November events to get the holidays started with gusto

November 3, 2011 in Events by Caroline | No comments

Photo from Q’s Restaurant, Boulder

Design Excellence Day, November 4

Interior design students, you’re invited: Head to the Denver Design District for a full day of design inspiration, including a panel discussion with working design pros and the chance to design a space with products and samples from some of the showrooms. Registration is $10. For more info, click here.

Beaujolais and Beyond Festival, November 17

Lovers of French wine and food will relish the chance to celebrate the season for beaujolais nouveau and sample fare crafted by more than 20 of Colorado’s finest chefs. The event rounds out with a culinary competition, raffle (you might just win a trip for two to Europe) and lively entertainment. Tickets are $65 by November 16 and $75 day of event, which takes place at Denver’s Infinity Park Event Center. For more info, click here.

L’Esprit de Noel Holiday Home Tour & Boutique, November 18-19

For holiday inspiration for table and home, wander through five beautiful residences in Denver’s Morgan’s Addition Historic District. Each is dressed for the season by local florists, designers and other inspired creatives. Tour is $20; boutique is free. For more info, click here.

En Route: Denver, November 18

Join the big celebration of the opening of the Clyfford Still Museum in Denver. Grammy-nominated Denver band, DeVotchKa, will take the stage, and guests will enjoy food while raising a glass to Still’s life and legacy. Tickets start at $125. For more info, click here.

First Bite Boulder, November 11-19

For one week, 40-plus restaurants offer three-course meals for a serious chance to taste the town’s best flavors, and for the palatable price of $26. (Last year’s participating eateries included such favorites as Salt, The Kitchen and Cafe Aion.) For more info, click here.

Discover more of November’s best events at coloradohomesmag.com.



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This Just In: Our annual Entertaining Issue is here!

October 27, 2011 in CH&L magazine, Entertaining, Products We Love by Caroline | No comments

As the holiday season approaches and we ready our nests for gatherings at home, CH&L‘s Entertaining Issue delivers tips and inspiration for styling spaces and decorating rooms. Take style cues from homes featured in the issue:

See how an elegant arrangement of long-collected decorations dress an Englewood home in its holiday best

Browse photos of a ski-in/ski-out retreat near Aspen Mountain, designed by architect Charles Cunniffe

Take pointers from designer Jennifer DesJardin, who whips up a timeless cozy design for a historic Denver home

Of course, it’s prime gift-giving season, too. Click here to go to our annual gift guide, in which the staff at CH&L—and a few friends you may know—share the gifts they’d like to give and receive this year, many of them made right here in Colorado.

We hope you enjoy the issue!

 

 

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Messy to Marvelous: Form and Function

October 21, 2011 in Contests, Home furnishings by Mary | No comments

You might wonder why a designer is necessary for a closet makeover; after all, it’s just a closet! But think about it: unlike a formal living or dining room (spaces for which we regularly hire professional interior designers), we use our closets everyday. And chances are good, more than once a day.

“Designers have the education and experience to create a space that’s both functional and aesthetically pleasing” says Shannon Harris, the designer with Denver-based interior design firm Ashley Campbell who’s working with homeowners Janet and Peter Brophy to transform their closet. “We’re here to guide our clients to make good decisions.”

Ashley Campbell

The closet is now empty and ready for its makeover!

Together with Polly Lestikow of Closet Factory Colorado, Shannon came up with a plan to use the 15 ft x 12 ft space to its best potential. They took into consideration the amount of clothes and shoes the Brophys have and how they use their closet on a daily basis. For example, the Brophys are frequent travelers, which inspired a large island on which suitcases can easily be packed. And instead of just one laundry hamper, a second was incorporated specifically for dry cleaning.

Then comes the fun part: making the space pretty. Shannon says the concept of “Earthy Elegance” was inspired by the adjoining master bath, which had already been remodeled in warm, organic colors and finishes. “Once we got into the space and saw the master bath,” says the designer, “it was easy to envision how the closet should look.”

The finished closet will be revealed in our January/February 2012 issue, but here’s a little sneak peak at some of the elements that will be used to bring the Earthy Elegance concept to life:

Ashley CampbellClockwise from top left: Cabinetry from Closet Factory is creamy white and slightly distressed, adding brightness to the closet. Grasscloth wallpaper from Thibaut softens the walls; a touch of rich red coordinates with the master bath’s wall color. Capco Tile & Stone’s “Oasis” Chroma Quartz that tops the island anchors the space. A flush mount light fixture from Illuminations by Design has an earthy, organic look and will be placed above the island.

Stay tuned for more updates as construction begins!

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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!

Colorado Style Home FurnishingsAn 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.

Colorado Style Home FurnishingsFor 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!

Colorado Style Home FurnishingsWhether 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

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A Day at the Four Seasons Spa

October 19, 2011 in Travel by Jennifer | No comments

Four Seasons SpaA few weeks ago I had the distinct pleasure of taking our Sub-Zero/Wolf client Denise Manu to the spa at the Four Seasons Denver. Every year, Denise and I find an afternoon to celebrate the success of our annual Inspiring Design Conference—a two-day educational event for more than 250 trade professionals hosted at their amazing showroom.

Planning the event is almost a year-round undertaking, so after executing this well-attended event we figured we deserved some spa time. Denise and I both run around like crazy people, so finding an afternoon to enjoy and spoil ourselves is not easy. But on this afternoon, we managed to squeeze a couple of hours out of our day for a little pampering. What a mistake—we should have planned an entire day! The minute we walked into the spa, we discovered we had access to the amazing roof top pool and all the spa amenities, including a relaxation room. Upon this realization we began checking our calendars for a day to go back.  I regret to inform you that we have yet to find a date, and at this rate it may well be after the 5th annual IDC event—but at least I have that to look forward to. And trust me, I am looking forward to it.

Four Seasons Denver SpaIf you are in need of a day of respite  (as I know so many of you are) then run—don’t walk—to the Four Season’s Denver spa. Take a client, friend or loved one, but just make sure you plan to spend an entire day. And for a little more relaxation,  plan to stay for cocktail hour at the hotel’s restaurant and bar, EDGE. I hear that Thursday is the night that the locals stop in, and that it’s the scene in which to be seen. Apparently, high fashion on display, encouraging further “retail therapy”.  I haven’t been, but as soon as I find an outfit worthy of the hype, I’m there.

On a side note, the Inspiring Design Conference was not ALL work. This year’s event featured former football player, motivational speaker and author of Find a Way,  Merril Hoge. I’m a CRAZY football -loving sports fan, so having the opportunity to meet Merril and listen to him speak about surviving cancer and always “finding a way” was wonderful. (I also must admit I have a gigantic crush on Merril.)

So “find a way” to do things you love, including a visit the Four Seasons Denver spa—you deserve it!

Four Season Spa photos by Don Riddle

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Attention all Design Bloggers!

October 17, 2011 in Contests, Design Bloggers' Conference by Mary | No comments

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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For the Weekend: Stuffed poblanos

October 14, 2011 in Food & Dining, Recipes by Caroline | No comments

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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The Denver food scene: What you need to know

October 13, 2011 in CH&L magazine, Food & Dining by Caroline | No comments

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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Foodie Find: Izakaya Den

October 12, 2011 in Food & Dining by Caroline | 3 comments

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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On Our Minds: Five stylish design finds

October 10, 2011 in Design Trends, Home furnishings, Kitchens, Products We Love by Caroline | No comments

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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