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H O M E
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Tuscan | European Country | Old World | Antique Inspired | One-of-a-kind Cabinets, Tables, Beds
MICHELLE GARDNER
CONTENTS
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One-of-a-Kind Find A stunning turnkey property, updated and upgraded, goes on the market in Cherry Creek North. Clean, contemporary architecture, a charming outdoor courtyard and the option to buy the home fully furnished (with a gorgeous art collection included) are just a few of its selling points.
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French Country Classic Want to live in the French countryside, but can’t bear to leave Colorado? Here’s a home for you. You’ll love the luscious details: intricate ironwork, crown molding as far as the eye can see, and— of course—gorgeous French doors and archways.
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C O LO R A D O H O M E S M AG .C O M
ON THE COVER :
This French Country home in Greenwood Village was designed by renowned architect Jack Arnold and is ready for its next homeowner. PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHELLE GARDNER
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CONTENTS
BEFORE
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Blast from the Past
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We hope you find this serving of the worst in food headlines and photos from the CH&L archives...delicious.
21
Best Deals We asked realtors across Colorado to show us properties that are real steals in the luxury market. One of these gems might be for you.
Polly B. Lestikow President, Closet Factory Over 60,000 closets organized
35
From basic upgrades (that won’t require more than a trip to the hardware store) to new windows that can make all the difference, these six eco-friendly investments for your home really pay off.
Expires 5/31/2010.
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C O LO R A D O H O M E S M AG .C O M
Love At First Sight A homebuyer’s first impression of a house starts before the front door opens—so sellers, don’t forget your landscape. Here, tips to get your grounds ready for a sale.
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Where to Buy in the Mile High Long for a piece of urban history? In this guide, we walk you through six historic architectural styles—and where to find them in Denver.
At Work With... Tami Door, President & CEO of Downtown Denver Partnership.
Make Some Green
Breaking Ground We asked some of the region’s most prominent builders what’s on the horizon for home-building in Colorado. (Hint: Green is here to stay.)
78 80
Ad Index 10 Things... ...you should know about working a buyer’s market.
Southampton by Wood-Mode.
For your home. For your life. For our environment.
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Putting Down Roots in Colorado for 25 years.
Celebrating Landscaping Excellence for a quarter of a century. (1985 — 2010)
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MIKEL-GAMBER PHOTOGRAPHY INC. BRAD MIKEL
303.733.8380 www.RosewaterConstruction.com 1224 South Acoma St. Denver, CO 80223
(online)
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DESIGN BLOG Hear from our editors about their favorite finds; learn about exciting upcoming events; weigh in on the latest trends and tips at blog.ColoradoHomesMag.com. Showhouse Season begins: First up, 100 Vine St. in Denver. See before & after photos on our site!
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Letter
Coming Home
2 0 1 0 R O C K Y M O U N TA I N
MAY 12-13
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DenverDesignDistrict
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C O LO R A D O H O M E S M AG .C O M
So I’ve been thinking about what I can contribute to this ominous conversation, and I’ve decided to try a little trick my mother used when we were kids: focus on the good stuff. Before the bubble, buying real estate was, for most of us, about buying a home—a place to welcome our friends and raise our kids. We weren’t flipping or bailing out or trading up. We were just living. In that spirit, I’d invite you to take a minute to think about what you love about your home. For me, it’s the reassuring creak of the floor that tells me my husband is getting up with our daughter—and I get to sleep a little longer. And the plot of ground in our yard where we’ll grow a few vegetables this summer. And the big picture window in our living room that lets in a stream of golden afternoon light. Don’t let the din overwhelm you. Curl up in your favorite corner, grab a cup of tea and enjoy reading this issue. I hope it reminds you that hunting for a house is really about finding a home.
Best wishes,
Hilary Masell Oswald Editor in Chief
JOHN JOHNSTON
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NO DOUBT YOU’VE READ plenty in the last two years about real estate. Shrinking market values, short sales, lending crises: the near-ubiquitous chatter is exhausting. (Just yesterday I overheard two kids, about 10 years old, chatting in the grocery check-out line about foreclosures.)
Remarkable Design. Unquestionable Value.
L I F E S C A P E A
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE CONSTRUCTION MAINTENANCE L I F E S C A P E A S S O C I AT E S . C O M
303-831-8310
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Jennifer L. Williams EDITOR IN CHIEF
Hilary Masell Oswald ART DIRECTOR
Elaine St. Louis MANAGING EDITOR
Caroline Eberly ADVERTISING ART PRODUCTION
Emily Kaiser COPY EDITOR
ENCHANTED EVENING FOR TWO
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Celine Garrett (303) 248-2077 cgarrett@coloradohomesmag.com Heather Weldon (303) 248-2078 hweldon@coloradohomesmag.com SALES & MARKETING COORDINATOR
Lea Abeyta CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Cheryl Meyers, Nancy Richman Milligan, Sally Stich, Elisabeth A. Sullivan CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
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C O LO R A D O H O M E S M AG .C O M
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designcenter@fruehaufs.com
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Blast from the Past
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HERE AT CH&L, we try not to take ourselves too seriously. And we like to think we can learn from—and poke gentle fun at—where we’ve been. That’s why all year, we’ll unearth treasures from the CH&L archives. We’ll bring you rooms that show how far Colorado design has come, snippets from stories that we hope make you chuckle and cover images that will give you an idea of CH&L style from the early days.
“Dining in: Artful Arrangements”
“Tempting Garden Garnishes”
Even though we hope these pages will elicit a few laughs, they’ll also prove what we learn issue after issue—that good design is in fact an evolution.
On the Menu: A serving of the worst in food headlines and photos from CH&L’s early days. Simply delicious.
“The Tender Ways of Lamb”
“In the Throes of Chili Madness”
“Look What They’ve Done to My Tofu”
COLORADOHOMESMAG.COM
19
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Best Deals
Best Deals in Luxury Real Estate We hear it all the time: It’s a buyer’s market.
DAVID MARLOW
So we asked realtors across Colorado to show us properties that are real steals in the luxury market. If you’re looking for a beautiful home that’s a (relative) bargain, consider making one of these properties your new address.
$27,500,000 M E A N W H I L E / . . . R A N C H , S N OW M ASS C A N YO N
WHAT MAKES A $27.5-MILLION RANCH A BARGAIN? For starters, this type of property can never be replicated because of restrictions established by Pitkin County’s Land Use Code. Plus, the combination of old buildings, new construction, senior water rights and workable ranch land makes this property unique on the market. Set against a backdrop of red-rock spires in Snowmass Canyon, Meanwhile/... Ranch offers 58 acres of sheer beauty. The Adirondackstyle main lodge comprises 12,000 square feet, which include four bedrooms and six baths, an expansive great room with 35-foot ceilings, and a wrap-around library on the second floor. The property also includes a guest house built in 1911, a “settler’s cabin” built in 1888, a 10,000square-foot indoor equestrian arena, a three-stall barn with tack room, an auto showroom/workshop and a hay barn. DAVID MARLOW
Gary Feldman, Joshua & Co., Exclusive Affiliate of Christie’s Great Estates, Aspen, (970) 205-2222
COLORADOHOMESMAG.COM
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Best Deals
$2,497,000 1 0 0 S . U N I V E R S I T Y B O U L E VA R D # 7, D E N V E R
The bank appraised this resort-inspired house at $4 million, making it one of Cherry Creek’s hottest deals. With more than 7,500 finished square feet, this home has top-notch finishes, including hand-finished walls with Venetian plaster, antique French terra cotta pavers, a solid black walnut spiral staircase with a hand-forged wrought-iron railing, and wide-plank black walnut floors. But its best feature is its outdoor living area, complete with salt-water pool and Jacuzzi, fireplace, gas fire pit and bubbling water fountain. Dawn Raymond, Coldwell Banker Devonshire, Denver, (303) 777-7177
$775,000 6 0 2 5 S O U T H C H E S T E R W AY, G R E E N W O O D V I L L A G E
Completely remodeled, this five-bedroom, five-bath home in Greenwood Village is priced at 15 percent less than 2009’s dollar-persquare-foot values in the area. The home is within walking distance of Cherry Creek Reservoir and Cherry Creek High School, lauded as one of the nation’s best public schools. We love the mature trees, easy access to I-25 and updated finishes. Derek Rinetti, Perry & Co., Denver, (303) 370-5786
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$1,995,000 4 1 5 0 0 R C R 1 2 9 , S T E A M B OAT S P R I N G S
Originally priced at $2.595 million, this home, on a 35-acre ranch in Steamboat, is a screaming deal. The accompanying state-of-the-art equestrian center includes a new seven-stall horse barn with a 12-by-24foot tack room, loft for hay storage and heated wash rack. Horse-lovers will appreciate the 60-foot round training pen and the 100-by-200-foot outdoor arena. Best of all, the ranch is just a few short miles from Steamboatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s charming downtown, a rarity on the market today. Pam Vanatta, Prudential Steamboat Realty, (970) 879-8100
$3,995,000 ASPEN SHANGRI-LA
Originally priced at $5,800,000, this home is the most inexpensive fivebedroom home within walking distance of downtown Aspen on the market at press time. Its 4,700-plus square feet include five bedrooms, seven-and-a-half baths (including his and hers master baths with steam shower), two fireplaces and comfortable living space. Eric Cohen, Morris & Fyrwald Sothebyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Realty, Aspen, (970) 948-3288
MICHAEL BRANDS, MOUNTAIN HOME PHOTO
COLORADOHOMESMAG.COM
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Best Deals
$8,495,000
MICHAEL BRANDS, MOUNTAIN HOME PHOTO
T W O C R E E K S S K I R E T R E AT, S N O W M A S S V I L L A G E
A steal in one of Snowmass Village’s most sought-after neighborhoods— a nearby home with similar square footage and finishes recently sold for $12.9 million—this five-bedroom, five-and-a-half-bath single family home will be sold furnished. It offers ski-in, ski-out access to the Cascade Trail (the main run in the Two Creeks development), lovely architecture, a secluded location and great outdoor spaces. Maureen Stapleton, Morris & Fyrwald Sotheby’s International Realty, Aspen, (970) 925-6060
$2,695,000 2 1 5 0 0 G R E E N R I D G E C O U R T, S T E A M B O AT S P R I N G S
This 7,000-square-foot home’s listing price has dropped by $900,000, making it a bargain in one of the country’s best ski towns. Located in The Meadows at Stagecoach, the custom home sits on more than 20 acres adjacent to the National Forest. Perks include a gorgeous kitchen with Gaggenau gas cooktop, Miele steam oven and built-in Miele espresso machine; a 600-bottle “secret” wine cellar with separate tasting room; a one-bedroom guest apartment over the three-car garage; and a covered deck with outdoor fireplace. Pam Vanatta, Prudential Steamboat Realty, (970) 879-8100
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COLORADOHOMESMAG.COM
MICHAEL BRANDS, MOUNTAIN HOME PHOTO
Best Deals
$6,999,000 RED BUTTE, ASPEN
If there is such a thing as a deal in Aspen, this is it. At press time, this beautiful estate was the least expensive home per square foot on the market in Aspen. It sits on a one-acre corner lot with views of Ajax Mountain and easy access to the Roaring Fork River and Rio Grande Trail. The main house offers six bedrooms, six full baths and two halfbaths, a theater and great space for entertaining. A detached caretaker studio with bath also sits on the property. Eric Cohen, Morris & Fyrwald Sotheby’s International Realty, Aspen, (970) 948-3288
$1,595,000 8 0 5 A N D O R R A R OA D , C O R D I L L E R A , E D WA R D S
In the exclusive Cordillera community not far from Vail, this home offers some of the amenities you’d find in a larger, more expensive home: seven acres of land at the end of a cul-de-sac, views of the surrounding forest and mountains, and high-end finishes in the kitchen and bathrooms. The home’s relatively small footprint—almost 3,700 square feet— accounts for its lower-than-average price tag, but the home could be the right find for a buyer who wants big-house amenities in a smaller space. Jeannine Hallenbeck, Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate, Edwards, (970) 926-3505
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COLORADOHOMESMAG.COM
MIKE BRADBURY
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Best Deals
Experience what you can’t live without.
$1,399,000 7381 ROZENA DRIVE, LONGMONT
Previously listed at $1,995,000, this Mediterranean Revival home sits on private Burch Lake with north-to-south views of the mountains. The deck leads to the owner’s own slice of shoreline, dotted with century-old willows. Inside, enjoy a gourmet kitchen, the expansive master suite (complete with adjoining breakfast nook), an Italian-inspired wine cellar and a dining room that takes full advantage of the home’s views. Scott Franklund, Fuller Sotheby’s International Realty, Boulder, (303) 440-4999
Mediterranean Southwestern Western Mountain Modern
17,000 sq ft Showroom Interior Design Services
$1,095,000 V I L L A S AT S U N DA N C E , U N I T 1 0 , T E L L U R I D E 1 2 0 L O D G E S L A N E , M O U N TA I N V I L L AG E
Open to the Public
D’Amore Interiors www.DAMOREINTERIORS.com 303.422.8704 Wheat Ridge, Colorado 28
COLORADOHOMESMAG.COM
This three-bedroom, 2,011-square-foot townhome is a hot deal for Telluride’s market. At publication time, it was one of the least expensive properties with ski access available in the original “City of Lights.” After a day on the slopes, kick back in the great room and gaze out at views of the Sneffels Range and the La Sals in Utah. Stephen Cieciuch, Telluride Properties, (970) 369-5322
beyond landscapeâ&#x20AC;Ś into an outdoor experience
BUILD YOUR
dream
If you have a vision for your outdoor living space, we invite you to call us. By combining your vision with our inspiration, experience and expertise, we can join together and watch your dream grow. 303.287.9113
EnvironmentalDesigns.net
AWARD WINNING LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE, CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE SINCE 1989
COLORADOHOMESMAG.COM
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SHOWHOUSE BEFORE
SPOTLIGHT HOME TOURS
Best Deals
$1,990,000 1 0 0 V I N E S T R E E T, D E N V E R
Designed by beloved Denver architect Temple Buell for his brother-in-law in 1929, this Country Club home is a great deal, priced 15-percent lower per square foot than the average of the other for-sale homes in the neighborhood. And this bargain comes with a host of good stories: Buell reportedly said of the home, “I designed larger ones, more impressive ones, but I think Vine is my favorite.” The home’s mansard roof is original, made of Italian painted clay tiles taken from an old church on Yale University’s campus. A buyer gets East Coast charm with a piece of Colorado history. Trish Bragg and Maggie Armstrong Fuller Sotheby’s International Realty, Denver, (303) 638-6355
PEEK INSIDE THIS DENVER GEM April 16-18 (10 am to 5 pm) when 100 Vine will be transformed into a gorgeous showhome, thanks to the talents of local designers. All proceeds from ticket sales go to support The Children’s Hospital. Suggested donation at the door is $10. Get a sneak preview by attending the opening night cocktail party on April 15 (tickets are $50 each). For more information, contact Trish Bragg at (303) 638-6355.
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SPOTLIGHT HOME TOURS
SHOWHOUSE BEFORE
COLORADOHOMESMAG.COM
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SPOTLIGHT HOME TOURS
S P E C I A L
P R O M O T I O N
IN MEMORY OF A LIFE WELL LIVED by Marissa Hermanson
The Sean “Ranch” Lough Memorial Scholarship helps young people with economic need reach their goals with a fouryear, full-ride scholarship to Colorado State University. The scholarship is awarded to goal-oriented young adults who have exceptional grade point averages, warm personalities and a love for life—qualities that Sean Lough possessed. In June 2001, Sean Lough passed away in a mountain biking accident; he was 29 years old. Sean attended Colorado State University, and after graduation, worked as an engineer at Gates Rubber Co. in Denver. He then went to University of Texas where he graduated with honors and an MBA with an emphasis in information technology and went to work for Honeywell. His friends and family remember him as a man who knew how to embrace life, who worked hard and played hard, all while setting and achieving ambitious goals. Winners of the Sean “Ranch” Lough Memorial Scholarship show the same exceptional qualities. Emanuel Medina and Stefani Garcia of CSU are two of many scholars to benefit from the foundation.
STEFANI GARCIA Stefani Garcia, 19, of Arrupe Jesuit High School in Denver, is majoring in apparel merchandising and minoring in business. Stefani is also involved with Key Communities, and participates in community service activities, attends CSU football and basketball games, and plays intramurals. “This scholarship is a huge deal for me. I am a first-generation college student. I also grew up in a urban neighborhood; with that comes urban setting such as drugs, gang violence, but I learned never to let that enter my life,” Stefani says. “Earning a degree will allow me to have the ability to live my life the way I want to with no restrictions. I am also able to set a good example for those younger than me, and give back to my community.”
EMANUEL MEDINA Emanuel, 20, of Arrupe Jesuit High School in Denver, is studying business with a concentration in finance. He is involved with CSU’s Key Communities, which focuses on academics and leadership on campus and in the real world. He also actively participates in community service opportunities, as well as sports intramurals. “It was a doorway for me,” says Emanuel of the scholarship. “I didn’t see myself going to a four-year college. I couldn’t afford it. I was going to go to a community college and live at home.” “It opened up a door to a new experience,” he adds. “It was life-changing for me. It was huge.”
Each year, the Sean “Ranch” Lough Memorial Scholarship Fund hosts the Denver Derby Party, one of the city’s most popular social events. Proceeds support scholarships for students like Emanuel and Stefani. To learn how to sponsor the event or donate to the scholarship fund, please
visit
D E N V E R D E R B Y. C O M
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National Jewish Health速 presents the
2010 Beaux Arts Ball idnight
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Presenting Sponsors
Morgridge Family Foundation
Contributing Sponsor CH2M HILL
A million (and more) thanks to the sponsors and leadership of the National Jewish Health 2010 Beaux Arts Ball Christie and Walter Isenberg
Grand Marshals Susan and Lee McIntire
Debra and Ken Tuchman
Leadership Committee Steve Arent
Margie and Tom Gart
Anuschka and Zach Pashel
Anne and Rich Baer
Barbara and Jerry Glauser
Karen and Marc Peperzak
John Bolger
Bei Lee and Bill Gold
Essie and Jordon Perlmutter
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Elizabeth and Steven Kris
Carole and Jeffrey Schwartz
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Patti Robinson Levin and Bradley Levin
Debbie and Don Silversmith
Barb Gallagher
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Brenda and Brad Thomann
Kelly and KC Gallagher
Bonnie and David Mandarich
Meghan and Evan Zucker
Eco-Living
Make Some Green ¢ ¢ ¢ ¢ ¢
The six best eco-friendly investments for your home that really pay off. BY CHERYL MEYERS
THE ECONOMY MIGHT BE REBOUNDING, but it’s still a difficult time to sell a house. By the end of 2009, the number of single-family home sales in Denver had dropped 20 percent from the previous year, according to Denver Land Title. That means homeowners need to take extra steps to make their homes really stand out. How? Go green, says Adam Stenftenagel, owner of Sustainably Built, a Boulder-based, green-energy consulting firm. By making a few smart, eco-friendly investments, you’ll make your home more energy-efficient—thereby less expensive and more comfortable to live in. No matter how eco-conscious people are, explains Stenftenagel, “everyone responds to comfort and savings.” Deb Kleinman, executive director of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Colorado chapter, agrees. “Energy efficiency is a really big selling point right now,” she says. “Energy costs will continue to go up, while people continue to watch their budgets.” In fact, for every $1 you save on your energy bill, says Stenftenagel, it increases the appraised value of your home by $16. It doesn’t take much to make your home more environmentally friendly (and no, you don’t have to invest in solar panels). Here, we’ve compiled the six best eco-investments that really pay off.
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Make a Trip to the Hardware Store
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Going green doesn’t necessarily mean spending lots of green. There are a few easy, low-cost changes you can make that will have a positive impact on both your energy bill and potential buyers’ opinions of the house. First (you’ve probably heard it before, but it’s worth the recap): Replace all of your incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent (CFL) or lightemitting diode (LED) lights. They cost a couple of dollars more than regular bulbs, but use up to 75 percent less energy—which adds up to a lot, considering that lighting accounts for 25 percent of energy bills. Next: Install a programmable thermostat ($20-$60 at your local hardware store), which can be programmed to lower home temperatures automatically at night and when you are out of the house during working hours.
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Eco-Living
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The EPA estimates the average family can save up to $180 per year by making this small investment. Visit energystar.com for instructions on how to program the device so it runs most efficiently. Finally: Invest in a tube of caulk and some weather stripping. Sealing off drafts can reduce your energy bills by as much as 30 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Quick tip for finding drafts: Hold a stick of incense up to your window frames and entryways, watch for patches where the incense flows out, then caulk and seal those areas. And once you’re done, mention any changes you’ve made to the home, including the corresponding savings statistics, to your realtor, who can use that information in his marketing materials. It would even be a good idea to squirrel away some of your old and new energy bills for the same month to show the decrease in cost.
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Hire a Professional Every house is different. Depending on a home’s age, location, building materials and structural integrity, it will use (and waste) energy differently. So once you’ve made the small changes, it’s time to call in a professional. For a fee ($30-$150), a certified energy auditor will use infrared cameras, blower door tests and other nifty technologies to come up with a list of energy-saving recommendations specific to your home—i.e., weatherproofing the front door, insulating the water heater or replacing the furnace entirely. “An energy auditor will be strategic about meeting your goals and your budget,” says Kleinman. Tip: Find an auditor who is a member of the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET), a national accreditation organization for energy-efficiency experts and ratings. Visit the U.S. Green Building Council’s green-building-tips website (greenhome guide.com) for a list of energy auditors near you.
Replace Old Windows By replacing older, leaky windows with more energy-efficient models, you’ll reduce energy bills by 7 to 24 percent, according to the EPA. Even better: Sellers can expect about 75 percent return on their investment when they get new windows, says a 2009 realtor survey published in Remodeling magazine. Why? “Buyers are looking for new windows, period,” says Mauri Tamborra, certified ecoBroker with Re/Max Southeast. “If you have two identical, 20-year-old homes, the one that has new windows will sell for $5,000 to $10,000 more.” If the windows are extremely energy-efficient, ¢ Note: When you’re shopping for windows, look that only sweetens the deal. for a blue-and-white Energy Star sticker, which guarantees eco-efficiency and may make you eligible for an energy tax credit of up to $1,500.
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Do Your Homework The best online resources for greening your home. DATABASE OF STATE INCENTIVES FOR RENEWABLES & EFFICIENCY (DSIRE) www.dsireusa.org Go here for info about state, local and federal tax incentives and rebates for renewable energy and energy-efficiency
¢ Invest in Energy-Efficient Appliances ¢
4 5 6 ¢
systems, all organized by state.
ECOBROKER
If you’re trying to sell your home, you may have to replace the old appliances, anyway. By choosing Energy Star-rated appliances, which are guaranteed to be 10 to 50 percent more efficient than older models, you (and the next owner) can expect to save $75 per year in energy costs, says the EPA. But be tactical about which appliances you replace. “If your refrigerator is only five years old, it’s not worth buying a new one for $1,000; you’ll only save about $10 for the year,” Stenftenagel explains. Visit energy ¢ star.gov for a complete list of Energy Star-rated appliances, including buyers’ guides, rebates and store locators.
www.ecobroker.com
Improve Indoor Air Quality
and a rating system for energy-saving
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The indoor environment of your home matters to homebuyers, too— particularly those with allergies. An energy auditor will help you determine whether you need a better ventilation system. But you can also make small cosmetic changes—like repainting the walls with low-volatile-organiccompound (low-VOC) paints—to improve the overall air quality. Bonus: Low-VOC paint is a great marketing tool to attract eco-conscious homebuyers. Another way to improve air quality: Replace old or synthetic carpet with more eco-friendly and visually appealing reclaimed hardwood, linoleum flooring or natural wool carpet.
fied for this green designation to help you sell your eco-renovated home.
ENERGY STAR www.energystar.gov Run by the EPA and Department of Energy, with detailed information, stats products and appliances.
GOVERNOR’S ENERGY OFFICE www.colorado.gov/energy Everything you need to know about greening your home in Colorado—from codes to financial incentives to tips for how to better insulate your home.
REGREEN
Go Low-Flow
www.regreenprogram.org
Conserving water is important, especially in Colorado’s high-desert climate. It’s also good for your wallet. Low-flow toilets use less than a gallon of water per flush (compared to five gallons with older models). And lowflow showerheads use approximately 20 percent less water than regular showerheads. Bonus: The new technology comes in attractive models from big-hitter hardware manufacturers, like Toto and Kohler—another boost ¢ for your marketing strategy. Finally, if after your energy audit, you discover that you need a new water heater, consider buying a tankless water heater, says Andrew Nagel, co-owner of Re/Max Cherry Creek and a certified ecoBroker. You’ll pay more, but save up to 40 percent on your energy costs—and that’s a savings your buyers will love.
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Find realtors near you who have quali-
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Created by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and the U.S. Green Building Council, featuring green-building case studies, how-to’s and a “Strategy Generator” that helps you pick the best green elements for your home.
U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL’S GREEN HOME GUIDE www.greenhomeguide.com Find green-building professionals (and even ask them questions), plus get helpful renovation tips (like how to pick a low-flow toilet). Visit USGBC‘s Colorado chapter site for localized links:
www.usgbccolorado.org. 38
COLORADOHOMESMAG.COM
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At work with
Tami Door President & CEO of Downtown Denver Partnership BY CAROLINE EBERLY PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARTIN CRABB
JUST FIVE YEARS AGO, TAMI DOOR AND HER HUSBAND, who Tami Door dishes were living in Michigan, decided it was time to move. They considered cities all over the world. “We narrowed it down and decided that Denver was where we wanted to live,” she says. A short while later, Door, who had been Executive VicePresident of the Detroit Regional Chamber, got a call from a recruiter about a job with Downtown Denver Partnership. It was meant to be. Fast-forward five years. Denver is evolving quickly, and Door is the keeper of the vision for the privately funded, nonprofit business organization that works to make Denver a strong urban center. And strong it is: the city has been in the national spotlight for its strides to put pedestrians first—one of the goals Door is most passionate about—and for its rich history of longterm planning and follow-through. (Door serves on the board for an association of downtown groups from across the globe. She boasts that the Downtown Denver Partnership is a benchmark among city organizations.
on her favorite downtown-Denver gems: PLACE TO TAKE A WALK: I really enjoy spending time on the 16th Street Mall. You meet so many different people; you run into people you do business with; you can have spontaneous meetings and catch up with colleagues, friends. I love the activity of the Mall. I think it’s what gives downtown its vibrancy. SPORTING VENUE: I’m a Rockies/Broncos/Nuggets/Avs fan. I love all [Denver] sports. And in
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A t Wo r k W i t h . . .
“Lots of visitors come to learn how we do things downtown.”) Much of that success is due to the attractions and infrastructure that the city created over the last couple of decades, Door says. “We built the stadium and the convention center; the 16th Street Mall anchors a great regional transit system. The building blocks are there.” Now Door and her team are tearing into the “2027 Plan,” the city’s new Downtown Area Plan. The new framework is a collaboration among Downtown Denver Partnership, the City and County of Denver and about 2,000 people from the public and private sectors. The plan addresses seven transformative projects that encompass the “1,000 little things to be done that will help thread the tapestry of downtown together,” Door says— from “rejuvenating the Civic
Center” to “building on transit” and “creating grand boulevards.” Starting in November, you’ll see the first of those “little things” start to happen, when the city starts transforming 14th Street into a premier gateway-street through downtown. New lighting and landscape elements will freshen up the street and create a pedestrianfriendly feel. “Right now there’s a lot of great venues [along 14th Street],” Door says, “but not a lot of foot traffic, and so this will provide a platform to create more activity in the pedestrian realm.” Also stay tuned for revitalization of the 16th Street Mall, the growth of a new neighborhood in the blocks surrounding downtown’s Arapahoe Square, a new circulatorbus on 18th street (similar to the 16th Street Mall Ride); and a stronger pedestrian connection
between downtown and the Auraria campus. And the city will only continue to become greener and more walkable. “I’m incredibly passionate about this plan,” Door says, “because it is a clear roadmap for where we’re trying to go, but it allows flexibility for us to leverage opportunities or address challenges along the way. That is important for a plan that we’re going to be working on for the next two decades.” One of those challenges—or opportunities, as Door sees it—will be capturing the influx of people relocating to urban centers in coming years, and providing new jobs for them. “We need to continue growing our position as a city that is active seven days a week and that creates a lifestyle that attracts workers and companies.” In the meantime, Door counts
herself “incredibly fortunate” to be living in Denver. You might run into her on the 16th Street Mall (one of her favorite downtown gems) or find her in an après-work meeting at a downtown restaurant. Though her job is focused on place, it revolves around people. “The type of work we do is successful because we engage a wide variety of organizations and individuals from throughout the community,” she says. If you’re new to town, or just want to fall in love with Denver all over again, catch a glimpse of the city through Door’s eyes: “I recommend that when people come to downtown they go to the Museum of Contemporary Art and catch the view from the rooftop, or to the Peaks Lounge at the Hyatt, which is wonderful right when the lights in the city are beginning to come on against the sunset.”
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fact last week, I was at both the Nuggets and the Avs games. HISTORIC BUILDING: The D&F [Daniels & Fisher] Tower stands out to me as a key historic building. At one point, it was the tallest building west of the Mississippi, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a testament to the fact that cities evolve. At the time they built it, they probably never imagined what was to come in the future as far as the size and the scope of our buildings. I think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a true gem. MUSEUM: Certainly the Denver Art Museum, for the scope and variety of the art, and also the unique architecture of the building. And I highly recommend the Museum of Contemporary Art. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unlike any other experience youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have [in Denver]. You may go and not understand any of it and something will resonate with you. Either way, there will be an element of surprise.
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Neighborhoods
Where to Buy
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DENVER offers a vibrant mix of historic architectural styles—steep Tudor rooflines, quaint, charmed bungalows, turreted Queen Annes. But which styles will actually suit your lifestyle? And where can you find them? Follow this simple guide to find out.
Your look: You want a style that feels of another era, one defined by high-quality craftsmanship and attention to detail. You
Your style: CRAFTSMAN ...inspired by the Arts and Crafts Movement, which
Your look: You dream of escaping to an English cottage,
turies that emulated homes—and castles—built in
Industrial Revolution. Denver has no shortage of
complete with a cozy
medieval England. Tudors come in all sizes, though
these homes, though take note that they’re common victims of the pop-top phenomenon. Tip: People
fireplace, oddly shaped
Denver (like many American cities) has a healthy sup-
rooms and steep
ply of small ones, thanks to Tudors’ surge in popularity among middle-class families in the early 20th cen-
often use “Craftsman” and “bungalow” interchange-
rooflines inspired by
built-in cabinets,
ably, but a bungalow is actually a one-story type of
medieval castles. You
Craftsman home.
love the look of
and inviting front
exposed wood framing
porches. You don’t mind
on a home’s exterior,
a small footprint, so long as you have plenty of original charm.
Look in: The Baker District, City Park West, Congress Park, Jefferson Park, Mayfair, Montclair, Park Hill, Platt Park, Regis, Sloan’s Lake, Wash Park
COLORADOHOMESMAG.COM
gabled roof, groups of tall, multi-paned windows, and most famously, the exposed wood framing—called half-timbering—that gives a Tudor its signature look.
more charming, in your opinion, than peering out onto the world leaded glass.
547 South Corona Street, Washington Park $765,000 Listed by Eric J. Carlton, The Carlton Company, (303) 431-4444
tury. You’ll know a Tudor by its steeply pitched
and there’s nothing
through diamond-paned
44
...a revival style from the late 19th and early 20th cen-
advocated a return to handmade arts after the
love hardwood floors, exposed roof beams
Your style: TUDOR
Look in: Bonnie Brae, Cheesman Park, Cherry Creek, Country Club, Crestmoor, Hilltop, Mayfair, Montclair, Park Hill, Platt Park, Wash Park
100 Gaylord Street (designed by Temple Buell), Country Club $2,790,000 Listed by Jim Rhye, Kentwood City Brokers, (720) 436-9864
in the Mile High BY HILARY MASELL OSWALD
735 Emerson Street, Capitol Hill $765,000 Listed by Mimi Davies, RE/Max, (303) 359-2717
Your look:
1061 Humboldt Street, Cheesman Park $2,300,000 Listed by Nancy Wolfe, Fuller Sotheby's International Realty, (303) 486-3703
Your style: DENVER SQUARE
You need more space
...named for its square footprint. The style came to
than a bungalow can
life after the silver crash of 1893, when architecture
provide, but you want a
took a turn toward more austere styles and the basic
home with a little
square form appealed to many American families. As
architectural history. You long to lounge on the front porch on sunny afternoons and sneak up
time passed, however, architects added more ornamentation to many Denver Square homes; you’ll notice decorative brick or terra-cotta panels between a home’s signature second-story windows.
to the attic for a nap on rainy days. You like sim-
Your look:
ple symmetry, but you
You fantasize about
...named for the École des Beaux Arts in Paris, the
descending a curvy
fine arts school that was the heart and soul of the
staircase into a grand
architectural world in the 19th century. At its core,
entrance hall. You love
Beaux Arts depends on classical Greek and Roman
elaborate detailing, great
precedents—such as a devotion to symmetry—and
also want a few classic details—like a beautiful balustrade or decorative glass windows.
Look in: Capitol Hill, Cheesman Park, City Park, Congress Park, West Highlands. Tip: for smaller, one-story versions with a similar aesthetic, look in Globeville, Highlands, Mayfair, West Wash Park and Whittier
arched entranceways and stately columns. In short, you want to live in
Your style: BEAUX ARTS
then adds plenty of elaborate ornamentation. For a beautiful example of Beaux Arts style, look no further than Union Station in downtown Denver.
a home that feels like a classic, 19th-century French mansion.
Look in: Capitol Hill, Cheesman Park, Country Club
COLORADOHOMESMAG.COM
45
Neighborhoods
3200 Ohio Way, Bonnie Brae $4,999,000 Listed by Jim Rhye, Kentwood City Brokers, (720) 436-9864 430 Williams Street, Country Club $1,125,000 Listed by Nancy Wolfe, Fuller Sotheby's International Realty, (303) 486-3703
Your look: You love tradition. You want a home with at least two stories, plenty of room and a hint of Americana. Simple, classic lines appeal to you; in fact, you would like
Your look: Skip the fussy details: You like sleek, curvaceous forms that
Your style: COLONIAL REVIVAL
stripped away the ornamentation of Art Deco and
mid-century glamour.
replaced it with strong horizontal lines and round-
You want space, yes,
ed edges plus new materials, such as glass blocks
but you prefer a more
and chrome. Streamline Moderne homes often have a few nautical elements as well—circular win-
American architecture in the 18th century. These
simple Colonial Revival
dows, anyone?
homes are almost always rectangular with symmetrical facades and simple, classic detailing. Typically, the
homes offer, and a few stand-out
main floor contains all of the living spaces, while the
architectural elements—
Look in:
bedrooms are tucked away upstairs. For more elabo-
steel railings or rounded
Bonnie Brae, Hilltop
rate interpretations of Colonial Revival homes, check
exterior walls—make
with a silhouette
Mansion (400 East 8th Avenue) and the Phipps Mansion (3400 Belcaro Drive).
you drew when you
Look in: Belcaro, Bonnie Brae, Capitol Hill, Cheesman Park, Country Club, Morgan’s Addition Historic District, Wyman Addition Historic District
46
1930s. Inspired by aerodynamic forms, this style
have a hint of
...a tribute to the home styles that dominated
out the Governor’s Residence at the Boettcher
were a child.
...an outgrowth of the Art Deco movement in the
unusual floor plan than
to live in a home much like the houses
Your style: STREAMLINE MODERNE
COLORADOHOMESMAG.COM
you swoon.
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Ta k e I t O u t s i d e
A homebuyer’s first impression of a house starts even before the front door opens. Columbine Design has come up with a way to make sure your house has potential buyers at hello. Enter landscape staging.
BEFORE
Love At First Sight BY CAROLINE EBERLY
A FEW YEARS AGO, ANNIE HUSTON, CO-FOUNDER OF Englewood-based landscape design-and-build company Columbine Design, visited a for-sale property as a homebuyer. When she stepped foot inside the house, she remembers it was absolutely magnificent: clean, tidy, inviting. It even smelled good, as if someone had just been baking. “But the outside was horrendous!” she recalls. “There was a disconnect between the outside—which is really the first impression you get—and the inside.” A light bulb went off in Huston’s head. “Why would a homeowner not put a lot of energy into what’s going on before the potential homebuyer gets to the front door?”
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COLORADOHOMESMAG.COM
The company had fielded requests for years from clients who wanted help making their for-sale homes look top-notch. So last year, Columbine officially launched its landscape staging service. The company offers a custom approach to sprucing up landscapes before a sale: pruning shrubs and trees, edging beds, bringing in seasonal color and cleaning outdoor surfaces to a sparkle, among many more services. Columbine’s menu of services is broken down by three stages of treatments from which homeowners can pick and choose to improve their home’s curb appeal. Selections are made based on the condition and scale of the property, as well as the homeowner’s budget and desire to power up the lawn mower or put tool to earth on his or her own.
Ta k e I t O u t s i d e
BEFORE
Stage one offers clean-up services such as weeding, edging of beds, debris and trash removal, light pruning, and cleaning the hardscape and outdoor furniture. Stage two involves evaluating (or replacing) the sprinkler system and outdoor lighting, pressure-washing the façade and windows, cleaning gutters, top-dressing the beds with a fresh coat of wood or rock mulch, plus fertilizing the lawn or adding new sod to areas that look tired. And for stage three? Columbine will bring in distinctive seasonal plants and color and add or remove elements of landscape décor. “We’ll try to remove the clutter that homeowners don’t even realize is there,” Huston says. The goal is to achieve a feel that is personal—by adding a bench and a couple of pillows to warm up the front porch, for example—but not so personalized that it might turn off a potential homebuyer. “If [the homeowner] has 15 birdbaths, we’ll leave only one.” Sometimes, instead of following the basic list of services, Columbine will simply focus on highlighting a house’s best parts (or minimizing its blemishes): bringing in window boxes to emphasize the existing windows, placing a border of annuals to call attention to a grand walkway, placing vines around a worn fence. A light cosmetic touch may be all it takes. On top of that, the company offers to take the legwork out of maintain-
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COLORADOHOMESMAG.COM
ing your newly refreshed outdoor space. With a landscape-staging crew that’s 20 deep, Columbine will send a set of hands on a weekly, biweekly or even monthly basis—all depending on the demands of the grounds—to keep things in tip-top shape. Planning an open house? They’ll show up the day before to primp and prune before the flood of visitors arrives. The cost of a basic makeover (stage one) ranges from $500 to $1,000; a stage-three overhaul of your home’s landscape has a price tag from $5,000 to $10,000. Huston points out that it’s money well spent. (She cites a Michigan State University study that shows that high-quality landscaping adds 5 to 11 percent to a home’s price. “The keyword is ‘high-quality,’” she says.) That being the case, Huston advises against what she calls the “bandaid effect”: slapping a couple of containers on the front porch and calling it good. While adding a few flowers to the front of your house might be better than doing nothing, she says, shoppers will most likely see it for what it is—a cover-up. Instead, aim for details that will set your property apart for weary house-hunters viewing dozens of homes each week. In the end, “It becomes a home instead of just a property for sale,” Huston says. And that’s exactly what shoppers are looking for.
UNUSUAL - ELEGANT EXQUISITE FLOWERS GIFTS - DÉCOR
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Did you think about...?
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Annie Huston shares a few tidbits of hard-earned wisdom: JUST BECAUSE THE TEMPS DROP doesn’t mean your home’s curb appeal has to. Don’t leave your containers empty during the winter
months; Huston recommends a festive mix of fresh winter greens, pine cones, berries and twigs to bring cheer to your front porch. TOO PERSONAL CAN BE TOO MUCH. You might love your arched trellis or the crocheted pillows on your front-porch swing, but be sure to leave room for visitors to envision their own styles in the space. Trust your realtor or landscape experts to offer a fresh set of eyes—and an objective
➺
perspective—on what should stay...or go. ROOM WITH A VIEW: You’ll want to consider what visitors see when they look out your window. “I don’t think I’m the only one who enters a house and goes directly to the window to look outside,” Huston says. It’s important that indoor beauty is matched by the view of the outdoors—and that means paying attention to what’s going on full circle around your house,
➺
not just in front. HELP POTENTIAL HOMEBUYERS start to make memories—or return to old ones. With some visitors going to half a dozen houses in one day, remembering one over another can come down to the little things that make a home stand out, Huston says. Columbine selects more unusual species of annuals so a house is remembered as “that house with verbenia out front.” Or, opt for a feature like a rose garden that might appeal to your visitors’ sentimentally.
303.355.6996 www.thetwistedtulip.com Cherry Creek North 300 Fillmore Street, Denver (Second Level, between Fillmore & Milwaukee) Photography by Rhonda Grimberg Douglas, Arjae Images COLORADOHOMESMAG.COM
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Find
One-of-a-Kind
A stunning turnkey property, updated and upgraded, goes on the market in Cherry Creek North.
BY NANCY RICHMAN MILLIGAN
DENVER ARCHITECT RICHARD HENRY was delighted four years ago when homeowner Jan Nelsen asked him to mastermind the renovation of the home she was purchasing in Cherry Creek North. Henry had designed the distinctive contemporary home in 1990, and it remains one of his favorites. “As you walk in the front gate, you leave the city behind. It is a very relaxed and calm space,” says Henry, who designed the house around an interior courtyard that expands the living space and connects to nature. One of the highlights of the 3,200-square-foot, three-bedroom home is the quality of natural light. “It’s so soft and organic—there’s nothing like it,” says A floor-to-ceiling window and a skylight that runs the length of the room infuse the living room with light all the way up to the Hand-crafted wood panels surround the gas fireplace.
T. JOHN HUGHES
high, beamed ceiling.
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(left) The front entry provides a tantalizing glimpse of the fine art collection throughout the house. This painting from Walker Fine Art is by artist Ben Strawn. (below) Homeowner Jan Nelsen and architect Richard Henry collaborated
STEVE PETERSON
with bulthaup specialists for the kitchen
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renovation. The German custom modular cabinet system features white laminate and anodized aluminum finishes, paired with a glass backsplash.
T. JOHN HUGHES
A four-sided pyramidal ceiling soars up to a single skylight above the dining room table. Venetian plaster walls, heated stone floors and a striking Italian chandelier warm the space literally—and visually. French doors lead to the interior courtyard.
Henry drew details for the remodel from the original house: a floating vanity in the master bath echoes a similar feature in the extraordinary glass-walled powder room; the new office addition blends in seamlessly with the help of flagstone flooring from the same quarry used years ago. Furniture and art were selected specifically for this house with help from designers John Moinzad and David Hintgen of AERA Interiors. The landscape redesign incorporates new trees, shrubs and brightly blooming perennials—all of which soften the contemporary architecture and make the most of the courtyard, patios and decks that are an integral part of the home. “Jan has a good design sense,” Henry says. “I think everything she did enhanced the original house.” Now, with her family grown, Nelsen is placing the property on the market.
BEN TREMPER
Nelsen. Plentiful windows and French doors draw light from every direction and are balanced by skylights. “That creates diffused, even lighting that is easy on the eyes,” Henry says. The open spaces flow easily from one to another, with varying ceiling heights defining the rooms. Colorado buff flagstone floors are warmed with radiant hot-water heating. “I chose this home because it had so many aspects you can’t find anymore, such as the fact that it’s a contemporary single-family home on a large lot in Cherry Creek, where almost everything new is a duplex or townhouse with shared walls,” Nelsen says. Attracted by the exquisite natural lighting, indoor-outdoor spaces and great bones of the house, Nelsen planned a half million-dollar renovation that included a brand new kitchen and baths, upgraded high-end finishes, a media room and storage space in the basement, an office addition and new landscaping/irrigation.
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T. JOHN HUGHES
(above) A masterpiece of design and engineering, the chocolate-brown French marble vanity appears to float right through the glass shower wall in the new master bathroom. Crema Europa limestone lines the floors, walls and ceilings, and stackedstone tiles add texture to the shower. (right) The restful master bedroom, well located on the main level, opens to a private retreat. (opposite) The powder room vanity appears to float in space. The glass wall is an unusual and daring original feature in the house. Nelsen added two Swarovski crystal chandeliers for a little glitz.
BEN TREMPER
T. JOHN HUGHES
As a real-estate professional, she understands the appeal of a turnkey property. As a homeowner, she appreciates the unique appeal of this particular luxury home. “The master is on the main level, the finishes are all very high-end, the floors are luxuriously heated, there are great walls for art, wonderful outdoor spaces and there isn’t anything that needs to be done,” she says. And the location can’t be beat—it is three blocks from restaurants, shops, food markets and everything Cherry Creek North has to offer. Because the interior design and art are so in-tune with the architecture, Nelsen is offering the house for sale with two options: unfurnished for $1,650,000 or furnished (including art, furniture and electronics) for $1,775,000.
STEVE PETERSON
REAL ESTATE DETAILS
(above and opposite, lower left) The interior courtyard offers a private outdoor living space in the city, while a series of French doors opens the house to light and easy indoor-outdoor living. With luxurious chaises, a grand dining table, a fountain and flowering plants, the courtyard lends itself to entertaining.
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JAN NELSEN Kentwood City Properties (303) 667-4182 Architect R ICHARD H ENRY (303) 293-3300
STEVE PETERSON
(above) A tower of textured art glass windows and an expansive skylight add drama to the clean lines of the contemporary architecture. (below, right) The
STEVE PETERSON
STEVE PETERSON
office/study addition off the kitchen leads to this patio and re-landscaped area.
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French C O U N T RY C LASSIC
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Want to live in the French countryside, but can’t bear to leave Colorado? Here’s a home for you.
(opposite) Homeowner and designer Dana Rebhun had a custom door made by Grand Entrance, which shows off a seedy-glass detail at the front entry. Handhewn shutters mirror those found in French Country homes.
BY SALLY STICH
PHOTOGRAPHY
BY
MICHELLE GARDNER
IF THE FIRST RULE OF REAL ESTATE IS LOCATION, then surely the second, third and fourth rules must be (in some order): value for dollar, school district and attention to details. Find three out of four, and you’re lucky. Find four out of four, and you’ve hit the jackpot.
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(above, left) Three sets of French doors lead to a courtyard that doubles as an extra room at least eight months of the year. (above, right) The focal point of the room, the cast stone fireplace—nearly eight feet tall—is flanked by knotty alder cabinetry. Pale gray-blue walls anchored by a dark area rug create a cozy formal seating area. (left) The home’s charm is in its details, such as the scrolled wallpaper, beautiful commode and glitzy faucet in this bathroom.
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“This house has it all,” says Gina Lorenzen of The Kentwood Company. “Its location in Greenwood Village makes easy access to Park Meadows, Cherry Creek and downtown, and it’s in the Cherry Creek School District. It has classic French Country design and exquisite detailing. You don’t often see a house of this quality for the asking price. In another market, it’d be twice as much.” So, why is a house like this on the market? “It’s become too much house for us,” says Dana Rebhun, homeowner and principal of DGR Design. “Our girls are grown and leaving, and we don’t need a 7,500square-foot house.” Even so, it’s hard to leave, Rebhun says. This home was her dream proj-
ect. “I studied interior architecture in Denmark,” she says, “and traveled through Europe, loving the symmetry and elegance of French Country. It’s classic, and that never goes out of style.” The perfect corner lot in Greenwood Village became her blank palette. Jack Arnold, the Oklahoma architect renowned for his skill in Europeanstyle residential design, became the exterior artist. And Rebhun embraced the work of creating interiors that feel like those you’d find in a manor house in the French countryside. The design is in the details: customscrolled iron work, crown moldings to die for, hand-hewn beams, custom knotty alder cabinetry, copper chimney pots, a custom front door with seedy glass—all in a floor plan that flows seamlessly in a circular pattern.
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(opposite, above) Bright and white, the kitchen looks into the great room, where the action takes place. Custom white cabinets with seedy-glass doors pair with Calcutta Gold marble counters and top-of-theline appliances. Left over from another design project, the chandelier became one of Rebhun’s challenges. She changed the finish and color, and now the light fixture hangs over the kitchen table, a simple statement in an otherwise highly detailed room. (opposite, below left) Covered in antique dark leather granite, the island houses a gas cooktop, plenty of storage space, and room for sitting, chatting or eating. (opposite, below right) In contrast to the white kitchen, the butler’s pantry features leather granite counters and ebony-stained cabinets.
Tucked away on the main level is the master suite, a den of tranquility that faces its own private courtyard. Beautiful arched beams define the bed area (along with an iron tie-rod—a signature Jack-Arnold detail) and a large iron-and-crystal chandelier. To keep the room serene, Rebhun installed tan embroidered curtains and a neutral floral carpet. Like many homes today, the great room is command central, and Rebhun pulled out all the stops for its design. “I wanted a massive fireplace with ornate details to be the focal point,” she says, and indeed, this eightfoot cast-stone mantel anchors the space. To balance the room, she placed an antique burled highboy directly opposite. The scale of the rooms is a major appeal. “They’re spacious and yet feel intimate,” Lorenzen says. “Dana’s choice of neutral colors and furniture placement make each room inviting.” In fact, Rebhun bought no new furniture for the house. “I like to mix up family antiques with other pieces— and reupholster rather than buy new.”
(above) Across from the living room, the dining room is a formal space. The iron-and-gold chandelier provides a focal point on a ceiling framed by ornate crown molding.
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(above) An arch motif is carried through to the bedroom where 15-foot ceilings are defined with hand-hewn beams. (Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss a Jack Arnold touch: an iron tie-rod from one side of the bedroom to the other.) The master bath showcases his and her vanities, Crema Marfil marble, a steam showerâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and a huge Kohler whirlpool tub that faces a TV. The nearby sitting area is the perfect spot to unwind. (opposite) Pennsylvania bluestone on the driveway complements the color of the roof and the shutters. Instead of using flower pots, Rebhun created landscaped areas with flower beds and trees.
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REAL ESTATE DETAILS
GINA LORENZEN AND SANDY WEIGAND The Kentwood Company Denver, (303) 773-3399 Designer DANA GAMBLE REBHUN DGR Design Greenwood Village, (303) 762-1235
So, while the move signals a transition for Rebhun and her family, it is not without a tinge of sadness that she’s leaving the house of her dreams. “It’s a beautiful, classic, comfortable home,” she says, “but it’s time for another family to enjoy it.”
Builder JORDAN ISHII ADI Custom, LLC Denver, (303) 456-2508 67
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New Homes
Breaking Ground Homebuilding tips and trends for 2010 and beyond BY ELISABETH A. SULLIVAN
IN THE 1990S, NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION SAW THE RISE of the great room and sprawling square footage—a trend that continued well into the last decade. But thanks to the economic downturn and rise of energy-saving technology and design, the new trend in homebuilding is the green home—a more energy-efficient, sustainably furnished, multi-use space that’s kinder to both the environment and to homeowners’ wallets. Local homebuilders tell CH&L that green building practices are going mainstream, and although funding remains tight, now is a great time to construct the home of your dreams.
GREEN BUILDING TAKES ROOT
“I don’t think you can ignore green [anymore],” says Cress Carter, owner and project manager at Old Greenwich Builders in Denver. “That’s one of the biggest changes we see.” Eco-friendly building practices are changing the way homes are built, and even homeowners not prone to living a green lifestyle can see the financial benefits of conserving energy and resources.
SCALE BACK: John Kurowski, president of Kurowski Development Co. in Littleton, has been building environmentally conscious custom homes in the Denver area for more than 30 years. He says homeowners are starting to think more strategically about how they live in their homes and are deciding to do away with extra square footage. “The size of the homes generally is
These homes prove that green construction isn’t limited by architectural style. A new home in Denver’s Bonnie Brae neighborhood (top) by Old Greenwich Builders shows off contemporary forms and angles; another house (above), built by Kurowski Development Co. and awarded Energy Star and Built Green certifications, pairs sustainability with a touch of European sophistication. 69
New Homes
shrinking. The plans are going to be more efficient to build and the planned space is going to be more flexible,” he says. Some areas, such as Boulder County, have altered their permitting rules to set height restrictions and limits on homes’ footprints. Check with your county for local building codes and permitting requirements.
THINK THERMAL: More new home construction plans are taking into consideration the home’s thermal envelope: how the home retains heat and resists drafts, and ultimately, how energy-efficient the home is. “That’s a need, it’s not a fad,” Kurowski says. “There is no question that in Colorado, the jurisdictions are looking for a much higher level of energy efficiency in the coming years.” To create a tighter thermal envelope, consider investing in green building materials such as closed-cell, spray-foam insulation and highperforming windows. “People are going to get tired of the beige carpet or whatever they pick out, but the windows add to comfort and energy efficiency, and that’s something you don’t want to play with,” Kurowski says. And to give your heating system a natural boost, “select a lot that works with the sun,” he says. “[Proper sun siting] gives the homeowner an advantage at absolutely no additional cost.” Local and state incentives for green building and energy efficiency are available. Visit www.colorado.gov for information.
BANK ON MORE BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS The recession has subsided, but funding for homebuyers and builders could remain tight for some time. “Clients are very cautious, and it’s still hard to get a construction loan,” Carter says. Some recent projects have fallen through because “you can’t get a big project to appraise for what it’ll actually cost to build it.” Do the math to figure out how your forecasted budget compares with trends in local real estate values before you commit to a building plan, he says.
LOOK FOR BARGAINS: Of course, the slow construction market could work to your advantage. “This is the best time to do a project. ... Just like now’s the time to buy,” says Michael DeVere, owner of Rosewater Construction in Denver. Colorado’s construction prices have flattened out, and prices for materials such as plumbing fixtures, tile, carpet, hardwood and appliances also seem to have plateaued, Carter says. “Plus, retailers are willing to make deals, so you can get good pricing if you shop around.” Land prices and mortgage rates are lower than usual, too, and builders’ workloads are smaller. This year presents a great opportunity to act before increased demand drives costs higher. “It’s a good time to build, but don’t forget about the fundamentals,” Carter says. Don’t sacrifice high-quality craftsmanship and don’t choose your architect or builder based on price alone. Remember that you’re building a home, and you want to be happy in it for years to come.
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COLDWELL BANKER | Colorado Homes of Distinction
HIGH-END CHERRY CREEK CONTEMPORARY
HISTORIC STRAWBERRY HILL
DENVER
DENVER
Price Available Upon Request
Offered at $1,375,000
This Saiber and Saiber three bedroom, five bathroom custom home on a prime corner site enjoys light-filled spaces with a wonderful open floor plan. French limestone and white oak flooring along with a dramatic steel and oak staircase are but a few of the sophisticated features that set this home apart. Enjoy top-quality throughout. Just a few steps to popular Cherry Creek amenities. Call for other Cherry Creek options available.
A rare main-floor master in one of Denver’s most serene and secluded cul-de-sacs. Minutes to Cherry Creek and downtown, the home features a large living room, dining room and master, all with French doors that lead to a secluded terrace overlooking a beautiful setting. Additional features include a library with fireplace, main and second-floor guest rooms plus a lower level, all ready for your touches.
CHRISTY OWEN 303.906.9574 | christy.owen@devonshirehomes.com christyowen.com Coldwell Banker Devonshire
CHRISTY OWEN 303.906.9574 | christy.owen@devonshirehomes.com christyowen.com Coldwell Banker Devonshire
OBSERVATORY PARK CHARMER
PREMIER FULL-SERVICE ONE POLO CREEK
DENVER
Offered at $1,275,000
CHERRY CREEK
Price Available Upon Request
This charming brick Tudor, close to two parks on a sunny corner site, features a chef’s kitchen with large island, open family room with sunny breakfast space, master retreat with fireplace and a secluded sundeck. The home also features two additional bedrooms with Jack-n-Jill bathroom, guest suite, upstairs laundry room and a lower level with media/play room, two bedrooms, one bathroom and storage.
Two exceptional units allow you to enjoy the ease of lifestyle with the well-trained staff of One Polo Creek. Features include large open spaces with views, hardwood floors and high ceilings. One residence offers a home theatre, high-end commercial kitchen and incredible master with custom closets. With custom renovation, create your dream in approximately 4,000 square feet, with mountain and city views.
CHRISTY OWEN 303.906.9574 | christy.owen@devonshirehomes.com christyowen.com Coldwell Banker Devonshire
CHRISTY OWEN 303.906.9574 | christy.owen@devonshirehomes.com christyowen.com Coldwell Banker Devonshire
DevonshireHomes.com
COLDWELL BANKER | Colorado Homes of Distinction
POLO RESERVE LITTLETON
EXCLUSIVE COLUMBINE COUNTRY CLUB Offered at $1,895,000
LITTLETON
Offered at $997,000
This exquisite six bedroom, eight bathroom ranch villa with high-end finishes throughout will exceed your every expectation. Features include a gourmet kitchen with adjoining breakfast room and great room, luxurious main-floor master suite and a finished walkout basement with theater, wine and recreation rooms. The incredible and secluded approximately .92-acre yard boasts lush landscaping and a pool.
This fabulous renovated ranch is located on one of the most spectacular golf course lots, with mountain views and a large backyard. Features include a professional gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances and slab granite, hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, crown molding, open and spacious floor plan with top-drawer finishes throughout. Four bedrooms, four bathrooms and a four-car garage complete the home.
KAREN BRINCKERHOFF 303.898.9825 | Karen@devonshirehomes.com karenbrinckerhoff.com Coldwell Banker Devonshire
KAREN BRINCKERHOFF 303.898.9825 | Karen@devonshirehomes.com karenbrinckerhoff.com Coldwell Banker Devonshire
EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY AND STYLE IN CHERRY CREEK NORTH GREENWOOD VILLAGE
Offered at $2,850,000
This more than 8,100 finished square foot, single-family, custom home in the prestigious Cherry Creek North neighborhood is a masterpiece of design and craftsmanship. With four bedrooms, eight bathrooms, eight fireplaces, four-stop elevator and master bedrooms on both the main and second floors, just to name a few of the highlights, this home will exceed the expectations of even the most discerning buyer. The property is equipped with high-end systems while also providing sophisticated and luxurious finishes. No details were overlooked in this exceptional home.
JULIE GELFOND 303.378.9099 | jlgelfond@aol.com denversluxuryhomes.com Coldwell Banker Devonshire DevonshireHomes.com
COLDWELL BANKER | Colorado Homes of Distinction
WASHINGTON PARK CHARMER
BONNIE BRAE MASTERPIECE
DENVER
DENVER
Offered at $900,000
Offered at $1,199,000
Located near Gaylord shops, Bonnie Brae bistros and Washington Park sits this home on a large, private treed site. The custom features a curved stone walk with three outdoor living spaces, five bedrooms, four bathrooms, dark oak floors and solid granite countertops. The open floor plan also boasts French doors, Pella windows, butler’s pantry, master and family room fireplaces, custom closets, media room and a two-car garage.
Your breath will be taken away when you see the magnificent details of this Mediterranean masterpiece. This approximately 5,300 square foot, six bedroom, seven bathroom custom designed home is not a spec build, but was designed as the dream home for the owners. The classical elegance of the walnut floors, luxurious finishes and the scale and detail of the chef’s kitchen will captivate you. This is the home we all dream of owning.
JUDY JOHNSON 303.888.4727 | judy.johnson@devonshirehomes.com judyajohnson.com Coldwell Banker Devonshire
BROOKE FRANKLIN BURGAMY 720.209.9677 | brooke.franklin@att.net www.1326SFillmore.com Coldwell Banker Devonshire
CONGRESS PARK
MAIN-FLOOR MASTER
DENVER
Sold in One Day
DENVER
Offered at $1,500,000
This remodeled three bedroom plus den, three bathroom home has it all. Features include a master suite, new bathrooms and kitchen, two fireplaces, hardwood floors, craftsman details and a two-car garage. This home sold quickly, call to sell yours as well.
Stunning four bedroom, five bathroom home located within walking distance to Cherry Creek, where you can enjoy dinner or the weekend farmer’s market. The master features a fireplace and patio. Amenities include hardwood floors, custom window treatments and Viking appliances in the gourmet kitchen. The spacious basement boasts a game room and wine cellar. Trip to Mexico included with purchase.
LAURA DIRKS 303.918.2170 | lauradirks@comcast.net ColoradoHomes.com/lauradirks Coldwell Banker Devonshire
JEWEL BROWN 303.886.9441 | jewel.brown@coloradohomes.com jewelsofcolorado.com Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
ColoradoHomes.com
COLDWELL BANKER | Colorado Homes of Distinction
LOWRY LIVING AT ITS FINEST
CRAFTSMAN IN CONGRESS PARK
DENVER
DENVER
Offered at $929,900
Price Available Upon Request
This custom home located in the Estate Enclave at Lowry has four bedrooms, five bathrooms, upstairs bonus room and an open floor plan. The beautifully appointed kitchen boasts cherry cabinets, stainless steel appliances, slate and granite. The lower level features a guest suite, media room and wine room. Attention to detail and only the finest finishes are found in this home.
Beautifully remodeled by a master craftsman, this home reflects both the charm of its arts and crafts beginnings and the luxury and convenience of a modern sanctuary. It features four bedrooms, three bathrooms and an eat-in kitchen with 42-inch cabinets, stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. Formal living and dining rooms, sunroom, spacious family room and a beautifully landscaped yard complete the offering.
ANN MEADOWS 303.478.1201 | ann@annmeadows.com annmeadows.com Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
CATHEY HANSEN 303.394.2090 | email@catheyhansen.com catheyhansen.com Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
CHERRYRIDGE CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
UNIQUE HOME SITE, MOUNTAIN VIEWS Price Available Upon Request
GREEENWOOD VILLAGE
Price Available Upon Request
Nestled on more than .97 private acres, this exquisitely renovated home features custom high-end finishes throughout. Incorporating tradition with today’s indoor and outdoor living style, the home boasts a wonderful open flowing floor plan with over 5,100 finished square feet, five large bedrooms and six bathrooms on the main floor and a spacious gourmet kitchen/family room. The basement is an entertainer’s delight.
Enjoy both the peace of no road noise and Front Range views protected by site elevation, all while being situated on approximately 4.2 acres. Located south of the Glenmoor Country Club and steps from the Highline Trail, the gently sloping topography of this property allows for walkout basement views. Zoned for horses, there is also room for pool, tennis and more. This is a truly unique property.
SUE SMITH 303.503.9857 | sue@suesmithhomes.com Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
DONNA VAN VLECK 303.522.5277 | donnavanvleck@msn.com www.donnavanvleck.com Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage ColoradoHomes.com
COLDWELL BANKER | Colorado Homes of Distinction
WATSON LANE RESERVE LITTLETON
FORREST PARK Offered at $1,329,000
CASTLE ROCK
Offered at $799,500
Situated in a dream location backing to a golf course, this eco-green home is more than 4,600 square feet with five bedrooms and five bathrooms. Offering the finest in materials and building quality, features include walnut floors, hickory cabinets and a HEPA air filtration system. This Five-star energy home is wonderful and boasts great curb appeal.
Nestled in 100-year old Pines, this two-story home is a true masterpiece. Come home to comfort, a main-floor master suite, beamed ceilings, stainless steel and beautiful wood finishes. The finished walkout basement that you must see to appreciate features a steam shower, media area and a wet bar that seats 10. It is incomparable at this price.
RICHARD BERST 303.843.1200 | dick.berst@coloradohomes.com rberstproperties.com Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
RICHARD BERST 303.843.1200 | dick.berst@coloradohomes.com rberstproperties.com Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
MOUNTAIN-STYLE RANCH
BACKS TO THE GOLF COURSE
CENTENNIAL
Offered at $550,000
AURORA
Offered at $500,000
You’ll feel like you’re living in the country in this beautifully renovated ranch home on more than two acres in the Cherry Creek School District. Approximately 3,200 finished square feet includes three bedrooms, study, full walkout basement, cedar walls and ceilings, skylights and over $200,000 in recent improvements. Enjoy the privacy and convenience of this exceptional home and location.
This former model home backs to the Saddle Rock Golf Course and the Piney Creek Wilderness Trail, offering beautiful views. The mainfloor master bedroom includes a fireplace, luxurious master bathroom and private access to the back deck and easy-care backyard. Featuring approximately 3,220 finished square feet, this home has an open floor plan with four bedrooms, a loft and a walkout basement.
KATHLEEN SURGES 303.981.6170 | kathleen@kathleensurges.com 21630EGeddesPl.com Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
KATHLEEN SURGES 303.981.6170 | kathleen@kathleensurges.com 7022SShawneeSt.com Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
ColoradoHomes.com
COLDWELL BANKER | Colorado Homes of Distinction
TALLYNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S REACH
NEW CASITAS MODEL IN STAPLETON
AURORA
DENVER
Offered at $499,900
Price Available Upon Request
This ranch home with three bedrooms and three bathrooms offers stunning upgrades. Features include a dramatic foyer, custom cabinetry in the family room and a gourmet kitchen boasting stainless steel appliances, alder cabinets, slab granite, hand scraped ďŹ&#x201A;oors and island. The master is an oasis with bronze ďŹ xtures and a soaking tub. Outside is a covered patio with ďŹ re pit, dining area and sports court.
Visit our model sales ofďŹ ce at 3330 Central Park Boulevard and see the new homes built by McStain, Denverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier built-green homebuilder. Priced from $199,900 to $574,900, they include new single-family homes in Lowry East Park, duplexes in Crescent Ridge and Townhomes and Row Homes in Stapleton. Other options are our listings in Linden Ridge at 3680 South Beeler Street in Denver.
MEDRA VOLPI 303.378.1114 | Medra@SellingDenverHomes.com SellingDenverHomes.com Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
MARK COOPER 303.843.1545 | mark@come2colorado.com come2colorado.com Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
1=:=@/2= j B rok e rs
of
D is tin c tion
Mark Cooper
Christy Owen
Cathey Hansen
Jewel Brown
Kathleen Surges
Richard Berst
Coldwell Banker Southeast Metro 303.843.1545 mark@come2colorado.com come2colorado.com
Coldwell Banker Devonshire 303.906.9574 christy.owen@devonshirehomes.com christyowen.com
Coldwell Banker Southeast Metro 303.394.2090 email@catheyhansen.com catheyhansen.com
Coldwell Banker Southeast Metro 303.886.9441 jewel.brown@coloradohomes.com jewelsofcolorado.com
Coldwell Banker Southeast Metro 303.981.6170 kathleen@kathleensurges.com kathleensurges.com
Coldwell Banker Southeast Metro 303.843.1200 dick.berst@coloradohomes.com rberstproperties.com
Donna Van Vleck
Ann Meadows
Judy Johnson
Brooke Franklin Burgamy
Coldwell Banker Southeast Metro 303.478.1201 ann@annmeadows.com annmeadows.com
Karen Brinckerhoff
Julie Gelfond
Coldwell Banker Southeast Metro 303.522.5277 donnavanvleck@msn.com donnavanvleck.com
Coldwell Banker Devonshire 303.378.9099 jlgelfond@aol.com DenversLuxuryHomes.com
Coldwell Banker Devonshire 303.888.4727 judy.johnson@devonshirehomes.com judyajohnson.com
Coldwell Banker Devonshire 720.209.9677 brooke.franklin@att.net DenversLuxuryHomes.com
Coldwell Banker Devonshire 303.898.9825 karen@devonshirehomes.com karenbrinckerhoff.com
Laura Dirks Coldwell Banker Devonshire 303.918.2170 lauradirks@comcast.net ColoradoHomes.com/lauradirks
Medra Volpi Coldwell Banker Southeast Metro 303.378.1114 Medra@SellingDenverHomes.com SellingDenverHomes.com
Sue Smith Coldwell Banker Southeast Metro 303.503.9857 sue@suesmithhomes.com suesmithhomes.com
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Ad Index Alzheimer’s Association alz.org. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 American Society of Interior Designers asid.org. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71 Beaux Arts Ball nationaljewish.org. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Birdsall & Co. birdsallgarden.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 CH&L Video Series coloradohomesmag.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 CH&L 30 Gifts for 30 Years coloradohomesmag.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Central City Opera centralcityopera.org . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 Century Furniture centuryfurniture.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Cherry Creek Arts Festval cherryarts.org . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Closet Factory closetfactory.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Coldwell Banker Homes of Distinction coloradohomes.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72-77 Colorado Brokers of Distinction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77 Colorado Style Home Furnishings coloradostyle.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3 Cory Maupin corymaupinsales.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Love
THE LOCALS
Crested Butte Arts Festival crestedbutteartsfestival.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Crested Butte Open adaptivesports.org. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Colorado Womens Chamber of Commerce cwcc.org. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 D’Amore Interiors damoreinteriors.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 The Denver Century Ride denvercenturyride.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Denver Design District denverdesign.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Denver Design District Market Week denverdesign.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Designs by Sundown designsbysundown.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Doors Open Denver denvergov.org/DOCA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Environmental Designs environmentaldesigns.net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Fruehauf’s fruehaufs.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Fuller Sotheby’s International Realty sothebysrealty.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ISFC-1 Glenwood Hot Springs hotspringspool.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Hausdesign hausdesign-usa.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ISBC Hutter Wholesale hutterwholesale.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Innovative Openings innovativeopenings.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 Jenn-Air jennair.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
In appreciation of Colorado residents, St Julien Hotel & Spa is giving some love back.
Junior League of Denver jld.org . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Kellie Coughlin Photography kelliecoughlinphotographer.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Kempe Foundation kempe.org. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47 Kimball Distributing kimballinc.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 La Fontaine Aesthetics denverfusionspa.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
:: Room rates starting at $199 for the entire month
Lifescape Associates, Inc. lifescapeassociates.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Lucé lucephotog.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Mutts & Models cvmf.org. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Parallel Seventeen parallelseventen.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
:: Three course dinner for 2 in Jill’s Restaurant for $50 :: Unique Spa Specials
Phase One Landscapes phaseonelandscapes.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Rosewater Construction rosewaterconstruction.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Roth Distributing rothdistributing.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Sean Lough Foundation srlscholarship.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Solterra mysolterra.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BC
Monday -Thursday, call
Telluride Festival of the Arts telluridefest.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
720.406.8218 for details
Tri-State Distributors tristatedistributors.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42,48
The Stone Collection thestonecollection.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Twisted Tulip thetwistedtulip.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Wright Group thewrightgroupnow.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 WmOhs Showroom, Inc. wmohs.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Wood-Mode wood-mode.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Call 720-406-9696 for Reservations 900 Walnut Street :: Boulder, CO 80302 www.stjulien.com
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Vol. 30, No 3 © 2010 by Network Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Permission to reprint or quote excerpts granted by written request only. Colorado Homes & Lifestyles™ (ISSN 1539-7726) is published eight times a year (JANUARY/FEBRUARY, MAR, APR, MAY, JUNE/JULY, AUG, SEPT/OCT, NOVEMBER/DECEMBER) by Network Communications, Inc. 2305 Newpoint Parkway, Lawrenceville, GA 30043. Periodical postage paid at Lawrenceville, GA and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Colorado Homes & Lifestyles™, PO Box 9002, Maple Shade, NJ 08052. For change of address include old address as well as new address with both zip codes. Allow four to six weeks for change of address to become effective. Please include current mailing label when writing about your subscription. Subscriptions, $24.95 for one year; $39.97 for two years. Canada and Mexico add $24.00 per year. Single copy price $4.95. Subscription questions, (888) 704-0063. CPM#40065056 Unsolicited materials will be handled with care, but the magazine assumes no responsibility for it. CANADA POST PM40063731. Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: Station A, PO Box 54, Windsor ON N9A 6J5
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10 Things ...
10 things you should know about
working a buyer’s market The best deals, says realtor Mark Eskanos of Metro Brokers, are in the high-end market, like the Castle Pines home he sold recently for $325,000 below market value. (Even with $100,000 in repairs, which the new owner could afford, it was still a great deal.) Also look in the suburbs and exurbs—Highlands Ranch or Parker—if being that far from the city is convenient to your lifestyle. Cash is king. In today’s market, financing is easiest for “golden buyers,” those with a high FICA score, a low debt-to-income ratio and plenty of cash to put down. Consider what’s the best deal for you: a fixer-upper for less or a home in pristine condition for more? Eskanos explains, “If you get a house for, say, $150,000 under market but it needs tens of thousands of dollars of work [in cash] to make it habitable for you—and you’re cash-poor—you may be better off buying a pristine house that has a higher price tag, which can be financed over time.” Do your homework. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it might be. If schools matter to you, check out the school accountability report at www.cde.state.co.us. Have your realtor check comparables and find out from the zoning board if there are plans to develop that lovely piece of open space down the street. If everything checks out, it may just be that you’ve found a really motivated seller—a buyer’s dream. Especially with foreclosures, get the most qualified inspector you can find. “He’ll remind you of other inspections you may need, particularly in an older house,” says Gloria Husney of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. Don’t assume the bank will disclose any problems. If you want to buy a bank-owned home and need to move in by a certain date, be warned. Banks do not operate like motivated sellers. It can take months, even up to a year, to close on a bank-owned house. If you find a house you love at a good price but it needs work, do a walk-through with a contractor. Get a realistic assessment of what kind of cash is required for fixing the place to your needs and wants. Is that in your budget?
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Use a buyer broker, not a transaction broker, when purchasing a foreclosed home, says Eskanos. Why? Foreclosures rarely go smoothly. You want a buyer broker, someone who advocates for you, turns over every stone and has a fiduciary responsibility to you. A transaction broker’s goal is to get the transaction done. Colorado law rules. Colorado is one of the most consumer-friendly states in the nation. Buy a house from a Colorado bank and state laws apply: the seller must provide title insurance, and the day you buy the house, it’s yours. Buy from a bank in another state, and the house might not be yours until the deed is recorded. Be sure to ask which state laws apply—and what rights you’ll be waiving if you use an outof-state contract. Looking for a steal on a second home in the mountains? There are deals—but Laura O’Hara, senior VP of Affiliated Financial Group, warns buyers to steer clear of condos. “Even Fannie Mae has pulled away from this market because of a glut of units and too high a risk level. The best real estate to look for in mountain property is singlefamily dwellings or townhouses in the higher end market,” she says. —Sally Stich
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