2017-06 Lydia's Style Magazine by Style Media & Design, Inc.

STYLEMEDIA.COM

THE VOICE OF NORTHERN COLORADO FOR

33 YEARS.

s t y le me d ia a n d d es i g n , i n c .

| 970.226.6400 |

w w w. s t y l e m a g a z i n e c o l o r a d o . c o m PUBLISHER/MANAGING EDITOR Lydia Dody lydia@stylemedia.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Scott Prosser scott@stylemedia.com SENIOR DESIGNER Lisa Gould lisa@stylemedia.com DIGITAL DIRECTOR / BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Austin Lamb | austin@stylemedia.com ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVES Jon Ainslie (970) 219-9226 Debra Davis (917) 334-6912 Lydia Dody (970) 227-6400 OFFICE MANAGER/ABOUT TOWN EDITOR Ina Szwec | ina@stylemedia.com ACCOUNTING MANAGER Julie Spencer CIRCULATION MANAGER BJ Uribe-Bell CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Rod Pentico, Pentico Photography CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Malini Bartels, Lynette Chilcoat, Kyle Eustice, John Garvey, Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer, Brad Shannon, Elissa J. Tivona, Michelle Venus AFFILIATIONS Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce Loveland Chamber of Commerce Greeley Chamber of Commerce Berthoud Chamber of Commerce 2017 STYLE MAGAZINES January-Style February-Style March-NOCO Wellness April-Style May-Style June-Style July-NOCO Wellness August-Style September-Women’s Health & Breast Cancer Style October-NOCO Wellness November-Holiday Style December-Best Of Style Style Media and Design, Inc. magazines are free monthly publications direct-mailed to homes and businesses in Northern Colorado. Elsewhere, a one-year subscription is $25/year and a two-year subscription is $45. Free magazines are available at more than 300 locations throughout Northern Colorado. For ad rates, subscription information, change of address, or correspondence, contact Style Media and Design Inc., 211 W. Myrtle St., Suite 200, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521. Phone (970) 226-6400, ext. 208. Fax (970) 2266427. Email ina@stylemedia.com. ©2017 Style Media and Design Inc. All rights reserved. The entire contents of Style Magazine are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the publisher. Style Media and Design Inc. is not responsible for unsolicited material. All manuscripts, artwork, and photography must be accompanied by a SASE. The views and opinions of any contributing writers are not necessarily those of Style Media & Design, Inc.

STYLEMEDIA.COM

STYLE 2017

LOVE!

LOVE the April issue! I've been enjoying every page! Kudos to you and your team! Molly Skold, Fort Collins The May issue of Style is excellent. I especially enjoyed the dude ranch articlesâ&#x20AC;Ś of course. Al Parker, Ridgway, CO We've been in/out more than usual to watch our son's golf during April. But I've had a number of very good comments about the article that appeared in the

April issue of Style showing exercises to get ready for the golf season!! Brad Ott, MSPT, Cert MDT Rebound Sports & Physical Therapy THANK YOU!

Thank you for the wonderful job you did on our article for "Little Dogs Colorado" in the March 2017 issue. We really enjoyed the photo session. So many of our clients have mentioned the article. We could not have made a better choice for our advertising. Thanks for the awesome jump start. Rackel Ward, Owner, Trainer Little Dogs Colorado

I wanted to let you know how grateful I am that you put the small article and lovely picture about us in the NOCO Wellness issue. It was a lovely piece. Thanks again, Sue Whetten, Cycle Tote

WE LOVE TO HEAR FROM READERS. SEND YOUR COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS TO:

lydia@stylemedia.com Phone: 970.226.6400, ext.201 Fax: 970.226.6427 www.stylemedia.com

STYLEMEDIA.COM

STYLE 2017

JUNE 2017

CONTENTS

features 18

Passive Architecture Delivers on Comfort, Durability and Efficiency

Exceptional Homes in Prestigious Neighborhoods: Harmony

Holy Comic Books, Batman!

STYLEMEDIA.COM

STYLE 2017

JUNE 2017

CONTENTS 47

around town

Wellness Spotlight 16 Business 74 The Home Restaurant: The Best Meal True Fabrication and Welding, LLC Kit Delivery Services

noco style

39 Building Pets Colorado Rustic Meets Modern Flair 80 Healthy Meow Memes 47 Building A Modern Home With departments Panoramic Views 55 Building Harmony Luxury Golf Course Living 62 Building Downtown Living in Charming Brownstones 71 Outdoors Summer Paddle Sports

76 Travel Carbondale, Colorado

12 Publisher's Letter 82 About Town

Realities for Children Awards Gala Top Chef of Northern Colorado WOLFstock BBB Torch Awards for Ethics

STYLEMEDIA.COM

PUBLISHER’S LETTER

BUILDING IN NOCO

The summer season always sees a flurry of real estate activity as families move to upsize, first time home buyers enter the market, and boomers look to downsize. In our Northern Colorado area, we have seen a tightening supply of housing inventory in popular price points and also a rise in prices (most everyone was probably as surprised as I was receiving the substantial property tax increase in valuation recently). This situation has had me wondering if we were destined for a housing bubble but I was comforted to read the June issue of The Group Inc.’s “Real Estate Insider” which spoke about a recent analysis by Realtor.com ranking the Fort Collins-Loveland area No. 1 nationally as a

pillar of market stability. Our area can add that one to a long list of reasons why we all live here and why so many others are choosing to move here! As we look around, we see that the summer has ushered in a spike in construction activity. It seems that everywhere we look there is an apartment complex under way, a commercial building going up or road construction slowing traffic. This bustling activity is one more sign that Northern Colorado is blessed to have a vibrant healthy economy. Another sign of our area’s growth is the increasing number of upscale neighborhoods experiencing brisk construction activity. One such neighborhood I’ve noticed that has continued to expand, improve its amenities and offer its homeowners a high quality of living and world-class golf, is Harmony in Timnath. I have admired the passion and vision developer, Byron Collins, has had since the early 2000’s. Read about this special community in “Exceptional Homes in Prestigious Neighborhoods: Harmony” to learn about why the homeowners love living there. As you drive around our Northern Colorado area, you see that custom builders are busy in the luxury home category and these homes are generally sold before they are completed. This June issue of Style features four outstanding luxury homes in four different areas. The four builders of these homes are passionate about their projects and have worked hard to put unique features into their homes to make them special. Be sure to read, “Colorado Rustic Meets Modern Flair” to learn about Ray Starck, a young builder and owner of Omni Homes, continuing as a third

generation builder in Northern Colorado. He is making a name for himself with the beautiful, feature-packed home he built in Thompson Crossing in Johnstown. Another exquisite home built by Brian Doble of BKD Builders, with the support of his wife, Christine, is in Windsor’s High Pointe Estates. Read about this special home with unique features and amazing views out each window in “A Modern Home with Panoramic Views.” Design flow and attention to detail are hallmarks of Stonefield homes. Enjoy seeing this elegant ranch in Timnath’s Harmony and learning about the commitment to quality and community by builder, Steve Foran, in “Harmony Luxury Golf Course Living.” As we all know, downtown Fort Collins is one of the hottest real estate areas. Read “Downtown Living in Charming Brownstones” to learn about a wonderful project of six luxury brownstones being built by Alan Strope of Savant Homes. As we all get even busier and short of time in the summer, preparing a good meal for the family becomes a challenge. Be sure to look at “The Home Restaurant,” to get a snapshot of a new trend of fresh food delivery for saving time. We hope you enjoy this summer issue packed full of interesting and fun articles. For all of you who enjoyed comics in your youth, the industry is still thriving. Read, “Holy Comic Books Batman!” for a fun update. Enjoy the beautiful Colorado weather and the start of the summer season! lydia@stylemedia.com

STYLEMEDIA.COM

STYLE 2017

STYLEMEDIA.COM

STYLE 2017

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

By Kyle Eustice

a shop already, so I called him and got an interview. Since I had a construction background, I blew the test out of the water and was hired.” “He took classes in high school and he was showing other kids things the teacher didn’t have time to get to,” Carol adds. “He was a natural at it.”

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

Carol Johnston with husband Tim, son Brent and nephew Josh, hard at work.

ON THE JOB

Stated in bold letters on True Fabrication and Welding’s website are the words: “You dream it, we’ll build it,” which is exactly what the family owned business has done for the past six years. Helmed by matriarch Carol Johnston, the small Loveland-based company also finds son Brent Johnston, nephew Josh Johnston, and husband Tim Johnston on the employee roster. “Everything we take on is stuff nobody’s done before — it’s just something that’s come out of a customer’s head,” Brent explains. “We’re able to come to a solution and give them a final product they love. It’s always a challenge, but well worth it when you have a happy customer.” “They show us a picture and say, ‘I kinda like this gate,’ or whatever it is, and we help bring it to life,” Carol adds. “It’s our

challenge to bring it into fruition.” Brent got into the business about 13 years ago after graduating from high school in 2004, right as the economy was beginning to decline. He got into welding and fabrication by chance. “I was working for my parent’s construction business and they’d get slow,” Brent explains. “I was trying to pay for college, so I had to find a job that was more steady. For me, it was the welding industry. I just took to it and learned to love it.” Josh grew up watching his parents run the family’s construction business, Johnston Quality Builders, Inc., and was essentially born into it. “I’ve been doing it for seven or eight years,” Josh says. “I quit an oil rig job and needed a new one. Brent was working at

At True Fabrication and Welding LLC, they specialize in commercial and residential steel, automotive and 4x4 fabrication, and also offer a portable welding service. There’s a common misconception that fabrication and welding are the same thing, however, there is a distinction. Fabrication is basically the invention or manufacturing of something, while welding is just one operation performed during that process. “The everyday person might not get the difference,” Carol says. “You come here and we’re going to fabricate it together. It might not just be steel. It may have rocks or wood attached to it, but we’re going to take that person’s dream and make it work.”

REASONS TO GO

From iron rails to metal stairs, Brent and Josh’s creations truly captivate their clients, and it’s clear they love what they do. For Brent, just being able to come to his job and work hard is a reward in itself. It makes him appreciate his clients even more. “I think that’s a big one,” he says. “At other places, stuff got tied up in bureaucracy and we’d spend more time discussing what we’re going to do instead of doing it. Now, I get to wake up every morning, pick up a welder and build stuff that I love to build.” Being self-employed also allows for more freedom, which equates to happier employees. “For me, the best part is being in business for yourself,” Carol says. “While it has its challenges, it has its really good points you can’t get working anywhere else. It’s amazing.” STYLEMEDIA.COM

CLAIM TO FAME

True Fabrication and Welding LLC stands out because of its employees’ undeniable talent and tireless work ethics. “We have a board and we always put our projects on it to keep us in line,” Carol says. “Currently there are 19 slots on the board, but we have 24 or 25 items on it. “We average nine to ten hours a day,” she continues. “The hours vary when you’re in business for yourself, but it’s been eight to ten hours a day, five days a week consistently for the past year. We have to take the weekend off to recuperate, so we can get back to it the next week.”

WHEN TO GO

Call for more information. 970-669-3688

HOW TO FIND THEM

6114 Chokecherry Dr. Loveland, CO www.truefabweld.com truefabweld@gmail.com

CLOSING THOUGHTS “A happy customer is a return customer,” Brent says. “Customer service is something we really like to focus on. We want them to come back and have us do future projects for them.” “We may be small, but we’re efficient, too,” Carol concludes. “We’re in a very small space right now, but we’re kicking out a ton of work and making people’s dream come true.”

STYLE 2017

WOLVERINE FARM LETTERPRESS & PUBLICK HOUSE | urban|rural design Three high windows are an example of the "innie" or inset window, providing shade from the sun during summer months.

STYLEMEDIA.COM

PASSIVE ARCHITECTURE DELIVERS ON

Comfort, Durability and Efficiency By John Garvey

Imagine a home where overhead lighting isn’t needed during the day because of how the windows are configured. Imagine a house insulated from the sounds of traffic and car alarms, where the temperature stays within a comfortable range year-round. Passive architecture can deliver all those things. In west Fort Collins, the night wind coming off the foothills can sound like a banshee, but not for Jim Donohoe. Sounds of motorcycles, dogs barking and stereos go unnoticed within his passive house. “The quietness of the house is really amazing," he states. "That’s one of the big advantages of the 2-foot thick walls and the triple-pane windows.” Consultant Andrew Michler argues that passive architecture can achieve greater energy savings than more sophisticated and costly upgrades like solar panels. “You put your money into the envelope of the house and the design of the house. Then you actually provide a much better space to live in, as well as something that is much more efficient.” A software engineer who works from

home, Donohoe rides out dramatic temperature fluctuations in comfort unaided by a furnace or air conditioner. The home has five electric baseboard heaters which he imagines kick on twenty or fewer days a year. “This house that I’m in now just naturally stays in a much more comfortable temperature range because it just doesn’t get all that cold in the winter," he says. "And in the summertime it generally doesn’t get that hot." Materials and layout of a building’s exterior are fundamental to passive architecture. A building’s envelope—foundation, outer walls, doors, windows, ceiling and roof—dictates how much it will rely on artificial heating, cooling and lighting. Michler, a Certified Passive House Consultant and author of the book [ours] Hyperlocalization of Architecture, designed and built the first certified International Passive House in Colorado. He’s lived off

the grid for two decades, relying largely on passive design principles. The Passivhaus Institute in Germany developed the Passive House certification, which was widely adopted in Central Europe. More recently, the Passive House Institute US (PHIUS) created its own certification. Recognizing that climates vary greatly in North America, the criteria are performance-based rather than prescriptive. PHIUS buildings must use 86% less energy for heating and 46% less energy for cooling than others in their location. It’s the opposite of a cookie cutter approach. Of course, a home doesn’t need to conform to the certification to benefit from these techniques. Still, the idea of living in a Passive House is enticing. Ceiling fans are enough to keep Donohoe’s home cool in July. By leaving his windows open at night and closing them in the morning, he traps cool air in during

NIWOT RESIDENCE | ADDITION - REMODEL | urban|rural design 3 inch continuous insulation on exterior, glass designed for natural lighting and passive heat gain as well as passive cooling. STYLE 2017

WOLVERINE FARM LETTERPRESS & PUBLICK HOUSE | urban|rural design Passive Design + Continuous Exterior Insulation + Reuse Building and Materials + Regenerative Materials the day. The home's structure keeps the elements at bay with little help from man or machine. Passive House is an extension of the passive solar techniques popularized in the wake of the 1973 energy crisis, and passive solar principles remain relevant. That’s particularly true here in Colorado’s Front Range due to the abundant sunshine. “Colorado actually is one of the prime places on the planet for Passive House to work very effectively at a reasonable price and effort," Michler states. That’s because the geophysics of Passive House works especially well compared to conventional design under cold, sunny conditions. Good passive architecture, however, performs well year-round. Architect Brian A. Majeski has designed or been on a design team for three passive homes in Colorado, two of which were certified Passive House. The principal at Urban/Rural Design in Fort Collins, he’s also a proponent of passive architecture. Among other aesthetic features, he admires the deep window and door openings in passive homes, a product of their thick walls. “They’re deeper. The door openings are

deeper. If you’re in a two-by-four home it feels like you’re in a paper box. It’s really thin, and if there’s a big storm outside it’s not very sheltering.” Windows are “more like portals,” so innie or outie windows can be used. The former option allows windows to be set back from the home’s exterior, sheltering them from wind and direct sunlight. The latter option allows placement of potted plants and décor in the niche. It’s just one feature that conserves energy and looks good. “Balancing of Objectives” Some architectural features, such as dormer windows that project vertically from sloped roofs, become infeasible for someone trying to build a truly energy efficient home. The more angles in a home’s exterior, the more difficult and costly it becomes to control what’s called thermal bridging. That refers to heat transfer resulting in unwanted gains in the summer and losses in the winter. For that reason, Passive Houses tend to have somewhat boxy designs. Passive architecture isn’t as central to Majeski’s brand and reputation as Michler’s. New homeowners, he points

out, can work with architects to balance the objectives of efficiency, budget goals and their aesthetic ideals. There’s a lot of room in the middle of the field, and to Majeski it’s a values call. Additional upfront costs depend on a person’s commitment to energy savings, but they aren’t prohibitive. A more open floor plan will recoup some of the extra costs that go into a Passive House’s envelope. Building a high-efficiency home will also allow for a smaller HVAC system and less ducting than would otherwise be needed. So the up-front costs don’t quite even out, but they can be managed. Architects agree that in a region with comparatively-cheap energy, passive architecture is more about comfort and environmental stewardship than saving money. Nonetheless, a 2,000 square foot Passive House will require $20 - $30 per month for utilities … in the dead of winter. Not bad. Retrofitting Your Home Sadly for some, this has nothing to do with 1980s pop culture. Retrofitting means modifying an existing structure to improve its performance. While the most important elements of passive architecture

STYLEMEDIA.COM

STYLE 2017

WOLVERINE FARM LETTERPRESS & PUBLICK HOUSE | urban|rural design All insulation pushed to outside for thermal break and to save interior space to expose existing block walls. must be planned before setting the foundation, there are still many ways to improve a conventional home’s efficiency without feats of engineering. "Most people want to go straight for the windows or insulate the attic or something like that,” explains Michler. “Sometimes that’s the right thing to do, and sometimes that’s not the best solution for somebody with a limited budget." Understanding how the orientation of a home influences thermal bridging, solar gain and interior light quality is key. It will help direct attention to the best opportunities and forego upgrades where they aren’t cost effective. “Solar gain” refers to how the sun heats a building through exterior walls and windows. Logically, these should be exposed during the winter and shaded during the summer. The sun’s position in the southern sky changes, so calculated overhangs and landscaping allow or block sunlight according to the season. Triple-paned windows make the most sense in areas exposed to wind and direct sunlight. It might make sense to place awnings over windows on the southern side of a building if the roof or trees aren’t blocking out the summer sun. Louvered panels can be a visually pleasing way to block solar glare and add privacy. Adding vertical solar shade fabrics to a home’s west deck can likewise block out unwanted solar glare. This is important. "A lot of people have West windows in Steamboat and they bake in March and

late February,” notes Majeski. “It’s hot.” Modeling software can help homeowners determine which types of windows and overhangs to use. That level of planning sophistication is not necessary, however, unless energy savings goals are really ambitious. Finally, Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) exchange stale air from the interior for fresh, filtered air from the outside. Many HVAC technicians can install ERVs, which most benefit people living in densely populated or high-allergen settings. It can be unhealthy to live in a tightly sealed home without an ERV due to indoor air pollution. Questioned about the overall comfort of his home, Donohoe, who moved there from a conventional home two blocks away, is emphatic: “I think it’s much more comfortable.” Passive architecture delivers more predictable energy savings and comfort than conventional homes, while preventing mold and other maintenance snafus. No matter how cost-competitive solar panels become, daylight, shading and solar heat will always be free. John Garvey, a business journalist and freelance writer, has been published in over a half dozen magazines and news publications. A Fort Collins resident since 2013, John is the founder of North FoCo Pub Runners and father to three Spanglish-speaking kiddos. View his portfolio at Clippings.me/johngarvey. STYLEMEDIA.COM

Experience Life in Harmony

4060 Grand Park Drive MLS 802990 $1,095,000

Gorgeous move in ready new construction in one of Northern Coloradoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier neighborhoods, Harmony Club 4 bed/4 bath custom home by ABD featuring Viking appliances, Kohler fixtures, master retreat with dual closets, daylight basement with full bar & oversized 3 car garage.

JANE SPENCER Broker Associate

970-206-8258 RE/MAX Alliance janespencer@remax.net

STYLE 2017

Exceptional Homes in Prestigious Neighborhoods:

HARMONY By Brad Shannon

If you're seeking resort-style living and world-class golf, along with unmatched views of the Front Range, head east - to Timnath and Harmony Club. Just two miles east of I-25 along Harmony Boulevard, this 640-acre enclave features lot sizes between ¼ and ½ acre in a setting unlike any other in the area, with community amenities that you’ll find nowhere else in northern Colorado. Here, you’ll find a variety of architectural approaches, including Tuscan, Farmhouse, and Prairie style homes ranging from the $800s to several million. Home lots

STYLEMEDIA.COM

comprise about half the square-mile development, with the golf course and surrounding open space occupying the other half. Harmony Club is the passion and vision of developer Byron Collins, who was just the second owner of the property. It was originally deeded to a family of farmers in 1870, during President Ulysses S. Grant’s administration, who kept it and actively farmed it until a little more than a decade ago. Collins, honored by the family’s request to develop the land, has kept a focus on doing justice to the property. “I’ve done lots in northern Colorado over the years, but STYLE 2017

this place is unique,” he reflected. “With the location, and elevation, this is not just typical farmland. Folks who have lived here all their lives don’t quite believe a place like this exists, this close to town.” From the beginning, the focus was working with local custom builders to deliver the premier resort community in the region. Work began here with putting the infrastructure in place in 2005, and the first homes were built in 2007. “We work with high-end builders who we know we can count on to build a quality product for buyers in the market for custom homes,” said Collins. “Here, we have all the

conveniences of northern Colorado, with tremendous amenities and breathtaking views. We’re blessed to have a site like this.” Jay Brannen, of Brannen Design and Construction, a Harmony Club resident and one of the original builders on the site, agrees. “This is really one of a kind. With the difficulty of getting things developed, the cost, and more, trying to start a community like this is a challenge. It probably won’t be replicated in many, many years. Byron has really taken care to see the vision all the way through.” In their four years here, the Brannan family has enjoyed the parks, walking trails,

and stocked fishing lakes. “The fitness center is incredible, along with the pool and spa area, all perched on the hill with amazing views of the continental divide. There isn’t a bad lot in the community,” he said. With the growth Timnath is experiencing, Brannen notes, this is a very convenient place to live. His family appreciates the proximity of Costco, Walmart and its grocery offerings, as well as the new restaurants on the east end of Harmony in Fort Collins. “We can be in Windsor in 10 minutes, and, with kids, it was important to us to be in the Poudre School District.” For Michelle Heikens, who set up a household here early in the development, then was transferred away and has now returned, Harmony Club is a slice of heaven. “There’s really something for everyone,” she said. “You can be as active as you want, or just enjoy a quiet, relaxing lifestyle.

We love the multi-generational nature of the community, having the kids around playing, whether they live here or are visiting grandparents.” For more active residents, there’s a variety of golf choices, including couples’ twilight, men’s and women’s leagues, and “Nine and Wine” outings regularly. Hit the courts for basketball, tennis or pickleball. For quieter diversions, lounge in the pool or spa, join Women Who Wine, or take in a book club meeting, a round of bridge or Mah-Jongg. Alison Schuman jokes that they don’t really travel, since there isn’t a much better place to go than where they live. “Living at Harmony Club really has all the features of a resort or nice vacation spot,” she says, “with the salt water pool and all the amenities. My favorite is that food and drink are served poolside, including pina coladas. We’re at the pool probably five days a week

in the summer. We’re not huge golfers, since we’re so busy, but once things slow down we will get back into that.” For some, of course the big attraction is the private, Jim Engh designed golf course. Harmony Club is home to the Colorado State University men's and women's golf teams as well as Golf Academy Northern Colorado. An indoor hitting bay allows the Ram team members, along with golf members, to work on their games yearround. The short-game practice area outside invites you to warm up before playing, and spend more time practicing, improving your enjoyment of the game and the results you see. Here, you can simulate every short shot you may encounter on the course, with expanded greens, a separate pitching green, bunkers and multiple target areas ranging from 25 to 125 yards. “The real advantage,” Collins added, “is

STYLEMEDIA.COM

that you can come out here and it takes you under four hours to play 18 holes. That’s faster than most other courses in northern Colorado.” It’s important to note, he added, that you don’t have to be a golf member to live at Harmony Club, but you do have to be a sport member. About two-thirds of Harmony Club members are sport members. Collins adds that a new clubhouse will be built, with work scheduled to start within a year. Sport members get full access to the pool and spa, as well as the fitness center. The gym, as some call it, has full circuit weight training equipment, cardio machines, free weights and a dedicated stretch zone. Treadmills, elliptical trainers, stair steppers and spinning bikes are here to serve your cardio needs. Men’s and women’s locker rooms provide a comfortable sanctuary before and after activities. The resort-style salt water pool features a 41-foot slide,

beach entrance and splash zone, with a large jetted “spool” (spa + pool). Members also get access to the pavilion, which offers indoor/outdoor seating and a fire pit. A snack bar offers seasonal food and beverage service for those enjoying the pool and gathering before or after a round of golf. This members-only venue hosts tournaments and Harmony’s special events. Harmony Cabin is a log home where members and residents gather for camaraderie, snacks and beverages, with the comfortable vibe of your best friend’s kitchen. It is also home to the golf shop, which offers a unique selection of golf clothing, equipment and specialty items. Harmony Club has sold approximately 60% of its available lots, at prices ranging from $150,000 to $350,000, with an average of just over $200,000. In addition to the finest custom single-family homes in the area, the development has plans to add

luxury duplexes and attached housing in the future. The timeline for completion, Collins noted, is dictated by the market. He expects it will take between three and seven years to complete the vision. “A lot of projects are designed to move quickly,” he noted. “Here, to reach the vision, we won’t compromise. We want to do the site justice.” For more information on available lots, homes, and amenity packages, visit Harmony Club’s website at www.HarmonyClub.info or on Facebook at www. facebook.com/HarmonyClubGolf/.

Brad Shannon is a freelance writer and provides public relations and marketing communications services through his Loveland-based Shannon Marketing Communications, L.L.C.

STYLEMEDIA.COM

HOMES OF DISTINCTION Lifestyle Custom Homes By Ed Rust

TIMNATH’S HARMONY CLUB centers around a range of luxurious family and community-oriented amenities for residents of all ages. The development — situated in trailblazing Poudre School District. Includes a golf course and shared swimming pool, and offers classic Northern Colorado views. One home, a fourbedroomranch with a finished basement at 4020 Portrush, is completed and construction recently began on two more. Harmony Club homes start in the $800,000s and are not in a metro district. Ed Rust has always been a communityand relationship-focused builder. He has worked with The Group, Inc.’s Broker Associate/Partner Melissa Doherty for twenty-two years and has been partnering with many of the same subcontractors for years or even decades. He brings this attention to people to every stage of the building process.

This home is of our model located at 4112 Watercress

4020 PortRush, Timnath

Luxury Ranch featuring modern 4 bedrooms,2 mainfloor master suites and spacious bedrooms in te daylight basement. The gourmet kitchen with exclusive Jenn Air package, dining area over looking large yard backing to greenspace and trails. Oversized covered deck is perfect for entertaining and summer BBQ’s. Master bedroom retreat, has a large oversized shower, stand alone tub and his and his vanities. Custom Closet built in make this a move in ready home. Basement is completely finished with wet bar. Oversized 3 car garage, bring your toys or golf cart. Full landscaping is included.

SUBDIVISIONS WE ARE IN Harmony Club-Timnath Belmont Ridge- Windsor Thompson Crossing- Johnstown COMING THIS FALL The TPC golf course at Heron Lakes -Berthoud

Melissa Doherty

www.lifestylecustomhomes.com

Broker Associate/Partner 970-391-5800 Mdoherty@thegroupinc.com

OUR BUSINESS IS BUILT ON REL ATIONSHIPS AND TRUST

THE GROUP INC. REAL ESTATE

KATHY ALBERTZ

RANDY ALBERTZ

KATHY ARENTS

970-222-1784 karents@thegroupinc.com

GEORGENA ARNETT

SHEILA BENSHOOF

970-691-6901 ralbertz@thegroupinc.com

GREG BEVER

BETH BISHOP

CINDY BLACH

ABBEY BOEDING

KATHY BOEDING

JUDY BOGAARD

SALLY BRENT

JO CARNEY

JIM CHANCE

970-310-1836 jcarney@thegroupinc.com

970-388-4261 jchance@thegroupinc.com

TIM DE´LEON

ANNA DITORRICE-MULL

970-690-6011 kalbertz@thegroupinc.com

970-215-1722 gbever@thegroupinc.com

BRIAN BOGAARD

970-481-5376 bbogaard@thegroupinc.com

LEONE CORYELL

970-222-1757 lcoryell@thegroupinc.com

KIM DOLL

970-445-8604 kdoll@thegroupinc.com

970-692-9600 bbishop@thegroupinc.com

970-377-4931 jbogaard@thegroupinc.com

KELLI COUCH

970-310-8804 kcouch@thegroupinc.com

LANE EVERITT

970-310-5312 leveritt@thegroupinc.com

970-481-5821 cblach@thegroupinc.com

970-461-7110 sbrent@thegroupinc.com

JOANNE DE´LEON

970-691-2501 jdeleon@thegroupinc.com

KURT FAULKNER

970-690-4226 kfaulkner@thegroupinc.com

970-481-9801 garnett@thegroupinc.com

970-481-1277 aboeding@thegroupinc.com

970-215-5579 tdeleon@thegroupinc.com

BRANDI GARIFI

720-291-0899 bgarifi@thegroupinc.com

970-227-9802 sbenshoof@thegroupinc.com

970-231-9073 kboeding@thegroupinc.com

970-631-2649 amull@thegroupinc.com

KIERSTEN GRAF

970-690-0330 kgraf@thegroupinc.com

STYLEMEDIA.COM

SERVING YOU WITH 6 OFFICES IN NORTHERN COLORADO

W W W. T H E G R O U P I N C . C O M

ERIK HARDY

970-219-3472 ehardy@thegroupinc.com

MICHELLE HUBBARD

970-690-6706 mhubbard@thegroupinc.com

BOB LONER

970-231-2222 bloner@thegroupinc.com

DEANNA MCCRERY

970-222-9532 dmccrery@thegroupinc.com

ROB MYGATT

970-229-5411 rmygatt@thegroupinc.com

STYLE 2017

CHRIS C. HAU

970-217-3131 chrishau@thegroupinc.com

JIM HAUAN

970-419-2303 jhauan@thegroupinc.com

PAULA HAWE

970-222-1020 phawe@thegroupinc.com

RAY HENRY

970-215-0918 rhenry@thegroupinc.com

NICOLE HUNTSMAN

STEPHANIE KIRKLAND 970-679-8084 skirkland@thegroupinc.com

CINDY KURTZ

970-402-0221 nhuntsman@thegroupinc.com

MARNIE LONG

ALYCIA MARTINEZ

NANCY MAUS

970-679-1657 amartinez@thegroupinc.com

970-213-0554 nmaus@thegroupinc.com

KELLY MCBARTLETT

DOUG MILLER

ELAINE C. MINOR

JIM MURRAY

DAVID T. MUTH

JAIO OSBORNE

JOHN PEDEN

KEITH HUNTSMAN

970-377-4941 khuntsman@thegroupinc.com

970-481-8613 marnie@marnielong.com

970-481-9444 dmiller@thegroupinc.com

970-215-9236 eminor@thegroupinc.com

JACK NEEDY

MARY O'NEAL

970-310-6718 jneedy@thegroupinc.com

970-371-2738 moneal@thegroupinc.com

970-377-4909 jmurray@thegroupinc.com

970-999-4398 josborne@thegroupinc.com

970-962-6832 ckurtz@thegroupinc.com

970-541-0571 kmcbartlett@thegroupinc.com

970-481-5963 dmuth@thegroupinc.com

970-227-5677 jpeden@thegroupinc.com

OUR BUSINESS IS BUILT ON REL ATIONSHIPS AND TRUST

THE GROUP INC. REAL ESTATE

JOEY PORTER

970-481-4814 jporter@thegroupinc.com

ADRIENNE SCHARLI

970-229-5408 ascharli@thegroupinc.com

MIKI ROTH

970-690-9459 mikiroth@thegroupinc.com

BOB SKILLMAN

970-679-1632 bskillman@thegroupinc.com

KAREN ROWAN

970-310-5797 krowan@thegroupinc.com

TODD SLEDGE

970-377-4901 tsledge@thegroupinc.com

TRACEY RYK

970-217-3454 tryk@thegroupinc.com

TAMI SPAULDING

970-215-6978 tspaulding@thegroupinc.com

ANDREA SCHAEFER

970-290-3758 aschaefer@thegroupinc.com

RYAN SPENCER

970-214-0263 rspencer@thegroupinc.com

DENISE STAAB

KIM SUMMITT

DON SVITAK

JACK TAYLOR

970-420-9302 jtaylor@thegroupinc.com

DAVE TRUJILLO

970-215-1571 dsvitak@thegroupinc.com

CATHERINE VANCE

BECKY VASOS

KARLA VANDENBERG

CAROL VOORHIS

ROBERT WALKOWICZ

BILL WEST

HEP WILKINS

970-581-5671 dstaab@thegroupinc.com

970-231-0234 cvance@thegroupinc.com

SUSAN WARREN

970-222-1174 swarren@thegroupinc.com

970-689-6950 ksummitt@thegroupinc.com

970-217-9874 bvasos@thegroupinc.com

LAURA JO WASHLE

970-232-6336 ljwashle@thegroupinc.com

970-405-8530 kvandenberg@thegroupinc.com

WYNN WASHLE

970-419-2329 wwashle@thegroupinc.com

970-481-9487 cvoorhis@thegroupinc.com

970-690-0505 bwest@thegroupinc.com

970-222-0340 dtrujillo@thegroupinc.com

970-481-6077 rwalkowicz@thegroupinc.com

970-227-3974 hwilkins@thegroupinc.com

STYLEMEDIA.COM

By Malini Bartels

Bringing stories to life with comic strips is a collectible and growing art form appreciated by all ages. STYLE 2017

“My father gave me my first comic book when I was only five years old. The pictures in the comic excited me and thus I became a lifelong fan of the medium. They actually taught me how to read.” Those are the words of Ron Fortier, a professional writer for over 45 years. “I began first with comics and then eventually moving on to write pulp short stories and novels,” mentions Fortier. “I currently have over 600 comic titles to my credit.” By the time Fortier entered high school, he knew he wanted to be a writer, studying every form of storytelling he could from prose and fiction writing to poetry and journalism.

“After I left the Army in 1968, I began writing comics and submitting them to various companies. I sold my first script in 1976 to a small outfit called Charlton Comics.” “I love telling stories. This job has allowed me to work with some of the finest graphic artists in the world.” Fortier has collaborated with such talents as Gary Kato, Jeff Butler, Alex Ross, Michael Dorman and many others over the years. “Now Comics’ Green Hornet is what most of my fans consider some of my best work.” Written over 25 years ago, he still brings copies to sign for fans at the conventions he attends. “Another favorite

is Terminator – Burning Earth, a five issue mini-series based on the popular movie franchise.” Fortier explains that comics, unlike prose, require a larger creative team. “To create a comic you need an editor, a writer (my job), a penciler (primary artist who draws from the script using soft lead pencils), an inker (artist who embellishes the pencil art with India ink to make it bold enough to print), a colorist (colors add mood and atmosphere), and finally, but not least important, a letterer (the person who combines the script, adding the dialogue balloons and captions to the finished art, to make it a comic book.)” Each of these elements require creativity and when a team all works towards the same goal, the end results are truly wonderful comic stories that entertain everyone, young and old. Fortier and his wife Valerie are originally from New Hampshire, but moved to Fort Collins eight years ago and love it. “In the fall, I will begin teaching a course

on writing comics and graphic novels at Front Range Community College in Fort Collins as part of their Adult Continuing Education program.” Lee Oaks sticks to the art. Currently based on the Front Range, drawing came naturally to him as a child growing up in the countryside. “I drew my friends while waiting for the school bus,” recalls Oaks. “I was introduced to comics by a neighbor. He showed me The Dark Knight Returns, and to this day, I still think it’s the best graphic novel ever. I had seen the Christopher Reeve Superman movies and knew who the characters were, but I had never seen storytelling like this. It blew me away!” His most famous creation, Thunder Monkey, showcases his craft of telling a story visually. “There is a lot that goes into picking the right angle, lighting and composition that greatly influences the way the story is read.” Oaks explains what is involved with

creating a comic book from start to finish: sequential art includes storyboarding and shares a lot of DNA with film. It is a very powerful form of visual communication. It includes all the knowledge of drawing and design from anatomy to composition, and also all the aspects of writing, and then it goes beyond those disciplines in a way that involves something much greater than the sum of its parts. Think of making a movie. You have characters, their motivations, their appearance, and their speech patterns; you have set design, sound effects, overall atmosphere, psychological elements and camera angles, but it’s 2D. So, now think of art design, composition, lighting and shading, color, texture, ink, etc.… Then you have the restriction of the format of a small book. The Subculture For legions of comic book fans and collectors, conventions are a perfect way to unite with like-minds and share ideas. “Comic Con" is a catchall term for comic, STYLEMEDIA.COM

NORTHERN COLORADO STORES WITH GREAT COMIC BOOK FINDS OLD FIREHOUSE BOOKS 232 Walnut St, Fort Collins 970-484-7898 www.oldfirehousebooks. com GRYPHON GAMES & COMICS 1119 W Drake Rd, C-30, Fort Collins 970-224-3599 www.gryphongamesandcomics.com HALLEY’S COMICS 322 Walnut St, Fort Collins (970) 221-2878 THE BIZARRE BAZAAR 1014 S College Ave, Fort Collins 970-484-1699 www.fortcollinsbazaar.com

art, literature, pop-culture, gaming, and geekery conventions. Not all "comic con" type conventions are called Comic Cons and some are even themed toward specific shows or interests. Cons are popular because people like to connect with other fans of their favorite shows, comics, books, or hobbies to celebrate their fandom. More recently, with the superhero craze, geeky discourse is entering popular culture with the fastest growing and most sustainable demographic being women over 30. When these conventions are properly managed, everybody is welcome and can enjoy the subculture together. “Locally, Fort Collins has a huge geek population, which is largely underserved in terms of events,” mentions Fort Collins Comic Con co-organizer, Nick Armstrong. “You can see this popularity at play in the abundance and spacing of our comic book and gaming shops, geek-themed restaurants, and in what we wear and decorate our cars with.” STYLE 2017

In August of 2014, Armstrong and fellow geek, Nathan Scott (creator of Fort Collins Zombie Fest) gathered and began formulating the first FoCo Comic Con along with Poudre River Public Library District (PRPLD) Communications Director, Paula Watson-Lakamp.“I'd been co-organizing a few local events including Ignite Fort Collins and TEDxFoCo,” says Armstrong. “I was itching to build a local con since 2013.” A year later, that itch hit fever pitch when he saw some of the behind-the-scenes work at Starfest, and Denver Comic Con. “It suddenly wasn't a matter of wrangling a vast and nebulous project but instead lining up ridiculously smart and hard-working people to do amazing things together!” “Our partnership with the PRPLD has allowed us to donate 100% of the badge sales to children's literacy programs at the Library - to date, we've raised $45,000 and anticipate raising another $30,000 this year,” Armstrong proudly mentions. This year we're working on showcasing

HEROES & HORRORS GAMES 1215 Main St. Unit B, Windsor 970-833-5128 www.heroesandhorrorsgames.com GRAND SLAM SPORTS CARDS & COMIC BOOKS 1730 W Eisenhower Blvd, Loveland 970-667-8713 THE NERD STORE 807 8th St, Greeley, 970-978-4275 www.thenerdstore.imp-pos. com AL’S NEWSSTAND AND TOBACCO SHOP 177 N College Ave, Fort Collins 970-482-9853 www.alsnewsstand.com 35

Windsor | $1,000,000 Live where you play! Enjoy beachfront living in this 6300 sq ft four bedroom home in a golf course neighborhood where you can truly have it all! Tie your boat to the dock, wash away the sand in the outdoor shower, jump in the hot tub to warm up.

Fort Collins | $660,000 You’ll love the views from this gorgeous 2 Story home!! This home sits on just under threequarter acres with five bedrooms and three and one-half bathd! With just under 4000 square feet of generous living space including finished walk-out basement.

Pam Collier 970.215.3439 | pam@pamcollier.com

Brooke Walser 970.222.7187 | brooke.walser@coloradohomes.com

Fort Collins | $500,000 This bright and spacious home abuts greenbelt with amazing views of the foothills. Relax in the beautifully landscaped back yard, sharing the scene with neighboring horses which provide the ambiance of rural life! Gracious, flowing, open floor plan.

Wellington | $375,000 One year old modern Ranch home in Cottonwood Park at the Meadows! This beautiful home boasts vaulted living space with loads of upgrades!! Beautiful hardwood flooring throughout, espresso cabinets, granite counter tops in kitchen and baths.

Pam Collier 970.215.3439 | pam@pamcollier.com

Brooke Walser 970.222.7187 | brooke.walser@coloradohomes.com

READY, SET, GET A HEAD START… Low home inventory has made the competition tough for many homebuyers. Luckily, through Coldwell Banker’s listing alerts, you can find out about available homes for sale once they come on the market, helping you to get a head start on the competition.

Fort Collins | $300,000 Updated and loved 1950’s bungalow strategically located in mid-town Fort Collins. With convenient access to biking trails, five minutes to Old Town Shopping, just east of the CSU campus and Whole Foods, this adorable home has the perfect location. Pam Collier 970.215.3439 | pam@pamcollier.com

COLDWELL BANKER | COLORADOHOMES.COM

VOTING HAS BEGUN! For exceptional real estate service, contact your local Coldwell Banker office today.

WWW.BOS2017NOW.COM ColoradoHomes.com |

coloradohomestyle.com |

/cbcolorado |

/coldwellbankrco |

/cbrbcolorado

©2017 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Office is Owned by a Subsidiary of NRT LLC. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage or NRT LLC.

DONT FORGET TO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE... 36

STYLEMEDIA.COM

local artists, animators, and writers, with a surprise or two thrown in. Badges for the FoCo Comic Con have sold out each year. Last year's attendance was at 2,800 and this year the committee is estimating around 3,500 attendees. You can find out more about the Fort Collins Comic Con, which is happening August 26 and 27th at the Northside Aztlan Community Center by visiting their website: www.FoCoComicCon.com. Pitch your panels now (if you have something to show, teach, or say), or sign up to be a vendor or volunteer. Attendee badges go on sale 7/7 at 7pm. Mike Baron brings cartoon drawings to life with words. The Fort Collins based writer is widely known for his comic books, Nexus, Badger, and Punisher #1. “My first comic was an underground called Tie-Tac with Larry Gonick,” explains Baron. A chance encounter with comic drawing legend Steve Rude changed his life. “I can’t really draw. I met with Rude and we decided to work together. We produced the first twelve pages of Nexus, our award-winning science fiction title.” That was back in 1981, and Nexus is still going strong today. “We showed it to the boys at Capital City Comics in Madison, and we were off and running. After six issues, Capital City threw in the towel and we went to First Comics in Chicago. I am currently writing my other notable creation, Badger, for First. Because of the splash we made, Marvel Comics and DC Comics contacted me. I wrote Punisher, Flash, Deadman and many other titles for them. I also wrote Star Wars for Dark Horse, which has been my main publisher for many years. There are twelve hardbound Nexus editions from Dark Horse, as well as the Omnibus and individual collections.” Baron has a pretty good idea about why comics are so popular all around the world. “There’s something magical about opening a paper pamphlet in your lap and entering into a world of make believe that couldn’t exist in any other medium. The right images and words will stick with you forever. I still remember certain panels I read when I was a kid.” Malini Bartels is a Capricorn who works at The Music District. She is also a freelance writer, chef, mother, radio host, and actress. Her incorrigible Corgi occupies most of her time.

STYLE 2017

WHY WAIT FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION? 5876 Stone Chase Drive, Windsor $659,900 Beautiful mountain views from the front porch of this 3 bedroom, 3 bath ranch style home with oversized 3-car garage and enjoy the covered patio with city views! Home backs to neighborhood park and tennis courts.

AMAZING VIEWS! 7896 Windsong Road, Windsor, CO $878,000 Multi-generational home with open floor plan, kitchen and master suite with entrance to private covered terrace. Elevator allows easy access to lower level garage and in-law/guest quarters with private entrance! Experience | Knowledge | Integrity Serving, working and living in Northern Colorado for over 30 years!

Jennifer Kelly

970.581.9005

jenniferkellyteam@gmail.com www.jenniferkellyteam.com

STYLEMEDIA.COM

COLORADO

RUSTIC meets

Modern Flair By Michelle Venus

Ray Starck builds two things: dreams and legacy. STYLE 2017

The 32 year old owner of Omni Homes, a custom home building company, stops in the center of the great room in the spec house he built in Thompson Crossing, one of Johnstown’s newest subdivisions. He gestures toward the south facing expanse of windows, perfectly framing a classic Colorado vista which includes a meandering Big Thompson River, a farmhouse tucked amid trees at the edge of a field, and Longs Peak rising in the distance. Starck, a graduate of Colorado State University’s Construction Management program, is a third generation northern Colorado builder. His grandfather built homes in Berthoud. His dad works in commercial construction, and even recommended that Ray move into that field, stating that residential building was tricky— especially when dealing with the quirkiness that comes with clients wanting to put their

personal thumbprints on their houses. But an internship and stint with D.R. Horton proved to Ray that building dream homes was his passion. With two young sons (ages three and five), who often accompany him to job sites, he’s also building a legacy that he can pass on to the fourth generation of Starcks. “As a new builder, this spec was very important to me,” says Ray. “We put all the cookies into this project. It was either going to be successful or…,” his shoulder shrugs up towards his ears. (Side note: the house sold before it was finished. Check the box next to successful). The Thompson Crossing home is a combination of Colorado Rustic and Contemporary flair. With ten-foot ceilings throughout, the spacious interior harkens to the spectacular views. The first floor guest room and heavy beamed mantle above the gas

fireplace in the great room utilize a Japanese technique called shou sugi ban, in which the wood is charred and beautifully highlights the grain. In this home, it gives Colorado Rustic a distinctive touch. The great room flows naturally into the kitchen, outfitted with Kitchen Aid appliances, and the adjacent dining room. Sliding doors open onto a deck overlooking the Big Thompson and a designated flood plain that can never be developed, thus preserving the mountain range views. Granite countertops pick up the warm hues of the paint and cabinetry from Milarc Cabinets in Windsor. The five burner stove top is a foodie’s dream come true. Just off the kitchen is a laundry/mud room complete with custom cabinetry and a utility sink. The main floor also houses the master suite. The room has clerestory windows, STYLEMEDIA.COM

STYLE 2017

Ray Starck, Omni Homes

offering up great light and privacy at the same time. The deck off of the great room extends to the master suite, allowing for an easily accessed outdoor space. Natural light spills into the walk-in closet from a window. “All closets should have a window,” Ray states. “Who wants a dark closet?” The master closet has a washer/dryer hookup, too. A luxurious spa-like bathroom graces the suite ensemble. A modern soaking tub is a highlight, with a contemporary chandelier adding sparkle and grace. Unique tile in the large walk-in shower and quartz counter tops complete the space. Just like the rest of the house, natural light floods through windows, giving the bathroom a warm glow. Rope lights tucked behind the vanity mirrors’ perimeters keep the glow going after the sun goes down. Sharis Ainslie with Park Place Interiors is behind the interior design magic. She and Ray have worked together on previous projects and continue the partnership with Omni Homes. “I’ve been creating interiors for 14 years,” says Ainslie. “I love it. I get to

look at pretty, shiny things all day as part of my job. And then I choose the perfect elements from all these shiny things and put them into a home that someone will live in and love. It’s a great job.” Ainslie sources materials and fixtures from a variety of specialty retailers. She looks for inspiration at the countries top design shows, and adds talent, eye for detail and color to complete the picture. She predicts that the rustic style that embodies so many Colorado interior schemes is going to pick up contemporary highlights more and more. “Everyone wants to live in Colorado,” she explains, “and with so many transplants coming to the area, we’re finding that they want to add elements from their lifestyles from other parts of the country to their new homes.” She’s not timid about combining sleek fixtures with barn wood, for example; elements that are incorporated into the home’s lower level wet bar. In addition to the wet bar and den, downstairs is home to two more bedrooms, each with their own bathroom. As with

Sharis Ainslie, Park Place Interiors

the upstairs bathrooms, each is designed with unique tiles, ensuring there is nothing matchy-matchy throughout the house, but at the same time is cohesive. Ten- foot ceilings grace these rooms as well, giving the lower level a decidedly un-lower level feel. A dual-zone gas furnace and on-demand hot water heater make the home highly efficient. The den has sliders opening out onto a patio with the same views as the upper deck. Back upstairs, Starck looks around. “I’m proud of this house,” he says. “My team worked hard to make this place special. Together we created and built a home that the new owners are excited about. It’s filled with unique details that you just won't find anywhere else. I’m thrilled.” The pride Starck takes in his work is well deserved. And building dreams and a legacy at the same time is a worthy goal indeed. Michelle Venus is the Development Director at KRFC 88.9 fm, and a freelance writer. STYLEMEDIA.COM

Thanks to the SUBCONTRACTORS

STYLEMEDIA.COM

We’ve been warming up fine Fort Collins homes for over ten years.

You won’t find a friendlier, more experienced, more complete fireplace company. For over ten years, we’ve worked with northern Colorado builders and homeowners to create masterpieces in flame. So when you’re ready to add warmth and beauty to your home, we’re right here. And we’re at your service. n In-house custom Design Center n 39 burning displays to let you see the latest trends n Superior service and attention to detail n Excellent builder incentive programs

1408 Riverside Ave. in Fort Collins 970.498.9679 Mon-Fri 8-5, Sat 9-4

westernfireplace.com

VOTING HAS BEGUN!

w o N e t Vo WWW.BOS2017NOW.COM STYLE 2017

STYLEMEDIA.COM

A Modern Home

Panoramic Views

with

By Kyle Eustice

STYLE 2017

STYLEMEDIA.COM

Nestled in Windsor’s High Pointe Estates on Cherry Blossom Dr., Brian Doble’s latest creation practically shouts Colorado. Along with his colleague Jon Rentfrow, the BKD Builders mastermind designed the expansive home to take advantage of an unobstructed view corridor of the Rocky Mountains, providing a breathtaking panorama that capitalizes on Colorado’s undeniable natural beauty. “When I first considered this lot for a spec home, I discovered panoramic mountain views from Rocky Mountain National Park to well south of Long's Peak,” Doble explains. “I sketched out a concept design that captured the views from as many rooms as possible.” The kitchen and dining areas have vaulted ceilings, and are oriented on a 45-degree angle to the rest of the house with a massive wall of windows that instantly draws anyone who sees it into the amazing skyline. The master suite and great room also have triple pane sliding doors with more incredible views, as well as direct access to the covered patio and fire pit. Described as “mountain modern,” every detail inside the five-bedroom, three-anda-half bathroom home was designed with that concept in mind. “Aside from a view oriented design, some of the interior finishes have a unique personal touch,” he says. “The timbers and newel posts are beetle kill Colorado Engelmann Spruce trees from my family's property north of Walden. I harvested, milled, installed and finished them STYLE 2017

with the help of my wife and kids. Some of the trees we harvested were over 150 years old.” In addition, the barn wood accent wall was pulled from an authentic Iowa barn that was over 100 years old at the time it was disassembled. Brian and his wife Christine Doble, who is a real estate agent at C3 Real Estate, hauled it up from Texas to implement it in the home. Christine also pulled the floating hearth that hangs above the fireplace from an old ’70s-style home and was able to incorporate that look throughout the Cherry Blossom house. He also credits Amy Laner of ANJO Designs for helping to tie the design all together. “Amy got us focused early in the process on clean straight lines and modern finishes with a touch of heavy timber to stay connected to the Colorado mountains,” he says. “I also think there's a bit of a throwback to the ’70s architecture with the asymmetrical roof pitches and off-center ridge lines. All the way around, it's just a cool house to have had a part in creating.” Park Place Interiors designer Sharis Ainslie embraced the home’s aesthetic and was able to refine the look even more. Along with the rest of the team, she was able to pull in some of the contemporary touches, but keep it feeling like a cozy Colorado cabin at the same time. “The home has a lot of unique finishes and we wanted to focus on Colorado style, yet pull in some of the modern into it,” Ainslie explains. “We wanted to mix the rustic vibe with a lot of the modern influences of unique ceiling fans and vertical accents, while streamlining the

tile with floating shelves to make it more modern.” Doble appreciates the contributions of the owners of Milarc Cabinets in Windsor, as well. They were able to build each cabinet to his exact specifications and spent ample amounts of time triple-checking dimensions to ensure everything would fit smoothly under existing countertops. “They really produced a beautiful cabinetry package,” Doble says. “I couldn't be happier with the results.” He believes at truly listening to everyone involved in the process made all the difference in delivering a quality home that would impress any potential buyer. “I’m surrounded by exceptional designers and skilled craftsman,” he says. “Every one of them has contributed to the unique design and high quality product that we've created. Without their input, this home would never have turned out as beautiful as it is. I'm grateful to everyone involved.” Doble’s only challenge now is determining which features in the home gives him the most pride. For the past year, he diligently worked on it and fell in love with all of its ingenious intricacies. “There are so many unique and fun features that all

Brian Doble, BDK Builders, L.L.C.

came together just perfectly, so I don't know that I have a favorite,” he says. “I can go into any room in the house and spot a design twist that brings a smile to my face. The suspended barn wood and pendant light collage over the stairs is a particularly fun feature. I also like the floating shelves and bench in the master shower. That took some thought and ingenuity to pull off.” Above all, Brian and his dedicated team were able to envelop the spirit of Colorado, which emanates from every square foot of the house. Together, they’ve proved it's possible to retain a modern feel while staying true to the Rocky Mountain region. “Some people associate modern with high enamel, and black and white finishes, but you can still be modern for your region,” Christine says. "I think the Cherry Blossom house is a very modern home for Colorado, but still reflects the Colorado style. I see people trying to create modern homes, but they lose the regional look and it ends up looking like it belongs in New York City.” “It was extremely important to capture the Colorado vibe,” Doble adds. “Colorado is a destination. I grew up in Iowa. I think I was a sophomore in high school when I knew I would one day move to Colorado. People that move to a destination like Colorado want to feel like they've ‘arrived.’ They want their guests to feel like they're ‘in’ Colorado. There's no better way to do that than to capture the entire northern Colorado skyline and use native Colorado materials, so that’s what we did.” Kyle Eustice has been a published writer for over 10 years and relocated to Colorado in 2014 with her husband Paul Lukes and chihuahua Paco. Along the way, they adopted a new puppy, Petey, and they all live happily in Fort Collins. STYLEMEDIA.COM

Thanks to the SUBCONTRACTORS

STYLEMEDIA.COM

We’ve been warming up fine Fort Collins homes for over ten years.

1408 Riverside Ave. in Fort Collins 970.498.9679 Mon-Fri 8-5, Sat 9-4

STYLE 2017

westernfireplace.com

STYLEMEDIA.COM

Luxury Golf Course Living By Elissa J. Tivona

STYLE 2017

After an easy 20-minute drive from Harmony and College in Fort Collins, I meet Steve Foran, owner/builder of Stonefield Homes, and Marnie Long, Stonefield’s exclusive sales and marketing agent. We stroll up the terraced walkway of a modern, elegant ranch in Timnath’s Harmony. Pausing at the entryway, Long points out the deep porch continuing to the right and wrapping around the perimeter of the house, offering 360-degree views – mountains to the west, open space and the golf course to the east. Foran is a fourth generation Coloradoan, born and raised in Littleton. His dad, an architect by education, worked for Martin Marietta to support the family. Foran says, “I got indoctrinated to architecture at a really young age. I got into construction the same way a lot of us do...summer job in high school, framing….” Those early experiences set him on a path to a successful career. Fresh out of high school, he went to work for Writer homes in Denver and spent the next 25 years working his way up from a laborer to division vice president. “I grew up in this business from the bottom up,” says Foran with pride. “There’s not a lot of us; they call guys like me dinosaurs.” But satisfied clients call Foran a brilliant

designer who makes their needs his top priority. “I think [clients] are our most important asset. I don’t care if it’s 10 on a Sunday night, I take the phone calls. If you call my company, it rings right in my pocket.” Jane and Chris Serafin, past clients attest to Foran’s customer service. “ When we moved to Colorado in 2005, Steve truly listened to our needs and successfully designed and built a custom home for our family from plan to completion in only seven months. Having previously built four homes with other builders, we found this level of service, quality and value to be exceptional. Twelve years later, given our high level of trust and respect for Steve, we solely considered Stonefield Homes to design and build our dream retirement home. We experienced the same extraordinary service and quality, with Steve being intimately involved every step of the way.” Design flow and attention to detail are highlights of Stonefield homes. Long says, “One of the comments I get from people is that there’s a place for everything. Sometimes you don’t realize when you’re buying a home, ‘Where will I put the vacuum?’” So, Stonefield thinks about it for you. Really? Let’s take a closer look. At the entrance, I pause to admire the airy, open floor plan, allowing natural light and STYLEMEDIA.COM

intriguing shadow to play throughout the unbroken living, dining and kitchen spaces. Continuing through the foyer, my hand trails along the custom rail designed to encase stairs to the lower level. I set my recorder on a gracefully curved custom kitchen island and notice custom cabinets throughout with a matching serving buffet, topping that allimportant extra storage. Before long, my eyes are drawn to majestic Long’s Peak, framed in a window at the perfect height so that meal preparation can combine nourishment for both body and soul. Hmmm, I think I could get used to this… Intrigued, I wanted to learn more about the person behind these thoughtful architectural details. First, the tour. We head to the spacious master suite with an adjoining spa bath. The design of bedroom and bath beautifully accommodates demands of daily living for busy homeowners, featuring a walk-in closet, split vanities, traditional soaking tub and a separate, contemporary tiled shower. Adjacent to the master suite is an extra room that can serve as a study, home office, sewing room or even nursery. A second bedroom on the main floor also has a private bath. Topping the list of conveniences on the main floor are the mud-room and large STYLE 2017

laundry designed to make daily chores and cleaning tasks more manageable. We complete the tour with a visit to a finished basement, which enjoys plenty of natural light flowing through large window wells, perfect for terracing. This level features a third bedroom suite, an expansive entertainment area with built-in wet bar, and an unfinished bonus room, trimmed out with plumbing for maximum flexibility. Once we are comfortably seated in the living room, Foran points out that what I am seeing today is just the design “above the walls.” He adds, “But, below the walls our goal is always to be as efficient and quality-driven as we can be.” Foran insists that every system or product he puts into his homes meet two criteria: they need to bring value to the client and have longevity. “We’re building a home for the long-run.” To achieve his objective, Foran drives every aspect of his business from a deep-rooted vision: The community needs to be better off because a Stonefield home was here. He says, “You want to enter the community and leave the community better than it was when you got here.” That way, he feels comfortable coming back and living there among his clients who have become friends. Which

is exactly what he plans now that his three boys are grown and pursuing professional dreams of their own. He and his wife, Sue, are relocating to a Stonefield Home in Harmony Club built to accommodate their new circumstances. Foran sees reflections of his vision from the top down. He feels extremely fortunate to align perfectly with the values and foresight of community developer, Byron Collins. Likewise, he expects alignment from all those he employs. He relies on proven subcontractors, who have worked with him over the years and who understand his high expectations for a Stonefield home. His go-to HVAC guy, his electrician, his drywall crew, his interior designer, even his stonemason enjoy highest praise for their work ethic, responsibility, and willingness to offer constructive ideas to keep Stonefield at the forefront of local builders. But when referring to his Superintendent, Josh Byczkowski, he goes even further. “Words can’t describe what a great guy he is. He’s a young guy with a young family … learning the business. I don’t have a client that doesn’t love him.” Foran, grateful for the generous mentoring he received in his 25 years with Writer is delighting in this opportunity to “pay it

forward.” “One of the things I like most about my job is when I have someone like Josh that I can hand the torch to,” Foran says. Thinking back on one of the first houses he ever built, from staking the lot to the final walk through, Foran reflects, “You get to the end and you go over to the house for whatever reason … you go upstairs and there’s that little four-year-old girl in her room. And the girl says, ‘Thank you for my room.’” He looks up, “There’s not a lot of things you can do that have that kind of satisfaction at the end of it. We get to start with a blank slate and we get to finish with a home.” The satisfaction of seeing a family settled into the comforts of their beautiful Stonefield home is the highest hope for Byczkowski, Long and everyone on their team because, Byczkowski concludes, “That’s when real estate stops being an address and starts having a face.” Elissa J. Tivona is a busy journalist and academic. She has traveled internationally to present her work in peace and conflict studies but is always grateful to return home to beautiful Northern Colorado where she lives, writes, and teaches at CSU. STYLEMEDIA.COM

STYLE 2017

Thanks to the SUBCONTRACTORS

STYLEMEDIA.COM

We’ve been warming up fine Fort Collins homes for over ten years.

1408 Riverside Ave. in Fort Collins 970.498.9679 Mon-Fri 8-5, Sat 9-4

STYLE 2017

westernfireplace.com

g n i m r a Ch

DOWNTOWN LIVING in

BROWNSTONES By Lynette Chilcoat

A sense of nostalgia abounds at the corner where Mountain Avenue intersects Shields Street in Fort Collins. Mature trees shade stately homes built in the early to middle years of the 1900s, complete with wide covered verandas, tucked in below the leafy canopy.

Beaver’s Market, privately owned since 1976, is one of the last vestiges of mom-and-pop grocery stores in the region. Trolley tracks, still in use today, are hidden within an emerald greenway bisecting the thoroughfare. Wide enough for parallel parking, a bicycle lane and single-lane automobile traffic, the street still feels enticingly secluded. The scene evokes a slowerpaced, pedestrian lifestyle. It is within this setting that the new Landmark Residences townhomes, named for the “Landmark” street of Mountain Avenue, have recently been built. Slightly recessed from the road, the charming private domiciles, in subtle tones of brown, taupe and russet, blend well into the surrounding environs while offering contemporary features, including low maintenance and lock-and-leave convenience. Near the heart of Old Town, the appeal of city living is reflected in the pastoral STYLE 2017

portrayal of an established and friendly vintage neighborhood. Shopping, fine dining, bars and community entertainment are all within easy walking distance. Indeed, if one so chooses, the car would rarely have to leave the garage. “The most innovative part about this project,” says Alan Strope, owner and president of building company Savant Homes,

Inc., “is that we took a site that had a business that wasn’t a good fit in the neighborhood and created something to blend better with the community. It’s a very tight site that originally was a gas station from the ’30s and then a convenience store.” Six luxury brownstone residential units and one commercial, set aside for a restaurant, now grace the location. With an emphasis on the vitality of city living at it’s finest, public transportation, designated open spaces, CSU, and cultural event locations are within close proximity. “The neighbors actually came to us,” adds Strope, who relayed residents felt the convenience store wasn’t an appropriate component for the neighborhood’s style. “So we held a meeting for their input. We wanted neighborhood involvement in the design, which then went to the historical society to ensure it fit the historical model. We want it to be long-lasting as well as have durable appeal to buyers and

neighbors alike.” As long-term residents of the area themselves, both Alan and his wife, Kim, have a vested interest in creating developments that fit the overall small town feel of Fort Collins. Savant Homes, Inc., meaning “the knowledgeable one” was established in 1998, with an eye toward a theme bearing those business ideals. This project isn't a first in the downtown area for Strope as he successfully developed the lots for Magnolia Street Lofts. Inside, the layout of each of the residential units is cozy and comfortable, like going back in time to bungalows of a simpler era, except modern elements abound. Each address has an individualized layout and decor scheme. The plans are open and flowing, with designer details in the kitchen, baths, luxurious master suites and flex room. Some are two stories tall, whereas others climb to three stories, with a view from the top terrace down to activity along the picturesque boulevard below. What they all have in common is homebuyer ownership from the south sidewalk to the north property line, alleyway access, a sizable front patio, rear courtyard and lawn including privacy fence, one and two-car garage, interior fire safety sprinkler

system, gas fireplaces and an HOA. Fiber cement outdoor siding, manufactured by James Hardie Siding, is fireproof and impenetrable by water. “We did all of the plumbing, gas pipes and the fire sprinkler system,” says Dan Ormesher, president of Independent Plumbing Solutions (IPS). The latter are required by the city. “This is not a typical townhome project in the sense that townhomes are usually four to six attached units that are the same. This is more of a custom home project. All six units are very different from one another. It’s not your basic run-of-the-mill townhouse, but rather a high-end home.” Weaver Stone Company, family-owned and committed to excellence, provided the beautiful countertops. "We used a variation of different products in granite and quartz to custom fabricate slab countertops for their kitchens and baths," said Corby Weaver-Strope ensures that “each home has it’s own utilities, a tankless hot water heater, a high efficiency furnace and air conditioner, providing 95% efficiency, in addition to energy efficient light fixtures and metal-clad wood windows.” Many of these elements are unique for homes in this historic, yet revitalized, area

of the city. Much thought and planning went into the selection of features with a keen eye toward exceptional energy efficiency. In addition, during the construction phase, each unit was tested for any air leakage by sealing the space, creating a vacuum and then plugging the results into specific software to gauge a HERS (Home Energy Rating System) score. The Landmark Residences consistently exhibited a rating of 50 or less, exceptional in the extreme. Savant’s goal is to build all homes with a HERS rating of 50 or less! That is 50% better than the code requirement. According to Dave Muth, Broker Associate/Partner at The Group Inc., “The project has already gotten an extremely favorable response from buyers as evidenced by two of the six homes have already sold even before construction has been completed. It is the right project, in the right location and has all the extras buyers are looking for.” Lynette Chilcoat owns Chilcoat Custom Literary based in Loveland. She has 20 years experience enjoying the freelancer’s lifestyle. STYLEMEDIA.COM

STYLE 2017

Thanks to the SUBCONTRACTORS

STYLEMEDIA.COM

Thanks to the SUBCONTRACTORS

STYLE 2017

STYLEMEDIA.COM

outdoors

r e m SumPaddle s t r o Sp

Recently, you may have noticed the growing yoga trend of stand-up paddleboard yoga (SUP Yoga). It looks like it’s a great workout and a lot of fun, but let’s face it, a headstand on a paddleboard in the middle of the ocean is intimidating! SUP Yoga can be challenging, but it’s a very rewarding practice that’s great for building core strength and full body awareness. Plus, SUP Yoga is a great addition to your yoga practice because it invites a new perspective to many classic yoga poses. How do I begin practicing SUP Yoga? Here are a few tips to get you started: 1. Sunshine isn’t all you need . . . Sunshine is a great asset to a fun day on the water, but it’s important to check the weather for wind conditions and any incoming bad weather. Heavy winds make the water choppy and much more difficult to balance on your paddleboard. If your area often gets afternoon thunderstorms, try to get out on the water early in the morning. You don’t want to get caught far from the shore with thunder and lightning nearby.

STYLE 2017

www.yogiapproved.com

2. Equipment is key There are even paddleboards designed specifically for yoga. If you are renting a paddleboard, the most stable paddleboards to practice yoga on are about 35 inches wide and around 10 feet long. You can choose between an inflatable or traditional (hard) board. Many people enjoy both types and it often comes down to convenience. 3. Slow down This isn’t your typical vinyasa practice. When practicing yoga on a paddleboard, it is critical to slow down, hold the poses and utilize your breath to keep you focused. Again, SUP Yoga can bring a whole new perspective to your practice, and for some of us, that perspective is simply being reminded to slow down. 4. Find your center We may say this a lot in our yoga practice, but SUP Yoga makes the term a lot more literal. Usually the handle of the paddleboard is the center point, so if you keep your center of gravity close to the handle, you will have an easier time staying balanced as you move through your yoga poses.

Pickleball is a paddle sport played with a whiffle ball on a badminton-sized court and a tennis-style net. A non-volley zone (or kitchen) prevents volleys close to the net, and the serving team cannot volley the return of serve. These unique rules favor players with less mobility and allow senior players to compete successfully with younger competitors. Pickleball is enjoyed by people of all ages and athletic abilities thanks to its ease of play and straightforward rules. The sport is inexpensive, social and healthy, and has been widely accepted in school gyms, fire stations, community centers, local parks, athletic clubs and thousands of backyard sports courts. In some ways itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a combination of tennis and badminton, and along with sports such as table tennis and racquetball, pickleball has exploded in popularity. Thousands of pickleball courts have been built in recent years, especially in senior communities. These areas have benefited from increased comradery amid peers since both doubles and singles can be played. Doubles involve longer rallies, lower physical demands and more opportunities for court banter. Though easy

STYLEMEDIA.COM

to learn, pickleball provides endless opportunity for individual improvement and learning subtle techniques. Many players who initially dismiss the sport as amateurish, simplistic or noisy now find it addicting. Like golf, many fans play several hours a day either indoors or outdoors. Pickleball’s requirements are fairly minimal when it comes to equipment. Paddle faces are made of wood, composites or graphite. Overall, paddles are roughly 8” wide and 15” long with hard, smooth surfaces. Balls are made of hard plastic with holes and are similar in size to baseballs. Nets are 34” high in the center. Courts are 20 feet wide and 40’ feet long. Four pickleball courts can fit in the same area used for a single tennis court. Pickleball is an inclusive, accessible, non-elitist sport that transcends social and economic barriers. Playing styles vary widely, even at the highest levels. Many top players have no past racquet or paddle sport experience and have limited athletic abilities. Pickleball is easy to begin but difficult to master.

Grab a paddle and give it a try! www.pickleballcentral.com

STYLE 2017

Best for Parties of Two • $60 per two-person plan www.blueapron.com If you and your roommate or significant other are pinched for meal planning time during the week but still love to team up in the kitchen, Blue Apron is the option for you. Portioned for three healthy and delicious meals a week, these handy kits arrive at your doorstep with all of the ingredients and instructions you'll need to get cooking. Plus, for rookie cooks, Blue Apron also has a series of how-to videos on their blog that cover basic skills.

THE HOME RESTAURANT The Best Meal Kit Delivery Services Wife: What should we eat tonight? Husband: I don't know. What do you want to eat? Wife: Anything sound good? Give me a few ideas. Husband: How about Mexican? Wife: Naw, that doesn't sound good REPEAT FOR 15 minutes and 20+ YEARS!

Best Kid-Friendly Options • From $9 per meal www.hellofresh.com If you have youngsters who are picky eaters, say hello to HelloFresh. The meal offerings here are super simple, from ingredients to prep, and you'll find tons of tasty homestyle options like meatloaf and mozzarella-crusted chicken. No more missing out on quality family time.

Best Ethnic Cuisine • Kits start at $30 a month for one box www.takeoutkit.com

Courtesy of bestproducts.com

The singular appeal of Takeout Kit is the deliveries can be stored in your pantry until you are ready to use them; nothing perishable is shipped (which means very little packaging waste). The meals we prepared were tasty, more or less Asian-influenced (Thai Crab Curry, Korean Soft Tofu Stew, Tikka Masala), and the individual meal boxes stacked nicely in my pantry. STYLEMEDIA.COM

Best Organic Options • From $10 per person, per meal www.greenchef.com

Best for Busy Families • $8 per monthly subscription www.platejoy.com

Currently the only USDA-certified organic meal kit on the market, this service offers tons of options for various diet preferences and restrictions, from Paleo to gluten-free to vegetarian. Although these recipes tend to be a bit more complex and technique-driven, we love that every single ingredient included in the kit is organic.

If you're looking for healthy weekly family-meal inspiration but short on time, look to Platejoy to streamline the planning process, from the recipe to the shopping list. For just $8 a month, this genius service will compile recipes for all your weekly meals based on family size and dietary preferences, and then give you an easily navigable grocery list.

Best for Plant-Based Diets • From $10 per meal, $35 minimum www.veestro.com

Best for Specialty Diets • $65 minimum per order www.terraskitchen.com

If your diet veers toward plant-based, Veestro will make your weeknight dinnertime routine a no-brainer. Their vegetableforward entrees — think Mushroom Risotto, Red Curry with Tofu, and Veggie Empanadas — are prepared by chefs using organic ingredients and then fresh-frozen.

Each recipe comes with pre-prepped ingredients, an easy-tofollow instruction card, and can be prepared in 30 minutes or less. Each kit is delivered in a climate-controlled reusable Vessel, which eliminates waste and can be used up to 100 times, though it requires a secure location for drop-off and pick-up.

Best for Date Night • From $24 per two-person www.chefd.com

Best Eco-Friendly Option • from $12 per serving www.plated.com

For the slightly more experienced gourmand, Chef 'D offers an extensive online portal of recipes from accomplished chefs to choose from. Simply pick your recipe and family size, select a delivery date, and voila! All of the ingredients for your meal, plus a comprehensive recipe, will be sent to your door. An added bonus: Chef 's also provides expert beer- or wine-pairing suggestions.

Though some users indicated that these recipes require a tad more multitasking and prep work than other kits, the tradeoff is in the high quality of these ingredients. Known for their commitment to environmental responsibility, Plated uses only antibiotic and hormone-free meats as well as 100 percent sustainable seafood and local produce.

STYLE 2017

travel

By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer

STYLEMEDIA.COM

Located in the cradle of the Roaring Fork Valley and vigilantly guarded by Mt. Sopris to the south, Carbondale has attracted a community of artists who are inspired by the beauty of their surroundings. Agricultural roots run deep in the region and still play a vital role in the economy of the valley. However, art is also important to the financial well-being of Carbondale, as well as being a draw for visitors, and nowhere does agriculture and art coexist better than at Cedar Ridge Ranch. This working ranch is owned and operated by the Johnson family; a family who had a vision and made it a reality. Twenty years ago, Pam and Randy Johnson bought the 67-acre ranch northeast of Carbondale and operated a horse boarding facility on the property. They still board horses, but over the last two years, with enormous help from their daughter, Merrill, a sustainable studies graduate of Colorado Mountain College, the ranch has expanded. Today, the ranch is now home to Merrill’s Family Farm. The farm raises pigs, chickens, compost and zebu cattle, and offers farm tours. A little over a year ago, the ranch opened creative spaces for artists in the STYLE 2017

renovated barn. Nine local artists now have studios at the ranch; most in renovated horse stables. There’s also a yurt, hut and a bell tent where visitors can stay on the ranch. In addition, while they already host farm dinners on the property, Cedar Ridge Ranch is branching out into hosting weddings. Whether you stay or just visit, Cedar Ridge Ranch is an example of how agritourism, the intersection of agriculture and tourism, can work on a Colorado ranch. Back in town, the Carbondale Creative District (CCD) is thriving. Around 200 creative organizations, businesses and artists call Carbondale home, and the district is weaving these independent entities into a cohesive art brand that can be seen throughout the community. A large CCD project is currently underway. In collaboration with the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority, they have embarked on the Rio Grande ArtWay. The

Rio Grande Trail runs between Aspen and Glenwood Springs and is used by more than 14,000 cyclists every year. The Rio Grande ArtWay will encompass a one-mile stretch of the trail as it runs through Carbondale and will feature small pocket parks such as the Latino Folk Art Park and DeRail Park. DeRail Park will integrate art and function to create an entrance to the ArtWay that celebrates the history of the railway and embraces Carbondale’s bicycle and creative culture. Without a doubt, The Rio Grande ArtWay will be a draw for visitors to the charming town, which features the country’s first zero-waste distillery. Marble Distilling Co. is unique in more ways than one. Not only have the owners developed a sustainable distillery model through their innovative Water Thermal Energy System, their two-story distillery building is also home to The Distillery Inn, a luxurious lodging option in downtown Carbondale.

This dog-friendly inn, with free bikes for guests, features rooms unlike anywhere else in Colorado. While lots of hotels have flat screen televisions, very few have a fully stocked martini bar with craft vodka and olives. The inn also features small, thoughtful touches such as fresh flowers, pocket lighting next to the bed and a Nespresso espresso brewer in every room. Adding to the uniqueness of the property, just below the inn’s rooms, the distillery’s tasting room has a variety of events throughout the year. They host food pairing events, live music and even a comedy night, making a stay here a true one-of-a-kind experience. Visitors should book a tour of the distillery when they visit; there are a lot of fascinating behind-the-scenes stories here, such as the fact that the distillery’s water comes from the Crystal River and is run through 99.5 percent calcite Yule Marble. Carbondale’s culinary scene has also become a local affair with many restaurants featuring food sourced from the surrounding area. Allegria, an Italian restaurant in downtown, is one of the eateries featuring locally sourced products. Chef and restaurateur Andreas Fischbacher makes much of his food in-house including sausages, tomato sauce and bread. Meat and produce are delivered to the restaurant throughout the week and come from places such as Mountain Primal Meat Co. in nearby Basalt. With items such as bone marrow with octopus, locally raised veal and fresh pasta dishes, a meal at Allegria will never be forgotten. While sushi isn’t something that can be sourced locally in the Rocky Mountains, an article about visiting Carbondale wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Konnyaku. Located in a nondescript strip mall on the outskirts of town, this Pacific fusion style restaurant creates incredible sushi rolls that sushi fans must experience. White House Pizza in Carbondale recently underwent a beautiful

STYLEMEDIA.COM

remodel, but don’t worry, the menu hasn’t changed and they still have the best lunch deal in town. Carbondale is home to two microbreweries; Roaring Fork Beer Company and Carbondale Beer Works. In addition to craft beer, Carbondale Beer Works offers a seasonal lunch and dinner menu featuring food from local farms. Roaring Fork Beer Company is moving their taproom downtown this spring and will be adding food to their offerings as well. In an example of the local collaborations that occur on a daily basis around Carbondale, Roaring Fork Beer Company sends their spent grain to the pigs at Cedar Ridge Ranch. This is yet another illustration of the town’s commitment to “keeping it local.” Without a doubt, the overarching message of Carbondale is locality. This is a community that enjoys, and indeed strives, to support fellow business owners and citizens, and a trip to Carbondale allows the visitors to benefit from the fruits of these relationships. Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTown.com, the place for entertaining festival and travel stories. She also writes The Heidi Guide at MountainLiving.com. STYLE 2017

Vote Now WWW.BOS2017NOW.COM 79

Thanks a lot interweb!

JUST A FEW REASONS WHY CATS RULE AND DOGS DROOL! STINK, STANK, STUNK Sorry dogs, I know you can’t help it, but the smell of wet dog is an overwhelming assault on any nostrils. Then there’s the dreaded dog breath, no explanation needed. CATS DON’T BARK ALL NIGHT When was the last time your cat kept you awake all night or the neighbors complained about your cat’s meow? HOUSE GUEST ASSAULT He bounds over to you at break-neck speed, jumping, leaping and barking, slobbering all over your clothes and face, or even putting his nose where it’s not welcome, your groin. DOGS OF DESTRUCTION Dogs are notorious for chewing things they shouldn’t, but you can leave your cat alone with your new pair of shoes and he won’t be tempted to even have the tiniest lick. CATS ARE SO SMART THAT THEY DON'T GET BORED Dogs can never seem to get enough attention – they are typically more active and demanding. Dogs left home alone are far more likely to succumb to boredom, to trash your house and poop on the floor.

CATS HAVE RESPECT FOR THEIR TOYS If you give a dog a new toy, and if he likes he’ll destroy it within a week. When you give a cat a new toy, he’ll take care of it, gently carrying it in his mouth from room to room and hiding it near his bedding or in some other secret spot. BUG AND INSECTS BE GONE Cats are naturally quick, agile and exceptional hunters. Any winged insect or other creepy crawly unfortunate enough to slip in through a door or window will be marked as prey and caught in a matter of seconds. CATS DON’T EAT THEIR OWN POOP Just plain gross! CATS DON’T NEED TO GO OUTSIDE TO USE THE TOILET #1 reason, period! I’m sure you can think of countless other reasons why cats are better than dogs, but let’s agree – cats have historically been worshipped as gods by many different cultures and there’s a very good reason for that!

STYLEMEDIA.COM

STYLE 2017

about town

REALITIES FOR CHILDREN AWARDS GALA April 8 Hilton | Fort Collins More than 600 guests gathered to celebrate the spirit of triumph and to recognize leaders in the fight against child abuse. The inspirational evening honored leaders in child protection, law enforcement and youth agencies to name a few. In addition, seven exceptional youth who have not only survived, but â&#x20AC;&#x153;triumphedâ&#x20AC;? over childhood abuse and adversities were presented with the 2017 Triumph Awards. More than $45,000 was raised at the event and will benefit abused, neglected and at risk children in Larimer County through the RFC Emergency Fund, partnering agency support and youth activities. Photos courtesy of Craig Vollmer Photography.

TOP CHEF OF NORTHERN CO April 22 | Island Grove Exhibition Hall | Greeley

Garrett Adler, Trevor Schultze Blue Agave Grill Chefs 2017 Top Chef of Northern Colorado winners

Wes & Angela Johnson, Jill & Luke Foster, Erin & Travis Griffin

Shannon Doyle, Craig Secher SPD Architecture-Business of the Year recipient

Dawn & Jason Eger

An evening of fine food and drink was at the forefront at the 7th annual Top Chef event hosted by Life Stories Child & Family Advocacy. This year, Top Chef of Northern Colorado headed to the Caribbean for tropical-themed cuisine in this friendly restaurant competition event. Live music, a chance to win a beer/wine fridge, silent and live auctions and final awards to competing chefs added to the night of fun. The event raised more than $70,000 to benefit Life Stories Child & Family Advocacy and their programs to help abused and neglected children in NOCO. Photos courtesy in part of Ducks in a Row Photography.

Lori Warmbrod, Eric Warmbrod

Bruce Eisenhauer - Winner of Beer Fridge

Todd Karl, Kara Karl

Shannon Fendley, Cheryl Brown, Beth Florin, Kristi Schwartz

STYLEMEDIA.COM

about town

WOLFSTOCK April 22 Hilton| Fort Collins

The 60’s returned at the 13th annual W.O.L.F. gala with vintage posters of the Grateful Dead, flower power and an authentic VW bus photo booth serving as the backdrop to an exciting evening. Highlights included an auction item featuring a trip to legendary Woodstock, N.Y. and an opportunity to be a Guardian Angel to a wolf dog. In addition, guest speaker Dr. Jeff Young of Animal Planet’s “Dr. Jeff: Rocky Mountain Vet” and music legend Lee Oskar entertained guests. The groovy event netted more than $87,000 and will benefit W.O.L.F.’s mission of improving the quality of life for wolves and wolf dogs through rescue, sanctuary and education. Photos courtesy in part of Compelling Images Photography.

Jacob (the wolf dog cut-out), Shelley Coldiron, Teresa Harford

Teva Stone, Anneke Lothridge

Bob Proulx, David Osborne, Keith Laposh

Rick Luebs, Julie Englert

Donna Nayduch, Jill Pleban, Patricia Laneri, Sharon Sharp

BBB TORCH AWARDS FOR ETHICS April 26 Embassy Suites | Loveland Three businesses and one nonprofit from Northern Colorado were named as recipients of the 2017 BBB Torch Awards for Ethics presented by the Better Business Bureau Institute for Marketplace Trust. From a field of more than 25 regional businesses and nonprofits, nominees were evaluated and judged on the BBB’s six TRUST! Principles: transformation at the top, reinforce and build, unite the team, steer performance, treasure people and enthusiastically reinvest. The 19th annual luncheon also presented Jim Parke, CEO of Otter Products, a 2010 BBB Torch Award for Ethics winner, as the keynote speaker. Photos courtesy of Tres Photography.

STYLE 2017

Back: Cody Gartrell, Kevin Voorhees, Melanie Hoobler, Emily Shoup. Front: Rick Scadden, Kasey McWilliams, Anthony Garrelts. M & E Painting 2017 Torch Award recipient, Medium Business Category

Back: Scott Westfall, Bob O’Connor, Stephanie Gausch, Kaycee Lytle, Erika Westfall. Front: Sandra Marino Meyer, Perry Bell, Karoline Woodruff. Weld Food Bank 2017 Torch Award recipient, Nonprofit category

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

DENVER, CO PERMIT NO. 5377

www.stylemagazinecolorado.com 211 W. Myrtle St., Suite 200 Fort Collins, CO 80521

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED