Picture this...
A cozy, beautifully decorated home, ready for the holidays. Imagine welcoming friends and family into a space where every detail has been thoughtfully designed, just for you.
At Mountain Luxe Interiors, we specialize in creating stunning, personalized interiors that give you a sense of peace and well-being in your home. If you are looking for...
Tailored Design: We believe your home should tell your story. That’s why we work closely with you to ensure every piece, color, and texture reflects your unique style. Effortless Process: Our team is dedicated to making this journey enjoyable and stress-free. Sit back, relax, and watch your dream home come to life.
VIP White Glove Service: From the first consultation to the final reveal, we handle everything. No more endless furniture shopping or stressful installations – we’ve got you covered.
The holiday season is fast approaching, and our schedule fills up quickly. Secure your spot today to ensure your home is ready to dazzle by Christmas! Scan the QR code below to get on a call with us!
Scenic Aperture features fineart nature photography of the four-corners area of the American Southwest. Located in the heart of Durango’s vibrant art scene, the Gallery will transport and transform you.
Scenic Aperture showcases the photography of Durango’s own internationally collected nature photographer, Frank Comisar. Comisar’s photos are infused with colors and details so vivid they are more of an experience than a simple viewing.
Stop by and see for yourself!
September Is All About Style
Dear Reader,
As we approach the autumn season, I hope this letter finds you feeling wonderful. Today, we'd like to celebrate the vibrant world of style by spotlighting some of Durango’s top talents. Style is far more than the clothes we wear or the accessories we choose; it is an all-encompassing essence that permeates throughout our lives. It influences how we decorate our homes, the meals we enjoy, the outdoor adventures we embark on, and how we present ourselves. Style is a symbolic reflection of our culture, and every culture is uniquely its own. Durango’s style, distinguished by its authenticity, weaves the historic roots of our town into its very seams.
Just as the Animas River meanders through our town, style flows within and around us, evolving with time and generations. It connects us, allowing us to navigate and express ourselves through life’s currents. This issue is designed to inspire you to blaze new trails or redefine well-worn paths, embracing the subtleties and nuances of artistic expression. Remember, true style is a reflection of your individuality and creativity, revealing the unique essence of who you are.
Here’s to discovering and celebrating your unique expression!
(BRANDY) MURRAY, PUBLISHER
September 2024
PUBLISHER
Branden (Brandy) Murray branden.murray@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATORS
Rachel Rosenthal | rachel.rosenthal@citylifestyle.com
Jennifer Mason | jennifer.mason@citylifestyle.com
James Leonard | james.leonard@citylifestyle.com
Corporate Team
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman
LAYOUT DESIGNER Jamie Housh
UTE REGALIA
HOW TWO WOMEN ARE EMBRACING MODERNISM IN THEIR HANDCRAFTED REGALIA
ARTICLE BY KALISTA PEÑA
Upon meeting Kristean Velasquez, one cannot look away from her stunning beaded earrings. Large lemon-yellow hearts fill the center, outlined with several rows of yellow beads. All differing shades stretch outward, creating an ombre that radiates like sunshine. Symbolic of her people and culture, Velasquez wears a piece of regalia every day. Handcrafted between someone's fingertips, the regalia reiterates the fact that Indigenous people are still here.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN LEONARD
Velasquez hopes to make her people proud and represent them well. A recent Fort Lewis graduate and mother of two, she walks with purpose and pride.
Velasquez remembers visiting her grandmother when she was little and admiring her beadwork, but this admiration soon turned into a responsibility to learn the craft and hone her style. Her grandmother said, “Krissy, you are the only one who knows our culture… you are gonna have to teach it to your nieces, your nephews, your family. You’re gonna have to learn it.” The pressure she felt was immense, but the purpose held true — she was the successor of her grandmother’s craft.
Velasquez began with beading a single flower and moved on to other projects but has found a true love for sewing, specifically traditional Southern Ute regalia. She has taken the craft and made it her own, adding elements of modernity to the traditional style. She aims to create high-quality Indigenous fashion that is modern and chic, complementing any outfit. Her work inspires other Indigenous artists such as Elisia Cruz, a Southern Ute entrepreneur and creative. Cruz creates contemporary beadwork with a stylistic modern flair. She experiments with bright color palettes and materials such as mirrors, pearls, and diamonds.
“ EACH PIECE COMES TO LIFE AS THEY BEAD AND SEW WITH KINDNESS”
Velasquez’s earrings, described earlier, were custom-made by Cruz. Velasquez reflects, “You are taking this time to handcraft… this one-of-a-kind art. A really beautiful thing about regalia is that you don't see any two of a kind. It’s one and original.” Regalia builds connection. Behind each piece of clothing or jewelry, there is a story, a connection to culture and community. When you see someone wearing regalia, Velasquez encourages you to reach out and ask about their story. She highlights that every detail in regalia has a purpose and symbolism. She states, “That’s what’s so exciting about wearing it!
When you wear it, wear it proudly!” because each piece is embedded with deep feelings crafted with intention.
Velasquez and Cruz believe that creating contemporary regalia is both a grounding and spiritual experience. Each piece comes to life as they bead and sew with kindness, sweet intentions, and nourishing thoughts. With each stitch, each bead, the piece becomes alive. It breathes with memories and history. Velasquez states, “It’s all culture-based… it’s trusting your intuition” and embedding wellness into your craft. “The earrings you wear come alive… everything you wear comes alive.”
Recently, Velasquez made a long skirt with material her grandmother gifted her that was once her great-grandmother’s. By working with this material, she feels a connection to her great-grandmother; she feels her closeness as she feeds the fabric through the sewing machine.
In a similar light, Cruz describes the experience of sewing her T’ dress, a traditional dress worn specifically among Southern Utes. The fabric is dazzling as it sparkles, catching the light whenever she sways or dances. She wanted it to be, “contemporary, bougie, girly, but also traditional.” It was a family-focused project. Cruz states, “All the women in my family sat together to make our T’ dresses.” Her T’ dress has become one of her most cherished possessions.
Velasquez and Cruz carry their heads high and wear their regalia with beaming pride, knowing that they walk with strength and the reminder of all those who came before them.
You can find more of Cruz’s beadwork on Instagram: @beadworkbyelisia.
ARTICLE BY KALISTA PEÑA | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROB GOWLER
VAN LAB’S CREW BUILDS HIGH-QUALITY ADVENTURE VEHICLES WITH YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET LIST IN MIND.
ADVENTURE AWAITS!
On Memorial Day weekend in 2001, Andrew Barber first drove into the picturesque Animas Valley. With faith, good music, and a hopeful spirit, he navigated a rickety old E-150 work van he bought sight-unseen to Durango. He was a bit stunned, and wide-eyed as he strolled into town during the annual Biker Rally. He looks back at this mem-
McCalden grew up in Fort Collins, CO, with a passion for mountain biking and rafting. He graduated from Fort Lewis College with a degree in Art Business. A match made in heaven, Barber and McCalden bonded over their mutual love for the outdoors and their artistic approach to custom fabrication and design.
“WITH EACH BUILD, EVERYTHING IS CAREFULLY PLANNED AND THOUGHT OUT.”
ory with a laugh. After surfing the waves of the Pacific Northwest, building a van in New Zealand, and taking dozens of trips to Baja, Barber found his home in our beautiful mountain town. Here he met Gavin McCalden, a young man with a creative vision and a knack for tinkering and fixing things. Together, Barber and McCalden created Van Lab, a fabrication business specializing in custom adventure camper vans.
Barber was always known as the “Van Guy” in Durango. Anytime you drove past his house, without fail, you'd see at least two Sprinter vans in the driveway. This sparked curiosity in many people. Barber couldn’t go to the gas station without someone coming up to ask him a question and often caught inquisitive stares at stoplights. At the time, van travel was not as popular as it is now; Barber was a trailblazer as he searched for the best waves to surf or another great trail to bike.
Van Lab aims to create durable toptier adventure vehicles that offer both fun and comfort. Barber states, “We design these around the specifics.” With each build, everything is carefully planned and thought out to best tailor to the client's lifestyle, whether that involves traveling with five mountain bikes, backcountry skis, or snowboards. Some people seek more ease during travel and enjoy features like a pop-up roof with additional sleep space or an air fryer for convenience and cozy nights.
Van Lab is unique because they prioritize customization above all else. Barber emphasizes, “We like anything that is custom because then we get to rework what we have already worked on. We get to design it... if we were building the exact same model/layout every time, it would be so boring. We don’t want to run a van factory; we want to make custom vans. And that's the difference.”
Recently, the Van Lab crew built a van for a woman in a wheelchair who lives an active lifestyle, traveling around the country from one music festival to the next. McCalden reflected, “Every piece was custom, but it didn't matter because we could see the end goal was her mobility.” Local Durango resident Kirk Williams, also a wheelchair user who had a van built by another company years ago, consulted with the crew throughout the build. He assisted in perfecting the major details necessary for the client’s accessibility and comfort. McCalden described the process as requiring countless hours of trial and error and careful brainstorming, emphasizing that “it all had to be done right,” as Barber added. This challenging build was one of their most detailed yet. When the client came to pick up her van, McCalden noted, “The look on her face was different... it was different than anybody else we've built a van for. Her level of excitement was unique.” He continued, “That was a super rewarding project.”
“IF IT’S NOT COOL, WE’RE NOT DOING IT.”
After reflecting on the past eleven years, two businesses, one major move, and a pandemic, Barber and McCalden look back with smiles. They have spent thousands of hours working together, refining their craft, and creating beautiful, reliable, and durable adventure vehicles. This work is a blend of their passions, providing a creative space for innovation while highlighting their love for the outdoors and recreation.
McCalden summarized, “If it’s not cool, we're not going to do it. And if it’s not right, we’re going to do it again.”
The Van Lab crew encourages everyone to go outside today, bask in the sunshine, feel the dirt beneath your feet, and always remember: adventure awaits!
A Tour of Durango’s Premier Consignment Stores
Durango’s Hidden Gems
Durango’s rich history and unique location have made it a treasure trove of Southwest heritage. In its consignment stores, you’ll uncover forgotten gems that resonate deeply with the soul. Explore these hidden treasures and discover what awaits—pieces that blend the Southwest’s timeless past with modernity!
ARTICLE BY LINDSAY DALTON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY MIRANDA
Growing up, I was an only child of a single mom, and thrifting was a necessity rather than a hobby. As I got older, hunting for deals became a sport, and when my children needed something, finding it at the thrift store became a point of pride. When I sought a storefront in Durango, I aimed to create a destination for wanderers, gypsies, and restless souls. NoMAD, known for its mix of western, vintage, and funky items, offers a welcoming atmosphere and eclectic, one-of-a-kind finds. Conveniently located on Highway 3, NoMAD was founded with locals in mind.
www.nomaddurango.com 919 CO-3, Durango, CO 81301 | 970-764-4210
Second Time Around
Second Time Around is a welcoming consignment store offering high-quality items at some of the best prices around. Unlike a typical thrift store, Second Time Around provides a cozy environment where every item has a purpose and a story. Melissa, the owner, carefully curates each piece to ensure it finds a new home where it can be appreciated. Customers can feel good knowing their preloved clothes and items are being given a second life. At Second Time Around, it’s not just about resale; it’s about finding new value and purpose in every item, all within a homely atmosphere.
1139 Main Ave, Durango, CO 81301 | 970- 247-5134
Growing up in a family of jewelers, I developed a deep love for adornments. At 14, I began working at our family store, From The Heart, in Durango, Colorado, where we offered pre-loved items at discounted prices. Recognizing their value, I opened Rose Duds at 18 while attending Fort Lewis College. Named after my middle name and a 1970s term for cute clothes, Rose Duds has thrived since 2013. Our shop offers unique items starting at $5, including high-end luxury pieces. Visit us at 48 CR 250 Ste. 3 for distinctive finds, and explore our family’s jewelry repair shop, Old Gold.
48 Co Rd 250, Durango, CO 81301 | 970-759-7883
Lindsay Dalton
Melissa Wood Stein
Rhita Batiste
A LLS C OULD T A L K
If your walls could talk, what might they say about you? When all the interior elements are correctly wed, a home becomes more than a box holding basic necessities. Instead, it becomes a shrine that beams the unique quirks of your heart and soul to shine for all to see. Interior designers Sheryl Lock of Handcrafted House and Christine Heartsill of Mountain Luxe Interiors reveal the secrets to expressing your standout style, whether you want a targeted remodel focused on natural, sustainable, locally-crafted materials or you need the white-glove concierge service for a total new-home build.
ACHIEVE MAXIMUM STYLE IN YOUR “CRIB” USING THIS CRIB SHEET
ARTICLE BY JENNY MASON PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY MIRANDA
HOW DOES A DESIGNER EVOKE THE HOMEOWNER’S
UNIQUE STYLE?
Both Lock and Heartsill agree: getting to know the homeowner is a must. They rely on questionnaires and in-home meetings. They also build a visual stockpile using images the homeowner plucks from the internet, magazines, or anywhere.
Heartsill notes, “It really does boil down to what I’ve learned from them combined with my signature style. And that is because [designers] are artists; we’re putting together patterns, colors, and styles.”
“I ask for rituals,” Lock explains. “Do you wake up in the morning and always read your book? How do you function through your day? I think those things are important to honor how you move in your home, what you use your home for.”
WHAT IS THE MOST OVERLOOKED OR NEGLECTED DESIGN ELEMENT IN ANY HOME?
For Lock, it’s the quality of materials. Handcrafted wood or handwoven fabrics—these items lend to a space the devotion and passion that went into their creation. Plaster, one of her specialties, also infuses those aspects, plus a bonus sensation founded in science. “Clay increases negative ions in your house. When you walk into a home that has natural plaster you can feel it,” she says.
Never underestimate, Heartsill advises, the tangible impact a space can impart—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually—the moment it is entered. She points to how an art gallery stimulates a sense awe or contemplation. A home should be no different. “When you see a really amazing room, it’s because everything in that room is working just so symbiotically with the rest of the room.”
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO MAKE A BIG, BOLD STYLE STATEMENT ON ANY BUDGET?
Become familiar with the roots of your innate style, Heartsill advises. A penchant for pillars, arches, and filigree, connotes a traditional style hearkening back to RomanGreco roots. Modern styling will be totally different, as will contemporary. Knowing where your preferences land enables you to more masterfully mix the different styles and thereby bypass and surpass a generic catalog tableau.
Lock points to three key locations to highlight maximum individual style (especially if working on a budget): tile, lighting, and bathroom vanities. Tiles—including wall tiles, backsplashes, and bathroom tiles for the floor, walls, and shower-can really showcase a lot about the homeowner’s personality, Lock notes. “Lighting [makes] a statement! Bathroom vanities have a lot of character. They say a lot,” she says.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A WELL-DESIGNED INTERIOR SPACE?
Above all else, Lock values how a home brings the body a sense of belonging. “You walk in and you feel good as opposed to you walk in and feel like you don’t fit. You can’t find a place to sit. Come home and feel like you’re home. Feeling at ease. Comfortable. Cozy. Relaxed.”
On a similar note, Heartsill underscores the power of a beautiful home has to transform the soul. As she puts it, “I believe that a sublime transformation takes place in the soul when we are surrounded by beauty.” That means home brings a sense of peace, maybe even joy.
The fluid and ever-changing Southwest Colorado real estate market requires a licensed Realtor™ to be knowledgeable and experienced on multiple levels to serve their clients in a professional manner with a winning attitude.
Hal Lott brings over 23 years of experience in Durango-area real estate, accumulating knowledge and expertise via a broad spectrum of positions in the field, from Marketing Director to licensed Real Estate Broker since 2015.
