazine File

Ljusas Salbo Table Lamp

Stay tuned to see how we put it all together in the weeks to come, and visit ikea.com to browse more sleek furnishings.

Tags: accessories, decorating, furnishings, IKEA home furnishings, office makeover

Designer tips for creating a spa-like master bath

April 19, 2012 in Baths, CH&L magazine by Caroline | No comments

If you want a blissful master bath like the spaces featured in the latest issue of CH&L, then take these cues from the pros behind the designs:

1) Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer Bev Adams of Interior Intuitions:

Cool it down. Use white and cool colors for a spa-like bathroom retreat. Warm colors stimulate; cool colors are calm and relaxing.

Repeat shapes (such as the rounded countertop edges, crown molding, cabinet hardware and faucets) and materials for a cohesive design.

2) Interior designer Christi Pepper of Christi Pepper Design:

Create the illusion of an area rug with contrasting tile or stone. It helps break up and soften the space. (Here, Pepper used dark gray carved concrete tiles embedded into limestone.)

Use marine varnish to protect wood elements in a wet area, such as the bath platform here.

3) Architect Bryan Gunn and interior designer Linda Gunn of Studio Gunn Architecture:

Consider a solid tub deck for a clean look and easy maintenance.

Look for lighting lines that feature coordinated fixtures in different sizes for a consistent look throughout the bath. (Here, the chandelier over the tub pairs with a similar fixture that hangs above the vanity.)

To browse more photos of beautiful baths, click here.

Tags: bath design, beautiful baths, Colorado designers, designer tips, spa-like baths

We’ve got YSL fever

April 13, 2012 in Art, Events by Caroline | No comments

You’ve likely heard that the Yves Saint Laurent: The Retrospective exhibition is in full swing at the Denver Art Museum—and hopefully you’ve gotten the chance to wander through the rooms and aisles of gorgeous couture outfits. (I wanted to try everything on!) If you haven’t, go. The clothes are beautiful, the presentation thoughtful and the story of YSL inspiring.

You can trust our recommendation because we’ve been spending more time hanging around the DAM than we’d like to admit, savoring the show. First, there was the exhibition itself…

Then, also at DAM, a fabulous runway show called “Forever Darling,” hosted by Project Runway Season 9 designer (and Denver resident) Fallene Wells, in which former Project Runway contestants sent YSL-inspired collections down the catwalk…

Fallene Wells with fellow Project Runway designers

Project Runway Season 9 and Project Runway All-Stars contestant Michael Costello

Costello's all red, YSL-inspired collection

: More YSL-inspired fashion (by Fallene Wells)

: Hooded dress designed by Fallene Wells

: CH&L senior editor Caroline Eberly with Project Runway Season 9 designers Cecilia Motwani and Rafael Cox

And to crown the whole experience? A private after-hours, red-carpet-treatment party at the museum—with full access to the exhibition—hosted by Coldwell Banker Devonshire.

To see more photos from Coldwell Banker Devonshire’s “An Evening with Yves Saint Laurent,” click here. (Photography by Emily Forsberg.) To learn more about the exhibition, open though July 8, visit ysldenver.com.

Tags: Coldwell Banker, Colorado fashion events, Denver Art Museum, Fallene Wells, fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent, fashion events, Project Runway designers, runway show, Yves Saint Laurent: The Exhibition

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