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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

Landscaping Trends from Phase One Landscapes

March 19, 2012 in Community Pages, Landscape Design by DesignDiva | No comments

Extending your living space into the garden.

The trends this year include what has been popular the last few years: fireplaces, fire pits, outdoor kitchens and patio spaces made with inviting materials. Concrete pavers that mimic brick and stone are a popular money-saving choice over real stone and brick. Low Voltage LED lighting is gaining popularity as an important feature to include – the newer systems save energy while providing the color of light we are familiar with in our landscapes. Our clients are interested in getting outside and extending the usability of their space into the late evening hours.

It’s the experience.

When making a landscape investment buying decision, one will factor in quality, timeliness, professionalism, and ability to deliver. As Phase One Landscapes starts its 24^th year of creating landscapes, we are striving to deliver the experience. We know that we have the buzzwords handled – we’ve been doing that for years! We want our clients to have an enjoyable experience with our firm; a good feeling about choosing our team to help them achieve their dream.

Creative, value engineered design.

Competitive pricing combined with our reputation of award-winning quality is the idea behind a slogan we use in our advertising – 20 years of quality has never been so affordable. Now is the time to plan your project for the spring and summer of 2012 to take advantage of our restructured pricing and to make sure you are scheduled in time to enjoy your investment this season! www.phaseonelandscapes.com

–Dave Graham, landscape architect and principal at Phase One Landscapes

Tags: denver gardening, Gardening, landscape architecture, landscape design, landscaping trends, Phase One Landscapes

Support Small Business Saturday!

November 23, 2011 in Community Pages, Made in Colorado, Products We Love by DesignDiva | No comments

Pictured above (clockwise from top left), some of our favorite locally-owned shops: find fun gifts in "The Boutique" at Fruehauf's in Boulder; Enstrom's World Famous Almond Toffee is made in Grand Junction but can be ordered from the website and shipped anywhere; Glass Coasters by K Dahl are a truly unique gift; Tam O'Neill Fine Arts in Denver features Western and Audubon prints.

‘Tis the weekend: the weekend after Thanksgiving, when the holiday shopping season kicks into high gear. As you make your gift-giving list and plan your shopping strategy, CH&L would like you to consider visiting some of your town’s small, locally-owned businesses.

Last year, American Express created Small Business Saturday®,  a day dedicated to supporting small businesses  on perhaps the busiest shopping weekend of the year. This Saturday, November 26, we’re asking our readers to join the movement by shopping small at their favorite local stores.

I’ve been doing a little “small shopping,” and has found some wonderful, unique gifts for family and friends. I started in Boulder, popping into Fruehauf’s (1665 33rd Street, Boulder, 303-449-9551). Of course, Fruehauf’s is known for its great selection of patio furniture, but did you know they also have a charming space called “The Boutique” filled with fun gifts? I picked up a beautiful Vera Bradley purse for my sister and cute little Troll Beads for my nieces.

Next, I headed to Enstrom’s in Cherry Creek North. The great thing about Enstrom’s (besides their to-die-for toffee) is that they have locations all over the state, as well as a great website—you can order and ship these yummy treats without leaving home. But stopping in a store is a treat in itself, and I love the wide variety of gift baskets and tins. I’ll be passing these out to my hair stylist, mailman and the girls in my office. And I got a little box of toffee for myself, too.

Sweet tooth satisfied, I zipped over to Tam O’Neill Fine Arts, also in Cherry Creek North (311 Detroit Street) in search of something special for my mother-in-law. She has impeccable taste and can be difficult to buy for, but with an incredible selection of naturalist prints—their specialty is Audubon prints—I knew I’d find something she’d love. I’m totally going to win Daughter-in-Law of the Year.

Exhausted, I headed home and logged on to the Glass Coasters by K Dahl website. A few years ago, Crawford-based glass artists Rck and Kathy Steckel started making these coasters from their leftover pieces of glass. Each one is truly unique, and you can even custom make your own! I’m having monogrammed coasters made for all of my out-of-state relatives—gift-wrapped and shipped. So easy!

I wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving…and a fun weekend of shopping small!

Tags: American Express, Colorado-made products, Fruehauf's Enstrom's, Glass Coasters by K Dahl. holiday shopping, Small Business Saturday, Tam O'Neill Fine Arts

Colorado Style Home Furnishings: The Rec Room

October 20, 2011 in Community Pages, Home furnishings by DesignDiva | 1 comment

I’ve had a great time working with the friendly, knowledgeable staff at Colorado Style Home Furnishings to decorate the lovely home at 5 Waterside Terrace. With their help, and the stunning array of furnishings and accessories available at their two showrooms, I have been able to create a series of warm, comfortable rooms throughout the home. For the grand finale, we’re working with the lower level recreation room, a gathering place for friends and family alike.

I begin with a sectional sofa; the modular pieces can shift around, making it so very versatile. The big question here is whether to choose a leather or fabric finish; the leather is durable and easy to clean, while chenille offers a cozy, warm appeal. I opt for the Grandview, with thick, boot-cut bomber jacket leather, baseball triple stitch and nailhead trim, then add a few down-filled chenille pillows and throw blankets to warm the piece.

Since not everyone is comfortable piling into a sectional, I place a pair of leather-fabric combination recliners nearby. With wood trim and swivel function, these are not your grandpa’s chairs!

An oversized octagonal cocktail table with leather top and a built-in checkerboard serves double duty; four low stools tucked underneath make it easy to convert the table for casual dining.

For game night, a leather-top table with pedestal base works beautifully; it’s dining table height, with built-in chip holders. Burgundy red curved-back chairs on casters finish the set. Nearby, barstools line the tall bar counter; I may decide to match them to the game set chairs, or go with a complementary fabric. With 10,000 fabrics to choose from at Colorado Style, adding a pop of color will be an easy task!

Whether it’s time to furnish your own special home or update a few rooms, make a visit to Colorado Style Home Furnishings. With a team of dedicated professionals, an expansive, ever-changing inventory, one-of-a kind furnishings, finishes and accessories from around the globe and the ability to customize nearly every piece of furniture in the showroom, Colorado Style stands ready to make your dreams into reality.

For more information about Colorado Style Home Furnishings, see below; to learn about 5 Waterside Terrace, , visit www.sandyweigand.denverrealestate.com.

Colorado Style Home Furnishings
2540 E. County Line Rd
Highlands Ranch, CO
303-741-4240
www.coloradostyle.com

Store Hours:
Monday – Saturday
10am – 6pm
Sunday
12pm – 5pm

Tags: barstools, Colorado Style Home Furnishings, game table, home furnishings, leather, rec room, recliner, sectional

Colorado Style Home Furnishings: The Home Office

October 6, 2011 in Community Pages, Home furnishings by DesignDiva | No comments

I’m getting down to business, decorating the home office at 5 Waterside Terrace with help from Colorado Style Home Furnishings. The Colorado Style showrooms offer a variety of home office options, with the ability to customize many of the pieces. With combinations of leather, wood and fabric, it’s possible to create a one-of-a-kind look in almost any room.

After the kitchen, the home office may be the most functional room in the house. It’s important to me to accomplish that functionality with panache, and Colorado Style is just the place to accomplish that goal. There, I chose an exquisite burled mahogany and cherry desk with a built-in leather blotter; it’s elegant lines and dove-tail drawers ensure comfortable use for years to come.

A cabernet-red office chair with gas lift, a swivel seat and rolling casters offer a perfect seating solution.

Just behind me, a credenza with hutch provide abundant and stylish storage and workspace; arched openings and recessed lighting add to the style.

Many of the office pieces at Colorado Style are available in matching sets; I could add a lateral file cabinet or bookcase in the same style if I wish. I opt for a set of tall apothecary bookshelves; the numerous cubbies make for abundant storage. I picked up a bronze bear cub statue to fill one of the shelves.

A set of leather chairs will face the desk—the exposed, hand-carved walnut complements the wooden desk perfectly. A pen shell lamp with marble base provides task lighting, and an oversized railroad wall clock reminds all of us that time waits for no one!

Look for more posts from the Design Diva, as she works with Colorado Style Home Furnishings to shape the house at 5 Waterside Terrace into a home. For more information on 5 Waterside Terrace, visit www.sandyweigand.denverrealestate.com.

Colorado Style Home Furnishings
2540 E. County Line Rd
Highlands Ranch, CO
303-741-4240
www.coloradostyle.com

Store Hours:
Monday – Saturday
10am – 6pm
Sunday
12pm – 5pm

Tags: bookshelves, Colorado Style Home Furnishings, credenza, desk, home furnishings, home office

Colorado Style Home Furnishings: The Dining Room

September 26, 2011 in Community Pages, Home furnishings by DesignDiva | No comments

I’m having a great time working with Colorado Style Home Furnishings to turn the house at 5 Waterside Terrace in Cherry Hills Village into a home. It’s time to furnish my favorite, the dining room.

I love visiting the Colorado Style showrooms; they are located side-by-side just off University Blvd. and C-470, near Highlands Ranch. An ever-changing inventory of hundreds of pieces, ranging from sofas, chairs and dining room tables to lamps, oil paintings, rugs, and silk flower arrangements make for a pleasant and satisfying walk through the stores.

With the entertaining season just around the corner, and knowing that the dining room is the focal point for so many gatherings, I chose an eight-foot rectangular table with a Tuscan, Old World vibe. It has an aged feel, and an ornate, beautiful pedestal base. No need for a tablecloth here, this table was meant to be seen and used! Happily, I didn’t need to wait weeks for delivery—I was able to have the piece brought to the home right away.

It was tough to choose between the embossed leather chairs or the upholstered style; each featured nailhead trim and classic lines.

Over the table, I placed a magnificent verdi-aged bronze chandelier with seashell light bowls; to my mind, it’s a piece of sculpture that also happens to illuminate the room.

Nearby, a curved-door buffet with ironwork accents stands ready to handle the parties. And the walls are now adorned with hand-painted oils that I chose from the showrooms; the forests and water scenes create a comfortable mood for this space.

Colorado Style Home Furnishings
2540 E. County Line Rd
Highlands Ranch, CO
303-741-4240
www.coloradostyle.com

Store Hours:
Monday – Saturday
10am – 6pm
Sunday
12pm – 5pm

Tags: Colorado Style Home Furnishings, dining room, home furnishings

Colorado Style Home Furnishings: The Living Room

September 8, 2011 in Community Pages, Home furnishings by DesignDiva | No comments

I’m working with the friendly, well-informed staff at Colorado Style Home Furnishings to turn the lovely 6 bedroom, 9 bathroom house at 5 Waterside Terrace in Cherry Hills Village into a home. For this trip, I’m turning my attention to the formal living room. Entering the Colorado Style showrooms near Highlands Ranch, I’m amazed again at the volume and variety of furnishings the store carries. A quick walk between the two showrooms reveals that since my last visit, dozens of new pieces have arrived. This is one of the things I love about the store; each visit is filled with new discoveries.

For the formal living room, I wanted pieces that would warm up the large spaces of the house.

I began with a scalloped-edge sofa, upholstered in nubby chenille. Leather and hand-carved walnut trim, along with a couple of velvet throw pillows, finish this exquisite centerpiece.

Upholstered chairs with open backs, part of the Masterpiece Collection, will help draw guests in to what is typically regarded as a stuffy room; not so in this home! The tailoring on the upholstery is exacting; perfectly aligned stripes make their way across the arms of the piece.

An etched, engraved brass-topped coffee table with walnut trim links nicely to the sofa, while standing alone as a functional, beautiful addition. The oxidized brass will develop a lovely patina over time.

On the wall, a large rosewood and burled mahogany mirror features an intricate mother-of-pearl and brass inlay, weaving in a graceful arc around the oval face of the glass.

A tall burled ash and hickory open bookcase anchors the room; I filled the lighted shelves with objets d’art found inside the store, along with my own books and other treasures.

I add a hand-tufted rug, chosen from the many that adorn the floors in the showroom, to ground the furniture in the room.

Next time: I return to Colorado Style to furnish my favorite, the dining room!

Colorado Style Home Furnishings
2540 E. County Line Rd
Highlands Ranch, CO
303-741-4240
www.coloradostyle.com

Store Hours:
Monday – Saturday
10am – 6pm
Sunday
12pm – 5pm

Tags: bookshelves, coffee table, Colorado Style Home Furnishings, furnishings, furniture, living room, mirror, sofa

Colorado Style Home Furnishings: The Master Bedroom

August 25, 2011 in Community Pages, Home furnishings by DesignDiva | No comments

I’m having a blast working with Colorado Style Home Furnishings to furnish the incredible 6 bedroom, 9 bathroom home at 5 Waterside Terrace in Cherry Hills Village. After completing the living room, I returned to Colorado Style’s two showrooms near Highlands Ranch for inspiration on the master bedroom. Even though I had just been in the store a few days earlier, the new pieces that I saw in the store made it feel like I was coming in to visit for the first time.

The spacious showrooms span across two buildings, with each one filled with a dazzling variety of furnishings. These hand-crafted pieces come from around the world, and display an amazing variety of handicrafts, techniques and finishes. I see wood from around the world; metal surfaces including copper, silver bronze and steel, wrought into imaginative forms; an array of fabrics, from velvet to silk and everything in between. Everywhere in the store, I encounter the unexpected: lamps crafted from ornate patterns of ostrich eggshell, a pair of brass birds poised to take flight, and breathtaking silk floral arrangements are just some of the many exceptional choices in accessories.

For the master bedroom, I opted for a sumptuous mahogany bed; I loved the sweeping lines of the bed and the leather accents, including a brass-raised relief across the headboard. Complementary nightstands were an easy choice.

Colorado Style carries a full selection of bedding, ranging from understated wool and plaid quilts to rich velvet and down comforters. Winter is coming, so I went with plush, comfortable velvet and silk bedding. Come spring, I’ll swing by the store and pick up another set to lighten the look. Across the room, I chose an oversize chaise lounge, upholstered in a cheetah-print fabric and adorned with pillows.

Remember those brass birds I mentioned earlier? They’re part of a exquisite lamp, and now adorn the nightstand. Bring in the dresser I already owned, and voila, the room is complete.

Read along next time as I return to Colorado Style to furnish the formal living room, followed by my favorite, the dining room.

Colorado Style Home Furnishings
2540 E. County Line Rd
Highlands Ranch, CO
303-741-4240
www.coloradostyle.com

Store Hours
Monday – Saturday
10am – 6pm
Sunday
12pm – 5pm

Tags: chaise lounge, Colorado Style Homes Furnishings, furnishings, furniture, Highlands Ranch, lamp, mahogany bed, master bedroom

Colorado Style Home Furnishings: The Family Room

August 11, 2011 in Community Pages, Home furnishings by DesignDiva | No comments

When the time came to furnish the home at 5 Waterside Terrace in Cherry Hills Village, I knew there was only one place to go; my friends at Colorado Style Home Furnishings. The large scale and impressive lines of this 6 bedroom, 9 bath beauty would require that I use high-quality, distinctive pieces throughout, which is precisely what Colorado Style does, and does so well.

Visiting the Colorado Style showrooms near Highlands Ranch, I was amazed by how large the space is. Furnishings fill more than 60,000 square feet in two adjacent buildings that make up the store. Sofas, dining sets, chairs, bookcases, and hundreds of other pieces are arranged throughout the space, making for a comfortable journey of exploration. I also learned that the inventory is constantly evolving, with new items coming in on a daily basis.

And what items they are! Artisans use hand-crafted finishes to create these exquisite pieces, using everything from sand burning to brass etching, “kalahari” leather work to mother-of-pearl and shell inlay, marquetry and leather tooling to lost cast waxing and much more, to fashion wood, metal and stone into functional, beautiful furnishings. Colorado Style buyers travel the world to find these craftsmen and bring their work here to Colorado.

I wanted an inviting, comfortable look for the home’s living room.

My first choice was the “Vanessa,” a three-part leather and upholstery sofa with embossed, bomber-jacket leather and nailhead accents, scalloped edges and hair-on-hide pillows.

A pair of leather-embossed and wood sitting chairs complement the sofa, and I’ll finish the ensemble with swivel chairs, upholstered in the same hair-on-hide as the pillows.

Nearby, an antiqued walnut game table (that comes with handcarved chess pieces) invites a friendly game, and a sofa table made from the same antiqued walnut as the game table sits behind the sofa. I love the fact that the sofa table has two leaves that open out, giving more table top space when it’s needed. A fireside ottoman offers plush seating; it’s available in the showroom in embossed leather, and it’s tempting to purchase it right off the floor (just as I could do with any other piece in the store), however, I think I’ll mix it up and have the ottoman covered in the upholstered fabric from the Vanessa sofa.

A tall bookcase occupies one wall—it’s accented with reverse-painted silver leaf squares, evoking the look of an antique mirror. The hardware was crafted especially for this one-of-a-kind piece.

With a few items of my own added in, the room is complete. Now, I’m headed back to Colorado Style, to find treasures to create the perfect master bedroom.

Colorado Style Home Furnishings
2540 E. County Line Rd
Highlands Ranch, CO
303-741-4240
www.coloradostyle.com

Store Hours:
Monday – Saturday
10am – 6pm
Sunday
12pm – 5pm

Tags: Colorado Style Home Furnishings, furniture

Sit Down to a Mile-High Tea

April 29, 2011 in Food & Dining by DesignDiva | No comments

Maybe it’s this damp spring we’re having, or perhaps it’s all the lovely hub-bub related to the Royal Wedding, but something has got me in a distinctly British frame of mind. More and more lately, I find myself craving a spot of tea instead of my usual latté. But there’s an art to a good afternoon tea, and it’s not one that many of us Yanks have perfected. (You’ve got to have the proper teabags, the proper boiling point, just the right amount of milk, and, of course, the divine indulgence of scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream.)

Now, while I maintain that no one can make a “cuppa” quite like my British grandma, here are some in-town favorites that manage to come awfully close: English Tea Cup (Aurora); The House of Windsor (Lakewood); The House of Commons (Denver); and for tea with all the frills and lace (literally), be sure to visit The Brown Palace for Afternoon Tea.

With all that being said, a list of Colorado Tea Houses would be terribly incomplete if I left out the landmark Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse, which boasts more than 100 different varieties of loose-leaf teas and a stunning building, conceived and decorated by artisans across Tajikistan and then transported and reassembled in our very own Boulder.

For something a bit closer to home, In-Tea, located in Littleton, has become my latest neighborhood haunt. Owner Carol Alvarez and her team are superbly knowledgeable and have an incredible knack for matching a tea (hot or iced) to any mood. With Taste of Denmark pastries on hand, free Wi-Fi and my favorite armchair, it’s a good thing they also offer to-go cups, else I would never leave. (Bonus: be sure to ask the staff to save your tea leaves for a “re-infusion;” those leaves, unlike my one-cup latté, will keep on giving.)

Tags: afternoon tea, Colorado tea, Colorado tea houses, Denver tea houses, English Tea Cup, In-Tea, The Brown Palace Afternoon Tea, The Houes of Commons, The House of Windsor

« Older entries

Articles by DesignDiva

THE BRASS BED: Treat Yourself to Natural Luxury

Landscaping Trends from Phase One Landscapes

Support Small Business Saturday!

Colorado Style Home Furnishings: The Rec Room

Colorado Style Home Furnishings: The Home Office

Colorado Style Home Furnishings: The Dining Room

Colorado Style Home Furnishings: The Living Room

Colorado Style Home Furnishings: The Master Bedroom

Colorado Style Home Furnishings: The Family Room

Sit Down to a Mile-High Tea

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