The SieMatic SL is characterised by clear spaces and lines, purposefully devoid of
decorative elements and other adornments. Even in smaller areas, the minimalist
design allows spacious solutions that integrate the kitchen into your living area.
hausdesign1 3 3 6 2 7 T H S T R E E T | D E N V E R , CO LO R A D O | 3 0 3 . 9 9 4 . 0 2 8 3 | w w w. h a u s d e s i gn - u s a . co m
SieMatic SL | It commands your attention
Featuring Two Showrooms
2540 East County Line Road
S.E. Corner of County Line Road & University
5 Miles West of Park Meadows Mall
(303) 741-4240 | www.coloradostyle.com
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Colorado Style® Home Furnishings features magnificently
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Every piece will add warmth
and ambiance to your home.
Fabric and leather combinations uniquely blended to match
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It can help you to express who you are and who you aspire to
be as much as anything in life. The choices you make on who
to collaborate with are a part of that expression. For more
than half a century discerning homeowner’s have entrusted
Kd. to bring their personal vision to fruition.
ON THE COVER :Two rare, vintage T. H. Rob-sjohn-Gibbings slipper chairsare the jewels in this Denverpiano room. Design by JeffreyP. Elliott Interior Design.PHOTOGRAPHY BYEMILY MINTON REDFIELD
48 Classic Influence Stunning architectural detail, a new open floor plan and exquisitefurniture give a Denver ranch house a bold, modern edge.
56 A Storied SpaceThe owners of this mountain retreat wanted their new home totell a tale of generations gone by—and with charming furnishingsand details, they’ve succeeded.
64 The Real McCoysFamed designers Katherine and Michael McCoy open up about their Buena Vista home, their impressive resumés and what still inspires their work.
CONTENTS
8 COLORADOHOMESMAG.COM
48
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25 The Goods: Furniture Ensembles by Style You know the difference between modern and rustic, traditional and contemporary. But delve a little deeper and find signature styles with great histories.
31 At Home With...Arlene Hirschfeld, philanthropist extraordinaire.
37 2010 Color ForecastReady for a fresh palette for your home? See what the experts say about what’s hot for the new year.
41 Masters of the CraftMeet three of Colorado’s most talented furniture makers,whose work blurs the line between art and craft.
73 Real Estate Watch: VailIt’s a buyer’s market in the Vail Valley...so where are the buyers?
86 Ad Index
88 10 Things...you should know about furniture designer Támas Kovács.
10 COLORADOHOMESMAG.COM
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Reflect Your Own Personal Style
Kitchen Distributors1309 W. Littleton BoulevardLittleton, CO 80120303-795-0665www.kitchendistributors.com
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14 COLORADOHOMESMAG.COM
Between issues, find inspiration and ideas online at ColoradoHomesMag.com.
DON YOUR PARTY HATS...In honor of CH&L’s 30th birthday,we’re looking for your favoritedesign styles gone by. Do youmiss mauve-and-chrome décor?Or super-large sectional sofas?Let us know. Send us your thoughts at [email protected],and we’ll post them each week atblog.ColoradoHomesMag.com.
NOW EACH ISSUE OFTHE MAGAZINE can befound online as an enhanceddigital edition, full of newWeb-savvy features. Find just what you’re lookingfor by entering a key word intothe search function; share theissue with a friend with theclick of a button; and zoom inon beautiful photos of Colorado homes.
NOW@
IT’S NOT TOO EARLY TO START PLANNINGyour summer landscape. Is it time to add a hardscape
or water feature? Which varieties of plants will work
best in your yard? How should you prep your garden
for optimal growth come spring?
We’ve rounded up expert tips to help you make the
most of the growing season, whether you’re planning a
small urban garden or preparing for a whole new
design in your backyard. Visit ColoradoHomesMag.com
to get inspired.
HOWWILLYOURGARDENGROW?
There’s a new way toenjoy CH&L.
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▲thWinThis!VISIT OUR HOME PAGE each month for a chance to win a new goody. Prizes range from must-have productsto home design services. This month: a beautiful Palacio reclining chairfrom Creative Leather. We love itsbroken-in look, luscious feel andwarm, rich color.
LOOK FOR THIS ICON
THROUGHOUT THE ISSUE FOR
MORE WEB EXCLUSIVES
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COLORADOHOMESMAG.COM
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ine)
AREYOU IN
THELOOP?
DON’T MISSA THING—
JOIN US ONLINE!
Join the CONVERSATION
Your one-stop design source. Find a designer and
discover new shops and showrooms. Explore
hundreds of beautiful rooms for design inspiration.
FACEBOOKBecome a Design Insider and join the Colorado
Homes & Lifestyles Fan Page where you can mingle
with more than 300 local design enthusiasts like
yourself. With regular updates from our editors,
you’ll be the first in the know.
DIGITAL EDITIONYou’ve got to see it to believe it. Log on to our Web
site to see our Digital Edition, which allows you to
virtually “flip” through every single page of the
magazine online.
E-NEWSLETTERDon’t start the weekend without our e-newsletter.
More than 7,000 of Colorado’s most discriminating
consumers receive our weekly
e-newsletter every Thursday. Sign up for
yours at ColoradoHomesMag.com.
On Facebook:
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Colorado Homes & Lifestyles on the Web gives you unparalleled access to local design
“Flip”through the pages of our Digital Edition at
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Become our fan on
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CH&L Online
See behind-the-scenes footagefrom our photoshoots
16 COLORADOHOMESMAG.COM
I ALWAYS LOVE THE BEGINNING
of the New Year, but this year
is particularly exciting for
Colorado Homes & Lifestyles.
We’re celebrating our 30th
birthday.
Colorado design has come
a long way in 30 years. Trust
me. One snowy afternoon not
long ago, I cracked open sev-
eral of our back issues and
began reading—and giggling.
Even 20 years ago, we were
featuring large plaid prints
(on every piece of furniture in
a room), mirror-paneled walls
(oh, the reflection!) and
something called “Victorian
stenciling.” Yikes.
Fortunately, Colorado design has changed and grown, and this issue is
chock-full of beautiful examples. Don’t miss the gorgeous work—and
inspiring stories—from local furniture makers on page 41, or the chance to
get to know one of Colorado’s most accomplished design teams,
Katherine and Michael McCoy, on page 64.
We invite you to join our year-long celebration. Each issue, we’ll bring
you treasures from CH&L’s past—design throwbacks, old covers and a
mix of milestones and missteps in Colorado design. Join the fun by
sending your own beloved memories of a style gone by to
[email protected] or by writing on our Facebook fan
page. We’ll post the best (and funniest) responses on our design blog at
blog.ColoradoHomesMag.com.
Here’s to all of the designers, architects, landscape designers and
readers who’ve made the last three decades possible. We’re looking for-
ward to another 30 years of inspiration!
Best wishes,
Hilary Masell OswaldEditor in Chief
JO
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Happy New Year to You. . . and Happy Birthday to Us
L e t t e r
M for Modernism, M for Metropolis, M for Milan.
Axor presents Axor Citterio M, an entire bathroom collection inspired by
modern life in the city by internationally renowned designer and architect
Antonio Citterio. You can find out more about the world of Axor at Dahl
Showrooms or at www.dahldesign.com.
PUBLISHERJennifer L. Williams
EDITOR IN CHIEFHilary Masell Oswald
ART DIRECTORElaine St. Louis
MANAGING EDITORCaroline Eberly
ADVERTISING ART PRODUCTIONEmily Kaiser
COPY EDITORHannah Nordhaus
ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Michelle Cottrell (ext. 2074)Celine Garrett (ext. 2077)
Heather Weldon (ext. 2078)
SALES & MARKETING COORDINATOR
Lea Abeyta
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Cheryl Meyers, Nancy Richman Milligan,
Sally Stich, Jill Vived
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Martin Crabb, J. Curtis, David Marlow,Emily Minton Redfield, Howard Sokol
INTERNS
Joe Schwartz, Megan Small
Home Design DivisionPRESIDENT
Adam JapkoSENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, OPERATIONS
Stuart ChristianDIRECTOR OF PUBLISHING OPERATIONS
Rick HigginsPRODUCTION DIRECTOR
Cheryl JockPRODUCTION MANAGER
Shannon McKelveyCIRCULATION MANAGER
Kurt CoeyNEWSSTAND MANAGER
Bob Moenster
ADVERTISING & EDITORIAL OFFICES
1777 S. Harrison St., Ste. 903 Denver, CO 80210
(303) 248-2060 • (303) 248-2066 faxADVERTISING INQUIRIES
(303) 248-2060SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES
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Daniel McCarthyCFO
Gerry ParkerGENERAL COUNSEL
Susan Deese
@ ColoradoHomesMag.com
“Wow” is always in style
Riverwalk at Edwards in the Vail Valley
970.926.8200
Follow our blog on www.sliferdesigns.com
PHOTO: KIMBERLY GAVIN
18 COLORADOHOMESMAG.COM
L I F E S C A P EA S S O C I A T E S I N C
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COLORADOHOMESMAG.COM 21
B las t F rom the Past
IN A STORY CALLED “HACIENDA GRANDE” ( pictured above), we award stylepoints for: an overstuffed armchair covered in overdone tribal print andaccompanied by a huge drum that, you guessed it, doubles as a table. We alsotake note of the home’s up-to-date features:
It’s a mystery to us why the built-in blender unit never caught on...
MASTERS OF WORDS WE WERE, stringing together metaphors that made up infancifulness what they lacked in intelligibility:
Whew. That’s quite a metaphor.
AND IN A USEFUL LITTLE ARTICLE CALLED “HOUSE TIPS”—which includedadvice on everything from dusting light bulbs to removing fish odors fromcooking utensils—we offer this tip:
We love the parenthetical. Good advice, indeed.
HERE AT CH&L, we try not to
take ourselves too seriously.
And we like to think we can
learn from—and poke gentle
fun at—where we’ve come
from. That’s why all year, we’ll
unearth treasures from the
CH&L archives. We’ll bring
you rooms that show how far
Colorado design has come,
snippets from stories that we
hope make you chuckle and
cover images that will give
you an idea of CH&L style
from the early days.
Even though we hope these
pages will elicit a few laughs,
they’ll also prove what we
learn issue after issue—that
good design is in fact an
evolution. For us, that evolu-
tion began in December 1980,
when our very first issue hit
newsstands.
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Flip back to the PREMIERE ISSUE of CH&L, and take a look at the good,the bad and the ugly...
“Pots and pans hang from brass railings, suspended over a walkaround countertop, highlighted by four pyramid skylights. Hard-baked tile is set around all thelatest conveniences of modern life, including a built-in blender unit.”
“To chase away chills this winter (and feel better, too), brew some tea and lace it with a few drops (but not more than 1/4 cup) of rum.”
“A violin of light plays sonatas for the eye. Soft and sensuous, it strings magic into a symphony of colors.”
SHOW FEATURES: Mammoths, Tigers and Flowers…Oh My! Don’t miss the Creatures of the Ice Age Entry Garden presented by Bank of the West
Discover 600 companies at Colorado’s largest home and garden marketplace
Research, compare and buy thousands of products and services
Visit the CSU Education Garden to learn about the latest landscaping products and techniques
Stroll through 14 beautifully landscaped gardens bursting with 10,000 blooming flowers
Learn from home and garden experts during hourly presentations at the Presentation Theater
TICKETS:$12 for adults, $10 for seniors, kids 12 and under are free courtesy of American Family Insurance
Get your discount adult tickets at
Save at the door with discount coupons available at Bank of the West branches, American Furniture Warehouse and Your Neighborhood Toyota Stores
GETTING THERE:Take light rail to the Convention Center or park at Coors Field for just $5 (Park Avenue exit at I-25 follow to Wazee) and ride the free shuttle to the Convention Center
COLORADO GARDEN & HOME SHOW
Produced by Colorado Garden Show, Inc., a non-profit organization providing horticulture scholarships and grants statewide. $8 of every admission is awarded in scholarships and grants in Colorado
February 13 – 21Colorado Convention Center
SAVE $2 | Donate your nonperishablefood at the show and get $2 off admission
Saturdays 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sundays10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Monday – Friday Noon – 8 p.m.
Historic Style
GUN CABINET BY KINDELFURNITURE CO. Classic andhandsome, this mahogany curiofeatures hand-glazed glass,hand-carved egg-and-dartmolding and a delicate pedimentwith hand-carved rosettes.Whitney Evans, Ltd., DDD,(303) 777-1886,whitneyevansltd.com.
IRISH CAMELBACK SOFA BYKINDEL FURNITURE CO.Adorned with gorgeous details,this settee shows off scrolledarms, ball-and-claw feet and alovely mahogany base. Whitney Evans, Ltd., DenverDesign District, (303) 777-1886,whitneyevansltd.com.
PIE CRUST LAMP TABLE Made from oak and movingue,this beautiful accent table sitsatop a delicate turned columnand tripod cabriole leg.Colorado Style HomeFurnishings, Highlands Ranch,(303) 741-4240,coloradostyle.com.
ANTIQUE BRASS AND IRONBEEHIVE ANDIRONS Beehive finials top a ring-turnedstem, which sits on spurredcabriole legs and ball feet. Eron Johnson Antiques, Denver,(303) 777-8700,eronjohnsonantiques.com.
CHIPPENDALE CHAIR BY ELIJAH SLOCUM This replica of an original chairby Thomas Chippendale hasstunning hand-carved detailingand blind fretwork. MODA Antica, Denver DesignDistrict, (303) 733-9003.
CHIPPENDALE
COLORADOHOMESMAG.COM 25
The Goods
NAMED FOR 18TH-CENTURY BRITISH FURNITURE DESIGNER ThomasChippendale, this elegant style shows off curvy cabriole legs, ball-and-claw feet and intricatecarving. It’s typically viewed as a blend of Gothic, Rococo and Chinese styles, and often, one ofthese influences dominates a particular piece, so we end up with wide variations onChippendale’s classic designs. The style enjoyed a great revival in the late 19th century, so evenif you can’t find an original, you won’t have much trouble finding a handsome reproduction.
As the world turns, so design evolves. Inspired by events, ideas and earlier trends, historic furniture styles give us a glimpse into eras gone by.
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SOPHIE LOUNGE CHAIR BY OLY STUDIOAn antiqued-white-finish framemeets a faux-zebra seat for lotsof sophisticated attitude. HW Home, Boulder, (303) 545-0320, hwhome.com.
MY BROTHER’S FRAMEAdd a touch of drama with thisvamped-up traditional piece,cast from a frame designerHarry Allen unearthed in hisbrother’s closet. AERA Studios, Denver, (303) 388-2372, aerastudios.com.
CHAIR NO. 6473 BY BAKER,POODLE TABLE BY BARBARABARRY Be charmed by thischair’s sculpted-maple front legs,plush puckers and glamorouscurves. To form this swank sidetable, a honed black granite toppairs with delicate antiqued sil-ver rings. Drop-dead gorgeous.Both available at TOWN, DenverDesign District, (303) 282-8696,townstudio.com.
BORGHESE BUFFETAntique mirrored glass panelsconceal felt-lined adjustableshelves and a three-tier winerack. Enchanting. Z Gallerie, Denver, (303) 322-1299, zgallerie.com.
FRINGE LAMP BY MOOOISexy fabrics come togetheraround a drum-like shade in ahanging lamp that’s both saucyand sleek. Alesso Modern Source, Denver,(720) 379-4672, alessomodernsource.com.
26 COLORADOHOMESMAG.COM
The Goods
INSPIRED BY LIVING SPACES OFTHE RICH AND FAMOUSfrom Hollywood’s Golden Age,Hollywood Regency style is nothingshort of fabulous. Look for glossy surfaces and ultra-luxe materials, cleanlines and fussy accents, and over-the-toptouches of glitz and glam. What youwon’t find is overstuffed or imposingfurniture; the idea of the day was forcelebrities (think Clark Gable, GretaGarbo and Judy Garland) to stand outagainst the backdrop of the room—whilewowing guests with their décor. Today,designers Kelly Wearstler and BarclayButera get high marks for their freshinterpretations of this ’30s-born style.
HOLLYWOOD REGENCY
ILLUMINATE your
WORLD
Style, colors, layout—many decisions go into the selection of furnishings. What about lighting and
electrical? Will that rich color of carpet, unique piece of furniture, or breathtaking work of art
truly shine in your home?
Lighting in harmony with its surroundings creates an unmistakable impression. We create lighting that not only refl ects who you are, but also heightens the
visual drama of your living environment.
Weʼre Colorado Concept Lighting, creating a radiant outcome from concept to completion.
Call us today to learn more about our commitment to providing the best service for any budget.
303-234-0460ColoradoConceptLighting.com
SPEED UP COCKTAIL TABLEBY SACHA LAKIC This blacklacquer glass table top sports afluid, elliptic triangle shape andsits atop a resin-and-black car-bon lacquer base. Smooth. Roche Bobois, Littleton,(303) 721-1616,rochebobois.com.
ORION CHAIR BY DELLA-ROBBIA A comfy form set on polishedchrome, this chair practicallyscreams mid-century marvelous. Invironments, Boulder, (303) 413-8003,invironments-design.com.
NUEVA LITE SPUTNIKYELLOW PENDANT LIGHTThe definition of “retro-fabulous,”this pendant light is nearly 26 inches in diameter andwould add a touch of glam toany room.Mod Livin’, Denver, (720) 941-9292, modlivin.com.
LITE SOFA BY PALAUDesigned by Bjorn Mulder, thisloveseat can be covered in arange of fabrics to give you justthe look you want. Mulder getshigh points for clean designand attention to detail. Mod Livin’, Denver, (720) 941-9292, modlivin.com.
MEDITATION POD BY EDRAThis three-leafed chair has ashaped metal frame and isfilled with polyurethane foam.Cover it in a range of chicmaterials, and lounge to yourheart’s content. Z Modern, Denver, (303) 298-8432, zmodern.com.
28 COLORADOHOMESMAG.COM
The Goods
AFTER WORLD WAR II ENDED, FURNITURE DESIGN BEGANto reflect Americans’ sense of hope and renewal. We saw the democratizationof design; suburban families wanted fresh, good-looking pieces that weremarkedly different from the traditional forms that dominated the early 20thcentury. Designers did away with detail, preferring instead to offer up thinlines, organic shapes and synthetic materials. And homeowners loved it.
ATOMIC
Liebherr offers design flexibility with its freestanding product line in 24”, 30”, 36”, 48” and 60” widths. With cabinet-depth
dimensions and stainless steel sides, the refrigerator can go anywhere in the kitchen. Alone, or as part of a side-by-side
configuration, experience the look of a built-in, without the price of building in.
The smart thinking and innovation that has always been Liebherr’s anthem translates perfectly into new design features such as
fingerprint and scratch resistant SmartSteel finish, LED lighting, and a new smooth-touch MagicEye control panel. And Liebherr’s
proven dual refrigeration system provides superior and consistent cooling in the most energy efficient manner possible.
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At home with
Arlene Hirschfeld,
Philanthropist eextraordinaire
CHANCES ARE GOOD THAT YOU LOVE ONE OF THE MANY ORGANIZATIONS
Arlene Hirschfeld helps support. Maybe you love the arts: she’s a member of theboard at the Denver Art Museum. Or perhaps you’re interested in preservingColorado’s history: Hirschfeld helps keep the Governor’s Residence beautifulthrough her work with the Governor’s Residence Preservation FundCommittee. Maybe you’ve seen her at the Women’s Foundation of ColoradoLuncheon or a fundraiser for the Children’s Diabetes Foundation, encouragingothers to join in her mission to see good things happen in Denver.
“My problem is I care about too many things,” Hirschfeld says. And lucky forDenver, this member of the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame shows no sign ofstopping. Among the passions close to Hirschfeld’s heart are the arts, health,family and education (she began her career as an English teacher before shebecame a mother and a full-time volunteer and philanthropist).
She’s honest about the fact that giving to the community—and her family—has been a balancing act. “You can do it all, but not all at the same time,”Hirschfeld says. “There are chapters in our lives. When my kids were growingup and I had family commitments, the other stuff took second place. A familydoesn’t run on autopilot.”
During her own childhood, Hirschfeld absorbed her parents’ selflessapproach to giving. “If anything good happened in our family—if someone gotwell from illness—they would give money to charity,” she says. As an adult, sheadopted this model in her own life, making sure to “pay attention to themoment of gratitude,” as she calls it.
During one of her admittedly rare moments at home, Hirschfeld is most like-ly in her office, where her desk—custom-designed by her husband, Barry—sitsamid wall-to-wall windows that welcome a flood of natural light. (The sunshineis her favorite part of Colorado.) Barry’s desk is nearby; the two team up in their
At Home Wi th . . .
COLORADOHOMESMAG.COM 31
BY CAROLINE EBERLY
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARTIN CRABB
WE WERE JUSTWONDERING...How do you spend time at home?
I love to read the paper; I love to sit at
my desk and catch up, do my corre-
spondence. My desk is the center of
everything I do. Barry designed my
desk, and a local furniture maker made
it about 25 years ago.
How do you define your style?
Tailored. I love special pieces, and I’m a
saver. I call them treasures; they some-
times rest in my basement for a while. I
love color, and I only buy what I love,
even if it’s a pair of jeans.
Your kitchen is always stocked with...
Bottled waters and Balance Bars.
It’s so sad, but I’m not here a lot.
I have a Balance Bar in the morning,
but I love bagels and butter, pasta and
hamburgers. I love Dairy Queen, too.
Just plain vanilla.
What’s on your nightstand right now?
I have a clock to wake me up, pictures
of my family, books—something that I’m
in the middle of reading—and a bridge
book. I’m learning how to play bridge to
exercise my mind. There’s also a little
porcelain bowl of flowers that was my
mother’s. It reminds me of my mother’s
elegance and warmth and beauty.
Tell us about your favorite sentimental
item in your home.
There is a bronze sculpture of a woman
on my coffee table that my mother’s
cousin made. My father surprised my
mother with it as a special gift. It
reminds me of their appreciation of the
arts and their great love for each other.
They were great parents.
When you think of “home,” you think of...
Family. That’s what it’s all about. The
things that you have around are just
that—things.
At Home Wi th . . .
efforts. Hirschfeld calls her husbanda “great cheerleader” and chucklesthat she came home from college andmarried “the boy next door.” (Thetwo grew up as family friends.)
When the couple first boughttheir home, “the house was a mess,”Hirschfeld admits. “But we wantedto fix it up.” They loved the homefor its old character, plus it was 10blocks from where Hirschfeld grewup. “I used to trick-or-treat here,”she says. “I love the memories thatwe have here.”
Ask her about the future of philanthropy, and Hirschfeld willtell you that even though times aretough, the forecast is good. “Peopleare being choosy, but charitable giv-ing is on their menu somewhere.They haven’t quit caring, but they’rejust doing it in a different way.They’re showing up. They’re notforgetting others.”
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Maste r s o f the C ra f t
art &craftFurniture can be the most useful form of art in your home.
Meet these three furniture makers, each of whom
possesses a distinctive knack for creating
pieces that advance the fine art of
design while honoring timeless
tenets of craftsmanship.
DESIGNS FOR OUR TIMESKenn Archibald is a man on a simple mission: create modern, custom furni-ture while protecting the planet. It would be easy for Archibald, founder ofLoveland-based Archibald Design Studio, to sacrifice attractive design at thegreen gods’ altar. (After all, we’ve all seen eco-friendly furniture that not evenMother Nature would buy.) But Archibald’s pieces are eco-sensitive, clean-lined and downright gorgeous.
“I prefer to emphasize the material over an elaborate design,” he explains.“I’m inspired by minimalism and traditional woodworking techniques. Thatmeans that I’m not afraid to use dovetail joints in a modern design.”
Armed with an undergraduate degree in sculpture from Vassar Collegeand an MFA in furniture design from the Savannah College of Art andDesign, Archibald launched his venture in 2006 and is now producinghandcrafted pieces from five distinctive—and cleverly named—lines: Facet,named for the faceted joint found in the corners of the tables and chairs;Cubit, a handsome bookshelf inspired by cubes; Basho, a riff on modernJapanese style and named after sumo wrestling tournaments (Archibald says
the wide, squat pieces reminded him of the wrestlers’ stances); Hello, a mod-ular system of blocks that resemble an “H” when perched horizontally andan “I” when set upright; and RITA, a ready-to-assemble set of table andchairs—the studio’s most economical offering.
Archibald only uses the most sustainable products: wood (and manufac-tured wood) products that have been certified by the Forest StewardshipCouncil, and low-VOC adhesives and paints. Perhaps equally impressive is theway he repurposes his scraps—even down to sawdust. He recycles leftover woodby transforming it into sushi trays, trivets and coasters; smaller scraps are baggedand given to friends and customers to use as smoking chips for grilling. Sawdustgoes to neighbors to use as compost material, animal bedding and mulch.
But his most enduring gift to the environment is beautiful, well craftedfurniture that you’ll keep forever. “I prefer to think of my work as marryingtimeless design with time-honored woodworking techniques,” he says. “Mygoal is for these pieces to last for generations.”(970) 667-4680, archibald-designs.com
BY HILARY MASELL OSWALD PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY BY HOWARD SOKOL
42 COLORADOHOMESMAG.COM
Maste r s o f the C ra f t
IN PURSUIT OF THE CRAFTDenver-based Newell Design is a big deal, but you’d never guess it by chat-ting with founder and principal Jeff Newell, who still seems slightly surprisedby his company’s success. But there’s no denying that 12 years into what hecalls “a great journey,” Newell Design has garnered the attention of design-ers and homeowners across the globe.
“I can’t say that we started out to do this,” he says, gesturing to the workshopin downtown Denver where his eight-person team works. “[My wife, Beth, andI] were just a couple of twenty-somethings interested in this idea of craft.”
It’s an idea that Jeff and Beth have cultivated carefully for many years. Bothfresh out of the College of Santa Fe (his degree is in creative writing; hers, inpainting), they moved to New York City, where, Jeff says, they decided thatthe best thing they could do was simply immerse themselves in culture.
“We didn’t have much money, so we figured out how to hone our inter-ests cheaply,” he says. “We would go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.There was this side door, and it was pay as you can, so we’d give them a dol-lar,” he laughs. Inside, they were drawn to the furniture exhibits. “Thosepieces were built before our mechanized age, and they stand on equal foot-ing with paintings we studied in art history.”
The two relocated to Denver in 1996; Beth painted for a while, and Jeffwrote screenplays “that never sold.” But that idea of craft just wouldn’t goaway, so the Newells decided to try designing and building furniture. “Wehad one little red toolbox, and we built everything in the living room in ourloft,” Jeff says. “Our neighbors probably hated us.”
They began by designing and building large, traditional pieces—hand-carved armoires and credenzas of cherry and walnut—and their businessgrew slowly, one commission at a time. By 2000, they had started producingcontemporary pieces, taking traditional forms and abstracting them. Theresults are subtle—and sophisticated—references to eras gone by.
Today, Jeff is the company’s lead designer, and Beth is the artistic direc-tor; Jeff calls her the Ezra Pound of the relationship for her ability to editdesigns down to their cleanest—and best—versions. They’re mulling over afew new concepts, such as how to create boutique design in this challengingeconomic climate: “How do you make couture materials and elements moreaffordable? And conversely, how do you make certain materials—such as sus-tainable products—more elegant and couture with finishes to match?” Jeffwonders. These are the questions that move their designs forward.
We don’t know the answers, but we suspect that this inspired pair willwork toward beautiful solutions—and surprise us (and maybe even them-selves) as they do.(303) 298-8572, newelldesignstudio.com
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COLORADOHOMESMAG.COM 45
AND THAT’S NOT ALL...Colorado is chock-full of über-talented furniture makers. Here, get to know a few more masters of the trade:
COCOPA, EVERGREEN: This eco-savvy company designs and builds
accent furnishings, hand-forged steel railings, and kitchen and bath
cabinetry. The company gets high points for the palette of beautiful
painted finishes it offers. cocopa.com
DOUBLEBUTTER, DENVER: These slightly mischievous furniture makers
design and build pieces that are thoughtful, fresh and clean. We’re
especially fond of their smart combinations of materials—brushed steel
with brown cowhide, for example. Brilliant. doublebutter.com
DOVETAIL DESIGNS, OAK CREEK: For classic pieces crafted using time-
honored techniques, check out Dovetail’s gallery. The company’s furnish-
ings are the definition of simple and refined. dovetailfurnituredesign.com
MORI FURNITURE DESIGN, DENVER: Inspired by Japanese-American
furniture maker George Nakashima, Mori creates table bases, mirrors and
headboards by transforming gorgeous woods into warm, contemporary
pieces. morifurnituredesign.com
FORM, FUNCTION—AND ARTIn a dusty industrial building in northwest Denver, woodworker EthanHutchinson creates pieces of contemporary furniture so shapely and serenethat they practically beg to be touched. Inspired by famed furniture makerSam Maloof and the Danish Modern style that Maloof interpreted,Hutchinson plays with traditional design elements—a cabriole leg, say—andmorphs them into sleeker, updated versions of their old selves. The resultsare pieces that are destined to be the standout elements in any room.
So it’s hard to believe that Hutchinson didn’t begin his professional lifeas a furniture maker. Eighteen years ago, he was a “miserable chemist,” analyzing contaminants in soil and water. “I needed to do something creative,”he says. “I was dying.” He and his wife agreed that he’d try making furnitureprofessionally for six months. Nearly two decades later, it appears that hiscreative venture has paid off.
With the help of an apprentice, Hutchinson creates about 50 pieces ayear. His clients most often request tables and chairs, but he also buildsdoors, case goods and benches—all gently sculptural, all crafted with carefulattention to the natural qualities of the wood.
A few minutes in Hutchinson’s workshop gives the impression that “care-ful attention” defines his work—and, he admits, he has no shortage of timeto ponder everything from the engineering challenges of his latest designs tothe more philosophical aspects of his trade. “I think a lot about the debatebetween art and craft,” he says. “I’m a maker of functional objects, but I won-der, when do those objects leave that realm and become art?”
His gaze falls on the single rocking chair in the middle of the workshop,and its quiet, fluid shape answers his question. Functional? Yes. Beautiful?Yes. Art? We think so. (303) 433-0522, ethanhutchinson.com
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Classic Influence
Stunning architectural
details, a new open
floor plan and exquisite
furniture give a
Denver ranch house a
bold, modern edge.
BY NANCY RICHMAN MILLIGAN
PHOTOGRAPHY BY EMILY MINTON REDFIELD
DENVER INTERIOR DESIGNERJeff Elliott expected to discuss aminor project when he went tomeet with homeowners Sally andG a r y Mi l e s a f e w y e a r s a g o.Instead, his clients surprised himwith the news that they wanted toupdate the entire main level oftheir home. Elliott was thrilled atthe prospect of giving the datedmid-century Denver ranch house afresh, new look.
“The homeowners showed mephotos of something very tradi-t ional , ” El l iott says of theConnecticut beach house that firstinspired his clients. “My thoughtwas to strip away the details andmake everything square and exag-gerated—a modern interpretationof a traditional look, just youngerand with more of an edge.” Hebegan by gutting most of the mainlevel, taking down walls betweenlong, narrow rooms and creating anopen floor plan that flows betweenthe living room, kitchen and com-bination dining/piano room.
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“I wanted the seating arrangement in the living room tospread out for entertaining and functionality,” designerJeff Elliott says. He custom-designed the chaise andbench to fit the design aesthetic of 1940s designer T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings’ original X-base benches, andintroduced club chairs and tables by Thomas Pheasantin woven rattan. Lightweight linen draperies, bambooshades and a wool carpet add texture and softness.
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The dramatic dining room features furniture from the 1940s designed by Robsjohn-Gibbings. “The designerwas famous for his neoclassic furniture,” says Elliott, who went to several auctions to compile the collection of
chairs, table and sideboard. He united them with an ebonite stain and white patent-leather upholstery. A curvaceous hand-blown Czech chandelier from the 1940s and hammered brass Asian lamps by Robert
Kuo stand out against a shimmering wall-sculpture by contemporary artist Barbara Wathke.
The next step was to add new bones—bold details inspiredby classic architecture. Three massive columns replaced a con-fining wall, visually expanding the living room. “The columnshave a neoclassical influence, but doing them square withoutmuch detail gives them a contemporary look,” Elliott says. Thedining room features wainscoting with big, clean lines, whilethe living room is wrapped in authentic tongue-and-groovebeadboard paneling. “I think this house really changed mywhole design career,” Elliott says. “I learned more about luxu-ry and adding architectural detail. It’s amazing what a differ-ence it makes to add trim and wainscoting.”
One of the designer’s more daring moves was to install cof-fered ceilings in a house with modest eight-foot ceilings. “I waspetrified,” he says. “When the wood first went up, the ceiling
looked too low, but once painted, it went right back to where itshould be. The homeowners loved it.”
With the architectural changes in place, Elliott turned hisattention to the furnishings. “Furniture is my big thing as aninterior designer. This is what makes my heart beat,” saysElliott, who set a clean, sophisticated tone with original 1940sfurniture designed by T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings. The diningroom table has a striking X-shaped base that illustratesRobsjohn-Gibbings’ predilection for classic Greek and Romanlines. Elliott went to several different auctions to find a set ofthe mid-century designer’s ladder-back chairs and a sideboard.He unified the grouping with black ebonite stain.
“Then we ran with the concept,” Elliott says. He purchasedadditional Robsjohn-Gibbing pieces—X-base benches in the
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(clockwise, from top left) The custom kitchen was designed with a vintage beach-house look. It features the colors of sea and sand, with blue-grey Azul Imperial granite countertops from Spain, painted white cabinets and bamboo shades. The full-overlay cabinet doors have bin pulls reminiscent of the 1930s. “The whole focus of the kitchen is on the dynamic maple butcher-block island,” Elliott says. He collaborated with Irpinia Kitchens on the design, which showcases varying heights and chunky Parsons legs on the island.
Elliott solved two problems in this transitional area between the kitchen and living room: “There was a column that couldn’t be moved and the clients needed a desk, so we built the desk around the column,” he says. The custom desk is stained mahogany with gold-leafedglass-front drawers; the top is inset with leather. Elliott paired the desk with a Tangier chair by Orlando Diaz-Azcuy from the early ’90s.
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Two rare, vintage T. H.Robsjohn-Gibbings slipperchairs are the jewels in theelegant piano room. Elliotthad the chairs lacqueredwhite and upholstered in ataupe basket-weave fabric.He then designed a tufted,white patent-leather ottomanin a complementary style. A family piano and 1930sChinese celadon gardenstools complete the harmonious grouping.
living room, rare slipper chairs in the pianoroom. Elliott custom-designed a chaise,benches and an ottoman to fit with the aesthetic. “One simple element pulls it alltogether—a round dowel framework,” saysElliott. In fact, he points out, everythingabout the furnishings is round or tubular,whether the finish is bronze, polished nickel (in the lamps and hardware) or wood.
Then came time for the beach house-inspired details. Elliott completed thedesign with fresh, casual references to theshore, such as woven rattan chairs, stripedcotton canvas upholstery, lightweight linendraperies, bamboo shades and a sea-and-sand palette in the kitchen. He juxtaposedthose with sophisticated, eclectic influencessuch as Asian hammered brass lamps and ahand-blown Czech glass chandelier in thedining room.
The grand finale of the whole design,according to the designer, is the pianoroom, with its standout vintage chairs andwhite patent-leather ottoman designed byEl l iott : “It ’s my favorite space—thehumdinger of this design and the first thingyou see when you walk in the door,” he says.
His only regret, he says, is that the proj-ect was limited to the first floor. “Wehaven’t gotten to the bedrooms yet,” hesays. “I have big plans ahead.”
DESIGN DETAILSInterior Design
JEFFREY P. ELLIOTT INTERIOR DESIGN
Denver, (303) 860-0109jeffreypelliott.com
For more information about the products in thishome, visit ColoradoHomesMag.com
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58
A Storied
(left) As guests enter the home, they are greeted
with a vignette offering warmth and comfort.
Petite chairs complement the scale of the narrow
fireplace. Oliver selected the chairs, she says,
“because my client loved the charming design and
they were the perfect size.”
(above) Located along the Blue River, the moun-
tain-ranch exterior is a stark contrast to the Old
English-inspired interiors. The many fireplaces are
meant to mimic Old English manor houses, where
hearths are the only source of heat.
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T h e o w n e r s o f t h i s
m o u n t a i n r e t r e a t
w a n t e d t h e i r n e w
h o m e t o t e l l a t a l e
o f g e n e r a t i o n s
g o n e b y — a n d w i t h
c h a r m i n g f u r n i s h i n g s
a n d d e t a i l s ,
t h e y ’ v e s u c c e e d e d .
S PA C E
BY JILL VIVED
PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID MARLOW
58
ADD LIFE TO EVERY SPACE—and interior designer Lane Elisabeth Oliver’s latest mountain creation ishumming with life. Nestled next to the Blue River, the retreat is both tra-ditional mountain ranch and Old English manor house. “The best way todescribe the house is a wonderful, charming surprise,” says Oliver, princi-pal of Denver-based LEO Interior Design.
While the exterior of the home melds with the other existing buildingson the nearly 650-acre property, the homeowners wanted “an eclectic OldEnglish interior that reflected details of world travel and years of harmo-nious room additions,” Oliver says. Unlike traditional new construction,the home was built to suggest a small manor house whose footprint expand-ed through years of additions, as if each generation left its distinctive mark.Improbable details abound—stone walls tucked neatly into the interior of
(left) Oliver designed the great
room around the floral sofa fabric by
Brunschwig & Fils, adding a touch of
serenity to the family gathering
place that is defined by dark wood
paneling. The fireplace mantel, craft-
ed with doors from a Gothic
armoire, creates a distinctive focal
point. (right) Inspired by English pub
tables, the dining room table is long
and narrow to create intimate dinner
parties and make guests feel wel-
come. The Jacobean-inspired chairs
surrounding the table are covered in
a warm, wonderful tapestry, and
trimmed with playful tassels. The
greatest challenge in furnishing this
room was finding plates small
enough to fit the narrow table.
Details
the great room look like a previous generation’s exterior walls while numer-ous narrow passageways lead guests through the home. The furnishingsresemble a collection gathered over many generations, as if a Europeanpioneer family accumulated various treasures along the way. “My missionwas to make the powerful spaces feel aged and intimate,” Oliver says, andto find furniture that was “dainty yet strong so that it contrasts with thecourtly and masterful architecture.” Trips to England, Scotland and Franceinspired these design choices.
The high-Europe ambience begins with the entry, where guests are greet-ed by an intimate fireplace and a pair of English-style Bergere chairs akin tofurniture Oliver encountered in England. “In my travels, all the manor houseshad these wonderful fireplaces near the front door so guests could warm them-selves after a long journey,” she explains. Oliver kept fireplaces petite and seat-ing arrangements intimate to draw guests in. Artwork, rugs, and accessorieswith soft mellow tones enhance the rich, deep hues of the furnishings.
The designer carefully selected the furniture with an eye toward livabil-
ity. “I wanted all of the furniture to have an aged look to it, like it had beencollected over the years, but I stayed away from too many antiques for themain pieces; instead I chose to focus on comfort,” she says. Many of thesmaller chairs and accessories are authentic antiques that add to the OldEnglish charm of the home, and each custom furniture piece is enhancedwith beautiful details, such as the playful tassels trimming the Jacobean-inspired dining room chairs from Ebanista. “I chose fabrics with strongtexture, playful, aged colors, and exciting trim details,” Oliver adds.
Because entertaining is central to the homeowners’ lives, Oliverdesigned all the spaces with guests in mind. Together with architect JonGunson and contractor Rick Emarine, she tailored each space, includingprimitive details that could be from the 19th-century, but are updated forentertaining large groups of friends in the 21st century. The great roomfeatures a working fireplace where simple fare can be prepared, while sev-eral seating areas provide ample space for large groups. “Creating separate,intimate spaces makes every niche useful and cozy,” Oliver explains. The
(left) The kitchen is a lovely mix of
color and wood finishes. The range is
a custom-colored blue to complement
the hand-painted tiles and distressed
moldings; it all contrasts perfectly with
the wood beams.
(right) The powder room was inspired
by an old church Oliver saw in England.
A custom-painted vanity provides a
delightful focal point and unique details
enchant with an authentic pull-chain
toilet (not shown) and jeweled light
fixtures adorned with strands of pearls.
“ I w a n t e d a l l o f t h e
f u r n i t u r e t o h a v e a n
a g e d l o o k t o i t , l i k e i t
h a d b e e n c o l l e c t e d o v e r
t h e y e a r s , b u t I s t a y e d
a w a y f r o m t o o m a n y
a n t i q u e s f o r t h e m a i n
p i e c e s ; i n s t e a d I c h o s e
t o f o c u s o n c o m f o r t , ”
s a y s d e s i g n e r L a n e O l i v e r .
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DESIGN DETAILSInterior Design
LANE ELISABETH OLIVER
LEO Interior Design(303) 722-4288
ArchitectureJON GUNSON, AIACustom Mountain
Architects(970) 453-6657
ConstructionRICK EMARINE
Infinite Scope, Inc.(970) 468-1367
For more information about the products in this home,
visit ColoradoHomesMag.com
(left) The library, a private room the
couple uses as an office, is part of
the master suite. The plush black
tapestry on the sofa sets the tone
for the room. “We wanted to select
fabrics that were warm and dark to
contrast the golden alder on the
walls and ceiling,” Oliver says. The
antique buffet to the right of the
fireplace is French, circa 1880. The
homeowner and her mother found
the piece while traveling the world in
search of rare and beautiful pieces.
(above) The master bath is light, airy
and distinctly feminine. The cabi-
netry is built in a thick, hand-crafted
style reminiscent of a salvaged farm-
house piece. The sconces provide a
candlelight glow, further softening
the look.
dining room was built long and narrow, reminiscent of an Old English puband complete with a pub-inspired table by Macrae that seats 14. In thekitchen, a large island anchors the space, while an 18th-century French walnut vaisselier houses a collection of antique toile plates used extensivelyfor the parties the family hosts. As with every detail in the home, nothing istoo precious for everyday use.
A view of the river dominates the master bedroom, and intimate seatingarrangements keep it cozy. The custom four-poster bed houses a hidden,pop-up television that doesn’t detract from the aged look of the interior.The master suite also houses an alder-paneled library upholstered with amix of beautiful patterns and textures. “Mixing patterns can be very interest-ing and comforting if the proportions are considered and blended correctly,”Oliver explains. Even the books were selected not just for reading enjoyment,but also for aesthetic appeal—once again proving even the smallest detailbrings life to this mountain home.
58
THE
(left) The McCoys spendmuch of their time in theArts and Crafts-inspiredlibrary with its touches ofmodernism: black metalrailings and a black steelhood over the fireplace.Notice the brackets on thecorners of the windowframes. “This is our signa-ture throughout thehouse,” Michael says. “Justas a print is bracketed, soare all our windows.”(above) Michael andKatherine McCoy enjoythe view of the CollegiatePeaks from their BuenaVista home.
65
REAL McCoys
Katherine and Michael McCoy,
both renowned designers,
find inspiration at their home in
Buena Vista — and in each other.
BY SALLY STICH PHOTOGRAPHY BY J. CURTIS
IN A QUIET MOUNTAIN GETAWAY OVERLOOKING THECollegiate Peaks live Katherine and Michael McCoy, two of our era’smost influential designers. Their resumes are impressive: a stint as co-directors of the Design Department at the prestigious CranbrookAcademy of Art for more than 20 years; co-winners of theSmithsonian’s National Design Mind Award; co-authors of CranbrookDesign: The New Discourse (Rizzoli). If that weren’t enough, Michael alsodesigned Knoll’s tremendously popular Bulldog Chair.
So it’s a bit surprising that these two creative minds are so remarkablydown-to-earth. Maybe it’s their Michigan roots. Or their 42-year marriage.Or their deep-seated belief in the transformative power of great design.Probably it’s all of those things, along with a profound love of the naturalworld—the greatest design of all. Whatever the source, they are a couple inlove with design, each other and the world around them.
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(above) Katherine’s collection of William Henry Jackson’s 19th-century frontier photos grace the wall in the library. “If I had-n’t been a graphic designer,” she says, “I think I would’ve been an historian. I’ve loved learning about—and collecting—thehistory of the Old West.” Vertical-grain fir paneling abuts bookcases filled with the McCoys’ collection of design books.Katherine’s collection of pueblo pottery adorns the top shelves. (above, right) The house, inspired by the area’s mining his-tory and National Parks architecture, rises in sync with the landscape. The two green roofs mimic the peaks behind them.
Their love story started at Michigan State University inthe 1960s, where they met while studying industrial design;Katherine was the only woman in the program. “We collabo-rated on projects, we fell in love, we got married,” Katherinesays. Adds Michael, “We still love designing together. Itfocuses our lives.”
His first job was as a member of the team that designed thetrains and seats for San Francisco’s BART system. He alsoworked on the Washington Metro and the first jumbo jet—theLockheed widebody. Katherine, who’d gravitated to graphicdesign, was cutting her teeth at a design firm whose accountsincluded the Ford corporate identity.
When Cranbrook Academy of Art, a premier graduateschool of art, design and architecture in Michigan, offered thecouple a job as co-directors of its Design Department, theyjumped at the chance to be in academia (along with the ghostsof Charles Eames, Eero Saarinen and Harry Bertoia, who alsospent time at Cranbrook), with the freedom to pursue theirown projects.
During his time at Cranbrook, Michael began working withiconic furniture manufacturer Knoll, where he designed theergonomically incomparable Bulldog Chair—which has sincesold more than one million pieces. Working for Steelcase, hedesigned a line of healthcare furniture—the pieces seen in ahospital or doctor’s waiting room or in a clinic. “It’s not mymost beautiful stuff,” he says, “but it was a good job.”
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(left) Michael’s goalfor this table, part of the McCoyCollection, was tocreate legs thatresemble figuresdancing in space.(above) Paying homage to Josef Hoffman’sFledermaus chair, the table uses a ballbearing as the con-nection among thefour stainless legs.
An “aha” design moment came at Cranbrook when colleague DanielLibeskind (the designer of the Denver Art Museum’s Frederic C. HamiltonBuilding) helped McCoy realize that, in a mass-produced world, he could alsodesign limited-edition pieces. “In 1981, I created the Door Chair—10 ofthem—and recently an art gallery in Chicago called to tell me my work is nowofficially vintage,” he says, “since they were auctioning off one of my DoorChairs for an unbelievable sum.”
The couple’s love of Colorado brought them to Buena Vista, where theybought land in 1972, camping there for 10 years during summer breaks. A1,000-square-foot cabin followed, as did an addition and a studio. Theirarchitectural inspiration? The harsh landscape and mining architecture. “Weloved mining architecture for its way of creating civilization in an otherwiseuntamed environment,” Michael says. Arts and Crafts furniture—some orig-inal, some great reproductions—fill the house. The exterior is clad in red-wood siding, because it ages beautifully in Colorado, turning the color of darkbrown sugar.
Katherine’s collections of 19th-century frontier photos, plus Pueblo andArts and Crafts pottery, belie the couple’s modernist—and minimalist—sen-
69
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Marcel Breuer’s WassilyChair: “It’s a large chair,”Michael says, “but it’s notweighty. Space flows throughits geometric lines.” Knollthrough Design Within Reach.
Mackintosh Ladder BackChair: It’s a focus piece, asmall piece with a strongvertical thrust. It looks greatat the end of a hallway. VitraMiniature collection availablethrough Mod Livin’ in Denver.
Eames’ Potato Chip Chair:“Its organic curves reflect thebody,” Katherine says, “andit’s comfortable and lively.” It also sits happily at anyangle. Knoll through DesignWithin Reach.
Saarinen’s Womb Chair:“This is our favorite on everylevel,” Katherine says. De-signed for Florence Knoll, it’sa modern version of an over-stuffed chair without thestuffiness. Because of itsgenerous surface, saysMichael, it looks great withlarge-scale upholstery. Knollthrough Design Within Reach.
Rietveld’s Red Blue Chair:The antithesis of a Victorianchair, this piece is “theoret-ical,” its lines and planes by-passing each other in space.Comfortable? No. But, asMichael says, you sit in somechairs and stare at others.Vitra Miniature collectionavailable through Mod Livin’in Denver.
T H E I R F I V E F A V E S : W H E N I T C O M E S T O I C O N I C C H A I R S , T H E M C C O Y S L O V E . . .
(left) A wood-topped dining orconference tableoffers “portholes”through which toview the configura-tion of the legs froma different angle.(above) The McCoysofa is a sexy marriage of glassand stainless steel.Covered in KnollLuxe Mohair, the seatcan be topped withcolorful pillows—orthe family dog.
71
sibilities. Their second Colorado home—a loft in Denver—is all Knoll andEames, a stark contrast to their mountain retreat, says Katherine. But theylove the dueling design sensibilities reflected in their lifestyle.
Today, Michael is working on the McCoy Collection—limited-editionfurniture pieces—along with his collaborator John Guse. (The pieces aresold at Alesso Modern Source in Denver.) He is also the Director ofProfessional Programs at the Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design.And he and Katherine are deeply connected to the thriving, young designcommunity in Denver.
But it is in Buena Vista where the two designers find inspiration amid theCollegiate Peaks. They also find it in each other. “We communicate throughdesign,” Michael says. “And design, like life, is a mixture of humor, complexi-ty, practicality and poetry.”
“...and design, like life, is amixture of humor, complexity,practicality and poetry.”
Four Seasons Private Residences Vail is not owned, developed, or sold by Four Seasons Hotels Limited or its affiliates (Four Seasons). Vail Residential 09, LLC, uses the Four Seasons trademarks and trade names under a license from Four Seasons Hotels Limited. The marks “FOUR SEASONS,” “FOUR SEASONS HOTELS AND RESORTS,” any combination thereof, and the Tree Design are registered trademarks of Four Seasons Hotels Limited in Canada and U.S.A. and of Four
Seasons Hotels (Barbados) Ltd. elsewhere. Illustrations are artistʼs depictions only and may differ from completed improvements, and scenes may include locations or activities not on the property. All pictures, photographs and images are owned and licensed by Vail Residential 09, LLC and/or Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. Any use, reproduction or distribution of pictures, photographs or images without written permission is expressly prohibited.
VAIL PHOTO BY JACK AFFLECK
Ranked #11 in the nation for 2008 real estate sales volumeby the Wall Street Journal
1.800.544.2421www.vailprivateresidences.com
Web ID ~ M17533
Slifer Smith & Frampton Real EstateCarroll Tyler Dana Gumber
Empower YOurselfo
Ownership Opportunities Available
beyond the limits of imaginationmpower YOo
COLORADOHOMESMAG.COM 73
Rea l Es ta te Watch
BY CHERYL MEYERS
MARKET PROFILE:IN JANUARY 2008, THE ARRABELLE AT VAILSquare—a luxurious new hotel and condominium developmentby Rock Resorts—opened to much fanfare at the base ofLionshead in Vail. Its lavish, Old-World décor and high-endsticker price was celebrated at the time as a triumph for Vail,which had been criticized for its aging 1970s-era architecture.What’s more, the shiny-new Bavarian palace seemed to epitomize the nation’s pervasive sky’s-the-limit attitudetowards real estate. Sales at the Arrabelle in 2008 (totalingnearly $300 million)—coupled with the sales of other new,high-end properties like the nearby Westin—contributed to thehighest ever sale-price average per property in Vail real estatehistory: $2.5 million.
Of course, we now know that it was all a little too good to betrue. In September 2008, when the nation’s economic bubbleofficially burst, home prices in Vail plunged right along with pricesin the rest of the country. As of August, the average sale price fora piece of property in the town of Vail had dropped well below2007 numbers, to $1.5 million, according to data compiled byLand Title Guarantee Company, a Vail-based title insurance firm.
Valley Forage
HOT PROPERTIESWatch for these three newdevelopments, slated to hit the Vail market in 2010.FOUR SEASONS RESORT VAIL
Completion Date: June 2010
Location: Vail Village
Details: Nineteen fractional and 16 pri-
vate residences, ranging from 1,800 to
5,800 square feet, are available; ameni-
ties include a full-service spa, fitness
club, fine-dining restaurants, on-moun-
tain ski concierge and year-round pool.
Price: $300,000-$700,000 (for frac-
tional ownership) and $3-$16 million
(for private residences).
More Info: fourseasons.com/ownvail (for
fractional ownership) and vailprivate
residences.com (for private residences)
THE RITZ-CARLTON
RESIDENCES, VAIL
Completion Date: Fall 2010
Location: Lionshead
Details: Choose from 71 full-ownership
residences and 45 fractional ownership
residences, ranging from two to six
bedrooms; includes a membership to
the Arrabelle Club fitness center, spa
and ski lockers; outdoor pool, hot tub,
ski valet and mountain views.
Price: Call (970) 754-1204 for pricing.
More Info: theresidencesvail.com
SOLARIS
Completion Date: July 2010
Location: Vail Village
Details: Seventy-eight residences, rang-
ing from 1,000 to 6,600 square feet, are
available; enjoy movie theaters, restau-
rants, bowling alley, ice skating rink, and
hotel-like amenities, including concierge
service.
Price: $1.5-$19.2 million
More Info: solarisvail.com
VA
IL R
ES
OR
TS
It’s a buyer’smarket in the
Vail Valley...so where are
the buyers?
That may be bad news for the market, but it’s great news for buyers, saysrealtor Michael Slevin, Vice President of Prudential Colorado Properties.Great news, that is, if buyers were actually taking advantage of the (relative)rock-bottom prices. Citing data from the Vail Board of Realtors, Slevin saysthat in terms of volume, property sales in Vail for 2009 are the lowest they’vebeen since 1992, when the board first started compiling data. The indica-tion? Buyers are still gun-shy from the recession.
“There will always be interest in our market,” says Slevin, pointing to themountains, skiing and myriad other reasons why someone might want to buy in Vail. “The challenge right now is finding an equilibrium—a price that islow enough so that activity will increase again. Buyers are still feeling outwhere the bottom is.” Which is an entirely reasonable reaction, according torealtors like Carroll Tyler of Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate. “Priceswere too high to begin with,” she says. “We needed a price correction.”
And therein lies the silver lining. Both Slevin and Tyler say now is thetime to buy in Vail. There is a surplus of motivated sellers and a surplus ofinventory. Plus, with three new-construction projects slated to hit the mar-ket in 2010—The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Vail; Four Seasons; and Solaris(see more info above)—buyers can demand more for less with Vail’s olderproperties. “Sellers in Vail today are realistic,” says Tyler. “There are somevery good values to be found right now.” But it won’t last forever.
Rea l Es ta te Watch
VA
IL R
ES
OR
TS
As developers unveil new offerings in the Vail Valley,now might be the perfect time to invest in one of thecountry’s most celebrated ski resorts. A dearth ofbuyers means there are great bargains to be found.
74 COLORADOHOMESMAG.COM
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Vol. 30, No 1 © 2010 by Network Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Permission toreprint or quote excerpts granted by written request only. Colorado Homes & Lifestyles™(ISSN 1539-7726) is published eight times a year (JANUARY/FEBRUARY, MAR, APR,MAY, JUNE/JULY, AUG, SEPT/OCT, NOVEMBER/DECEMBER) by Network Communica-tions, Inc. 2305 Newpoint Parkway, Lawrenceville, GA 30043. Periodical postage paid atLawrenceville, GA and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changesto Colorado Homes & Lifestyles™, PO Box 9002, Maple Shade, NJ 08052. For change ofaddress include old address as well as new address with both zip codes. Allow four tosix weeks for change of address to become effective. Please include current mailing labelwhen writing about your subscription. Subscriptions, $24.95 for one year; $39.97 for twoyears. Canada and Mexico add $24.00 per year. Single copy price $4.95. Subscriptionquestions, (888) 704-0063. CPM#40065056 Unsolicited materials will be handled withcare, but the magazine assumes no responsibility for it.CANADA POST PM40063731. Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: Station A,PO Box 54, Windsor ON N9A 6J5
Ackerman & Sons Furniture Workshop ackermans.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
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American Society of Landscape Architects Colorado ccasla.org. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
Annual Home Design Contest coloradohomesmag.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Belcaro Paint & Decorating Center belcaro.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
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Colorado Garden & Home Show gardeningcolorado.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22-23
Colorado Style Home Furnishings coloradostyle.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-5
Creative Leather creativeleather.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
D’Amore Interiors damoreinteriors.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
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Stone Collection thestonecollection.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Stone Restoration Services stonerestorationservices.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
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10 Th ings . . .
10 thingsyou should know about
custom furniture designer Tamas Kovacs
—Sally Stich
Tamas Kovacs, who trained as an interior designer, opened his custom design
and millwork workshop in Denver in 2001 with his twin brother Bence, an archi-
tect. The brothers set up shop to design furniture, cabinets, custom kitchens,
restaurants and offices—under the name EliSons Workshop, in honor of their
father Elemer Kovacs, an esteemed architect in Budapest, Hungary. (Today,
Tamas is the sole owner, with offices in Denver, Aspen and Budapest.)
His role model? His father. “My shop is much like his,” he says, “which is
where I learned to design, build and manage projects.” (Tamas also has a degree
in interior design from the Art Institute of Colorado.)
His goal: combine design, functionality and craftsmanship in every project.
“Mass-produced cabinets or furniture often have two of those elements, but not
all three,” he says. “I want my pieces to last a long time and be a joy to look at
and use every day.”
His favorite project? A jewelry armoire, designed in 2003 for a residential
customer. This tall, sensuous cabinet on curvy legs is made of natural and
ebony-stained cherry with black tempered-glass doors.
Inspiration is everywhere for this designer. He recently spotted an old cam-
era flash with a bulb in the center of folding metal sections. Opened, it looked
like a satellite dish; closed, like a flower folding in on itself. “I saw the possibility
of a chair, like a Papasan chair,” he says, “but more functional because it could
be folded up and put away.”
Kovacs’ dream project is to design and build a cool hotel interior or high-end
lounge, creating the “brand” of the space that’s carried through the whole proj-
ect—the logo, the colors, the stationery, the matchbooks. “When you see a
Philippe Starck-designed space,” he says, “you immediately understand its char-
acter. That’s what I’d love to do.”
Not only does Kovacs design for residential spaces, but he has also designed
and built several public places. His work can be seen at Cucina Colore in Cherry
Creek; the Robusto Room, a cigar bar and lounge in Lone Tree; Vin48, a wine bar
in Avon; and the law offices of Otten Johnson Robinson Neff + Ragonetti in Avon.
How does a European-trained designer differ from his American counter-
parts? “In Europe practically everything is custom designed and built,” he says. “I
don’t think in terms of standard sizes and finishes.”
But what about price? “I’ve designed pieces on par price-wise with
furniture at Room and Board, but my quality was better,” he says. Still, there’s
no denying that custom work can be a bit more expensive—but there’s also
no middleman mark-up. Kovacs’ team does everything from the first sketch to
the finished product.
When Kovacs talks about “Twist,” he’s referring to his new line of sofas and
chairs (pictured above). Made of steel, acrylic and upholstery, these lightweight
pieces offer great back support without being stiff. “Twist” refers to function: the
armrest on these pieces can be twisted outward to allow more room to sit.
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