Denver: A Photo Journal

I met Bryan in Denver for a quick weekend to celebrate our wedding anniversary a few weeks ago.  It was especially meaningful for us since we lived in Denver a few years ago.  I haven't been back since we moved away at the end of 2008.  The first thing I saw when I exited the freeway was Coors Field.  Go Rockies!  I was so excited to see it I almost swerved off the road.

We swung past our old house, which has been painted a new darker color.....they even painted the garage doors.  And they painted the shutters forest green.  forest.  green.   Really?  They left the front door black (which I painted while we lived there), but the shutters went forest green.  Oh well.  I guess it's not my house anymore.  

We stayed at the Renaissance Denver Downtown Hotel, which is newly converted from the old Colorado Bank Building.  IT IS INCREDIBLE!

The hotel lobby is probably my favorite lobby I have ever been in.  The original Allen Tupper True  murals remain, as well as all the original columns, ceiling, and flooring.   It has been called the prettiest room in Denver.  I think I agree!

The ceiling is just amazing.  

Even the original vaults remain, and have been worked into the design.

Some of the furniture was not my favorite....it seemed a bit cartoony.

We also stumbled across this cool street art, done by the infamous David Choe.  Look him up...he is quite a character.  The I-Phone pictures I took from the car window seriously turned out so well that  I had them made into large prints.  I am framing them to use in our basement family room.  

Aren't they awesome???

We got some snow the morning we left. 

And look what I spotted at Cherry Creek Mall!  A Restoration Hardware Gallery Store.  Yay!  

I am definitely thinking I will have to take a girls trip to check it out once it opens next summer.

And a beautiful vignette at the Ralph Lauren Store.  According to my hubs, we had NO time to look inside.  Ha!!  The nerve... but it was his anniversary too, so I didn't push it.

We bought way too much candy.....

ate a little too much of this.....

and ate a whole lot too much of this.

And I got to spend a super fun weekend (not to mention the last 19 years), with this guy!

Chairish and a New Vintage Chic Playroom

A few weeks ago a friend contacted me about doing some design for her basement playroom.  It had the same problems that a lot of basement playrooms seem to have.  Lots of toys……..room to play……… no one there to do any playing.  

For some reason she couldn’t get the kids to play there.  She thought that by upping the style factor and making the space more visually inviting, the kids might actually want to play there.  I couldn’t agree more!

Ironically, I received an email from Chairish.com right about the same time.  They asked if I would be interested in designing a concept around one of their vintage rugs.  Uh yes please!  

As soon as I took one look at my rug choices I knew that Kristi’s playroom, and this amazing teal overdyed rug from Chairish would be a match made in heaven!  And by the way, have you ever been to the Chairish website?!?  Piles and piles of one-of-a-kind vintage finds.......it is seriously my happy place.  You can find the other great rugs they have available, here.   

The room is quite large, and a very basic beige color she had left over from another part of the house.  There is no natural light in the room, so color and lighting will become her best friends.  She will be painting, and getting new carpeting in the space also.

I immediately wanted to tackle the dark, ominous alcove in the corner.  Right now that part of the room is so dark, there is nothing but a giant lonely beanbag hanging out there.  

I suggested she move this AMAZING vintage gold velvet tufted settee she inherited from her grandma into the dark corner.  

Pops of teal would look great with the gold/citrine color of the settee she already has.  So a colorful teal rug like the Chairish one would be so incredible in this space!  The rich color on the ground, paired with a few other colorful items, and a white wall treatment of some kind would instantly cheer up the gloomy Gloomsville feel of the room.  If you are looking for a similar piece for your home, (and you should be, because there is nothing cooler than a gold velvet vintage sofa), you could go with this vintage one, (also from Chairish).  Or the new one in the style board is available via Burke Decor. 

Add a cool light fixture above the alcove, and some fun art, and KABAM… reading nook and instant style.  The fixture in the mood board is new, but a vintage light would be pretty incredible here too.  (link to mood board light at bottom of page)


If you are looking for your own vintage light, you should check out these two awesome choices, both available from Chairish.  (links below)

Jonathan Adler Nickel Meurice Chandelier 

Modern Sputnik Chandelier

I also suggested she add some stylish new storage.  The one featured in the mood board is this one from Lamps Plus, but this EXPEDIT unit from IKEA would work great too.  It is a steal at only $99.  

On one of the long, window-less walls I am recommending a giant vintage map.  (I found this one on Chairish, and I was fist-pumping for like five minutes straight!)  It is the perfect color, and at over five feet wide, it is a great size.  Can you believe it is only $175?

On the other long wall, I think she should install some kind of display system for her children’s own art.  Instant, colorful, and super cheap!

And lastly, I am DYING over this teepee from Land of Nod.  Kristi please buy this!!!  Here is the link.  

Kristi, thank you so much for letting me design your room.   And Chairish, thank you so much for the opportunity to dream design!

If I can answer any questions, or if you need any help designing your kids dream playroom, don't hesitate to holla!

 Here are the links to some of the other fun items in the room.:  orb chandelier,  Seletti neon light,  Chairish cute yellow storage box, cat pillow, hombre pillow.

Northern Wasatch Parade of Homes

 My brother and his wife Cidne are building a new home this year.  We have been busy with the early design stages, and meeting with the builder to finalize the details before they take their plans to the city.  I few weeks ago we headed out to the Northern Wasatch Parade of Homes to gather inspiration.  

 There were some beautiful landscapes and patios.

My very favorite home in the show was this cute Tudor by Destination Homes.  

Sorry for the blurry image.  I forgot to snap one while we were visiting.  

 I absolutely loved the interior.  It felt real, and collected, and not overly "Home-Showish".  

  The turquoise tiles on this fireplace were a real show-stopper.  The photo doesn't do it justice.

 The exterior color combo was so pretty!

 I LOVED the brick tiles in the laundry/mud room.  I may have to use those in my laundry room.

 The sitting room off the master bedroom was one of my favorite spots.  

 Lucy and Sam were our dates for the day!  They are taking a rest on  

World Market's "Erin Cute-as-a-Button Loveseat".  (It is on sale right now!)

The actual model home is currently available.  Click here for more info.

 I also thought there were some nice moments in this home too.  I THINK it is from Ivory Homes....

I hope that is right.  I should have taken notes!

 I snapped these kitchen photos because this is the exact color I had been looking 

for to paint the cabinets in my mini kitchen reno.  

 I like the detailing on this island.

 Lucy "pondering" something in the family bath.  I think she was wishing her bathroom at home looked a little more like this......our kids bath is this exact layout.....but ya, not nearly as nice.

It is definitely on the "re-do" list.

 Pretty bedrooms.  

Sam..."The Thinker".  

I will make sure to keep the blog updated on Eric and Cidne's new house as things progress!!