RIVERFRONT PARK
A Community of Women
With this month being our women’s issue (and my personal favorite issue of the year), I have been thinking a lot about the women in my life. All the way from the day I was born until today, relationships with the women in my life have contributed to shaping who I am in all different realms of my life, as a daughter, sister, niece—and as a photographer, business owner, and editor.
I was born into a family that has always honored our matriarch, my Granny. She has shown us what it means to be a leader and a strong businesswoman, all while mothering and passing these traits down to her seven daughters (and four sons). One of her mottos that has stuck with me was, “The More the Merrier.” She lived by this and always had an open-door policy, and in turn she always made building a community a priority.
Women are natural community builders, and I don’t know where I would be without my community of women.
For this year’s women’s feature, we asked each woman to bring an item that is important to them. This could be a tool of their trade, a note from their grandmother, a sentimental photo, a book they learned from, or it could be as silly as a favorite koozie. We quickly learned that every one of these items always tied back to a person or a community that has been by their side. No matter the accomplishments or things you have in your life, we wouldn’t be anywhere without a trusted community of women behind us.
KELSEY HUFFER, EDITOR @CHERRYCREEKLIFESTYLE
October 2024
PUBLISHER
Andy Manz | amanz@citylifestyle.com
MANAGING EDITOR
Kate Manz | kmanz@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Chantel Ellerington chantel.ellerington@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Kelsey Huffer | kelsey.huffer@citylifestyle.com
COPY EDITOR
Tony Firestine | anthonyjfirestine@gmail.com
INTERNS
Millie D'Souza | millie.dsouza@citylifestyle.com
Edson Graycar | edson.graycar@citylifestyle.com
SALES DIRECTOR
Andy Manz | amanz@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Meredith Rowe, Colin Gbolie, Grace Adele Boyle, Emily O'Brien
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Poppy & Co. by Kelsey Huffer, From the Hip Photo, Shawn Gavlick, EB Combs, Ian Warren, Jo Babb
Corporate Team
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman
LAYOUT DESIGNER Eva Tucker
inside the issue
city scene
1-7: Held on July 13, more than 500 people attended the Denver Union Station 10th Anniversary Gala, which raised funds for more than 30 Colorado non-profits. Photography by Rudy Ortega
1-7: The 2024 Summer Smash Fine Arts Festival—hosted in the epicenter of the Cherry Creek North District: Fillmore Plaza—was a highly enjoyable weekend for the CCN Community & fine art aficionados! Attendees immersed themselves in exquisite art whilst indulging in sounds of classy cello, piano, and acoustic music. We’ll see everyone in 2025 for their Spring (June) & Summer (August) Shows!
Photography by Anthony Constantino Jr.
business monthly
Leven Expands with New Catering Facility
Leven Deli Co. has opened a new 11,800-square-foot catering facility called Breadquarters. The space, which is only open to the public for catering pick-up orders, will allow Leven to grow its catering business and its footprint of Denver restaurants with Leven Supply and Leven opening in late 2024 and 2025. Leven continues to produce its own scratch-made baked goods and naturally leavened (sourdough) breads for its award-winning sandwiches.
$950 | ALL INCLUSIVE
PRIVATE CONSULT WITH ALEJANDRO GAETA, CREATIVE DIRECTOR
SKETCH | IMPORTED SILK FABRIC FROM ITALY ALL FITTINGS AND ALTERATIONS
Colorado’s RoseBud Ice Cream Company Delivers Great Days
RoseBud Ice Cream company, founded right in the heart of Denver, has always helped make a bad day good and a good day great with its super-premium, American-style ice cream. As summer comes to an end, make sure to pick up a pint of America’s best ice cream—and don’t forget to keep an eye out for an exciting pouch of innovation coming to retailers across the country in 2025!
Colorado Eye Consultants welcomes board-certified and ASOPRS fellowship trained ophthalmologist, Dr. Carl Rebhun, specializing in Oculofacial Plastic Surgery. His extensive training has helped him to establish his reputation as a highly skillful surgeon who utilizes the latest and most innovative techniques, to obtain exceptional, natural looking results. This approach, along with a compassionate bedside manner and dedication to helping others, has led Dr. Rebhun to help his patients achieve their medical and cosmetic goals through both surgical and non-surgical procedures. To learn more, or to schedule a consultation, please contact us at (303) 730-0404.
Women Shaking Up the Denver Scene
ARTICLE BY MEREDITH ROWE | PHOTOGRAPHY
BY POPPY & CO. BY KELSEY HUFFER
Unlike previous generations, very few people today stay in one career until retirement. There are lots of pivots and opportunities to start again, especially if you strike out on your own or take the helm in a new industry. That’s exactly what each of these female founders and executives did, using their experience to solve problems and create new opportunities for connection in their communities. Each brought an item that inspires them, whether it’s what got them started or what keeps them going, day after day.
EXECUTIVE CHEF & OWNER, OLIVE & FINCH
After spending years structuring bonds and trading commodities, Mary Nguyen realized the work, while intellectually stimulating, was not her true passion. Cooking for friends and hosting dinner parties eventually led her to decide to become a chef and restaurateur, combining a love of cooking and making people feel at home. For Nguyen, there’s nothing better than seeing smiles on her guests’ faces and bringing people together.
Nguyen also loves helping her team grow and find their own path in the industry. Over the last few years, she’s watched more women, especially women of color, break into new fields
by emphasizing collaboration over competition and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. She’s proud to be part of that change, mentoring and lifting up the next wave of chefs and creating spaces where everyone is heard and respected. She brought a photo of her parents when they first arrived in the US with her siblings as refugees from Vietnam. These photos are a constant reminder of what can be achieved through sheer determination—and they’re part of what drives her to keep the menu fresh and to open new Olive & Finch locations, with Union Station and the Denver Performing Arts Complex (DPAC) up next.
CO-FOUNDERS, POPLIGHT
Hate the big light? You’re not alone. Shark Tank veterans Rose and Caroline Matthes created a stick-on, rechargeable light that makes installing wall lighting easy for everyone. They were inspired to create the business when they moved into an 1890s house and wanted to install wall sconces in their bedroom. This proved more difficult and expensive than they’d anticipated, and after researching stick-on options, they realized the product they wanted didn’t exist—yet.
Rose Matthes loves working with their product design team to integrate customer
feedback into improving Poplight, and Caroline Matthes has built their brand’s visual identity. They are each other’s business and life partners and have worked really hard to find a work-life balance that works for both of them. They have also found an incredible community of female founders who have helped them think through difficult problems and have kept them grounded in what matters most. They brought a note from Rose Matthes’ grandparents who are her inspiration in life.
When people ask Mary Allison Wright what she does, she says she owns a bar with her husband—but it’s so much more than that. She worked various roles in restaurants and even toured with bands before finding herself gravitating towards Denver’s burgeoning food and drink scene. Now, she’s the co-owner of Yacht Club, the anti-club club where all are welcome, and the co-owner of Door Prize, a meat & three pop-up concept. Her goal, night after night, is to make sure her guests are having a good time and feel at home—or as she says, her main role is keeping the vibes and (natural) wine flowing.
While she’s seen a huge shift towards inclusion in the last ten years in hospitality and beyond, she sees it as her responsibility, and all of ours, to stay on top of it, open more doors, and bring more chairs to the table. Wright truly welcomes everyone to Yacht Club. They’re open every day but Tuesday, so there’s no need to wait until the weekend to come have fun. Wright brought her Robert’s Western World Koozie because it’s always on her person. Robert’s has been a big inspiration for her establishments, so it’s a teeny tiny true north that keeps her teeny tiny hands from getting cold and her drink from getting warm.
CO-OWNER, YACHT CLUB
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SAME CAFÉ DENVER
After training at Le Cordon Bleu and working her way up to Executive Chef at Table 6, Carrie Shores brought her experience to the non-profit space where she now serves as Executive Director of SAME Café Denver. The participation-based restaurant provides access to healthy, nourishing food by contributing what you can, whether that’s time, money, or produce—and it’s now used nationally to help with food insecurity. Shores finds power in SAME’s ability to provide access to a healthy meal and to invite people to make an impact in their community.
Shores has spent her entire life in the food world, starting from a young age when she’d cook and garden with her grandmother. She still loves to garden and is excited about the fall goodies she’s harvesting. Her wife, children, and family are her biggest support system, and she brought a teddy bear from a Susan G Komen race to honor her aunt who died from breast cancer at 43. This bear reminds her of the strength and courage her aunt showed up with, even on the darkest of days.
FOUNDERS, HI NEIGHBOR
In a city that’s become so transient, Rayna Kingston and her co-founder, Olivia Rogine, have made it their goal to connect people. Each month, they host an event in a different Denver neighborhood with the goal of bringing neighbors together. They believe that the more you know about where you live, the more respect and care you’ll have for it, so before each event, they’ll deep-dive into the history and share that with the attendees.
For both Rogine and Kingston, this is a second job, and finding time in their schedules can be a difficult endeavor. They also prioritize spending
time together as friends outside of the business, and the rule is whoever mentions Hi Neighbor first has to buy that round of drinks. Ultimately, the success stories of bringing new friends together keep them going as each month they strive to make Denver less lonely.
Kingston brought their stickers because, as a business that travels each month, they don’t have many tangible items. They give these stickers out at every event to show off their creativity and playfulness and to bring new neighbors into the community. This month, their event will be at the Golden Mill on October 30—customers are encouraged!
In her work as a real estate agent, Diana Whitcomb saw an opportunity in the market to provide more support and services outside of the traditional brokerage model. She’s never been someone with a rigid ten-year plan but instead follows her gut to create her own path and, in this case, her own company.
Everyone has self-doubt, and Whitcomb is no different. However, a childhood focused on sport and competing at an elite level taught her discipline, consistency, and dedication from a young age. She represented Team USA at the 2008
Olympics and brought her shoes from the opening and closing ceremonies. They remind her of the work she put in to earn that spot and that she’s more than capable of doing hard things.
If you have a yearning to do something, create something, or be something, Whitcomb would like to encourage you to act. Follow your gut. It’s something we all hear from time to time, but sometimes it comes at just the right moment. There’s so much joy in creating and being on your journey, and Whitcomb thinks that’s what this life is all about.
FOUNDER, WILO COLLECTIVE
OWNER, ELEMENT79
Right out of college, Carol Ferguson worked in pharmaceutical sales. It was a safe job that paid well, but she’d always loved making things with her hands and eventually worked her way back to it. Now she runs Element79, a designer-based, contemporary jewelry store that offers repairs and vintage jewelry, as well as the designs of Ferguson and 60 to 70 other artists. She loves getting to be a part of life’s celebrations, from marriages and new babies to anniversaries and birthdays. Ferguson describes the work as unique, creative, and beautiful—as personal as an adornment as a tattoo would be for some people.
Because of the nature of the business, safety is one of her top concerns, and she’s had to invest in their space to protect staff, customers, and inventory in recent years. One expense that’s come down recently is lab-grown diamonds, sapphires, and emeralds. They’re a third of the price of natural stones and invite designers to take more risks. Ferguson brought some of these showstoppers, and this month, she’s putting on a Bridal Event featuring Todd Reed, Artemer, and Dana Bronfman, as well as lab-grown diamonds and eternity bands.
FOUNDER & CEO, SISTAIN
While creating a registry for her wedding, Jaclyn Tracy attempted to choose high-quality, timeless products that were also non-toxic and ethically and sustainably made. This turned out to be much harder than she imagined and led her to create SISTAIN, a sustainable home goods marketplace enabling non-toxic living. SISTAIN stands for “Sisters in Sustainability,” because women hold 80% of all consumer buying power. She thinks it’s time that female consumers take control of that power to raise standards by voting with their dollar. Tracy has a passion for creating change. Before
founding SISTAIN, Tracy worked in marketing, advertising and politics, and she could one day imagine lobbying in DC for environmental and chemical regulation.
For Tracy, the hardest part of this business is wearing so many hats, switching from analyst to saleswoman to creative. She loves the community she’s cultivated and the artists she collaborates with. She brought one of their matcha bowls, created with local artist Andi Kilness and sold exclusively at SISTAIN, including their new store in Cherry Creek! “
OWNER, BUCKLEY HOUSE OF FLOWERS
Drawing from her interior design background, Paulina Buckley loves the challenge of transforming spaces with flowers. Despite operating from a storefront the size of a cargo van, her bold, unique designs have helped this one-woman business thrive in Denver’s floral scene. Tucked inside Leever’s Locavore, she creates grab-and-go bouquets for shoppers while crafting architectural arrangements for weddings, events, and private clients. Buckley brought her favorite flower clippers. She’s armed with them wherever she goes,
just in case inspiration strikes—unless it’s the airport, of course.
Over the years, Buckley has learned it’s okay to say no to an opportunity if it means compromising her artistic vision. However, she feels lucky to have clients who trust her creativity and push her boundaries. Her favorite part of the job is shopping at the flower market, and she also loves visiting flower farmers across the state. Someday, Buckley hopes to operate a flower farm of her own, giving her more control over the lifecycle of her products.
360° views & autumn hues.
FALL FOR PARADISE.
Tucked behind Camelback Mountain in the serenity of Paradise Valley, Mountain Shadows stands as a pinnacle of design and unwavering hospitality. Cater to every whim while surrounded by desert majesty, from golf to fine dining and poolside lounging. Don’t wait to indulge, book your stay in paradise today to experience seductive cuisine, luxurious accommodations, two panoramic pools and challenging par-3 golf. All day sun , warm breezes and blooming desert flora await you.
Work with Your Best Friends and Always
Have an Odd-Numbered Band
ARTICLE BY COLIN GBOLIE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JO BABB
MUSIC TO FEEL THINGS TO
BARBARA
Two years into the freeform arena of band life, Barbara is continually building a sound cultivated through exploring paths presented by instruments foreign to their classically developed skills. Anna, Bridget, and Camilla having gone through high formal music education in classical and jazz stylings, iterate on their musical journeys to lay the ground floor for their latest sonic endeavor.
“During COVID, we’d just go to the basement and jam,” says Bridget when recanting the seeds that formed the band. It was a much-needed reprieve from the constraints endemic to the more formal stylings they’ve excelled at for years. Camilla added, “We all play different instruments than the ones we studied in school, so in a way, we were healing from music school and healing our relationship with music by learning our instruments at the same time, and Barbara was born from that.”
Barbara stands as a bastion of expression liberated from the regimented nature of certain musical stylings that, while sensational in their own right, can lead one to feel that they’ve been too “industrialized”, remarked Anna when reflecting on motivating factors for the band. More so, the duality of loving music and facing difficult experiences as women in their respective areas of expertise, within the historical boys club of classical and jazz music, are pain points alleviated in the pressure-free environment of a band composed of your best friends.
We all know the seldom-achieved-in-adulthood, childlike emotions of exploration and creativity that
lift the spirit. Barbara has managed to cultivate a space emblematic of this very energy. “You find an idea with your new instrument, and that sounds good and you’re like, cool, this is the only idea I can play right now, and you feel like a high schooler playing in your garage again.” Channeling the raw emotion often placed to the side by us all, they encapsulate their lives by writing about what they’ve been through and are processing.
With the mindset of being “okay with sounding really bad in front of each other,” they’re working towards the common goal of presenting their ideas in a way that feels most accurate to the emotions they sprang from. They’ve created a space where the creative process can flourish in the most amorphous sense, as they know that all listening ears are there to nourish the project.
“When we write, we talk about how it’s already there, and we’re pulling puzzle pieces out of thin air, and that’s not a feeling you get a lot, so when you do, it’s euphoric.”
Barbara is working on album two at the moment. This project will be a bit “heavier and a bit more psychy” as they grow with their instruments and their chemistry in the room evolves. Their first project was born of their love of musical exploration and project number two carries that same passion with a honed direction into the future.
To learn more, visit GoBarbaraGo.com .
Since 1994, Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar has been the trusted source of fresh, sustainable seafood along the Front Range. Selected as the very first restaurant in Colorado recognized by the Monterey Bay Seafood Watch , Jax has been an industry leader in sourcing clean and sustainable seafood.
Executive Chef Sheila Lucero has been cooking her delicious style of Colorado fish house at Jax for 26 years, and is a member of the Blue Ribbon Task Force, fighting and lobbying for clean waters and sustainable fishing practices in the earth's oceans. Make plans to come join us for dinner or some bar snacks soon and join us in celebrating 30 years of serving Colorado's best and freshest and most trusted seafood.
F I N D Y O U R L O T
Spinning
Plates
The Modern Day Navigation of Entrepreneurship in Uncertain Economic Times, Staying True to Core Values, Investing in the Local Community, and Motherhood
ARTICLE BY COLIN GBOLIE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY FROM THE HIP PHOTO
Since 2016, the Slow Food pioneers of Annette, captained by Chef Caroline Glover, have been innovating and conjuring an atmosphere in which anyone can stop in to dine and refill their cups, literally and figuratively.
The task of creating such a space is seldom, if ever, linear. In fact, Caroline says, “It hasn’t been linear at all.” Press ramped up their numbers as things were on the rise. Then, much like many other restaurants and businesses, COVID came and dealt a course-altering blow. “Now the post-COVID time with possible recession is a new terrain that’s hard to trust,” says Caroline. To continually steer an enterprise in the correct direction while skirting the never-ending march of hurdles to jump is enough to keep many from pursuing their passions. So, successfully rising to the occasion in all climates is symbolic of a proper leader, and the staff at Annette absolutely have lucked out to have that in Caroline.
Luckier still is the community around them, as Caroline has truly embodied the ideology of watering that which grows around you. “In summer, we try to buy as much from farmers as possible," Caroline says. "We spend a lot of money on our beautiful local produce, that’s really important to me. If we don’t do that, it’ll all just crumble.” To manage all that it takes to open the doors on time and do so with the intentionality of supporting her neighbors, Caroline sets an example of how to spread the success one gains to those around her.
As for her relationship to food, the Slow Food concept is rooted in creating an atmosphere for people to take a breath, nourish their bodies and social batteries, and have a rejuvenating experience. “It’s even more important now because people are making the decision to spend money that they may or may not have," says Caroline. "So it puts more pressure on creating that atmosphere here. Because we are a luxury, going out to eat is usually one of the first things people cut out, so I feel like the slowdown has become even more obvious to me. If people are choosing to come out here and eat, it should be creating a memory
for them. Because they’ve made that decision. Maybe they didn’t go out to eat last week, but they’ve come with us.”
With that important understanding of their place within the community and the intention of begetting their guests’ arrival, the team at Annette and Traveling Mercies—their new cocktail bar right upstairs—craft a space where positive memories come easy.
“Ichi-go ichi-e, you can’t create the same experience twice.” This quick proverb guides Caroline while in the restaurant and anchors the importance of the purpose that guides her. “The music will be at a different level, the company will be different, so we make sure that we’re creating that environment but also allowing people to have their own moment in the environment,” says Caroline.
With the birth of her now one-and-a-half-year-old, Caroline has realized that there are some questions and talking points she wishes would be brought up more in the conversations regarding restaurant ownership. “I didn’t have a lot of women in the industry to ask how to do this," says Caroline. "I just thought I’m going to do this; people do it all the time; they put babies on their backs. And then through pregnancy and now parenthood, it doesn’t look the way I thought it would.” An oft echoed sentiment from the daring people juggling parenthood and entrepreneurship in this modern age. “It’s been hard, so the more women business owners talk about it and say, this is my experience, this is how I did it, the more we’d have to draw from.”
“For better or worse, social media is here, and I connected with a chef in Austin," says Caroline. "She and her husband went through IVF at the same time as us, and they own their restaurant as well, and we ask each other questions all of the time.” Even if it’s just to express mutual feelings of struggle in a given situation to provide some catharsis, the openness and camaraderie have been invaluable to Caroline, and she hopes to be and find more resources for the experience of being a woman heading a restaurant as a new mother. “It’s uniting, and it gives you that sounding board for making your own decisions in the real world,” says Caroline.
Balancing parenthood and being in the restaurant, especially when working odd hours, is a delicate “see-saw” that Caroline is negotiating with the support of her awesome staff, family, and growing community of chefs sorting out motherhood in stride with their businesses.
To learn more, visit AnnetteScratchToTable.com or TravelingMerciesBar.com
“To manage all that it takes to open the doors on time and do so with the intentionality of supporting her neighbors, Caroline sets an example of how to spread the success one gains to those around her.”
“Dan and his team at Haley Custom Homes do an incredible job. Large new builds and substantial remodels are often known for being delayed and going over budget - Dan’s APB system has cracked the code to keep projects on time and budget. I would highly recommend Dan and Haley Custom Homes”
Jim Franciscan
Regrounding
Embracing Renewal With a Wellness Retreat
ARTICLE BY EMILY O'BRIEN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY EB COMBS
As summer fades into the crisp, golden hues of fall, it’s the ideal time to pause, reflect, and rejuvenate.
Restorative Retreat, hosted this year at Zapata Ranch, offers a luxurious, natural transition and a space to step back. This three-day retreat, set against one of North America’s most stunning landscapes, is tailored for travelers seeking a unique escape to disconnect from daily life and reconnect with themselves.
With guided mindfulness sessions, nutritious meals, and horseback riding for all skill levels, the retreat balances rest and play. Activities are designed to reset wellness routines, deepen connection, and inspire a renewed sense of purpose with the serene beauty of the surroundings playing an integral role in the healing journey.
Participants enjoy private rooms, savor incredible farm-to-table meals, and engage in restorative
sessions led by wellness specialist Amy Shenk, a licensed counselor, coach, and founder of True Core Health. Her holistic approach blends mindfulness, breathwork, and mental health modalities, helping individuals understand their health on a deeper level and providing tools for healing, growth, and personal transformation.
Each day ends with a sunset-soaked dinner that nourishes both body and soul. “Each element of the retreat draws back on that original vision—deeper connection to self, horses, nature and others—so the horseback riding, the guided sessions and even the meals allow us to engage that vision throughout our time together,” Amy says. Sessions are curated to the group’s needs as well as Amy’s intentions to foster growth and development. “Whether it is breath work, meditation, therapeutic writing, or me teaching about
the nervous system, my hope is that everyone leaves feeling supported and inspired. Inspired to learn more and supported in where they are at in their journey right here and right now."
Co-host and photographer EB Combs says, “There’s horseback riding, but not the vacation riding you might be accustomed to—riders are encouraged to spread out and move out their horses according to their riding ability. It really is something else to be able to ride outside in nature like this.” After departing, participants receive a professional portrait gallery capturing the memories and reflections of their transformative journey.
“Our focus for the retreats and truly our vision behind them as well is to give people a chance to experience a deeper connection with themselves, nature, horses, and other likeminded individuals,” Amy says. “Our retreats are special because of the people who are invested and excited about that vision. Everyone shows up with an open heart and mind; this allows us to truly be our best selves and be present to whatever we can co-create with our guests.”
Starting in 2025, the retreats will be hosted at The Hideout in Shell, Wyoming, offering an equally immersive experience in a wild, beautiful setting. With over 80 people on the waitlist this year and glowing reviews from past attendees, early registration is highly recommended. Dates will be announced this fall. To secure a spot, interested individuals are encouraged to join the announcement list or waitlist.
Visit TrueCoreHealth.com for more details.
luxurious, natural transition
Very Demure, Mindful, Cozy
MARY WRIGHT OF DESIGN WRIGHT STUDIOS SHARES TRENDS THAT ARE HERE TO STAY
Denver-based Design Wright Studios has been helping residential and commercial clients create functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces for over twenty years. Founder and principal designer Mary Wright leverages her keen attention to detail to personalize a range of design solutions, from contemporary to traditional, that reflect her clients’ vision and needs. Wright’s innovative approach keeps her attuned to developments in fashion and design, and she sat down with us to share the trends shaping the zeitgeist this season and beyond.
This season, home design trends are embracing a balance of comfort, sustainability, nostalgia, and personal connection to nature and inner peace. As consumerism shifts towards sustainability and long-lasting pieces, there is a growing emphasis on buying locally, investing in quality, and prioritizing environmental responsibility––a movement that’s shaping the future of interior design well beyond the trends of today.
ARTICLE BY GRACE ADELE BOYLE | PHOTOGRAPHY
BY IAN WARREN AND POPPY & CO.
WARM AND NATURAL TONES (WITH POPS OF COLOR!)
This season, there’s a growing desire for comforting, demure, nature-inspired colors. While neutral tones continue to dominate home interiors, we’re seeing a shift away from stark whites, grays, and austere blacks. In their place, natural wood tones, earthy hues, and various shades of green are taking center stage. “Green is such a big color right now for interiors––all shades of green––particularly forest green, avocado green, hunter green, and even army green,” Wright shares. Warm metallics like bronze, brass, and gold are also trending, replacing the cooler tones of stainless steel and silver. Adding pops of color, such as an olive green throw pillow, a colorful blanket, or vivid artwork, will personalize your space, bringing in an element of joy and respite to a more subdued backdrop.
Photo by Ian Warren, Design by K Studios and Company
SUSTAINABILITY AND LONGEVITY
The shift away from “fast furniture” and disposable design has been building in the mainstream. The growing awareness of our environmental impact has generated a fundamental shift in consumer mindsets, resulting in a strong desire to reduce waste, consume less, and invest in pieces that will grow with us. We’re seeing an emphasis on buying quality, long-lasting pieces that can be repaired, refinished, or passed down instead of thrown away. The demand for sustainable, biodegradable materials like leather, wood, and natural textiles is pushing synthetic materials like vinyl out of the market. Even on the legislative level, we are seeing this trend take hold with bans on harmful chemicals in fabrics in 2025. “This is a trend now, but it’s here to stay,” says Wright. “It will be an underlying theme and thread hopefully for millennia. So, this trend is not a trend––it’s for good. It’s about educating all of us on how to buy with more longevity in mind.”
DEDICATED MEDITATION SPACES
There’s increasing demand for spaces that offer pause from the world and work, particularly for those who work from home. Dedicated rooms, nooks, or outdoor gardens designed for mindfulness, relaxation, and rejuvenation are becoming a major trend in home design. Creating a space free from phones and computer screens and distractions, with a focus on natural light and views of nature, is essential. “Oftentimes, clients want a sun porch or somewhere where nature comes through –– a little space in the house to shut the door and be alone. I think this trend feeds the soul, creating a respite from this crazy world we live in,” Wright explains. This trend reflects the growing need for a sanctuary within our living spaces, a place to mentally and emotionally recharge by unplugging from the constant demands of technology.
TRADITIONAL SHAPES AND COZY COMFORT
Nostalgia for simpler, more comforting times is evident in the shapes and textures of home furnishings. Wood and leather furniture are replacing glass and metal, especially in dining and accent tables. Round, inviting shapes are making a comeback over sharp, angular designs. “I feel like those traditional shapes sometimes take us back to a time when things were simpler,” says Wright. However, it’s not an all-or-nothing approach––mixing traditional and contemporary pieces can give your space a fresh look. A classic rolled-arm sofa or chair, for example, brings a sense of comfort to your home. “That rolled arm feels comforting because it takes us back, maybe to grandma’s house when you were young,” Wright reflects. Natural materials like leather also offer warmth and longevity, making them a lasting addition to your home.
If you’d like to work with Mary Wright and Design Wright Studios, visit their RiNo showroom at 2800 Walnut Street, Ste 600, Denver, CO 80205. They are open Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, or you can reach out directly at 303.955.7751 to explore how Wright can elevate the design of your home.
Photos by Ian Warren, Design by K Studios and Company
Photos by Poppy & Co.
Oct
4th
GHOSTS IN THE GARDEN: OPEN AIR SCARE
Explore the haunted paths of the Denver Botanic Gardens at night. Hear real ghost stories from staff and visit the eerie Waring House. This self-guided tour takes about one-and-a-half hours, with storytellers sharing tales every 15 minutes. Dare to discover what lurks in the dark! Get tickets at BotanicGardens.org.
5th
DENVER WHISKEY RIOT 2024
Immerse yourself in the world of Whiskey at Denver Whiskey Riot 2024! Taste over 200 varieties of whiskey while mingling with top distillers and experts. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or just beginning your whiskey journey this event offers a perfect blend of education and enjoyment! Get tickets at WhiskeyRiot.com.
Around Town
5th
CHERRY CREEK FRESH MARKET
Celebrate the season at the Cherry Creek Fresh Market! With fall in full swing, enjoy seasonal produce, homemade goodies, and unique crafts. Whether you’re savoring autumn treats or browsing local vendors, this market is the perfect spot to enjoy fall and support local vendors.
11th
ROCKY HORROR, IN DENVER’S ORIGINAL 1896 MOVIE THEATER
Experience the Rocky Horror Picture Show like never before in Denver’s historic 1896 movie theater! Get ready for a night of costumes, callbacks, and unforgettable fun in this iconic venue. It’s the ultimate way to enjoy this cult classic! Get tickets at HistoricElitchTheatre.org.
29th
IBERIAN NIGHTS AT ULTREIA
Embark on a culinary journey through the flavors of Spain and Portugal at Ultreia’s Iberian Nights! Indulge in a specially curated three-course menu inspired by the vibrant cuisines of the Iberian Peninsula, complete with expertly paired beverages that capture the essence of these regions. Dinner kicks off at 6:30 pm. Don’t miss this deliciously immersive experience! UltreiaDenver.com
Photo Credit: James Florio
Credit: Colorado Fresh Markets
Photo Credit: Scott Dressel-Martin
Meet DR CHERI NEAL | DDS
TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY AND HOW YOU LANDED IN COLORADO:
“My husband and I made the decision while I was attending dental school here at the University of Colorado that we would like to stay and raise our children. Our eldest son, his wife, and our first grandchild now live in Florida. Our youngest son and his wife with our soon to be second grandchild are at Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas.”
WHAT IS SOMETHING UNIQUE THAT MOST PEOPLE WOULDN’T KNOW ABOUT YOU?
“My husband and I try to visit the zoos and aquariums at each location we visit. We both enjoy playing card games, especially Bridge.”
HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR NIGHTS AND WEEKENDS?
“I enjoy being outdoors hiking, golfing, relaxing on a beach, reading on my patio, or entertaining with friends. I enjoy traveling as well and experiencing the history and culture of new places.
WHAT IS THE BEST BOOK OR BOOKS YOU HAVE EVER READ?
“The Lord of the Rings series was the best series I have ever read. The most difficult book, but excellent, I read was Holocaust by Gerald Green. In both books, fantasy and reality, the dark is pervasive, but light prevails! I just love that!”
TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE:
“I graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas with a Bachelor of Science degree before moving to Colorado with my husband in 1990 to attend the University of Colorado, School of Dental Medicine. I opened my own dental office in the Southeast Denver metro area in 1999 and ran that for 20 years before joining the amazing team at Aspen Dental. I love doing everything from full reconstructive surgical procedures, to treating sleep apnea and even myofunctional orthodontics. I believe that practicing dentistry today is both exciting and rewarding. With the advancements in dental materials and technology available to us as practitioners, we can deliver more predictable, long-lasting, beautiful, and natural smiles. I strive to deliver high-quality care for my patients in an environment that is comfortable and a manner that is gentle.”
DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT WORK DAY:
“The ideal workday is a day where we are able to provide the highest quality of care to our patients in an environment that is comfortable, timely, and has met their achievable desired outcome. The procedures I enjoy the most are restoring dental implants, especially, full mouth reconstruction. I am privileged to share in the patient’s transformation when they have the security to chew again and confidence to smile. I do not enjoy root canal treatment. That is the gift of practicing at Aspen Dental, Private Practice of Cherry Creek, where we have multiple doctors. I don’t have to be a “Jack of all trades and a master of none”.
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