Fort Collins, CO March 2024

Make Yourself at Home

Spring is in the air, and with it comes the anticipation of renewal and reinvigoration—not just for ourselves but for our living spaces too. March marks our special home and design issue, where we play with the boundless ideas of what home and design truly signify. We believe home is more than a place; it's a feeling cultivated by the loved ones around us and the personal touches we add to our spaces. Design, in its essence, brings our environments to life, infusing them with personality and warmth. This issue is dedicated to inspiring you to let your unique style illuminate where you spend your time.

We've stretched our creative muscles to bring you an issue brimming with fresh ideas, practical tools for enhancing your living areas, and stories where design takes center stage. Dive into an exclusive look at a stunning Loveland home, courtesy of powerhouse realtor Andrea Tuell. Take a first glance at the new infinity studio, a dream space for content creators designed to spark creativity.

Elevations Credit Union provides expert advice on navigating home mortgages, and we'll guide you through revamping your home's pantry for function and flair. Our pages aim to inspire you to transform your environment into a space that truly feels like yours.

But that's not all—this March, we're beyond excited to announce the launch of City List, our latest initiative to celebrate the vibrant, dynamic locales that make our community so unique. City List is your go-to guide, designed to highlight the best of what our city has to offer, from hidden gems to beloved institutions.

This is where you come in! We're calling on you, our dear readers, to nominate your favorite spots in the city. Whether it's a cozy café, a bustling marketplace, or a tranquil park, we want to hear about the places that make your heart sing. Your nominations will help shape City List into a community-curated treasure trove of what makes our city truly special.

With Love,

JAHNA & JASON EICHEL, PUBLISHERS @FORTCOLLINSCITYLIFESTYLE

March 2024

PUBLISHERS

Jahna Eichel | jahna.eichel@citylifestyle.com

Jason Eichel | jason.eichel@citylifestyle.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Macey VanDenMeerendonk | macey.v@citylifestyle.com

PUBLISHER ASSISTANT

Morgan Henderson | morgan@thecreativeagencyco.com

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Matthew Hart | matthew@thecreativeagencyco.com

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Tony Deyo | tony@thecreativeagencyco.com

PHOTO EDITOR

Henry Magarotto | henry@thecreativeagencyco.com

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

The Creative Agency | hello@thecreativeagencyco.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Allie Bellows, Macey VanDenMeerendonk

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein

AD DESIGNER Whitney Lockhart

LAYOUT DESIGNER Rhiannon Coffman

the CITY LIST

We have such amazing, innovative business leaders in our community who are proud to serve you, our residents, with class and quality. We’ve compiled some of our top company picks for the services that might be on your mind this month in an effort to make your lives a little easier.

Home Remodeler

Associates In Building and Design, Ltd abd-ltd.com | 970.225.2323

Re-Bath www.rebath.com | 970.805.1390

Rebecca Windsor & Associates rebeccawindsor.com | 970.460.0822

Domistyle www.domistylehome.com | 970.893.9090

Distinct Painting Co. distinctpaintingcompany.com | 970.690.9059

Real Estate Agent

Andrea Tuell - The Group thegroupinc.com/agents/andrea-tuell | 970.290.3758

Bubba Cannon - The Group thegroupinc.com/agents/bubba-cannon | 970.218.5818

Erin Brandt - Brandt Realty www.ebreco.com | 970.439.2273

Want to suggest a monthly pick?

Sarah Tyler - Kentwood Real Estate kentwood.luxuryrealestate.com | 970.300.1985

Antinora Real Estate antinorarealestate.com | 970.691.4275

At Re-Bath®, we design beautiful, functional bathrooms—and provide the quality products to finish the look. Plus, our licensed, insured, locally owned and operated teams can complete your project in days, not weeks.

Schedule your FREE in-home consultation today.

(970) 535-9400 REBATH.COM

Proudly serving Northern Colorado. Showroom located at: 1017 N 1st St Berthoud, CO 80513 Complete

TONE + TEXTURE

STYLE YOUR HOME IN TONES AND TEXTURES WITH DESIGN HELP FROM HOUZZ INTERIOR DESIGN EXPERTS

ARTICLE BY NICOLETTE MARTIN

WOVEN + KNOTTED

LIVING BOHO-CHIC WITH WOVEN TEXTURES AND MACRAMÉ

Decorate your space with handmade textures such as the modern, maker revival of 1970s macramé and year-round tropical feel of wicker. MACRAMÉ Made through knotting instead of weaving, macramé can add a unique touch in many various ways. Houzz contributor Laura Gaskill suggests incorporating it as nursery decor, plant hangers, wall hangings and modern fiber arts. WICKER According to Houzz contributor Yanic Simard, “the best way to really embrace the luxury-cottage appeal of wicker and rattan is to combine different forms of the two in one space... Look for other unexpected places to add a natural twist to your home with a new material woven into your palette.”

AGAINST THE GRAIN

TIPS FOR DECORATING WITH NATURAL MATERIALS

Houzz contributor Katie Treggiden offers many ways to incorporate natural materials and natural-state timber into your home, including using wood to cover one wall in a home for a pleasing accent wall; featuring your firewood as a striking, stacked display; and mixing different types of wood and different finishes in the same space. “A simple way to incorporate the wood trend is to expose structural wooden beams already present in your home,” Katie says. “Instead of painting them or boxing them in, leave them raw or give them a coat of wax to enrich the tones.”

“We get to see the owners’ excitement as their dream home, their perfect home, comes out of the ground.”

- Paul Watkins

Children often plan their future houses, penciling treehouses, fire poles and slides. While the exact plans change quite a bit, some adults never let go of the dream of building a home of their own.

As interest rates fall and temperatures warm, many Fort Collins residents will start the process of building houses that break the mold and suit their needs.

“We get to see the owners’ excitement as their dream home, their perfect home, comes out of the ground," says Paul Watkins, senior commercial loan officer at Elevations Credit Union.

Connecting with lenders early in the process helps home builders preview the road ahead and help them prepare.

“They don’t need to have made every decision already to start that conversation,” Watkins says. “The sooner they can engage a lender the better.”

For people considering custom builds, Watkins offers more tips:

OVER BUDGET AND PLAN CONTINGENCIES.

The plans for a home can change quite a bit, but a loan may not reflect the cost of the final plans.

Over budget to help give yourself a cushion, and plan to have contingency funds above the contractor’s estimated costs in case of cost increases.

CONSTRUCTION COSTS DO NOT ALWAYS EQUATE TO APPRAISED VALUE.

Many people assume they’ll make back the cost of higher quality materials, fixtures and innovative designs. But these elements are just one factor of home value.

Having as much detail as possible on a “Specification Sheet,” prior to appraisal, helps ensure the appraised value reflects those aspects of your home.

EXPECT CONSTRUCTION LENDING TO WORK DIFFERENTLY FROM MORTGAGE LENDING.

Though there are multiple construction loan types, they tend to have a shorter term than mortgages and

require much more money down. Think a handful of years and 20% down versus 20-30 years and 3-10% down.

DO YOUR DUE DILIGENCE ON YOUR CONTRACTOR.

Lenders like Elevations will typically require a certified contractor for a project. Beyond that, make sure they have experience and expertise in building homes like the one you’re planning and check their references.

If a contractor doesn’t deliver, it could cost you much more and complicate your funding.

YOUR LAND SHOULD BE FREE AND CLEAR BEFORE YOU START CONSTRUCTION LENDING.

Make sure you have the legal right to build on the piece of land you’re planning. To help ensure a project is not rushed, many financial institutions like Elevations also prefer you to already own the land before looking into construction lending.

FIND A LENDER WHO CAN GUIDE YOU THROUGH THE PROCESS.

For example, Elevations helps keep projects on track by making sure lien waivers (proof of payment for work or materials) get signed right away, which helps builders and contractors get paid appropriately.

Elevations takes pride in protecting their clients’ interests throughout the lending process, even sending inspectors to review construction progress.

“A new home build is often the largest asset someone will own, and we take that very seriously,” Watkins said.

Once an Elevations construction loan is complete, our lenders offer a variety of options to convert the loan into a mortgage that fits the homeowners’ needs. The top credit union mortgage lender by purchase volume in Colorado, the organization offers efficient mortgage processing. This makes it simple for homeowners to convert their construction loans to mortgages and build their dream homes.

Insured by NCUA | Equal Housing Opportunity NMLS #717246

Hollywood Has Arrived in Northern Colorado

ARTICLE BY ALLIE BELLOWS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TONY DEYO

THE BRANDNEW PHOTO AND VIDEO STUDIO IN NORTHERN COLORADO

““The cyclorama is available to rent!”

An infinity studio, or cyclorama, as it’s known in the business, has arrived in Northern Colorado. Inside the offices of The Creative Agency, is the newest cyclorama. Excitement ripples through the offices, as the multitude of ways this innovative studio can be used is the topic of discussion.

“It’s going to elevate every single thing that we do, from our client's shoots to every production and photography session, it’s all going to be elevated because we have this space,” says Tony Deyo, Director of Web Development at The Creative Agency.

This innovative studio features an all-white studio with more than 100 square feet of space. The pristine white floor and curving walls make the space easy to manipulate for any project.

CONTINUED >

The color choice makes it easy to Photoshop or impose a background and foreground of any kind. The curvature makes the space seem “infinite and seamless” as there are no abrupt corners on the walls and floor. With unlimited possibilities for this space, it’s no wonder the staff here is excited about the latest addition.

The idea for this studio came to The Creative Agency during a photoshoot for a client. After a work trip to Dallas, where they rented a cyclorama and saw first-hand the possibilities of an infinity studio, the team knew they had to have one for themselves.

“It started off with the need to push our projects to a higher level,” exclaims Gabe Kawamura, Director of Cinematography at The Creative Agency. Soon the wheels were in motion to create this one-of-akind space right here in Fort Collins.

The opportunities don’t stop at the production level, the studio space offers a magnitude of possibilities with post-production creativity as well. This cutting-edge studio space offers infinite possibilities for the inventive team and will give Northern Colorado elevated opportunities for production projects.

How can the community get in on the action? This studio is available for rent! Professionals, creatives, and aspirers can rent time in the cyclorama and can feature their own products and ideas. The sky's the limit in this top-of-the-line studio.

With this latest photo and video studio, The Creative Agency will once again push the envelope, always offering their clients the ultimate experience. Go to thecreativeagencyco.com or call (970) 803-0190 to book time in the cyclorama for your next project.

Amy Stevens 970-227-8867

Andrea Jones 970-599-4186

Aventus Team 970-821-5113 / 970-800-1669

Ewing Team 970-590-8383 / 970-590-8384

Janiese Alton 719-688-3820

Kris Laine 970-443-1804

Lisa Gould 970-691-4896

Sarah Tyler 970-800-1166

Ample Space Meets Stunning Design

A look inside a stunning home for sale in Loveland

Located in the highly coveted area of Horseshoe Lake, in Loveland, on the peninsula, is this jaw-dropping home, one of the very few for sale in the area. Featuring a unique modern style and an intricately designed interior that can blend with your style seamlessly, this property is not to be missed by those looking to upgrade their residence. This sprawling home is like no other and can be yours, with the current listing price at one million dollars.

Stepping in through the front door, the initial impression of this home is nothing short of being awestruck. The sweeping staircase looms ahead, and the vaulted ceilings give the house a feeling of open expansive space. With a stunning chandelier as a decorative feature, it’s one of the first things your eyes land upon.

The light throughout the home is one of the numerous elements that stand out. Many windows let natural light in, adding to the feeling of spaciousness, including the twostory windows in the great room. The light fixtures are perfect examples of refined luxury. Each light fixture is new and offers a pop of elegance to every room they adorn.

The great room, with the two-story vaulted ceiling, is an impressive space. Chic and elegant, with a gas fireplace, will make you picture cozy nights cuddled up with a blanket, snuggled around the dancing flames as the Colorado snow swirls just outside the vast windows. The windows offer beautiful views of the surrounding area and are all newly purchased from Anderson Windows with a lifetime warranty, which is easily transferred to the next owner. The build-ins are convenient spaces for storage as well as perfect to display heirlooms and other decorative pieces, showcasing your style.

The open floor plan leads into the kitchen. The backsplash, made with Fresno Azur ceramic tiles, adds beautiful color and texture to the immaculate kitchen. The island has been recently expanded and features gorgeous quartz countertops. Increasing in popularity because of the ease it takes to clean, quartz makes for a beautiful, one-of-a-kind counter, as each piece of the stone is different. The black hardware beautifully contrasts the chic white hue of the cabinets.

“

The kitchen and the great room aren’t the only rooms on the main level. The study is a charming addition to the home. The navy cabinetry is accented with Designer Gold hardware, adding a touch of opulence. The vaulted ceiling makes the study spacious and a far cry from the dark, cramped office that may come to mind when picturing a study.

Taking the stairs up through the living space, the new plush carpet underfoot, and the stairs lined with a black iron rod spindle staircase railing, you’ll find the bedrooms. The upstairs boasts stunning views of the surrounding foothills, as well as the beautiful sunsets Colorado is known for. Double doors lead to the primary ensuite, complete with a large bedroom, a sitting area surrounded by windows, and a bathroom suite designed to impress. A sleek freestanding tub and a frameless shower offer options for bathing, and are accompanied by state-of-the-art floor tiles. The Luxury vinyl tile is 100% waterproof and anti-mold and mildew, making it easy to keep clean.

“

Each of the large bedrooms upstairs has new carpet and windows, offering ample natural light and space. A Jack and Jill bathroom connects two of the bedrooms. This bathroom is easily customizable with sleek white subway tiles and a new vanity. Each of the secondary upstairs bedrooms has a “fandelier,” a unique combination of a fan and a chandelier. With new carpet throughout the home, it has the aesthetic and ambiance of a brand-new home.

There is no shortage of space to entertain in this home. Since Colorado weather can be absolutely spectacular, there is a large fenced yard, a composite deck with an iron railing, and a stand-alone pergola. Residing on a corner lot ensures this home has ample outdoor space, perfect for any outdoor fun for entertaining guests, barbecues, and summer gatherings.

For the times the weather is a bit more temperamental, the finished basement is just the spot.  Complete with a wet bar, beverage sink, and pool table, your basement just might be your new favorite place to entertain. There is also an expansive rec room that is filled with possibilities.  From a theater room to a game room or any other kind of sanctuary you can imagine, the basement provides the space for it.

Andrea Tuell, Northern Colorado real estate expert, is showing this stunning luxury home. Get ready to fall in love with this charming and elegant home and see it for yourself. She can be reached through her website andreatuell.com or by calling (970) 290-3758. With the space this home provides and the million-dollar views, it’s hard not to imagine life in this beautiful home.

ARTICLE BY JAHNA EICHEL | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATTHEW HART

DESIGN A KILLER INSTAGRAM FEED

5 TIPS FOR ELEVATING YOUR INSTAGRAM PRESENCE

Whether you’re a blooming entrepreneur, a mom with a side hustle or spearheading a growthminded enterprise – there is no denying the importance of a premium social media presence.  Back in 2007, market research firm Yankelovich ran a survey of 4,110 people and found out that an average person sees up to 5,000 adverts every day.

Today, that number is even higher and the average person sees around 10,000 ads per day, though only a quarter of that or less will be relevant. So how do we cut through the noise and stand out?

DEFINE YOUR BRAND IDENTITY

Before posting anything, take a step back and define your brand identity. Your brand is more than a logo, it’s an emotion that drives your audience. What are your core values? What message do you want to convey through your social media presence? Your Instagram should reflect the uniqueness of your brand through your color scheme, the tone of your captions, and the type of content you share.

SPEAK TO YOUR IDEAL CLIENT

Understanding who your audience is plays a significant role in how you engage with them. Are they young professionals, busy parents, fitness enthusiasts, or fashion lovers? Tailor your content to match their interests and needs. You can define who your consumers are by using clear and decisive verbiage that speaks to them directly.

USE STRATEGIC & CURATED VISUALS

Instagram is a visually driven platform, so the quality of your photos and videos can make or break your presence. Stop posting photos of your dinner and your toes in the sand on vacation (unless you’re a restaurant or a travel agent!). Use high-resolution images and maintain a consistent editing style to make your feed aesthetically pleasing. Invest in design and media production, it is a tangible enhancement that is truly worth it.

USE RESEARCHED HASHTAGS

Did you know that the average Instagram user accidentally uses at least one banned hashtag per post? If that’s your business account and you’re curious why you aren’t growing – we may have just solved your problem!

Instagram bans #beautyblogger but allows its users to use #beautybloggers, a plural version of it. Fitness account? #bikinibody is also on the banned list.

BE AUTHENTIC!

The internet audience is losing patience with bots and inauthentic social media “gurus”. Authenticity is compelling to the right audience and a MUST for any social media presence. Inviting followers into a genuine narrative that resonates deeply will foster lasting connections.

By implementing these strategies, you can curate an engaging Instagram presence that not only stands out but also fosters a strong connection with your audience. Remember, success on social media doesn't happen overnight. Stay patient, be authentic, and keep refining your approach based on your audience's feedback and your performance analytics.

k i t c h e n s b a t h r o o m s b a s e m e n t s

This is one of my constant “go to” DIY projects. It’s fast, it’s easy and it looks oh so professional. I love displaying photos, but I don’t necessarily love a lot of photo frames. These canvases create a crisp, clean look... All in about 30 minutes! Let’s get started.

DIY Photo To Canvas In A Snap

ARTICLE BY ANGI HOCKETT | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

STEP 1:

First things first, grab your supplies.

• Photo on photo paper

• 1 ½ inch thick wrapped canvas

• Mod Podge in Matte finish

• Black spray paint in Satin finish

• Clear spray paint in Satin finish

• 4 inch or 6 inch foam paint roller

• Small paint tray

Place your photo on the clean, dry canvas to make sure it fits correctly. Trim if necessary.

STEP 2:

Spray paint the canvas sides and a little of the top with the black spray paint. It is VERY important to let this dry completely.

STEP 3:

Using your foam roller, roll Mod Podge over the entire top of the canvas. Center your photo on top of the wet Mod Podge. Smooth the photo with your hands starting in the middle and pushing out toward the edges

STEP 4:

Roll a thin even layer of Mod Podge over your photo. This is a little scary “painting” over your photo, but I promise it will dry clear. Once it is covered with a thin layer start at one side and roll straight rows from side to side, in the same direction, as to avoid roller lines once it dries. If you see small bubbles in the wet Mod Podge, it is too thick. Thin it out by taking an almost dry roller over the photo to lift some of the Mod Podge. Repeat until the bubbles are gone. Let this dry completely.

STEP 5:

Spray the top and sides of the entire canvas and photo with satin spray paint. Dry…Hang….High Five. Congratulations on your new Photo Canvas!

This same technique can be used on 4x4 tiles of your choice to create custom coasters. You will add a bit of Peel and Stick Cork or felt to the back of the tile so the coaster doesn’t scratch. Cheers!

Pleasant Pantries

Organizational tips for a functional and aesthetically pleasing pantry

Designing spaces in our home goes beyond aesthetics, factoring in functionality is what really transforms our living spaces. Design brings out individual style and puts our own personality into the environments we live in. Design also means practical and innovative ways to use space. The importance of useful design allows us to optimize storage spaces in our homes so that we can live our lives free of clutter and dysfunction. We’ve collected a handful of tips and tricks to make your pantry aesthetically pleasing and highly functional.

Organization Tools:

• Clear containers

• Storage bins

• Labeler

• Lazy Susan

• Door hanging storage/shelves

ARTICLE BY MACEY VANDENMEERENDONK

• Hooks

• Bag dispenser/holder

• Tiered organizing racks

1. Start Fresh Start this organizational process by clearing out your pantry and cleaning it. Once it’s cleaned, go through all your pantry items and discard all expired or unused items.

2. Use Organizational Tools Using clear containers, well-labeled bins/containers, and storage helpers like a lazy susan, will instantly give your pantry a face lift while also providing a lot of function to this often-times dysfunctional space. The packaging of items makes spaces look cluttered and disorganized, by putting items in containers, it creates a more uniform aesthetic.

3. Like-Items Together For ease and convenience, keep like-items close to each other. Canned foods and jarred foods go next to each other, lone items and packaged foods like root vegetables and chip bags go in bins, spices should get a spot together, and

pastas and grains could be made neighbors. Whatever your flow looks like is up to you. But placing things together in a way that makes sense to you will not only organize this space but make it functional for the long-term.

4. Use the Space Use unconventional spaces like walls and doors for extra storage. Door hanging storage with baskets or compartments are perfect for spices, canned goods, and jars. If you have extra wall space, don’t let it go to waste! Adding hooks for aprons and reusable bags or a wall-mounted dispenser for bags are some great ways to organize non-food items.

5. Seasonal Items Up High Items that aren’t used regularly like party, seasonal, or holiday supplies should be stored high so that regularly used items can be kept in the easily accessible areas of your pantry.