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TALKING SHOP GRAZE GARDEN AND HOME
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Flora and fauna enthusiast, entertaining and craft expert, forager, educator, home chef, designer and author of the recently released Alpenglow: Outdoor Celebrations for Every Season, Hillary Munro is a multifaceted changemaker on the Jackson, Wyoming, scene. Here, she shares the vision behind her home and garden center, Graze Garden and Home, and offers tips on outdoor design in the Rockies. grazegardenandhome.com How do you define Graze Garden and Home? I wanted to create an elevated store offering Italian pottery, French outdoor furniture, durable doormats and decor—a beautiful and inspiring place to educate our community. How do you adjust to the varying Wyoming seasons? Seasonality keeps my shop always feeling fresh. Summer is for vibrant annuals and perennials; in the fall, we fill the greenhouse with local heirloom pumpkins; and, during the holidays,
our garden center becomes a winter wonderland filled with fresh garland, wreaths and seasonal decor. What local trends are you seeing? People are interested in hearty native plants, as they need less water, and species that attract bees and hummingbirds or are deer-resistant. Grasses are also trending, especially blue oat and Karl Foerster feather reed. European vintage ceramics by artists like Willy Guhl are a staple. Any gardening tips for novices? Gardening at high altitude can be intimidating, so start with perennials that are zoned for your area and microclimate. Don’t be afraid to try new things, and never be afraid of failure. Stepping indoors... What excites you in home decor? Maximalism! Modern mountain homes will always be in style, but I’m noticing more and more color bringing in charm and character through wallpaper and fabric.
BEHIND THE BRAND “Utilizing the name ‘exquisite’ is a commitment,” shares Mikal Otten, owner of Colorado-based firm Exquisite Kitchen Design. Since 2005, Otten and his team have been designing and installing artfully crafted kitchens with a “sexy, edgy, sophisticated feel,” he muses. As more and more of their clients are building vacation homes in the mountain communities, Exquisite Kitchen Design is now expanding with a new showroom in the Vail Valley to address this growing need, in addition to offering easier accessibility than their current location in the Denver Design District. The new showroom will handle logistics for Vail, Aspen and Steamboat Springs projects, while showcasing natural, organic materials such as textured stone, steel, veneer and glass. “I keep seeing how important the kitchen has become,” reflects Otten. “In my own life, it’s our sanctuary. It’s practical, but most importantly, it’s a piece of art that brings us joy each day.” As kitchens have evolved over the years, they have grown significantly in size, he notes, with such changes as adding space for more cooks and expanding the variety of materials and number of appliances. “We think about our clients’ lifestyles. Obviously, function always comes first, but we create designs that allow for family, friends and guests’ participation.” Otten adds. “That’s what gives extended life to a kitchen.” myekdesign.com
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talking shop photo: lisa flood. behind the brand photo: courtesy exquisite kitchen design.
MIKAL OTTEN OF EXQUISITE KITCHEN DESIGN