Articles by admin

In early November, just after the grand opening of the Four Seasons Hotel & Spa Denver, I joined some of the Devonshire female brokers and was treated to an evening at Denver’s newest spa. We were greeted with blue sapphire cocktails (the Hotel’s signature drink) and an array of tapas, and we all mingled and toured the spa’s new facilities before getting treatments of our own.

With beautiful sleek, interiors, 10 treatment rooms (including two couple’s suites with private showers and sunken tubs), and men’s and women’s changing rooms with large heated whirlpools and steam rooms–this spa is a must. It’s a little piece of heaven in the city.

While in Steamboat Springs a few weeks ago, I went to check out David Chase Rugs & Furniture. Situated right off of main street as soon as you drive into town, their highly visible location makes the store hard to miss. Having never been into the store before, I expected to only find rugs and large pieces of furniture. While a majority of the store houses beautiful couches, coffee tables and rugs, I also found myself lost in their “nook,” which features smaller items that make great gifts. What captured my attention throughout the store most (apart from my wishing I could add a whole new set of furniture for my house to my wedding registry) were the funky animals throughout the space.

Their rugs, hand-woven in places like Romania, Iran, Turkey, Pakistan, Nepal, India and China, are, of course, the true show-stoppers in the store (go here to check out the full collection). I also found myself drawn to this coffee table, which features a base that comes up through the entire table. Visiting the store is a must the next time you are in Steamboat!

A new design group is in town that we want to introduce you to–the 15th Street Design District. Composed of a mix of architects, interior and kitchen designers, construction engineers, and web and graphic designers, this group has one thing in common: a knack for creative design. Located in one of the newer areas of Boulder (between Canyon & Arapahoe on 15th), this row of designers is community focused; rather than working apart in these competitive times, they’re uniting to create awareness of good design in Boulder. Last week, the team hosted their first (and certainly not last) “Design Walk” for the public (photos below). They described the event as a “beacon for artistic souls and creative minds,” and it was an opportunity for anyone and everyone to congregate, explore the various studios, discuss design and market trends, and explain the process of their work from start to completion. The event was such a success, the group is hoping to hold another open house this fall. Click here to visit their website, and get to know the members of the group:

sparn.com, studio3design.info, workshop8.us, candyshopboulder.com, sustainablybuilt.com, hmhai.com, samuelaustin.com, urbanweststudio.com, origingraphicdesign.com, treelineboulder.com, krdesignco.com, surroundarchitecture.com, mondorobot.com, bitshift.in, rpcarch.com, whiterockbldg.com

The Cherry Creek Arts Festival is right around the corner! The festival is Colorado’s famous celebration of all things art–there really is something for everyone. The free festival takes place the 4th of July weekend starting on July 3rd at 10 am. CH&L is proudly sponsoring the festival, and we hope you stop by our booth at 3rd and Fillmore to say “hi.” For more info, visit cherryarts.org. And to whet your palate, here’s some work from a few exhibiting artists that caught our eye…

Energy by Julie Havel

Space by Julie Havel

Pottery by John Herbon

Evian Etude by Michael Bryant

The Alzheimer’s Association is hosting their annual Memories in the Making Art Auction next week on Thursday, June 10 at INVESCO Field at Mile High. The event features a selection of watercolors painted by patients battling Alzheimer’s, and all proceeds go directly to the Alzheimer’s Association. Each of the 50 silent auction and 20 live auction professionally framed paintings offers insight into the minds of those affected by Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Some of the paintings will be paired with pieces from renowned local artists, including Anne Aguirre, Jim Becker and Jean Black. To order tickets, go to alz.org/co.

The Denver Design District‘s Spring/Summer Sample Sale goes down on Saturday, June 12th from 9 am to 2 pm, and we want to be sure you know about it. Browse all kinds of home design goodies, from sofas to desks to art and accessories–all hugely on sale. (The DDD is located at 595-601 S. Broadway in Denver, 80209, and if you’ve never been, we suggest you make this trip your first. Think 50-plus showroom spaces, all chock-full of gorgeous items for your home. No matter what you’re looking for, chances are good the DDD has it.) Don’t miss out on this opportunity to save on great items for your home!

Phoebe Marsh showroom at Denver Design District

One of my favorite aspects of this job is the chance I get to browse the Denver Design District. I love visiting the showrooms and seeing all of the beautiful furnishings and décor. Just walking through the doors makes me feel a bit more stylish… if only by association.

You see, I’ve always had this secret desire to possess the vision and skill of an interior designer. To be able to walk into a showroom full of amazing elements and instinctively know how each could be paired and positioned to create one cohesive environment? If only. But visiting the DDD allows me to see all of these beautiful pieces and to interact with those who do have the gift. Which is why I’m really looking forward to the Rocky Mountain Designers’ Market in May.

It’s the DDD’s largest event of the year: two days (May 12-13) dedicated to helping designers hone their skills by attending seminars, seeing new products, and networking with other talent in the field. Because Colorado Homes & Lifestyles will be there, I get to be a fly on the wall and take in all the action… and secretly, hopefully, maybe even pick up up a tip or two by rubbing shoulders with those talented individuals.

I have been waiting so long for an IKEA to open in Colorado! When I was living in California, every time I would go, I wondered why they didn’t have one in Denver (my hometown)?? They have so many options at such great prices. Like this chair (the IKEA Stockholm chair), one of my favorites. People in Colorado have simply been missing out.

To be able to decorate a room while staying within the budget is tough when you’re a young professional. IKEA makes it a little easier on the wallet, while offering stylish products for literally every room in the house. Click here to browse their products and to get excited (though we still have plenty of time to let our anticipation build; the store, in Centennial, isn’t scheduled to open until Fall 2010).

Join HomeAid Colorado, a non-profit that builds quality homes for the temporarily homeless, at the ninth-annual Fashion Show Fundraiser on Friday, Sept 18th from 6-9pm at The Curtis Hotel in Denver. The event raises money in support of HomeAid’s mission– to provide dignified transitional homes for Colorado’s homeless individuals and families.

This year’s event is ’70s-inspired, and guests are encouraged to show up in their favorite disco styles to dance, enjoy a variety of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, and participate in live and silent auctions. A fashion show will be the night’s entertainment, and all models will walk in vintage and contemporary attire inspired by the era.

So get out your polyester hot pants and visit www.hacolo.org for more information and to buy tickets ($95 each).

Today I learned all about the value of having a home filled with great (versus mediocre) lighting. The lighting pros at Colorado Concept Lighting know all about the importance of accentuating your art with lighting that shows just what a quality investment should look like–in comparison to the effect of fixtures from a big-box store. Whether you’re an art collector, chef or just want the ambiance of good lighting, go to ColoradoConceptLighting.com to learn about how to conceptualize and complete your dream-home lighting needs.