LO C A L LOV E · AT HO ME · A R TS & CU LT U R E · DE SI GN VO LU M E 1
C OV E R ART "Talk Denver To Me" by Adam Vicarel and Ashley Joon and "The Twins" by Ladies Fancywork Society
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All information subject to change. If your property is currently listed for sale or lease, this is not intended as a solicitation.
Meet the Bluebird Hi there! We’re Slifer Smith & Frampton — Denver, a small but mighty real estate brokerage full of people who love our community, our jobs, and each other. For a while, we’ve wanted to create a publication that reflects that love and amplifies voices in our community. Bluebird is that publication. When looking for a name, we wanted something reminiscent of Colorado that captured the optimistic, comforting feeling that home and community provide. Enter the bluebird. Bluebirds have long been associated with positivity. In Russian fairytales, the bluebird often serves as a symbol of hope and happiness. In Navajo folklore, it was associated with the rising sun, serving as a reminder to greet the day with optimism. In Ancient French storytelling, it represents a gift shared between neighbors as a way of spreading joy. Here in Colorado, it evokes the skies that frame our state’s love of the outdoors. And, bonus: it’s blue, one of our brand’s core colors. We hope the Bluebird reminds you of the serenity behind that big blue sky and the feeling of walking outside on a sunny Denver day, of the bluebirds flying “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” and the happy contentment of the color blue. Above all, we hope the Bluebird helps you discover some of the goodness in our community and inspires you to share some local love with all those around you. With that, dive on in. Thanks for reading!
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H E L L O, R E A D E R
VO LU M E 1
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The Sustainable Home Transform your home into an eco-friendly oasis
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High Tide Ranch How a family’s dream brought a plot of land to life
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Mango Feta Salad Bring a bit of brightness to your lunch hour
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For the Love of Plants Ten reasons to have them in your home
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The Slifer Book Club Our must-read books of the season
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Home Tour This season’s home design inspiration
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The Street Art of Denver Take a tour, photo-gallery style
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A Matter of Design A glimpse inside MATTER’s design and bookshop
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Ladies Fancywork Society Meet the ladies behind Denver’s crocheted art installations
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AT H O M E
The Sustainable Home Green is a way of living. With more and more sustainable products being developed, many people are turning their search for sustainability inward and focusing on one of the most impactful spaces in our lives: the home. Ready to get started? Here’s a quick room-by-room guide to going green:
The Living Room
The Kitchen
— Go vintage! Why buy new furniture and decor when you can reuse an existing piece? Plus, it is very in style right now to mix old with new.
— Replace sponges and paper towels with biodegradable dish cloths, cloth napkins, and flour sacks.
— Look for blankets and pillows made with organic materials. They use less water and fewer pesticides during production and, bonus, they’re usually cozier, too!
— Next time you run out of tin foil, plastic wrap, or resealable bags, make the swap to their reusable sisters. Wax food wraps and resealable silicone bags are all over the place these days, and they make a big difference in reducing kitchen waste. Tip: Choose a variety of sizes so you always have on hand what you need.
— Install a programmable thermostat to automate your energy usage. (We’re fans of Nest thermostats.) — Situate your most commonly used furniture near windows to take advantage of natural light.
— If you can, reduce food waste by composting. Many areas in Denver now offer composting alongside trash and recycling. Head to bit.ly/ compostdenver to learn more.
The Bedroom — Angle your blinds during the day to reflect the sunlight, keeping your bedroom cool and reducing the need for overnight A/C. — Add dimmers to your most commonly used lights. This saves on energy and helps create softer lighting in the evenings. And, added bonus: it keeps your room cooler for when you sleep. — Choose a natural, organic mattress. They’re more breathable and help reduce production waste. Holy Lamb Organics, Avocado, and The Green Mattress are all great options.
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The Bathroom — Place a small recycling bin in the bathroom to collect toilet paper rolls. — Use reusable bottles for cleaners. Fun fact (or not-so-fun): worldwide, people buy 1.5 billion plastic bottles per day. Companies like Blueland are a great place to start knocking that number down a bit.
Photo by Taylor Simpson
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Photos courtesy of Unsplash.
Here are a few local shops to help up your sustainability game:
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For recycled goods:
For all-natural products:
For the best vintage finds:
Revampt is full of handcrafted goods made from reclaimed and recycled materials, from coasters to wall art to beautifully designed wood furniture that's sure to make an impact on your home.
Eco Mountain Modern Living in Park Meadows has everything from bedding to reusable lunch bags and recycled dishes. They stock products that are all-natural, non-toxic, and essential.
The Rare Finds Warehouse is an incredible vintage and antique store where you’re guaranteed to find classic pieces that are ready for a new life.
Revampt 2601 E 3rd Avenue revamptgoods.com
Eco Mountain Living 8401 Park Meadows Center Drive ecomtn.com
Rare Finds 6500 E Stapleton Drive rare-finds.com
AT H O M E
Mango Feta Salad Get your salad bowl ready! Inspired by blogger Camille Styles, this salad has everything we want in a quick, light lunch. Our team member Jodye gave it a test run and can attest: “The brightness of the fresh herbs and mango give this salad a deliciously light, summery vibe, while the saltiness of the feta and pistachio make it good and earthy. And, it only took 10 minutes to make. Win win!”
What you'll need 2 ripe mangoes 1 ripe avocado 6 oz of feta cheese handful of fresh mint handful of fresh basil handful of chives 1/4 cup of pistachios, shelled and chopped juice of 1/2 lemon 3 tbsp. of olive oil (the good kind) sea salt + fresh-ground black pepper to taste
How to make it happen Wash and dry all produce and grab a big salad bowl. Finely chop the mint, chives, and basil. Dice the mangoes and avocados into bite-size cubes. Mix the herbs, nuts, mangoes, and avocado together in the salad bowl. Sprinkle with feta and pistachios to your liking (we used about ½ cup of each). Toss with juice of ½ lemon and a few teaspoons of olive oil until fully combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste, adding more lemon juice or olive oil if needed. Kick up your feet, grab your favorite iced tea, and enjoy!
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Photo by John Mark Smith
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A R T S & C U LT U R E
The Slifer Book Club Need a good book? Cozy up and dive into one of our team's favorite reads of the season. Here they are:
If you like a page-turner with thrills and twists: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides Set in a mental institution, this book follows a famous painter who has not spoken a word since being accused of murdering her husband. Throughout the book, she slowly reveals details about the crime. Bottom line, we could not put this book down! Expect to read it in one or two sittings—we simply couldn't get enough of this thriller.
If you want to contribute to societal change: So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo Over the past few months, we've been thinking a lot about how we can contribute to positive change and do our best to help in the fight for a better future. We found this book to be a great resource in that it encourages people to have appropriate conversations about our racist history and how to take steps toward a more accepting future.
"We could not put this book down! Expect to read it in one or two sittings—we simply couldn't get enough of this thriller." — O N T H E S I L EN T PAT IE N T
If you like books that tear at your heartstrings: A Woman Is No Man by Etaf Rum This book is a moving portrayal of a Muslim woman's experience in modern society, all based on true stories. It was a powerful look inside the culture and really showed what it’s like to live as a Muslim woman in America.
If you want to read the book, then watch the show: Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng This book is packed with complex topics surrounding familial relationships, women’s rights, race, and wealth in America that are all very relevant right now. Plus, after finishing the book, you can watch the Hulu series starring Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington!
If a good biography is your cup of tea: Educated by Tara Westover This autobiography chronicles the real-life story of Tara, a girl born into a Mormon survivalist family in rural Idaho and her lifelong desire for knowledge. After reading it, we have so much respect for the author and her undeniable strength.
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CL O CK W I S E FRO M T O P L EFT "Theloneous Monk" by Detour | Nocturne Jazz Club "I Am Her" by A.L. Grime | Alley behind Denver Central Market Tribute to health care heroes by Austin Zucchini-Fowler | East Colfax "Larimer Boy/Girl" and collage woman by Jeremy Burns and Elle Street Art | Larimer St. & 27th
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A R T S & C U LT U R E
The Street Art of Denver
Take a tour of our favorite local pieces Denver’s street art scene is known across the country for the vibrant works that fill the walls and alleyways. While each of the city’s eight arts districts have their own spin on public art, RiNo is undoubtedly the most decorated part of town. Thanks in part to the annual CRUSH Walls street art festival, the neighborhood is home to more than 100 pieces of public art. Get a glimpse into the street art of RiNo here, then pop over to the neighborhood to explore for yourself. We recommend starting at Denver Central Market and heading south first, taking an extra loop through the alleyways as you go. There's a handy map on p.16 to get you started.
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The wall below was tagged with the words “RIP George Floyd” during the Black Lives Matter protests. Afterwards, the building’s occupant commissioned a group of artists to incorporate the graffiti tag into a new work of art. The artists added “Be a Good Person” in honor of Darian Simon who survived gun violence earlier this summer. Simon is the founder and owner of the “Be a Good Person” clothing line and has channeled his loss into continuing to spread positivity in our local community. In a powerful act of community supporting community, the colorful mural now honors those lives lost and provides a glimpse of hope for the future.
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A R T S & C U LT U R E
CL O CK W I S E F RO M T O P L EF T "George Floyd" by Detour and Hiero Veiga | East Colfax “Portrait on Our Wedding Day" by artists Chris and Will Krieg | Il Posto Dog by Patrick Kane McGregor | 2737 Larimer Street Classical figure by artist PichiAvo | 3198 Blake Street “Colour Me Lucky” by Patrick Kane McGregor | Erico Motorsports "Be a Good Person" by artists Hiero Veiga, Chelsea Lewinski, Robin “Dread” Munro, Giovannie “Just” Dixon, Connor Ray, and Pulp | 2737 Larimer Street
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Take it all in + find your own favorites We added pit stops so you can make a day of it.
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Start with a coffee to go from Crema, the cafe-in-residence at Denver Central Market.
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Swing into the alley at Backyard on Blake for a sweet snack from The Doughnut Club.
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Pause for lunch from one of the food trucks at Improper City. With the largest patio in Denver, there's plenty of room to take a break.
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Delicious canned wine? Yes please! Say hello to Infinite Monkey Theorem. (We highly recommend their Bellinis too.)
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Snag a fun surprise for a friend—or yourself, we don't judge—from Modern Nomad, our favorite mixed market.
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RiNo's alleys are full of some of our favorite street art and they're not to be missed. Plus, this one drops you right outside the "Be a Good Person" store. Win win!
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A R T S & C U LT U R E
Ladies Fancywork Society The street art group that's brightening the neighborhood
Meet the group of four female artists who are “yarn-bombing” the streets of Denver with their crocheted works of art. These badass street artists have been creating their 3-D “graffiti crochet” installations since 2007 and now have pieces everywhere from RiNo to LoDo to the Vail Valley, with one in the works for the Boulder Public Library. We got to catch up with the ladies behind the yarn and learned all about their crazy-cool street art. Here’s what they had to say: Q: How did the Ladies Fancywork Society get started? A: Our story began in a petri dish in 2007 when a mad scientist, bent on taking over the world, accidentally created us. Unbeknownst to him, our hive mind had a plan of its own: to cover the streets with rainbow crochet yarn vomit! Knowing the world couldn't handle more than four of us, we devoured our creator in one gulp and destroyed the lab. In the decade plus that has passed since we made our escape, we have honed our fiber art skills and have grown into a diabolic art hydra capable of putting together large-scale projects, art shows, and installations. We are the Ladies Fancywork Society, and we are one of a kind. Also, we're fun at parties. (Keep reading—there's more on the next page!)
"Smuggly", the crocheted sculpture in the parking lot of Denver Central Market
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A R T S & C U LT U R E
Q: How has your work evolved over the years? A: Tired of making gloves and hats, we needed a place to put all this crazy crochet output, and the street seemed like a good spot! Over the years, our art has grown bigger, it’s grown more eyeballs, and it’s definitely grown a mind of its own. These monsters just tell us what they want and where they want to be, and we use our hands to make them. Q: Can you tell us a bit about your creative process? A: We start by talking over each other a lot, singing Disney songs really loud, and running around in crazy circles until an idea starts to take shape. After a while, we high-five and go off to our respective houses to crochet for hours and hours and hours until it’s time to come back together to stitch up a yarn creature. Then we use our magic and throw them up on roofs and other structures around Denver. Pretty neat, eh? Q: What inspires your art? A: We’re mainly inspired by all the colors of the rainbow, the time-space continuum, cool bugs that we see hanging out, TV shows about vampires and ancient Mayan calendars, the Botanic Gardens, interesting shapes, coffee, caves, and probably some other things too. Q: What effect do you hope to have with your art? A: We hope our art makes you smile! And think “Wow, how did they do that? They really CAN make any shape!” But mainly we want you to smile a lot. Ladies Fancywork Society ladiesfancyworksociety.com @LadiesFancyworkSociety
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"Our biggest challenge as artists is that our hands constantly hurt! But the best part is that we get to be silly, crazy best friends and produce weird art together." — L A D I ES FA N CYW O RK S O CIE T Y
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All images courtesy of Lady Fancywork Society.
Yarn-covered tree installation located inside Kachina in LoDo's Dairy Block.
MEET THE TEAM
High Tide Ranch Say hello to Scott Leggett, Slifer team lead and broker extraordinaire, and his lovable family ranch
On a small plot of land outside of Erie, Colorado, where the road curves around and the skies open wide, sits the ever-charming High Tide Ranch. For our team’s leader, Scott Leggett, this place is so much more than just a few simple acres. It’s where he spends his first hours every morning, feeding the horses and tending to the land. It’s where he brings his cattle dogs to run around with their donkey pal, Stuart Little. And, one day, it’s where he plans to build his dream home. Ever since his family first bought the land, they’ve had big dreams for this place. Scott’s wife, Ann, has always had a passion for animals—particularly horses—and finds herself naturally connecting to the love, strength, and healing they provide. Years ago, she rescued a horse named Leo from a slaughter lot, and the two formed a unique and touching bond. When they had the opportunity to build a home for Leo and their new horse, Ranger, it was a no-brainer, and High Tide Ranch was born. Together with their daughter Jordan and son Nic— an architect, designer, and beloved member of our brokerage team—the Leggett family designed a plan to turn the land into a full-fledged ranch. Nic created all the blueprints, including the masterfully designed garden plot, and Scott got right to work, hand-building everything from the barn to the irrigation system. Jordan lends a hand to Scott with the seemingly endless list of building and 22
maintenance projects and specializes in making delicious goodies from the garden harvests. Over the years, their vision of High Tide Ranch came to life, and the possibilities surrounding this simple plot of land blossomed. As it did, we’ve loved watching their family come together to lend their strengths to the creation of a whole new little world. That’s the kind of micro-community we’re all about.
"High Tide Ranch has become what it is today because of one animal—a horse named Leo—who came off a slaughter lot and was rescued by Ann. She saved his life, and he, in turn, has saved hers. It’s all for the love of Leo." — S CO T T LE GGE T T
Today, the Leggett family is experimenting with small-scale organic farming on the land, growing everything from napa cabbage and Anasazi tomatoes to cucumbers and dill (a natural pairing for the perfect pickle). And, with future plans to build a home there, there is still so much to come. Follow along with them on Instagram at @hightideranchcolorado to see how everything evolves. Who knows, you just might get inspired to build a little something of your own.
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Photo by Minh Pham
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AT HOME AT H O M E
For the Love of Plants The benefits of caring for house plants
Let’s talk about plants. For years, both botanists and health experts have touted the benefits of having greenery at home. They are numerous, from improved cognitive function and creativity to stress reduction. No wonder why we love them so much. We could go on for pages, but to start, here’s a look at the top 10 reasons it’s worth adding a few to your home:
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They’re good for your mental health. Plants are known to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and improve your overall mood. They help cultivate our sense of agency. They remind us that we have an impact on the world around us and can empower us to embrace agency in all areas of our lives.
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They purify the air. Snake plants, spider plants, peace lilies, and Chinese evergreens are known for their ability to cleanse the air of toxic chemicals found in many household products like paint, vinyl, and solvents.
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They increase humidity. In Colorado, this is particularly helpful. Increased humidity in the home can help protect us against respiratory problems, sore throats, cold, fatigue, and dry skin. (Aloe vera is a great plant for this.)
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They help you sleep better. Plants like lavender, aloe vera, jasmine, and gardenia have a gentle soothing effect that can contribute to a good night's rest.
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They help you breathe. Plants produce oxygen and humans need oxygen—a perfect match! Look for orchids, succulents, and epiphytic bromeliads to help increase your oxygen intake overnight. (They photosynthesize while you sleep.) They can improve your physical health. Studies have shown that plants can help lower blood pressure, clear congestion, ward off illness, and improve recovery. They help you focus. House plants are a natural way to help improve cognition, concentration, attention span, and productivity, increasing memory retention by up to 20% and attentiveness up to 70%. They teach us how to nurture. As they grow, they require careful love and care, constantly showing us how to learn and adapt to their needs. They make great décor. Plants are timeless, so no matter what design trends do, they will always be in style.
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DESIGN
Home Tour
This season's home design inspiration We love interior design, and every once in a while, we come across a home that is so effortlessly designed that we can’t help but get inspired. Join us as we tour this cozy Denver home, full of all the color palettes, organic shapes, and natural materials that design dreams are made of.
Above: The home's simple, earthy color palette and soft white walls create a neutral background that allows little pops of color—like the red pillows—to really stand out. Right: Hanging a framed piece of art on the swoon-worthy archway adds an element of interest in an often overlooked space.
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Matching wood tones provides a cohesive look and feel to the modern living space.
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We're loving this touch of modern Scandinavia in the dining room. Hygge, here we come!
DESIGN
Plants like this oversized fern are a great way to fill awkward corners and make a room feel complete.
We're obsessed with these archways. Architectural features like this create depth and interest that immediately add character to a space.
Design inspiration courtesy of 2390 Zenobia Street, one of our recent listings in the Highlands neighborhood. Sold by Lindsay McBride. Photos by Tahvory Bunting of Denver Image Photography.
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L O C A L L OV E
A Matter of Design An inside look at MATTER, our new favorite shop in town Take a drive down Market Street between 21st and 22nd and you can’t miss the Shop at MATTER. Its colorful façade is far and away the most vibrant on the block. And, as we discovered when we sat down with owners Rick Griffith and Debra Johnson, so are the people and purpose behind it. Q: Tell us a little bit about MATTER. What kind of a shop is it? A: MATTER is many things. We're a design studio, a print shop, and a bookstore, and we place a significant focus on design and education. Before COVID-19, Rick traveled to universities around the world to teach and inspire the next generation of designers, and that's become a very meaningful part of our work here. The bookshop is where we sell the things we design, make, and print, as well as a tightly curated collection of books and gifts from our travels. Q: Do you design all of the prints in-house? A: Yep! Rick is the design director and master printer at MATTER. We both have decades of graphic design experience and have worked with great local companies like Novo and Super Mega Bien. Our prints have been a great way to combine creativity with purpose-driven messaging to create prints that impact our community. Q: How do you print the designs? A: We use any one of our 19th- and 20th-century presses. We have a large press in the bookstore from 1951 and smaller ones stationed back in the printshop which date back to 1895. Most of our prints are made by combining old wood type letters from the 1850s with new plates we make right here in the shop with our laser cutter. Q: And what's your role, Debra? A: I curate the bookstore, update the website, manage our small team, work one-on-one with recommendations for educators and book clubs,
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"June 1 was the day that our internet sales spiked dramatically. Nearly every title by a black author or about antiracism sold out in about two hours … Since then, we've figured out how to stay ahead of demand. When we were recently recommended in O Magazine, we were ready. Thanks, Oprah!” — D EBRA J O H N S O N
and handle all things customer-facing. We stock books and products that are focused on topics we care a lot about—what we call "resistancefocused"—things like justice, feminism, antiracism, LGBTQIA, and history. We also always stock plenty of gifts, home goods, stationery, and other quirky and relevant things made by people and businesses we love, both local and from our travels. Q: What was this past summer like for your shop? A: As a black-owned bookshop, we experienced an outpouring of support since the murder of George Floyd, on both a city-wide and national level. June 1 was the day that our internet sales spiked dramatically. Nearly every title by a black author or about antiracism sold out in about two hours. We take our responsibility to provide educational materials to our community seriously and hold tremendous gratitude for those who want to participate in this racial equity wave that is permeating the country. Since then, we've figured out how to stay ahead of demand. When we were recently recommended in O Magazine, we were ready. Thanks, Oprah! Shop at MATTER shopatmatter.com @shopatmatter 2134 Market Street
MATTER Studio morematter.com @matterdesign
All images courtesy of MATTER.
L O C A L L OV E
Photos courtesy of MATTER
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