COLORADO
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THE DESTINATION FOR DESIGNER LIGHTING
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DESIGNER: IAN K. FOWLER
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THE DESTINATION FOR DESIGNER LIGHTING
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KEARS LARGE BRACKETED WALL LIGHT
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62 DESIGN DISPATCH
The little black book of all things new and fabulous in the local community.
74 EVOLUTION
Leading landscape designers weigh in on the growing appeal of showcasing art in natural surroundings.
78 HUE
Gardener Ellen Ogden Ecker pens an ode to the sights of spring and the color of new beginnings.
80 INSPIRATION
Florida-based sculptor Jorge Blanco is on a mission to spark happiness through eye-catching art.
82 INNOVATION
With a line of outdoor planters and a new Miami outpost, Adam Sirak is making waves in landscape design.
98 MATERIAL
Textile artists stitch one-of-a-kind creations for Luxe featuring this season’s performance fabrics.
108 TREND
Find inspiration in the jaw-dropping terrain of three U.S. National Parks.
116 SPOTLIGHT
From benches to loungers to dining chairs, herald alfresco living with colorful outdoor seating.
144
KITCHEN + BATH
Hotelier Liz Lambert unveils her collection with Perennials and her charming ranch in Marfa, Texas.
156 THE REPORT
A look at how today’s pool houses are being designed as backyard vacation destinations.
An artist reimagines a traditional Korean paper-felting technique to reflect on her life experience.
For a baseball-loving client’s home overlooking Coors Stadium, a designer hits a home run.
A team turns a Washington Park abode into a perfect canvas for its owners’ art and textile collection.
COVER: Designer Julie Brayton and architect Paul
collaborated to connect this Denver home’s interiors to its surrounding landscape. The custom backyard pavilion, by Maxco Innovative Builders, features Bonacina 1889 sofas and custom armchairs in a C&C Milano fabric under a Morrocan fixture from Design Mix Furniture. Page
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SANDOW was founded by visionary entrepreneur Adam I. Sandow in 2003, with the goal of reinventing the traditional publishing model. Today, SANDOW powers the design, materials and luxury industries through innovative content, tools and integrated solutions. Its diverse portfolio of assets includes The SANDOW Design Group, a unique ecosystem of design media and services brands, including Luxe Interiors + Design, Interior Design, Metropolis, DesignTV by SANDOW; ThinkLab, a research and strategy firm; and content services brands, including The Agency by SANDOW – a full-scale digital marketing agency, The Studio by SANDOW – a video production studio, and SURROUND – a podcast network and production studio. SANDOW Design Group is a key supporter and strategic partner to NYCxDESIGN, a not-for-profit organization committed to empowering and promoting the city’s diverse creative community. In 2019, Adam Sandow launched Material Bank, the world’s largest marketplace for searching, sampling and specifying architecture, design and construction materials.
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Luxe Interiors + Design (ISSN 1949-2022), Arizona (ISSN 2163-9809), California (ISSN 2164-0122), Chicago (ISSN 2163-9981), Colorado (ISSN 21639949), Florida (ISSN 2163-9779), New York (ISSN 2163-9728), Pacific Northwest (ISSN 2167-9584), San Francisco (ISSN 2372-0220), Southeast (ISSN 2688-5735), Texas (ISSN 2163-9922), Vol. 21, No. 2, March/April, prints bimonthly and is published by SANDOW, 3651 NW 8th Ave., Boca Raton, FL 33431. Luxe Interiors + Design (“ Luxe ”) provides information on luxury homes and lifestyles. Luxe Interiors + Design SANDOW, its affiliates, employees, contributors, writers, editors, (Publisher) accepts no responsibility for inaccuracies, errors or omissions with information and/or advertisements contained herein. The Publisher has neither investigated nor endorsed the companies and/or products that advertise within the publication or that are mentioned editorially. Publisher assumes no responsibility for the claims made by the Advertisers or the merits of their respective products or services advertised or promoted in Luxe Publisher neither expressly nor implicitly endorses such Advertiser products, services or claims. Publisher expressly assumes no liability for any damages whatsoever that may be suffered by any purchaser or user for any products or services advertised or mentioned editorially herein and strongly recommends that any purchaser or user investigate such products, services, methods and/or claims made thereto. Opinions expressed in the magazine and/or its advertisements do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Publisher. Neither the Publisher nor its staff, associates or affiliates are responsible for any errors, omissions or information whatsoever that have been misrepresented to Publisher. The information on products and services as advertised in Luxe are shown by Publisher on an “as is” and “as available” basis. Publisher makes no representations or warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, as to the information, services, contents, trademarks, patents, materials or products included in this magazine. All pictures reproduced in Luxe have been accepted by Publisher on the condition that such pictures are reproduced with the knowledge and prior consent of the photographer and any homeowner concerned. As such, Publisher is not responsible for any infringement of the copyright or otherwise arising out of any publication in Luxe Luxe is a licensed trademark of SANDOW © 2011. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without
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Minusio, TI | CHF7,950,000
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Incredible opportunity to indulge in oceanfront living at La Jolla’s premier high-rise building offering an unparalleled lifestyle of luxury.
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Islip, NY | $1,299,000
Historic 6,000 sq. ft. home located in the South Shore Hamlet of Islip. Coach Real Estate Associates, Inc.
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Welcome to our March/April issue! It’s the season of renewal, green shoots and bucolic surroundings. In this issue, our editors bring fresh perspectives on landscape design and sculpture gardens, the latest in outdoor seating and incredible pool houses. We also head to a west Texas ranch that’s both laid-back and chic for a primer on alfresco entertaining. And, of course, our line-up of fabulous homes. May it all bring you endless inspiration.
Pamela Jaccarino VP, Editor in Chief @pamelajaccarinoIn 2019, jewelry designer Marie-Juliette Bird gathered artists and makers to create a Boulder pop-up called The New Local. Now, the concept has grown into a nonprofit arts collaborative aiming to help female-identifying Colorado creatives earn a living wage, with a new brick-and-mortar location to boot. Luxe met with Bird to learn more. thenew-local.org
The New Local moved into Boulder’s historic Montgomery House. What will we find inside? We have resident artists working in the space, an entire level devoted to workshops and a gallery showcasing local artists, designers and makers. It’s a hive of activity.
The craftspeople you represent work on a variety of media, including ceramics, sculpture, painting and textiles. How do you select them? Every six months, we hold an open call which includes outreach to underserved and minority communities. Then a jury makes selections to ensure what we represent expresses a commitment to art and craft and shows the maker’s hand.
What’s next for The New Local? The big vision is to grow and have New Locals all over the country, with an online platform that ties them all together. I hope the next one is in Denver!
WHO: Meredith Steele and Kristen Fogarty, friends and artists who met in 2019, painted their first mural together in 2020 and in 2021 launched Denver-based Magik Studios, where they design custom pieces for a national roster of commercial and residential clients.
WHAT: The duo’s feed offers an up-close look at their art, which includes hand-painted murals, digital illustrations, mixed-media installations and more—in palettes that range from monochrome to earth tones to Technicolor.
WHY: A scroll through these eye-catching images offers insight into the way wall art can transform a space—as well as inspiration for springtime walks through neighborhoods like Denver’s LoDo, Lowry and LoHi, where you can view Steele and Fogarty’s murals and installations in the flesh.
IN THEIR WORDS: “It’s our goal to create artwork that makes an impact while also being relatable. We hope our followers will find inspiration for their homes, that they will find our work in the wild and that our feed sparks joy.”
This spring, more than 100 Japanese works encompassing painting, calligraphy and ceramics from the 1600s to the 1900s are showcased at the Denver Art Museum in an exhibition that examines concepts of artistic voice, gender and agency. Displayed through May 13, “Her Brush” explores the paths women creatives made for themselves in their pursuit of artistic expression—and the cultural barriers that both impeded and inspired their progress. Interactive elements and biographical materials displayed throughout the galleries offer a rich context for the work of renowned and little-known artists alike, and includes many neverbefore-seen pieces. denverartmuseum.org
For his series “Time Life,” visual artist Mungo Thomson gathered imagery from encyclopedias, how-to guides, cookbooks, science journals and other printed materials, then presented it in high speed through stop-motion animation. The fifth volume of the series, titled Sideways Thought , is the focus of an exhibition on view at the Aspen Art Museum through April 2. Here, Thomson presents French sculptor Auguste Rodin’s complete works (as photographed and printed in art history monographs) at a pace of eight frames per second, inviting viewers to question the changing ways in which we consume images, absorb information and understand the passage of time. aspenartmuseum.org
Known for using scraps of clothing and domestic textiles to sculpt interpretations of raw flesh and bone, Jerusalem-born Tamara Kostianovsky has applied her technique to a new subject matter: the landscapes surrounding her childhood home in Argentina. Her twisted, layered and quilted wall sculptures and freestanding works depict tree stumps, tropical birds and flora in often unexpected colors and textures. On view until June 18, 13 of her large-scale pieces are on display at the Denver Botanic Gardens’ FreyerNewman Center, illuminating historical and contemporary ecological challenges—and offering a striking vision of a utopian future for all wild places. botanicgardens.org
As husband-and-wife Lillian and Tim Lu fine-tuned the vision for Noisette, their new restaurant and bakery in Denver’s LoHi district, they were inspired by the words of Jacques Pépin, who described the cuisine bourgeoise style of cooking as one that “honors the ritual of the table in the tradition of mothers and grandmothers.” Though the space’s midcentury modern furnishings and rose-and-pistachio palette feel fresh and chic, a strong sense of nostalgia pervades the details of these interiors created with design firm LivStudio, from a gallery wall of vintage art and objets to the floral-patterned dishware Lillian sourced from Colorado antique shops. “I was inspired by Parisian patisseries, which have an easy elegance and beauty,” she says, “and by Parisian apartments with historic details but modernized furniture and decor. From there, a story grew that Noisette would be like visiting your stylish grandmother who treasures the antiques she inherited from past generations”—and who serves delicious French comfort food. noisettedenver.com
With its emphasis on laid-back luxury and social and environmental responsibility, California-based home goods brand Parachute has been a natural match for Colorado consumers since its debut in 2014. As its offerings have expanded from super-soft textiles to furniture and mattresses, Parachute’s brick-and-mortar presence has grown as well, most recently with new stores at Boulder’s Twenty Ninth Street retail center and Denver’s Cherry Creek North shopping district. Designed to feel like a home, each boutique comprises distinct spaces, including a fireplace-warmed living room where shoppers can browse the brand’s growing furniture collection and bedrooms showcasing bed frames and mattresses dressed in Parachute’s signature bedding. The Boulder shop’s spalike bath area features a large soaking tub, while the Denver location includes a kitchen stocked with tabletop decor and a bath section outfitted with a marble sink—so guests can experience those ultra-plush towels firsthand. parachutehome.com
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“To those who have experienced the passion for beauty, the ordinary will no longer appeal.”
Willem Elsschot 1882-1960
From boundary-pushing landscape design to alfresco art, the world of outdoor living is as dynamic as ever.
THE LATEST SCULPTURE GARDENS FEATURE MUSEUM-QUALITY WORKS THAT ENGAGE WITH THE ENVIRONMENT, INVITING WONDER AND INTROSPECTION.
WRITTEN BY MICHELLE BRUNNERIt would seem that Mother Nature shouldn’t need much embellishment, but in his new book, Intersection of Nature and Art, landscape architect James Doyle makes a convincing case for using world-class sculpture to enhance outdoor environments. “Once you set the right piece in a meadow, it ends up making sense; the scale is correct, and it adds whimsy and artistry to the natural surroundings,” he says. For art connoisseur clients, outdoor sculpture gardens provide an opportunity to expand their collection and experience pieces while communing with nature. “Some homeowners may want these works front and center, while others will prefer them to be more of a surprise that’s discovered as the landscape gradually unfolds,” says Justin Quinn, partner at JDDA. At a historic estate outside Philadelphia, an Antony Gormley sculpture punctuates the expansive grounds. Whether situated to inspire public awe or private contemplation, an artfully placed sculpture has the power to beguile onlookers. jdda.com
While northern California vistas take pride of place in landscape architect Gretchen Whittier’s designs, even the most breathtaking scenery can need a little coaxing. “Sometimes you have to reshape the view, and we often use sculpture to accentuate the end of a vista or create a focal point,” she says. For a Napa Valley project, finding the right location for a monumental tree sculpture by Ai Weiwei required much deliberation. Whittier ultimately landed on the entry courtyard, where it serves as a crowning centerpiece. Placing art en plein air also helps to create a dialogue between interior and exterior spaces, visually extending the living area. “When you see a piece of sculpture through a window, and it feels like part of the decor, a beautiful connection is made.” arterrasf.com
For architect Jerry Hooker, using sculpture in landscape design isn’t just about creating an aesthetically pleasing composition—it’s an opportunity to craft a personal narrative. A partner with Mirador Group, Hooker has used art to enhance the grounds of many projects, including the private roof terrace of a new condominium in Houston. Hooker created three separate garden “rooms” housing a sculpture that holds special meaning to the homeowner. Providing clients with such thoughtful landscapes encourages the kind of introspection one might experience in museums, a similarity not lost on Hooker. “Every single person will have a different interpretation,” Hook er says. “That’s the purpose of art.” miradorgroup.com
It’s a gardener’s spring ritual: waiting and watching for hints of green. Who knew that a color could hold so much promise and ll me with such a sense of hope. Like listening to music wafting through the air, shades of emerald and sage begin to layer through my garden the surrounding Vermont hills. I notice how fresh, minty green buds give to blooming leaves, and celadon spears of asparagus poke through the soil. Emerging plants move to a tempo all their own like a well synchronized orchestra.
Weeks ago, I went through the sacred processes symbolizing spring: cupping a handful of soil and inhaling as I put it to my nose. Healthy and organic, the mixture smelled sweet like chocolate cake and felt rich and crumbly in my palm. Preparing soil was only my rst act before pushing and sowing seeds for peas and lettuce in long, straight rows. Within a week, tiny sprouts have given way to tendrils, then so much more.
garden in a lush valley between the Green Mountains and Taconic Range, where pine, pistachio and jade tones blanket the verdant landscape like a giant tapestry of color coming together to create a rich work of art. As I follow a well-worn path from the woods, freshly punctuated with lime-colored buds peeking through the ground, back to my own garden, I pause. A medley of green hues will soon emerge to mean one thing—spring is here.
Whether soaring 20 feet above a bustling city street or punctuating a serene park, Jorge Blanco’s vibrant, aluminum sculptures are instantly recognizable. The playful silhouettes—depicting everything from human forms in motion to fruit and abstract shapes—are his vehicle for spreading joy. “Art is communication and feeling,” says the Sarasota-based artist, whose practiced sculpture for nearly 50 years. “I always have the same intention in my work: communicate happiness, energy and enthusiasm.”
Blanco’s penchant for art began in his native Venezuela. As a child, he discovered Auguste Herbin’s colorful and geometric paintings, which had a profound impact on
CAPTURE THE DELIGHT HE FINDS IN LIFE’S SIMPLE PLEASURES.
WRITTEN BY KELLY VELOCCI JOLLIFFEhis work. While Blanco’s early sculptures portrayed darker subjects, his artistic language shifted to express a more positive point of view upon meeting his wife, Elena, in 1984. “The world has two sides,” Blanco explains. “One is sad, scary and painful, whereas the other is about beauty, smiling and comfort. I choose to focus on the latter because it is encouraging.”
Bold primary hues or bright white coloring are hallmarks of his work, which include 30 permanent public sculptures, in addition to private commissions, throughout the U.S. and abroad. His pieces directly reflect the inspiration he finds in day-to-day life, whether that be sports or the color of a piece of fruit.
Before embarking on a new sculpture, Blanco closely surveys the site where the work will live, observing shadows cast by the sun, wind conditions, vegetation and surrounding architecture. Each design originates as a humble paper sketch, evolving into a model and then a technical drawing before reaching its final machinecut, powder-coated form. “It’s important to me that people smile when they see my work,” Blanco muses. “It is a gift that encourages me to continue working.”
jorgeblancosculpture.com
Nueve a large-scale, aluminum powder-coated commission, is a tribute to life and nature that lives on the grounds of a large Caribbean estate.BETWEEN A THRIVING LANDSCAPE AND EXTERIORS BUSINESS, A DEBUT LINE OF PLANTERS AND A NEW MIAMI OUTPOST, THERE’S NO TIME FOR MOSS TO GROW UNDER ADAM SIRAK’S FEET.
WRITTEN BY MAILE PINGEL
“My practice is about telling stories,” Adam Sirak explains. Whether creating the garden at Art House of San Clemente, an artist-in-residency program outside Los Angeles, or a rooftop green oasis in West Hollywood, Sirak takes an uber-creative approach to exterior design. This approach has brought him residential projects throughout L.A., where he lives, and new hospitality work including a forthcoming hotel near Joshua Tree National Park.
His love of gardens was inherited from his parents, both of whom are landscape designers in South Florida. “I grew up in a masterpiece garden, and we were always taking trips to botanical gardens or the Everglades. It was plants, plants, plants,” he says, laughing. Now, Sirak is working with them to establish an office in Miami from which he can operate.
“Gardens are transportive, they’re living expressions of time and place. I find that endlessly inspiring.”
For his latest venture, a line of planters, the designer was inspired by an interest in classical antiquities and ancient civilizations. “I’ve used every planter under the sun and thought, where’s the one that’s really cool?” Sirak let ideas develop organically, sketching hundreds of prototypes by hand. Soon a collection developed; the drawings digitized, the molds made, and casting done at his California facility.
The made-to-order planters caught the eye of David Alhadeff, founder of The Future Perfect, who now carries the line, which takes cues from the Byzantine, Roman and Ottoman empires of Istanbul’s history. At once ancient and modern, the designs can tell any story one might imagine. sirak.com
“I think of front yards as portals: They should welcome you into the garden and set the tone,” Sirak explains of this West Hollywood project. Although short on space, the fountain acts as a centerpiece while the sound of bubbling water adds a serene note.
“The key to the design was openness. We wanted to bring the outdoors in, especially on the main level, and allow for outdoor areas on different levels of the home.”
The XO range of bathroom fittings, covering showers, taps and accessories, takes inspiration from designs of the 2000s. This modern, minimalist collection offers clean, straight, angular lines. Available in polished chrome and brushed nickel. lefroybrooks.com
Grothouse crafts the ultimate in luxury wood surfaces, making gorgeous bespoke pieces for every room in the home. Designs are fully customized, like this walnut butcher-block table with brass accents. grothouse.com
A premier builder of custom-designed sink bases, J. Tribble’s handcrafted cabinets are a valuable asset for designers with a discerning eye, and for homeowners looking for something truly distinctive. jtribble.com
Modern and eclectic in design, this hand-poured concrete tabletop with warm teakwood legs would make a bold statement in a clean, contemporary home or turn-of-the-century villa. teakwarehouse.com
Your private showcase awaits at Thermador Experience & Design Centers. Explore bespoke kitchens and discover how true craftsmanship, design and innovation can bring visions to life. thermador.com/showrooms
the collection to enhance Experience
real wood can without on and unlimited
Explore the reimagined VistaWood window and door collection to enhance unique architectural style. Experience the warmth and character only real wood can provide, without compromising on today’s designs—narrow sight lines, large glass and unlimited configurations and customizations.
arcadiacustom.com
The Mars chair is a unique statement in hand-carved walnut that features an arching back and armrests with a graded arch design on each plane of the frame. Arch reliefs are highlighted in white for a graphic emphasis. Priced at $2,607. noirfurniturela.com
A contemporary take on a traditional Moroccan design, the Lesa rug features soft neutrals and bold graphics. Stark Performance Acrylic fibers provide the perfect union of luxury and high-end performance. starkcarpet.com
Collective Design is an integrated firm with architecture, interior design and furnishings services that provide clients with everything they need from one expert source. thecollectivedesign.com
Coleman’s Haberdashery specializes in premier, handcrafted bison leather accessories that are ethically sourced and lovingly made. Backed by a lifetime guarantee, their handstitched pieces stand the test of time and endure for generations to come.
colemanshaberdashery.com
Beck’s Silk Plant Company specializes in the highest quality artificial flowers and foliage, including trees, plants, palms, floral arrangements and decorative accessories for the home or commercial space. beckssilkplant.com
Vicunha Flooring offers a wide selection of exceptionalquality wood, tile, stone and carpeting that enhances a home’s natural beauty and comfort while elevating the lives and lifestyles of those living there.
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Discover performance fabric masterpieces, America’s diverse natural terrain and must-have outdoor seating.
WITH SPRING RENEWAL AS THEIR PROMPT, FOUR ARTISTS CRAFT ORIGINAL WORKS OF ART USING THE LATEST PERFORMANCE FABRICS.
“It’s like a bouquet of flowers,” says Atlanta-based Jamele Wright Sr. of his colorful creation drifting, 01 The piece was made with Pierre Frey’s newest performance lines—Outdoor Prints, Guethary and Enchantee—as well as objets trouvés like copper wire, broaches and driftwood from nearby Lake Lanier. “I’m always bringing found materials into fine art,” says the multidisciplinary artist. Wright’s hanging
pouches are reminiscent of gris-gris bags carried by African Americans during the 20th century’s Great Migration from southern states to northern and western cities (Wright’s own grandparents were among the millions who uprooted, moving from Alabama to Ohio). The pouches held good luck charms and tokens for those in search of a better quality of life. septembergrayart.com; pierrefrey.com
Textile artist Maggie Dillon specializes in portraiture, and while her color palette is usually more subdued, the saturated hues and bold prints of Sunbrella’s new Perspectives collection led her to compose the stunning portrait, You Belong Among the Wildflowers
“I seek a feeling of calm in my work, and the title felt like a deep breath of fresh air,” says the
Sarasota resident. The collection’s orangey red fabrics inspired the striking scene featuring a woman surrounded by poppies (a fitting choice as the flower blossoms in springtime).
“I toyed with the idea of a woman smelling the flower,” says Dillon, “but came up with a more playful version with her hiding behind the bloom.” maggiedillondesigns.com; sunbrella.com
Dana De Ano starts each piece with an examination of the materials. “I hear what they have to say,” says the Chicago-based visual artist. “We have a conversation and then I play.” In this case, De Ano listened to the colors and textures of Donghia’s Lake Hill Performance/Outdoor collection. She was particularly drawn to the neutral colors and textural feel of its rich boucle and chenille designs.
For Front Lawn, the artist was inspired by Chicagoan’s determination to regrow their surrounding landscapes after the long winter months. An alumna of the Art Institute of Chicago, she categorizes the piece—and her work as a whole— as drawings that use untraditional materials, whether that be paint, fabrics or found objects. danadeano.com; kravet.com
“I love working with textiles because there is such a wide range of possibility and freedom to experiment,” says Liz Collins, a Brooklyn artist and designer who conceived Blue Window No stranger to performance fabrics, Collins recently launched a capsule collection with Pollack which she used here alongside standouts from the brand’s latest line, Art School. Collins relied on her years of
textile experience to create this graphic arrangement featuring layers of rectangular cuttings in an echo chamber-like framework that successfully aligns with her selfdescribed “vibrant, electric, textured and contrasting” style. When it came to color, Dynamic Expansion on the outer frame (a personal favorite) guided her selection of blue patterns that followed. lizcollins.com; pollackassociates.com
lloydflanders.com
Today’s elevated outdoor lifestyles demand furnishings that offer elegant design, and enduring quality and ease. Since 1906, Lloyd Flanders has been crafting superior furniture that takes outdoor living to new heights. “The outdoor environment can be harsh, so designing products that withstand the elements while providing beauty and comfort drives our design team daily,” says CEO and creative director, Jess Flanders. “To achieve this, we use
all-aluminum frames, the highest-quality vinyl and our unique loom material.” Patented in 1916, Lloyd Loom is the firm’s proprietary process for creating wicker furnishings. “And our special loom material comes in 20 different finishes to meet the aesthetic wants and needs of our clients,” says Warren Juliano, president of Lloyd Flanders. “We’re proud to be the only manufacturer of woven outdoor furniture made entirely in the United States.”
Bryan Echols, senior vice president of sales and marketing, shares the ins and outs of outdoor excellence.
Name some unique places that have included your designs. We’ve seen our furnishings on cruise ships, high-rise condominium balconies, in outdoor seating areas at restaurants and breweries, at landmark locations like New York’s Waldorf Astoria and The Breakers in Palm Beach, in films like The Green Mile, TV series like Revenge, as well as music videos like Kenny Chesney’s Old Blue Chair
How do you include clients in the creative process? We offer Lloyd Loom Lounge Galleries with a dedicated Lloyd specialist to our retail partners to showcase our multitude of design, material and color options. Digitally, clients and salespeople can build their own look online and collaborate with us virtually to achieve a final custom design.
How are you responding to the increased demand for sustainability? We pay careful attention to the availability and sustainability of the materials we use, the energy resources required during the manufacturing process and the impact our products have on the environment.
What’s new and next? While neutrals will always be important aesthetically, we’re seeing significant growth in our brightly-colored finishes and fabrics. Our Sea Glass, Denim Blue and Woodland Green are all extremely popular right now.
Top From the Southport Modular Seating Collection, this sofa, lounge chair and square end table boast an ebony frame finish with Peacock color panel inserts. Bottom An All Seasons settee, settee swing and end table in ivory are the perfect complement to these high-back porch rockers and ottoman in a charcoal finish.“We design and create outdoor furnishings that deliver exceptional durability, style and comfort right here in the U.S.”
New Mexico’s ethereal White Sands marks state’s second addition to the National Park name hails from the rolling gypsum dunes 275 square miles, earning it bragging rights world’s largest gypsum dune field. Not your beach sand, gypsum is a hydrous, soft mineral that’s used in a wide range of applications, including architecture and art. The otherworldly terrain is a popular backdrop for commercials, music videos and films. nps.gov/whsa
the to list. Its name hails from the gypsum dunes covering 275 square it as the world’s gypsum dune field. Not your typical beach sand, gypsum is a soft sulfate mineral that’s used in a wide range of architecture and art. The terrain is a for commercials,
The origin of California’s Pinnacles National Park traces back some 23 million years after volcanos erupted and formed the unparalleled landscape that exists today. From caves and foot trails to woodlands and canyons, the park’s extraordinary reddish rock formations are particularly noteworthy. Located east of the Salinas Valley in Central California, near the infamous San Andreas Fault, and just 40 miles from the Pacific Ocean, the climate is as diverse as the land, with cool, wet winters and hot, dry summers. nps.gov/pinn
Don’t be fooled by its name: Though West Virginia’s New River Gorge was recently added to the National Park Service, the New River is one of the oldest rivers in North America. Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, the park covers 70,000 acres of forestland which provides visitors plentiful opportunities for hiking, whitewater rafting and rock climbing. This postcardworthy destination is also home to the New River Gorge Bridge—the third highest in the country. nps.gov/neri
Sourcing the highest quality marble, quartzite, quartz, granite, and soapstone for a meticulously curated collection to ensure your search for surfaces ends with Architectural Surfaces. Visit a showroom today.
Some say that three is a magic number. For Lillian August, it certainly is. For more than three decades she has been a leading figure in the world of high-end interior and lifestyle design. With her son and co-founder, Dan Weiss, and now the addition of her granddaughter and marketing director, Eliza Weiss, by her side, August’s world-renowned brand boasts three generations of talent, skill and expertise that continues to bring traditional elegance and innovative ideas to her celebrated lines of fine indoor and outdoor home furnishings, textiles, wallcoverings, lighting, wall décor and rugs. In the following interview, August shares insights into her history, design aesthetic and unique eye for quality, detail and color, as well as the 15-year partnership she shares with Sherrill Furniture– all of which has made both Lillian August the woman and Lillian August the brand truly legendary.
Share a bit of your brand’s history and evolution. I began designing textiles in the 1970s with a line of English country house-inspired quilts and crafts. This allowed me to expand into licensed collections of fabrics, wallcoverings, and later, furniture with outstanding makers like Sherrill Furniture. With my granddaughter joining, we are reaching younger lifestyle customers with fresh designs and creative expressions like our recent outdoor fabric license with Tempo Fabrics and exciting new wallcovering designs with Wallquest.
Describe your aesthetic. Whether it is historic or fresh from the Paris runways, color, patterns and textures have always inspired me.
What are the hallmarks of your brand’s personality? Lillian August is a go-to brand for interior designers wanting to achieve unique lifestyle looks with exceptional quality and classic design.
We work in a wide variety of styles because our customers live in different parts of the country and have different wants, needs, tastes and visions. And the fact that we offer so many fabrics, finishes, colorways and customization options allows our pieces to adapt to any fresh design ideal our clients can dream up.
What is exciting you creatively right now? Our latest designs are leaning into three unique lifestyles. First is Hollywood Regency, which blends maximalist glamour with bold, bright colors and patterns. Next is New Traditional, which will expand into indoor and outdoor textile collections that combine a traditional coastal concept with a fun, youthful twist. Finally, our Vintage Roundtop mixes natural materials and relaxed finishes for a masculine, mountain house feel that represents Dan’s aesthetic point of view.
What constitutes good design? Timelessness, great taste and an original mix of colors, materials and creature comforts.
“I am so proud to be celebrating 30 years and 3 generations of hard work and success with our family, friends, colleagues and fans of great design.”
LILLIAN AUGUST
TAKE A SEAT ON ONE OF THESE FABULOUS ALFRESCO FINDS AND SAVOR A MOMENT IN THE SUN.
WRITTEN AND PRODUCED BY KATHRYN GIVEN AND SARAH SHELTON PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRANK FRANCES
Los Angeles-based Bend Goods takes cues from modern architecture and midcentury design to craft their wide range of wire furniture. The sleek powdercoated Rachel Chair, shown in Peacock Blue, White and Yellow, features grated construction that allows air to easily filter and water to drain from the seat, making it an ultra-practical outdoor option. On the floor, Chilewich’s Boucle Woven Floor Mat in Tangerine and Bamboo Woven Floor Mat in Spring Green are fitting en plein air accompaniments. bendgoods.com; chilewich.com
Silicone rubber is Philadelphia-based designer Nick Missel’s material of choice. For his Cube series—exclusive to Frampton Co. in New York City—Missel devised perfectly imperfect textured perches that begin as a mold made from discarded cardboard and layered with silicon until the ideal shape and size are achieved. The gel-like surface of each one-of-a-kind piece comfortably cradles the sitter, allowing them to ever so slightly sink into its surface. shop.framptonco.com
Meet the Sloth Chair, the latest debut from Maximilian Eicke’s studio Max ID NY. Portable, foldable, stackable and handwoven of a synthetic fiber, the dramatic curves of the chaise mimic the shape of waves and sand dunes. Available in six colors, this uniquely cool take on the classic sun chair remains lightweight for toting to the beach yet stylish enough to be a permanent poolside fixture. maxidnystore.com
French flair is synonymous with Fermob, the chic outdoor furniture and accessory company whose work can be found scattered across Paris’ parks and green spaces. Fermob tapped Frédéric Sofia to rethink legendary designs in their Luxembourg collection (shown), which are inspired by the iconic garden of the same name and its original furniture from 1923. The low-back, aluminum Compact Bench (in foreground) is Sofia’s latest interpretation. The 57" Bench in Ice Mint, 2/3-Seater Bench in Frosted Lemon and 2-Seater Garden Bench in Opaline Green—their newest hue—round out the colorful offerings. fermob.com; chilewich.com
Quincy Ellis is the color guru behind Facture’s molded resin furniture and objects. Working out of a large Brooklyn warehouse, he brings designs to life that push the boundaries of color to realize striking combinations and gradation shifts that appear simple to the eye but require complex construction. Featuring smooth, matte finishes with gradual hue variations, the Meld Stool, Scale Pyramid and Meld Side Table (from top), can function as compact outdoor perches or bold tabletop surfaces. Custom shapes and colors are available. tulestefactory.com; chilewich.com
Fortina is an exceptional architectural system that deceives the senses by mimicking the appearance of wood slats and louvers using lightweight aluminum with hyper-realistic nonPVC surfaces.
This system was the ideal choice for this luxury residential home as it not only provides the same organic feel and warmth of real wood, but also offers several advantages such as lower cost, reduced environmental impact, ease of installation, fire rated, and consistent color and finish. The Fortina Louvers offers the perfect solution for emulating the look of wood without any of the limitations.
On the cusp of their 20th
FIRST PLACE | PRIMARY BATH
Mary Maney, CKBD
Crystal Kitchen + Bath
crystalkitchen.com | crystalkitchenbath
Photography Rob Grosse of Spacecrafting
The Serene Luxury primary bath by designer Mary Maney, CKBD, of Crystal Kitchen + Bath in Crystal, Minnesota, won Best Overall Bath due to an elegant design that overcame myriad structural challenges. Marble is incorporated throughout the bath to add a feeling of luxury, while a rug pattern with a mosaic inlay centered in front of the freestanding tub creates interest. The resulting space, with its minimalistic style and fluid lines, combines a mix of tradition and modernism for a truly compelling bath.
There are many different rooms and moments that make up a home. But it is an undeniable truth that the kitchen and bath are at the center of it all. They bring the function every household must have, but they’ve also become the hub of the home in another way: they often serve as a design foundation, setting the tone for everything else. Each year, the National Kitchen and Bath Association celebrates the very best of these all-important spaces in its Kitchen & Bath Design Competition. Keep reading to explore the iconic concepts that are taking their place in NKBA history in 2023. nkba.org/designcompetition
Sarah Robertson, AKBD Studio Dearborn studiodearborn.com | studiodearborn
The Creek Lane Kitchen by Sarah Robertson, AKBD, founder and principal of Studio Dearborn in Mamaroneck, New York, was designed for privacy, serenity and a connection to nature. It was also a kitchen that had to effectively accommodate the homeowners’ five cats, hence the “must-have” floor drain for the pets’ watering station. The beautiful mix of materials and integrated details combined with the practical storage and functionality of this kitchen made it a clear winner.
FIRST PLACE
Crystal Kitchen + Bath Crystal, Minnesota crystalkitchen.com | crystalkitchenbath
Photography Rob Grosse of Spacecrafting
FIRST PLACE
D’Amore Interiors Denver, Colorado damoreinteriors.com | damoreinteriors
Photography Tim Gormley of TG Image
SECOND PLACE
Kendall Ansell Interiors Coquitlam, British Columbia kendallansell.com | ka_interiors
Photography Janis Nicolay Photography
Kendall Ansell Principal Co-designer: Katelyn Woods, Senior Interior Designer
THIRD PLACE
EOLO A&I Design Miami, Florida eolodesigns.com | eolodesign
Photography Eugenio Willman of Emotion Works
Sandra Diaz-Velasco Principal Architect
SECOND PLACE
Henrietta Heisler Interiors Inc. Lancaster, Pennsylvania henriettaheislerinteriors.com
henriettaheislerinteriors
Photography Justin Tearney Photography
THIRD PLACE DeMane Design Gig Harbor, Washington demanedesign.com
Photography Tammy Dwight Architectural Photography
Lori Carroll & Associates
Tucson, Arizona loricarroll.com | lori_carroll
Photography Jon Mancuso
Lori Carroll
Interior Designer
Co-designer: Kat Saucedo, Designer
Welton Design Group Surrey, British Columbia
welton_design_group
Photography Tracey Ayton Photography
SECOND
Jaque Bethke Design
Scottsdale, Arizona jaque.design | jaquebethke
Photography Edward Zak Photography
Jaque Bethke Interior Designer and Architect
THIRD
Jaque Bethke Design
Scottsdale, Arizona
jaque.design | jaquebethke
Photography Phil Johnson of Provisuals Media
Jaque Bethke Interior Designer and Architect
SECOND
Doug Walter Architects Denver, Colorado | dougwalterarchitects.com dougwalterarchitects
Photography Justin Tearney Photography
THIRD
Studio Stratton
San Diego, California studiostratton.com | Studio Stratton Inc.
Photography Martin Mann Photography
Lance Stratton
Residential Designer
Co-designers: Kate LeCount and Tom King
FIRST PLACE
Bluebell Kitchens Wayne, Pennsylvania | bluebellkitchens.com bluebell_kitchens
Photography Christian Garibaldi
FIRST PLACE
Studio Dearborn Westchester, New York studiodearborn.com | studiodearborn
Photography Adam Kane Macchia, Macchia Photography
SECOND PLACE
Marla Nazzicone Designs Toronto, Ontario mndesign.ca | marlanazzicone
Photography Mike Chajecki
THIRD PLACE
Bluebell Kitchens Wayne, Pennsylvania | bluebellkitchens.com bluebell_kitchens
Rebecca McAlpin
SECOND PLACE
Estee Design Interiors
Toronto, Ontario esteedesign.com | esteedesigns
Photography Mike Chajecki and Victoria Malanowski, Mike Chajecki Photography
THIRD PLACE
Nar Design Group Sacramento, California nardesigngroup.com | nardesign
Photography Fred Donham, PhotographerLink
Photography Lori Kurnitsky Designer Marla Nazzicone Integrative Designer Lori Kurnitsky Designer Sarah Robertson AKBD, Founder and Principal Svetlana Tryaskina Co-FounderNKBA’s 2024 Kitchen & Bath Design Competition opens for submissions on April 1, 2023. All entries are welcome, including non-member submissions. Cash prizes of $100,000 will be given out to award winners, with Best Overall Kitchen and Best Overall Bath each taking home $20,000. For more information and to enter, please go to nkba.org/designcompetition.
Chosen by a panel of NKBA-Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designers, these distinguished projects and their creators represent the best and brightest in the industry.”
- BILL DARCY, CEO
When it comes to unique selling points, The Denver Shade company has many. Namely, it is Colorado’s only outdoor living, sun control-based showroom and carries only top-of-the-line designer shading products, mostly from Europe. “Due to high energy costs, Europe has a particular focus on sun protection and innovates at a faster rate than we do domestically,” principal Jared Layton says. “Better engineering means better control over the elements and better-looking products.” With Colorado’s beautiful weather comes a very high sun index rating. It’s a challenge The Denver Shade Company easily manages with a wide range of automated shading systems. “The sun’s movement demands shading that is also in motion: tilting louvered roofs, retractable shade covers or even a vertical screen to shade the low western sun,” Layton says. The company’s newly-expanded, state-of-the-art showroom invites clients to experience it all in person.
“ALL OF OUR PRODUCTS ARE SPECIFICALLY CURATED TO BE THE VERY BEST IN BOTH RELIABLE FUNCTIONALITY AND TOP-END DESIGN FEATURES.”
SHADING STRUCTURES:
Automated shading systems with columns, beams, louvers, roofs and shades are all integrated into a single unit. Many include lights, speakers, rain and sun sensors, heaters and even mist cooling systems.
SHADING SYSTEMS FOR EXISTING STRUCTURES:
The Denver Shade Company’s team transforms existing structures, like pergolas and open steel beam designs, into fully functional outdoor living spaces. Motorized shading systems can help with direct sunlight, heat, rain and temperature.
SCREEN SHADES:
Retractable, automated screens drop down on the sides of a patio space to shield it from too much direct sun. Exterior screen shades are also extremely effective for controlling solar heat gain before the heat enters the window or door.
RETRACTABLE AWNINGS:
Folding shade systems allow for quick and easy remote-controlled shade. Enjoy the sunshine when desired, then welcome the shade at the push of a button.
Day or night, Renson shading structures by Lutek provide unmatched performance and design. With a variety of available models and options, each structure is created to be functional and beautiful. Bring luxury to outdoor living, with Renson by Lutek.
Elevated entertaining in west Texas and a round-up of next-level pool houses have Luxe yearning for sunny days ahead.
THE MARFA, TEXAS, RETREAT OF HOSPITALITY MAVEN LIZ LAMBERT SPEAKS THE LANGUAGE OF PLACE.
WRITTEN AND PRODUCED BY KATHRYN GIVEN
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BUFF STRICKLAND
STYLING BY LAUREN SANDERS
“I strongly believe that a home should feel of a place,” Liz Lambert explains of her Marfa, Texas, abode, which is a true reflection of the surrounding area’s distinct culture. For the Austin-based hotelier, who made her mark designing some of the country’s top hospitality destinations, far west Texas inspires everything from materiality and building techniques, to the items she uses for decorating and entertaining.
Lambert’s residence is situated on her family’s sprawling cattle ranch located between
the Chinati and Davis Mountains. When she returned home to Texas after a stint in New York City, Lambert set out to find a home near where she grew up. Fortunately, she didn’t have to search far after realizing an existing bunk house structure on the property could be transformed with a few tweaks. Soon, a screened-in porch and section of the kitchen were built using traditional adobe masonry and outfitted with regionally sourced furniture. “A lot of friends helped me put this house
together,” Lambert explains. “Most of what you see in here is local and really speaks to where we are.”
Whether guests prefer lounging by the water tank or escaping the Texas heat with a dip in the alfresco bathtub, the ranch celebrates life outdoors and the natural beauty found in this corner of the country. When it comes to the interiors, there is an honest purity to the space that allows for an easy, laid-back lifestyle in which friends
come and go with ease. Most meals are served family style by Lambert’s brother, acclaimed chef Lou Lambert, who uses the Wolf Range for pinto beans as much as he does the campfire for grilling dinner.
For the table, Lambert gathers pared down native flora and fauna along with objects collected from the land. Place settings feature beautiful terra-cotta plates and bowls made in neighboring Mexico. “I think simplicity is beautiful,” Lambert notes.“I gravitate towards places where things fall away; the simpler a place is, the more you feel at home.”
One motif the aesthete does collect in abundance, though, is stripes. The classic print was the starting point for her new textile collection, Perennials by Far West, made in collaboration with the performance fabric and rug company. “I’ve had a history with stripes,” Lambert explains. “From using them in projects to collecting hand-woven Peruvian
textiles and Nepalese saddle blankets. So we began by examining each of these patterns.” And what evolved was a colorful, bohemian-inspired line comprising five fabric and three rug designs that work just as well indoors as they do outside.
Lambert, a partner at MML Hospitality, and her team at Lambert McGuire Design, put their heads together with Ann Sutherland at Perennials—bonding over Texas and tequila— to dream up patterns fitting in any number of applications while still evoking the place for which they were inspired: far west Texas. “T he idea was to start with stripes and put together a collection where each pattern could live on its own while also complementing one another,” she says. The line is already right at home on the ranch: Lambert’s used it for upholstering vibrant throw pillows, dog beds and even a camper van. At home indeed. perennialsfabrics.com; farwestcollective.com
As a founding member, Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate proudly represents Forbes Global Properties in the Colorado Mountains, and now, across the Front Range.
TODAY’S HAUTE POOL HOUSES ARE BEING DESIGNED AS DESTINATIONS UNTO THEMSELVES.
Elly Poston Cooper’s clients would have loved a vacation house, but there simply wasn’t time for one. The solution? Transform their South Carolina property into a getaway. “They wanted to create the magic of taking a holiday in their own backyard,” elaborates Poston Cooper, who joined forces with McAlpine on the design of an enchanting pool house boasting a chef’s kitchen, bunk room and lofted lounge. “We wanted it to feel like a destination,” she adds, pointing to kicky flourishes like the rattan drums, shuffleboard table and Peter Dunham Fig Leaf fabric on the lounge chairs and pillows. “It plays off the grounds and feels great for summer, but fresh and funky the rest of the year,” the designer notes. Meanwhile, beanbag chairs in Heather Chadduck’s Little Bamboo print can easily move to the pool deck or lawn, where the thoughtful addition of a white stone wall caters to movie screenings. While the outbuilding has hosted fundraisers, birthday parties, and even a wedding, the everyday delights are what assure Poston Cooper of a mission accomplished. “On Sunday nights, they’ll order pizza to the pool house and have family dinner,” she says. “It’s where they go to unplug.” ellyposton.com
“It truly is a catchall,” shares Julie Massucco Kleiner of the souped-up pool house she designed for a sports-loving family of entertainers. Kleiner’s clients sought to create a party HQ on their new San Juan Island, Washington, property, and an existing storage barn at the edge of the forest was just the answer. In collaboration with Studio AM Architecture & Interiors and Wygal Builders, Kleiner revamped the structure from head-to-toe, refinishing the exterior with a dramatic charcoal stain. Inside, the team implemented a world-class entertaining program tailored to large gatherings that includes a full kitchen and bar (replete with beer keg and wine systems), “the world’s largest sectional,” per Kleiner, and rolling pool and ping-pong tables wi th hard-top covers that can easily be pushed together to create a makeshift 60-person dinner table. Carrying the space’s blue-and-white scheme through to the exterior living areas, Kleiner selected an Ann Sacks tile with “a retro, Slim Aarons feel,” to rim the pool, complemented by striped chaises and scalloped umbrellas. From its flexible, fun-first amenities to the preppy palette that nods to the family’s east coast roots, the finished result is “very atypical,” Kleiner admits. Just as intended. massuccowarner.com
It’s not often that clients buy a house specifically because its acreage is perfect for erecting the pool house of their dreams. But that’s exactly why a young family purchased their Scarsdale, New York, abode, tasking Alisberg Parker Architects and Lucy Harris Studio with rendering an entertainer’s paradise on its outskirts. “It was our job to design something that belongs with the landscape and aligns with the architecture of the main house,” says principal Ed Parker, who echoed the existing structure’s palette and stonework while spinning things in a decidedly modern, laid-back direction. “It really feels like a retreat—almost like having a weekend home in the backyard,” reflects director of architecture, Shaun Gotterbarn.
“They wanted a place to relax, k ick back with friends and feel like they’re getting away from it all,” adds designer Lucy Harris who, aided by team members Kelley Roach, Jaclyn Doherty and Stephanie Saltzman, channeled the hospitable, hard-living chic of a boutique hotel for the interiors. Custom furnishings in sinuous shapes, natural material details and a fresh palette of blues and neutrals energized with red accents lend an off-duty vibe that’s “still elegant, but less buttoned up,” Harris notes.
While boasting plentiful amenities (including guest quarters and a semisubterranean basketball court), the beating heart is the pool-level lounge with its showstopping wet bar backed in book-matched marble. “It’s a little bit show business and a little bit sculpture,” muses director of interior architectural design, Will Jameson. “We got to play with some fun ideas, like the wooden slats on the front that shimmer as you move like a Bridget Riley painting.” The swank space merges seamlessly to the outdoor living areas, aided by bifold glass doors and garage-style windows. “You can have 30 people over at the drop of a hat with all the different seating areas,” notes Parker—and the clients often do. The husband hosts a basketball league, the wife runs a tennis group, and the kids’ entourage lives in the pool come summer. Concludes Harris, “It really is a playhouse for everyone.” alisbergparker.com; lucyharrisstudio.com
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SHOWROOMS IN DENVER, BOULDER & ASPEN
Arcadea’s custom-tailored design services are exemplified in this property. The owners wanted a modern home that took full advantage of the spectacular views but still felt integrated into its steep, rugged site.
arcadea.com | 303.449.6605
Ekman Design Studio is a boutique architectural firm specializing in fine custom homes and historic preservation that prides itself on attention to detail and collaboration with craftsmen and artisans. ekmandesign.com | 303.730.2757
With a focus on creativity, collaboration and the crossover between art and architecture, Morton Architects creates clean, exciting designs that seamlessly blend the natural landscape with the built environment.
mortonarchitects.com | 970.708.2246
Connecting people with beautiful places since 1995, SAI is a Frisco, Colorado-based studio that specializes in thoughtful, sustainable design for mountain and resort communities.
staisarchitects.com | 970.453.0444
Working in an industry hinging on quality and follow through, Liaison hit the mark at every pass. The partnership and transparency exceeded expectations, and their approach is wonderfully comprehensive. My firm, bureau interior design, enjoys the affability of the Liaison team and the precision of their execution.
We are a full-service residential and commercial custom electronics design and integration company. Our home technology solutions make your home safe, elegant, fun and easy to use. Our team is comprised of world-class experts in every field whose number one priority is to provide the best products and services to our clients in Aspen & Denver, CO. Contact Us Today!
In every market throughout the country, the act of buying and selling has become more complex than ever. With challenges like low inventory, fluctuating interest rates and increasing rate of movement among residents, competition is fierce and the details are making and breaking transactions. As such, homeowners and aspiring homeowners alike are rediscovering the invaluable resource of the real estate pro. Navigating any market has become an art form—a dance, one might say—in which the perfect series of steps must take place for a painless process and ideal result. For the experts on the following pages, it’s all informed by decades of experience and a passion for the trade. Introducing, the Power Players of real estate today.
720.539.0610 | koelbelco.com
When buying or selling the perfect Colorado property it is important to work with an expert team that brings enduring knowledge and a strong network of professional relationships. For 70 years, Koelbel and Company has been that team. “Whether you’re a builder, a buyer or a custom home or land seller, we are your go-to real estate experts,” says Paula Mansfield, custom communities sales manager. With expertise in the Front Range—and across the state—Koelbel Custom Communities include some of Colorado’s most prestigious addresses. “A few of our notable communities include The Preserve in Greenwood Village, Cherry Hills Park, Pinehurst Country Club, The Keep in Douglas County, Crossings at High Line Canal and homesites at Rendezvous in Winter Park,” Mansfield shares. “Our mission is to develop successful custom neighborhoods while building lasting relationships with clients and builders alike.”
Sitting opposite 750 acres of open space, Lot 15 at The Keep in Sedalia is a stunning 5-acre custom homesite that has incredible mountain views and is within an exclusive gated community that offers neighborhood gathering pavilions, walking and hiking trails and a fishing pond.
Offered at $850,000.
• Describe an ideal Saturday. Walking the High Line Canal in the morning and then working with clients the rest of the day.
• What is your favorite getaway? I love spending time hiking and enjoying the local food and entertainment scenes in any one of Colorado’s amazing mountain towns with Joe, my significant other. When we’re there, I always make a point to network!
• Share a few events that embody the ethos of your community. The High Line Canal Conservancy’s cleanup event is a great way to honor the beauty of one of our most valued natural amenities and the Cherokee Ranch & Castle Foundation allows me to help support the preservation of local history and wildlife.
“Koelbel and Company’s collaborative spirit and relationshipdriven impact starts with family and puts community first.”
A home should be the perfect canvas for exceptional living. As a luxury specialist and top broker in Boulder, Marybeth Emerson embraces this ideal with abiding skills, enduring knowledge and a “get it done, no matter what” attitude. “I draw from my career in architecture, interior design, home renovation and development to bring a distinguished level of expertise across the entire real estate spectrum,” she says. “I view real estate as both artful and aspirational, and as a way to envision all of the new possibilities in our next chapter in life. Thanks to the support of my expert team, the backing of Colorado’s legacy brokerage of Slifer Smith & Frampton and the international reach of Forbes Global Properties, I am able to connect each and every client to a remarkable property that exceeds their expectations, provides them with a true sanctuary and becomes a tapestry for their one-of-a-kind lifestyle.”
In a league of its own, 1489 Sunset redefines luxury. This reimagined 1-acre estate in downtown Boulder boasts stunning views, impeccable craftsmanship and an open floor plan that seamlessly integrates the indoors with an expansive outdoor paradise. Indoor highlights include a Savant home automation system, Marvin multislide automatic retractable doors, automated blinds, a Morning Star elevator, Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances, a butler’s pantry, a spa-like primary suite, en-suite guest spaces, a rec room, wet bar, wine cellar and sizable bonus room. Outside, there is a copper hot tub and cold plunge, custom outdoor kitchen, fire pit, pergola with infrared heat, misters and trellis lighting, and so much more.
Offered at $13,000,000.
A few of Marybeth Emerson’s Boulder musts
• Breakfast at The Buff
• Hike up Lion’s Lair to the top of Sanitas
• Wine and a rib-eye at Steak House 316
• Discover gems among the high-end housewares at Peppercorn
• Browsing the vintage posters and historic maps at Art Source International
• Hosting amazing musicians at PorchFest in Mapleton Hill each September
Top Designed by bldg.collective, Marybeth Emerson represented the buyer of this impressive $8,150,000 home when it sold in 2021. Left An aerial view of 1489 Sunset showcases the property’s expansive outdoor living spaces.
Photography Top by Tim Seibert; Left by Andrew Forino
“My mantra is ‘Live Bolder, Love Boulder.’ I embrace it in all that I do!”
“One Steamboat Place offers both whole and fractional ownership opportunities,” Allsberry says. “Whole ownership is the natural choice for full-time residents or families looking for a turnkey, second-home experience. While our fractional ownership program—the Private Residence Club—offers membership to the Catamount Ranch & Club, both ownership opportunities allow access to the members locker room, owner storage, ski valet, Motion Studio, concierge services and more.”
970.846.4897 | onesteamboatplace.com | onesteamboatplaceofficial
The ultimate Colorado lifestyle includes easy access to outdoor sports and activities, a vibrant local community and a well-appointed home that embraces nature’s beauty. With its prime ski-in/ski-out location, professional staff, superior amenities and luxury whole or fractionally-owned residences, One Steamboat Place is the key to exceptional mountain living. “Primarily four bedrooms, our residences are ideal for multigenerational family gatherings,” says Todd Allsberry, senior sales executive. “While our world-class skiing, Family Game Room, Little Tykes Room, exclusive spa and private transportation service to downtown Steamboat Springs make living here sublime.” Ownership has another important benefit. “Being a part of the Timbers Resorts allows our owners to participate in the Timbers Reciprocity Program, which gives them access to trade among 14 luxury resorts worldwide.”
Facing Mount Werner, Penthouse 711 enjoys nearly 4,200 square feet of living space, ski-in/ ski-out access and stunning mountain and valley views from its vaulted ceilings and large windows. Flooded with natural light, this magnificent four-bedroom, four-and-a-halfbath penthouse also includes an expansive great room complete with vaulted ceilings, a professional kitchen, large dining and living room, stone gas fireplace, breakfast room, sitting room, media room and office.
Offered at $8,000,000.
“Owning at One Steamboat Place is like having a second home with the services and amenities of a five-star boutique resort.”
A neoclassical home in Denver’s Polo Club undergoes a transformation to embrace the property’s beautiful landscape.
WRITTEN BY HILARY MASELL OSWALD | PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID LAUERArchitecture: Paul Mahony, KGA Studio Architects PC
Interior Design: Julie Brayton, Brayton Interiors
Home Builder: Steve Diamond, Diamond Homes
Interior designer Julie Brayton began with a simple task: sourcing a beautiful fixture to replace the out-of-scale chandelier that once hid the architectural beauty of this neoclassical Italian home’s entry. She soon found an airy orb from Jamb that her clients loved—“And I felt like I passed the test,” she laughs. Thus began a series of small improvements that culminated with the owners’ decision to tackle the house’s real issues: a dark, visually chaotic kitchen offering no connection to an expansive backyard that went unused, a family room often left empty now that the couple’s children are grown, and a palette of materials that no longer appealed to anyone.
Architect Paul Mahony at KGA Studio Architects PC and builder Steve Diamond of Diamond Homes joined the project and began exploring how to fix the floor plan. “We ultimately swapped the locations of the family room and kitchen,” the architect says, a change that moved the latter to a spot adjacent to the lush backyard. And then another opportunity presented itself: What if the renovation included the addition of a small solarium tucked in the back corner of the home, but still connected to the kitchen and patio? “The owners loved the idea of a place where they could start their day, read, have a cup of coffee and a conversation,” Mahony shares. So, with Brayton’s input, he designed an intimate, light-filled conservatory. Two doors connect the kitchen to the sun room, while another pair opens from the kitchen directly to the patio and two more link the sun room to the backyard, infusing the space with light and warmth.
With this glowing backdrop, Brayton and her clients leaned into a palette of bespoke materials that provide richness while conferring a sense of calm. Venetian plaster on the ceiling and walls adds “atmospheric coziness without being overly pronounced,” the designer notes. A Calacatta Bettogli marble island and backsplash are paired with custom cabinetry by Marcus Otten at Exquisite Kitchen Design which features subtle
layers of metallic sheen and deep-green tones that shift as the light changes. A blackenedstainless-steel hood and countertop in the bar area are complemented by steel-framed walnut cabinets and tie beautifully to the solarium’s steel doors and metal-clad exterior.
“Blending the new and the old is always a great challenge,” Diamond reflects, “especially when you have architecture as gorgeous as this home’s.” The team considered for a moment whether selecting different materials for the addition would be the right move, but eventually, Mahony says, they chose “to let the conservatory be its own thing.” To give the room the patina of time—and in keeping with the owners’ desire for beautiful materiality— Brayton sourced black-and-white checkered marble floors reclaimed from an 18 th-century church in Spain. A plaster application covers the walls to give the space an “outdoor feel,” the designer says, while the owners’ artwork and thoughtfully sourced furnishings give the room the same sophisticated charm that the rest of the home possesses.
Upstairs, the clients decided to expand the renovation and transform the media room into a new home office. “I laid out Holland & Sherry silk-and-wool rugs and one of the owners walked over, pointed to this beautiful green one and said, ‘This. I love it,’ ” Brayton recalls. The verdant accent became the anchor for the office, which she outfitted with a mahogany Rose Tarlow Melrose House desk and Jiun Ho filing cabinets inlaid with red lacquer. “Like the areas downstairs, we took this space that was fairly unused and transformed it into a room they now love,” the designer notes.
If you ask her to characterize the project in one phrase, Brayton opts for “personal Zen spaces.” The feeling of serenity in this renovated home is matched only by the practical usefulness of its rooms. “We took the elements we had—historic architecture, Colorado’s natural sunlight, our clients’ love for beautiful materials and finishes— and created environments they enjoy and use every day. That’s good design.”
For the solarium, designer Julie Brayton sourced black-and-white checkered marble floors reclaimed from an 18th-century church in Spain.
Opposite:
reflect the home’s Italianate aesthetic, Brayton sourced outdoor furnishings from Bonacina 1889: a Traccia Out table and 978 Dining Out chairs, as well as the brand’s Maine coffee table and lounge chairs.
The solarium “tucks neatly into the back corner of the house,” Mahony notes. It features a steel frame by Rehme Steel Windows & Doors that sets it apart while still harmonizing with other metalwork accents in the home.
An artist reinvents a Korean paper-felting technique to create sculptures that explore the immigrant experience.
WRITTEN BY CHRISTINE DEORIO PHOTOGRAPHY BY JIMENA PECKKorean American artist Sammy Seung-min Lee’s first meal in the United States was a preview of the experience and dilemma of conforming to a new country and culture. Prepared by her aunt, who had immigrated 25 years earlier, the feast featured traditional Korean foods served as a buffet—a novelty for then-16-year-old Lee. “She gave me a large plate to fill with whatever I wanted,” recalls the artist, who was accustomed to eating from small vessels containing carefully portioned and presented dishes. “All the food and juices were mixing together, and I wasn’t sure if I liked it but I thought, ‘I guess this is a way of becoming American.’ ”
Years later, after studying fine art, media art and architecture then starting Studio SML | k— her art practice in Denver—Lee memorialized this symbolic meal by recreating the buffet table in her work space. She then draped it with sheets of hand-felted mulberry paper that hardened into an intricately detailed, threedimensional cast of the scene.
“I call it a ‘paper skin,’ because I feel like I’m giving a shape to memories,” says Lee, who stumbled upon her paper-felting method— which previously involved soaking, kneading and pounding handmade hanji paper until it became a leathery, luminous substrate— while practicing bookbinding. “I was using wheat paste to fuse layers of paper into a thicker material,” the artist explains. “Until I discovered a similar, almost-forgotten Korean technique that only requires water, paper and busy hands to agitate the fibers.” The result is “an amazingly sculptural material that records so many fine details, from the flow of air to the weight of water to tension and relaxed draping existing together.”
Lee has applied these paper skins—stained using coffee and tea, then painted with varnishes—to a variety of objects embodying sociocultural issues related to immigration, home and belonging. Her ongoing series, “A Very Proper Table Setting,” encompasses more than 100 cast table settings from Denverites who have accepted the challenge of serving everything from traditional Thanksgiving feasts to lavish Southern breakfasts in Lee’s Korean tableware. “Setting up a meal for someone is very disarming,” she notes. “These questions and problems we have about the society we live in—this is a way to process, discuss and understand them through making art.”
Artist Sammy Seung-min Lee (opposite) crafts delicate artworks using her own twist on a traditional Korean paperfelting technique. Her wide range of work, which she stains with natural materials and paints with varnishes (right), includes cast sculptures, such as table settings of traditional dinners, and wall art (below).In Denver, a designer goes big with color and style for a baseball-loving client.
hen it comes to a shade like purple, you have to go big or go home,” interior designer Colin Griffith muses. He put this philosophy to the test in a luxury high-rise residence in downtown Denver, where the hue appears in the furnishings, floor coverings and even the flowers. It’s fitting for an abode overlooking Coors Field, home to the purple-jersey wearing Colorado Rockies baseball team, and for the owner, a woman who, per the designer, is an avid Rocks fan. “She never misses a home game,” Griffith says. “But here she doesn’t have to leave to see the stadium—the living room windows are in line with the famous Purple Row, the team-colored seats that encircle the ballpark exactly a mile above sea level.”
The color palette is just one of many individual notes that are hallmarks of the space. Notably, as the designer considers his client one of the best-dressed women in the Mile High City, his inspiration started in her closet. “I like to begin a project by observing what a person wears,” Griffith notes. “Her clothes are fun and fresh, super urban and modern—and that was the guide for the look of her new residence.”
The abode’s unique moments start at the front door, where a cast-plaster statue of a cowboy and his horse seem to emerge from an alcove, ready to stride down a 32-foot-long sculpted cowhide rug and into the living, dining and kitchen area ringed by panoramic views. “To enter the home, you have to go through a long hall with a slight angle,” the designer says. “The rug leads you down a path from front door to living room.” The passageway has little natural light, but Griffith added a sense of spaciousness with a series of paintings depicting elegant hands holding objects in front of airplane windows. “The corridor almost felt like a long aisle on a plane, and I thought, ‘how can we make this super sexy?’ ” he recalls. “The answer was to install these little ‘windows.’ Each one is colorful and tells a story.”
In the living area, purple appears in cashmerecovered armchairs, the owner’s beloved collection of orchids and a carpet with a cranium motif.
“This is another example of going bold,” Griffith says of the latter. “It’s a super-modern iteration of a Persian floor covering—it looks like purple paint has been splashed across it and features big skull images and copper-wire binding. It’s a piece that people will remember.”
Accented with highly detailed black-leather pillows, the same room’s angular, gray-velvet sofa is another unforgettable element. “It’s a four-sided sectional, two ‘Ls’ placed back-toback,” the designer explains. “The shape of these rooms made furnishing them challenging—there’s nothing square or linear in this home—but this piece allows a person to sit and watch television, read by the fire or face the piano and orchid wall while drinking coffee.”
That orchid wall featuring blossoms ranging from the lightest violet to a dark plum represents the interior equivalent of a grand slam. “The owner loves these flowers. For decades, she’s been receiving them for special occasions, and now she has a lot,” Griffith says. To exhibit them in the home, he designed “something that looks like a chic trellis,” utilizing a series of wall-hung metal shelves for an industrial touch. “It became a living art piece.”
The kitchen island also took an artistic turn with the addition of a metallic-tile backsplash, a row of jewelry-like pendants and a bold, blackand-white-marble island countertop. “I purchased this stone even though I had no project for it at the time—it’s just so gorgeous,” remembers Griffith. “We used it here and made the kitchen island a sculpture, while adding elements that shine.” Meanwhile, the hues soften in the primary bedroom, a space the designer wrapped in a soft, gray-linen wallcovering with a delicate, handpainted design. “We need to create places for ourselves where we can go for respite when the world is exhausting,” he notes.
In the adjacent bathroom, a large photograph of Stevie Nicks hangs over a shapely, luxurious tub. “The singer reminds me of my client, who is a fan. They are both cool, badass women who are breaking boundaries,” Griffith shares. Adding that these rooms are like a portrait of the owner, he concludes: “They are a reflection of her soul and personality, and they are a haven for her.” In that sense, the project is a home run.
“We need to create places for ourselves where we can go for respite when the world is exhausting.”
–COLIN GRIFFITH
With simple finishes and quiet colors, a Washington Park abode’s interiors become a living gallery for its owners’ art and textile collection.
ver since husband-and-wife
Peter and Judy Taggart began collecting art and textiles from around the world, they’ve favored pieces that offer a glimpse of their maker, from fabrics capturing an artisan’s unique techniques to paintings that highlight an artist’s every gesture. And so, the highest compliment they could pay to interior designer Ashley Jacobs—who teamed up with general contractor Kirk McConnell to help these New Jersey transplants personalize their new home near Denver’s Washington Park—is that the interiors she created reveal hints of their story at every turn.
When it was built in 2018, the home had been tailored to owners with more traditional tastes than the Taggarts, who desired a clean canvas for their colorful collections. Its architecture required little updating, however, save for the addition of a glass-walled wine room next to the lower-level bar. This meant Jacobs could immediately focus on subduing the interior finishes. “We kept a lot of key features, like the iron staircase railings, wood ceiling beams and warm brown wood floors, but we simplified the palette,” she says. “The trim and ceilings are now painted a bright white and the walls are one of my favorite warmer whites, which provides a great backdrop for art without making the house look like a stark gallery.”
To complete this fresh scene, Jacobs layered in textured finishes with motifs that showcase the craftsmanship behind their creation. “For me, it indicates the sense that a person has touched something,” Judy explains. In the kitchen, for example, a custom, hand-grained stainless-steel hood reveals the brushstrokes of a local artisan. And around the primary bedroom’s fireplace, there’s new, navy-blue handmade tile “with a beautiful undulation that creates a rich texture,” Jacobs notes.
When her clients purchased this property, the designer had recently completed the remodel of their nearby town house—a part-time residence as they transitioned to Colorado—and some furnishings from that project, in addition to
pieces from the Taggarts’ traditional East Coast home, found their way into these rooms. The breakfast area’s chairs and angular brass pendant, for instance, are existing items that Jacobs paired with a modern pedestal table. A well-loved wooden table and set of woven chairs found a home in the formal dining room, too. And an inviting upholstered armchair inspired the primary bedroom’s reading nook, which Jacobs finished with a hide rug and stitchedleather ottoman.
“Some of the pieces have a patina to them and others don’t, and I like the tension it creates—that juxtaposition of something shiny with something a little beat up,” Judy says. Such unlikely marriages result in arrangements that “feel like they’ve always been together,” Jacobs adds. “We were looking for pieces to finish scenes that Judy had already started to set.”
When it came to showcasing artwork, however, the interiors provided opportunities for fresh perspectives. “This home has exquisite wall space, which allowed Judy to display a larger selection of their art,” Jacobs notes. When the designer removed the second-floor landing’s built-in desk nook, for example, she made way for a gallery wall that the Taggarts filled with vibrant oil paintings in gilded frames. Meanwhile, downstairs, an empty dining room wall became the canvas for a collection of a dozen handmade baskets.
Perhaps most meaningful of all, the Taggarts’ bedroom displays an assortment of sketches by Judy’s grandfather, who created movie posters for 20th Century Fox. “For fun, he did fine art painting and taught himself sculpture, so, growing up, we always had original art around our house,” shares Judy, whose passion for collecting once inspired her to launch an art consulting business in New Jersey. “Now, I love when I can get to know artists and learn their stories. It makes it more meaningful to have their work in our home.”
United in these rooms, such treasured finds tell another tale—one of a couple that has lovingly curated them over the years. “It feels like us,” Judy enthuses about their reimagined residence. Adds Jacobs: “It reflects where they are now: starting fresh in Denver.”
“This space is all about layering,” designer Ashley Jacobs says of the living room. Here, various seating options and an antique Chinese game table mingle with decorative pillows upholstered in Rose Tarlow Melrose House and Brunschwig & Fils fabrics as well as an African indigo.
Right: “Reverse trim” is how Jacobs describes the powder room’s dramatic moldings painted Benjamin Moore’s Black Beauty. They nod to the pattern in Brook Perdigon Textiles’ Akan wallpaper. RH’s Bristol mirror hangs above a pedestal sink.
Opposite: Bone drawer pulls from CB2 are fitting accompaniments to owner Judy Taggart’s starburstpatterned desk in the study. Jacobs paired this statement piece with Surya’s Montezuma rug and a pendant from Kier Design Interiors.
KITCHEN DISTRIBUTORS
Kitchen Distributors has been home to kitchen experts since 1953. The KD team makes anything one can dream a reality. Family-owned since its inception, Kitchen Distributors is glad to be a lasting member of the Colorado design community and looks forward to building beautiful kitchens for years to come.
kitchendistributors.com |
303.795.0665
SIGNATURE WINDOWS + DOORS
Signature Windows + Doors provides more than just a product. For 40 years, they’ve dedicated their expertise and unmatched skill to delivering Colorado with best-in-class products, unparalleled service and flawless installation. Their portfolio includes residential and commercial projects. For expert installation and unmatched service: “Experience the Signature Difference.” signaturewindows.co | 303.442.4277
ONE BLEECKER INTERIORS
Prior to their move to Denver, One Bleecker Interiors earned a reputation for colorful, modern interpretations of traditional design while renovating pre-war apartments in New York City. Their thoughtful integration of traditional and contemporary design creates enduring spaces that never go out of style.
onebleecker.com |
508.479.0326
SIX WALLS INTERIOR DESIGN
Since 2004, Six Walls Interior Design has been an enduring creative resource founded on the principles of transparency and hands-on access to products, finishes and design. Their process and approach to interior spaces helps homeowners achieve their dream spaces while saving both time and costly errors.
six-walls.com
| 206.275.3399
SLIFER SMITH & FRAMPTON REAL ESTATE
Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate believes in the communities they serve by keeping local real estate local. With over 300 agents working from Aspen to the Front Range of Colorado and every neighborhood in between, they are connected to the places they live and work like no other brokerage.
slifersmithandframpton.com |
970.343.9573