When I took over as editor in chief of Colorado Homes & Lifestyles this past February, one of my first official duties was to attend the first annual Design Bloggers Conference in Los Angeles, presented by our parent company NCI’s DesignSherpa program. The sold out conference was THE event of the year for design bloggers.

And as we gear up for the 2012 conference, we have exciting news to share—we just learned that One Kings Lane is sponsoring a Design Bloggers Scholarship Program! That means all you design bloggers out there should stop what you’re doing and enter to win a trip to the conference in L.A. this coming February. The scholarship will be awarded to five worthy bloggers, giving them the opportunity to attend the Design Bloggers Conference.

The Rules

  • Design Bloggers who have been regularly posting for six months or more are eligible
  • Applicants are asked to describe their blog, their financial need pertaining to the conference, and why they are deserving of sponsorship
  • The scholarships will be awarded through a committee selection process based on the above mentioned focus criteria
  • Winners of the scholarship will receive a free conference pass
  • We will accept applications for the scholarships through November 15, 2011
  • Winners will be announced on December 1, 2011
  • The winners will also be invited to submit a guest blog to appear on the Design Bloggers Conference website profiling how they got started, their blog, and their aspirations
  • Entries should be sent via email to scholarship@design-bloggers-conference.com

The Design Bloggers Conference will take place at the Millennium Biltmore in LA from February 26-28, 2012. For more information, visit design-bloggers-conference.com and www.onekingslane.com.

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Our friends at Denver’s Blue Bonnet Cafe—South Broadway’s spot for casual, tasty Mexican eats—were generous enough to open up their recipe box and share old Mexican family secrets for making stuffed poblanos. This recipe comes from Luis Galvez’s family (natives of Durango, Mexico), who teamed up with Marci and Gary, owners of Blue Bonnet, to translate this simple-but-oh-so-good dish (that’s also gluten-free).

Another perk: the recipe can be made entirely out of Colorado produce and products. Just swing by the farmers’ market one last time before the season winds down and load up on peppers, grab your favorite local dairy’s sour cream and cheddar cheese, and get cooking.

Stuffed Poblanos
Serves six

8 green poblano peppers
1 red bell pepper
1 large yellow onion
2 cups sour cream (Robinson Dairy recommended)
2 cups cooked sweet corn (Olathe is the best)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (any local dairy)
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
Cooked protein if desired, such as beef, chicken or fish

1. Roast the poblanos and red bell pepper in the oven directly on the rack at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes until the skins on the vegetables turn black. This can also be done over an open flame on the grill.
2. Remove the charred skins of the vegetables. Wear gloves for this step to avoid getting any spice in your eyes. (Rubbing the skins enhances the flavors.) Slice one long cut into all of the poblano peppers to remove the vein along with all the seeds and the top.
3. Place 6 of the poblanos on a baking sheet with the slits to the side for easy stuffing.
4. Cut the remaining 2 poblanos and red bell pepper into thin strips.
5. Chop the onion into strips and sauté in olive oil in a medium-size pot until translucent.
6.  Add the poblano and red bell pepper strips along with the 2 cups cooked corn, 2 cups sour cream, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 2 teaspoons black pepper and cook on stove in pot for 8 to 10 minutes.
7. Remove mixture from heat and stuff into the slits of the poblano peppers. Add a cooked protein into the poblano peppers, if desired. Luis adds, “If it doesn’t look messy, it’s not good! The messier the better!”
8. Layer a few sprinkles of cheese on each of the poblanos and pop back in the oven at 350 degrees until the cheese on top melts. Garnish with sour cream if desired.


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Cuisine in Denver—and beyond—has been gaining some serious cred. Here’s the short list of tips for savoring the restaurant scene, and visit coloradohomesmag.com for our complete guide.

Savor the savings (discreetly): Ask Miss Manners: it’s one thing to brandish your Groupon, another to have 30 percent inconspicuously taken off your bill. The website savored.com, which just hung its virtual shingle in Denver, does exactly that, charging a $10 reservation fee, but then awarding a 30 percent discount on everything you order at participating restaurants, including cocktails. The EatDenver Deck of gift cards is no slouch in the bargain department either: for $52, it includes 52 $10 cards that can be redeemed at participating locally-owned restaurants.

For extreme locavores: Farm-to-table cuisine means chefs are growing the vegetables, raising the animals, even milking the cows themselves at the restaurant farm. It may sound like “The Farmer in the Dell,” but this is highly sophisticated food: cutting out the middleman makes for ultimate freshness and puts a premium on letting the ingredients speak for themselves. Potager in Denver produces its herbs directly on the premises, and Fruition serves up produce and cheese from its own ten-acre farm in Larkspur.

Taking it to the streets: The mobile movement has hit Denver with a vengeance: from cupcakes to caviar, serving food through a truck window has gained serious cred. Track down Pinche Tacos for irresistible taco urges, Brava Pizzeria Della Strada for recurring pizza visions, or the Biscuit Bus when the winds of nostalgia blow.

A new green standard: That’s the mission of Eat Greener Denver, a collaboration of independent Denver restaurants committed to reducing their collective and individual impact on the environment. The green dream team—14 restaurants and counting—targets a different aspect of wastefulness each month.

Click here for the complete guide to Denver’s restaurant scene.

Text by Elizabeth Marglin; above photo by Marc Piscotty for ChoLon Bistro; below photos by Jenna Walker Photographers.

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I’ve been a longtime fan of Denver’s Sushi Den along quaint Old South Pearl Street (cravings spontaneously strike for their kobe beef roll) and so I was excited to taste the fare at Sushi Den‘s younger-sister restaurant, Izakaya Den, in the family of restaurants owned by the Kizaki brothers.

At this Japanese gastropub—which was bumping for a Wednesday night—the menu is designed for sharing, and share we did: tempura sushi rice cake with spicy tuna, butter basted halibut, short ribs with sauteed mushrooms, a sampling of the house’s best sashimi.

The food was stellar: thoughtful, but not overdone; interesting flavor pairings with a multinational twist, yet familiar and comforting.

And when you go, you’ll get your design fix, too. The restaurant was created by Japanese architects and craftsmen who paired traditional Asian elements with contemporary fixings. (Case in point: Large Japanese lanterns meet contemporary tables and custom-made chairs.)

Large-scale Asian-inspired chandeliers add drama, drama, drama.

Japanese prints cloak the walls.

And it all only adds to the main event: the food.

A tip: Go for the halibut. Lemon, capers, garlic, tomatoes, olives and buttery, perfectly done fish—it’s the right blend of flavors and portion for just $13.

And for dessert? Try the homemade banana cream pie. So simple, so decadent, better than your grandma makes it.

Izakaya Den, 1518 S. Pearl Street, Denver, Colorado 80210, izakayaden.net.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Clockwise, from top left:

Farmhouse Sink Redux

Concrete has become a go-to material for those looking for modern, eco-friendly countertops. Now Waterworks is using a sustainable concrete material to reinterpret the farmhouse apron sink: Made from post-industrial waste materials, the charcoal bar sink is available with or without a drain board. waterworks.com

For the Love of Food and Art

Stylish, high-tech range hoods have been all the rage for several years, but Italian manufacturer Futuro Futuro, known for its innovative, high-end hoods, has upped the ante with The Murano Collection. These designer hoods feature a wraparound, illuminated glass cover infused with unique patterns, such as “Autumn,” pictured above. futurofuturo.com

Smith on Style

Legendary designer Michael S. Smith—the man who transformed the Obama White House—is sharing his genius with the rest of us in his new book, Michael S. Smith Kitchens and Baths. Readers will get an in-depth look at Smith’s process through three case studies—Beach, City/Urban and Country—and dozens of spectacular examples. rizzoliusa.com

Kitchen Couture

After years of collecting vintage 20th-century aprons, Helena Steele decided it was high time to refashion the garment as a hostess must-have. Along with her daughter, Claire, Helena started Jessie Steele (named for her grandmother), an apron design company offering retro yet modern pieces in graphic, colorful fabrics. jessiesteele.com

Pretty Chill

Elevate your wine to an art form while keeping it cool with The Element Wine Chiller by Snowmass-based ceramic artist Michael Wisner, whose works have appeared in museums throughout the country, including the Smithsonian. Limited edition set: $400 for the chiller and four coasters. michaelwisnerpottery.com

 


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Our Messy to Marvelous contest winners, Janet and Peter Brophy, have been busy working with Ashley Campbell designer Shannon Harris choosing flooring, wall and window coverings, lighting fixtures and all the small details that will result in a beautiful, organized closet. As these final decisions are made and products are ordered, Janet’s been tackling another part of the process: sorting through clothes, shoes and accessories and making decisions about what stays and what goes.

Style consultant Liz Finkelstein of Mile High Style helped with the process by showing Janet how to create a new look with the pieces that will remain.

Mile High Style”I help clients with their style by showing them where they’re going wrong with their buying and where they’re wasting money,” Liz explains. “I identify the missing pieces from their wardrobe that, once purchased, will allow much greater use of what they already have. I then put together a list of head-to-toe outfits, incorporating both the new and old. The problem of ‘what to wear’ disappears.”

Janet had already whittled down her clothes, so she and Liz focused on her shoes, jewelry and accessories. “In identifying each client’s particular style, I look for things they like and collect. Janet has a collection of fabulous pashminas from her travels abroad. They add color, pattern and an elegant touch to any basic outfit. Since she was drawn to them and had so many, I thought that would be a great jumping off point, something to build outfits around.”

Mile High StyleAfter sorting through Janet’s pashminas and accessories—including her costume jewelry—Liz showed her different ways to wear those colorful scarves and pair them with basic pieces, creating new outfits Janet didn’t even know she had.

“I love color and pattern, but it has to be done in careful balance with things that are neutral and basic. For Janet, we talked about classic pieces like good-fitting jeans, a crisp white button-down shirt, black heels, a navy blazer. She can then bring fun and bold accessories into her outfits without overpowering them by too many details.”

And how did Janet feel about her new look? “It was a lot of fun,” she says. “Liz came up with all these different combinations using what I have,” says Janet. “I got a lot of great tips for using my accessories. I plan on getting a few of the basic pieces she recommends and seeing how it feels.”

Next up: We’ll talk to Ashley Campbell designer Shannon Harris to learn about some of the finishes and materials she and Janet selected to create this dream closet!

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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.

Colorado Style Home FurnishingsAfter 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.

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

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

Colorado Style Home FurnishingsMany 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!

Colorado Style Homes Furnishings

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

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Celebrate the Colorado harvest: The foodie favorite Harvest Week is back, and this year the event moves out of Denver restaurants and into The GrowHaus, where local chefs will be crafting meals out of Colorado’s bounty of produce and products. Kicking it off with a Sunday brunch, five different teams of chefs will create an exciting multi-course meal that draws upon the flavors of one of Colorado’s signature local ingredients: pork, lamb, beef or bison.

The line-up of talent is robust (culinary gurus from Snooze, ChoLon, Encore, Root Down and more will rub elbows in the kitchen) and the menu is mouth-watering, featuring dishes like zucchini and goat cheese fritters and braised bison short rib ravioli. Better yet, each meal is paired with local wine, beer and spirits. Tickets start at $50. Photo provided by Duo Restaurant

Step inside Boulder art studios: Get to know galleries of all stripes and hunt for the perfect piece of art during Open Studios Fall Artist Tour, October 1-2 and 8-9 from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm, at participating art galleries throughout Boulder. Catch the preview exhibition, featuring one work by each artist, on display at the Boulder Public Library now through the end of the event. Dawn by Spencer Hurwitz, pictured above. For more info, click here.

 

Mingle with the CH&L editors: Designers and architects, this one’s for you. We invite you to round up photos of your best work and head to top Denver tile showroom Capco Tile & Stone, October 20 from 3:30-7:30 pm, for a chance to “speed date” with the CH&L editors. Put your projects on our radar, sip cocktails and browse the beautiful showroom, all in an evening. For more info, click here.

Don’t miss more of October’s hottest happenings at coloradohomesmag.com. Click here to browse our online events calendar, updated weekly.

 

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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.

dining roomI 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.

Colorado Style Home Furnishings tableIt was tough to choose between the embossed leather chairs or the upholstered style; each featured nailhead trim and classic lines.

Colorado Style Home FurnishingsOver 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.

Colorado Style Home Furnishings chandelierNearby, 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 buffetLook 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

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With Closet Factory and Ashley Campbell working hard on the closet design, our Messy to Marvelous closet makeover winners Janet and Peter Brophy embarked on perhaps the most difficult (and most important) aspect of this remodel: sorting through everything in the master closet and deciding what should stay and what must go.

Sheryl Hadley and Kim Link of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), Colorado Chapter arrived bright and early to help with this overwhelming project. Their mission: to remove everything from the master bedroom closet that was not clothing or shoes. The Brophys had items such as rolled-up area rugs, unused lamps and lots and lots of luggage in the closet. “Items like these that are seldom used,” says Sheryl, “should be stored elsewhere, such as a basement or garage.”

The foursome started with the luggage. The Brophys had no less than nine large suitcases, four carry-on bags and a myriad of dufflebags and totes in their closet. Frequent travelers, they wanted to keep a few within easy reach. After lots of discussion, it was decided that they would each keep one large and one carry-on case and get rid of the rest. Two large cases were given to a college-bound daughter; several older bags were donated. A few, past their prime, were simply tossed. Once this first big project was done, a visibly excited Janet said, “Wow! Let’s keep going!”

And they certainly kept going. Next up was Janet’s impressive collection of wrapping paper, gift bags, tissue paper and ribbon. It seemed that Janet had kept the paper or bag from every gift she’d every received. With Sheryl and Kim’s help, she whittled the collection down to what would fit into one medium-sized box. They sorted out (and recycled) all the paper and bags that were crumpled or torn, then separated the Christmas-themed items from the general holiday-themed ones. It didn’t take long to fill up a garbage bag.

And when they were done, they had nice, neat stacks of bags, paper and labels that would fit into one manageable box.

As the team sorted through other items, deciding what to keep, sell, donate, recycle or trash, Sheryl was on her smart phone, looking at eBay to get an idea of what items (like a stack of Peter’s old comic books) had enough value to sell. “It’s easy to do some quick online research,” says Sheryl. It’s also important to be realistic about if you’re really going to have that garage sale or take the time to list things on an online auction site. And check with the IRS; sometimes the deduction allowance for donated items is better than what you can make selling them.

It didn’t take long before Janet and Peter were in the groove of cleaning out and letting go. Janet actually said, “This is so much fun!” Peter seemed happy, too, wondering aloud if we could move to the basement next.

Stay tuned for more updates—and photos—from the field. Up next: Janet and Peter work with Liz Finkelstein of Mile High Style to sort through all those clothes and shoes. You won’t want to miss it!

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