Boulder, CO March 2026

The Zach Zeldner Team is your team of distinguished Realtors ® , delivering exceptional results through market expertise, concierge-level

If you’re

Many

Clearly beautiful. Inside and out.

Representing Boulder’s most iconic properties, Marybeth brings a unique perspective as a trusted agent and developer, supported by The Agency’s unparalleled international network. Her record-breaking sales reflect a foundation of passion, expertise, integrity, and relationships built over decades. Give us a call to connect and learn more.

When you’re buying or selling in one of Colorado’s most competitive and nuanced markets, precision matters.

For more than two decades — and after 33 years of living in Boulder — Patrick Brown has built his reputation on disciplined pricing strategy, measured negotiation, and a deep understanding of how Boulder’s neighborhoods perform over time.

Consistently ranked among Boulder’s Top 3 Individual Agents by sales volume, Patrick approaches every transaction with one clear objective:

Studio Brother John is a high-end interior design firm specializing in upscale, bespoke real estate development. Our work is defined by prime locations, exceptional design, superior materials, and craftsmanship. DISCOVER MORE // STUDIOBROTHERJOHN.COM

9631 MOUNTAIN RIDGE PLACE

A true architectural tour de force, this newly completed Mountain Ridge estate redefines modern luxury against one of Boulder’s most breathtaking natural backdrops. With interiors showcasing the finest globally sourced finishes available. Designed by award-winning Studio B Architecture, this striking 4-bedroom, 5-bathroom residence rests on a premier, private three-acre lot bordered by over 6,300 acres of protected open space in the gated Mountain Ridge community.

intrigued? let’s connect SCAN FOR DETAILS

john canova, broker associate

720 317 6658 // john@johncanova.com

Designs By Sundown was founded in 1985 to make great homes even better with beautiful, sustainable, enjoyable landscapes. We have stayed true to our roots, with a responsive, knowledgeable staff and the highest quality materials and craftsmanship

Rosewood Construction has crafted custom homes for clients in Boulder for over 45 years. We o er hands-on management of the entire construction process. Our dedicated project management ensures quality and e ciency at every step. Builders you can trust!

I Spy with my little eye

A friend of mine once asked my dad where my love of collecting came from. Without missing a beat, he replied, “Her grandpa—he collected everything and anything.” And it’s true. Every visit to my grandparents’ house felt like an endless game of I Spy.

My grandfather collected across countless categories, from Native American art to anything and everything alligator related. Over the years, pieces ranging from bolo ties to old puzzles to relatives’ quilts and paintings were passed down and now live on as some of my most treasured possessions. More than the objects themselves, though, he passed down a way of seeing—this instinct to collect, notice, and hold onto stories—which has become part of my everyday life.

I’ve always felt the best way to truly know someone is to step into their home: to hear the stories behind the artwork on their walls and the knick-knacks gathered over years of travel. Of course, a home can be made beautiful through perfect tile, thoughtful molding, and fine finishes. But it’s the little things that tell the real story.

I’ve carried on the tradition of creating a home that feels like an endless game of I Spy, where every small object on a shelf has a story waiting to be told.

KELSEY HUFFER, EDITOR @BOULDERLIFESTYLE

March 2026

PUBLISHER,SALES DIRECTOR

Andy Manz | amanz@citylifestyle.com

PUBLICATION DIRECTOR

Chantel Ellerington

chantel.ellerington@citylifestyle.com

MANAGING EDITOR

Kate Manz | kmanz@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Kelsey Huffer | kelsey.huffer@citylifestyle.com

INTERN

Edson Graycar | edson.graycar@citylifestyle.com

COPY EDITOR

Tony Firestine | anthonyjfirestine@gmail.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Emily O'Brien, Meredith Rowe, Martin Brodsky, Tony Firestine, Edson Graycar

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Amanda Proudfit, Bridget Dorr, Poppy & Co. by Kelsey Huffer, David Lauer Photography, Abby Shepard

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kirstan Lanier

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Marina Campbell

Proverbs 3:5-6

city scene

1-7: The 6th annual Endurance Social brought together the community for an unforgettable evening to support local athletes and raise funds for Boulder’s trail projects. Austen Dalquest has been selected as the first CAP recipient in recognition of his community contributions, his positive spirit, and his national-level running achievements. 1: Andy Wacker (professional runner and founder of The Trail Team) 2: Brian Metzler (Author and Writer for Runners World) Hillary Allen (professional ultra runner), John Minen (Colorado Sports Chiropractic & Colorado Athletics Project founder) 3: Katie and Brandon Saltmarsh - board member of Colorado athletics project and assistant coach of Boulder High School track 4: guests 5: Austen Dalquest 7: Andy Wacker, Brian Schroy founder of The Track Club, John Minen, Kaelyn Harris-Vincent

1-7: Cottonwood Custom Builders celebrated the end of another successful year with their annual holiday party at the Chautauqua Community House. 1: Jeff Hindman (Cottonwood Custom Builders), Aaron Brockett (Mayor of Boulder), and Lauren Folkerts (HMH Architecture) 2: Hannah Cole (McLean Forge and Welding), Kim Roberts, Curry Carter (Cottonwood Custom Builders), Tom Roberts (Cottonwood Custom Builders), and Mike Eriksen (Cottonwood Custom Builders) 3: Casey Meyer and Leah Civiok (HMH Architecture) 4: Chris Sommers (Cottonwood Custom Builders), Austin Beaver (Wedgewood Cabinetry), Bailey Hungerford (Maurer Painting), and Maggie Pattillo (Cottonwood Custom Builders) 5: Guests enjoying dinner 6: Harvey Hine, (HMH Architecture) 7: Guests

Photography by Bridgett Dorr

Boulder International Film Festival Celebrates Female Chefs at CineCHEF

CineCHEF is the annual kick-off to the Boulder International Film Festival, and this year, the tasting event and friendly foodie competition will highlight and celebrate female chefs from across the Front Range. Expect delicious bites inspired by films, open bars, and live entertainment. CineCHEF is on April 9, and tickets are available at BIFF1.com

Colorado Music Festival: World-Class Music, Quintessential Boulder

Join us July 9 through August 9 at Chautauqua Auditorium as we celebrate the Colorado Music Festival’s 50th anniversary, with world premieres, educational programs, and more. The 2026 season features performances by Leonard Slatkin, Yuja Wang, Himari, and others in Boulder’s historic, all-wood auditorium. For tickets and the full season calendar, visit ColoradoMusicFestival.org.

S ing is Believing

to explore, remarkable things happen. At Mack, our inquirydriven curriculum comes to life on a 23-acre campus with a pond, gardens, chickens, a low ropes course, and an outdoor stage. With a community that honors each child’s passions and potential, Mack nurtures bright minds every day.

Gregory Alan Isakov & Shakey Graves Headline the Bluebird Music Festival

The Bluebird Music Festival returns to Macky Auditorium for its 8th year on April 18 & 19. Boulder's biggest music festival features Gregory Alan Isakov, Shakey Graves, Ocie Elliott, Mon Rovia & more. Event proceeds provide free music instruction for Colorado students. Tickets are available at BluebirdMusicFestival.org

Boulder Artist Merrilees Brown Publishes Picture Book Spaghetti: A Mouse and His Treasure

Boulder artist Merrilees Brown debuts as author and illustrator of  Spaghetti: A Mouse and His Treasure, a charming picture book about a tiny collector, recycler, and noodle-powered problem solver. When Spaghetti’s treasures overflow the mouse house, he uses imagination and a pencil-shaving thinking cap to find a creative solution. Packed with curiosity and mouse-sized grit, this delightful story celebrates creativity, recycling, and thinking outside the pasta box, inspiring young makers, dreamers, and spaghetti lovers alike.

May 1-24 AT THE DAIRY ARTS CENTER

“The play has a hypnotic suffusive effect that left me on the verge of tears for hours afterwards… it conjures a world of compassion.”

— THE GUARDIAN

RESERVE TICKETS AT BETC.ORG

BOLDERBoulder: Third-Largest U.S. Race in 2025, Largest 10K

Running USA, the premier trade organization for the road race industry, recently released its list of the 100 Largest Road Races in the United States for 2025, with the BOLDERBoulder ranking as the third-largest race in the country and the largest 10K in the United States. The BOLDERBoulder 10K, named America’s AllTime Best 10K by Runner's World, continues to stand as one of the most iconic and celebrated road races in the world.

Our team has decades of combined experience providing high-quality legal services while working closely with our clients to achieve their specific goals and objectives. We serve individuals, entrepreneurs, businesses of all sizes, public entities, and government officials across a wide range of practice areas and industries nationwide.

A New Home for Boulder's Yoga Community

Located above Lucky's Bakehouse in North Boulder, Boulder Yoga Studio brings a teacher-forward, community-centered approach back to Boulder's yoga scene. Founded by Megan Reznicek, this neighborhood studio celebrates the city's most talented instructors by giving them creative freedom and fair compensation. With diverse offerings from Vinyasa to Katonah Yoga, donation-based community classes, and visiting workshops, BYS creates a space where both teachers and students thrive. Small classes, big heart.

march jewelry makeover

bring your jewelry in to consign, sell, repair, redesign

Chelsea Sodaro at Chautauqua Community House

Chelsea Sodaro is a world champion triathlete, maternal health advocate, and powerful voice for women in sport. After discovering triathlon in 2017, she rose to the top, winning the 2022 IRONMAN World Championship just 18 months after giving birth, and earning a podium finish again in 2024. Join Chelsea for an inspiring evening of grit, reinvention, and possibility on March 18 at the Chautauqua Community House.

Help Keep Prom Night Safe for Boulder Teens

Fairview and Boulder High’s After Prom returns on April 18, offering hundreds of teens a safe, late-night celebration following prom. This long-standing community effort relies entirely on local donations and business sponsorships to fund activities, entertainment, food, and prizes that keep students engaged and safe into the early morning hours. Boulder businesses and residents are invited to support this important tradition and help ensure a memorable, secure night for our teens. FHSBHSAfterProm.org

ARTICLE BY ALLYSON REEDY

FROM FIREPLACES TO BLANKET-DRAPED CHAIRS, COZY IS ON THE MENU AT THESE BOULDER

RESTAURANTS

WHERE EVERY SEAT FEELS LIKE HOME

There was a trend in restaurant design not too long ago: sparse décor, metal-frame chairs, industrial lighting that looked borrowed from a loading dock. Sure, the restaurants were “streamlined” and “modern,” but they felt…cold. And come on; plopping down on a metal chair after a long day doesn’t exactly feel like a warm hug. Sometimes what you want from a restaurant is less clean lines and hard edges and more ease.

Luckily, not every restaurant bought into the factory chic design trend, and Boulder is full of places that feel like they want you to stay awhile. Less like design statements and more like invitations, these restaurants feel just as cozy and homey as, well, home. Plus, the food coming out of their kitchens is a notch above mom’s and dad’s. (Sorry, mom and dad!)

Here are four restaurants in and around Boulder that understand comfort extends beyond the food.

Okay, so River and Woods has an advantage on the homier front. It’s literally located in a former house. The patio, strung with fairy lights, blurs the line between outdoor dining and backyard party, which makes sense, because it is a backyard. Inside, aspen-tree wallpaper and generous spacing invite you to settle in, while the menu takes familiar comfort foods and gives them a playful twist. Think: miso ramen deviled eggs, hickory-smoked BBQ short ribs, and banana pudding layer cake. It’s the kind of place where the food surprises you just enough, and the setting makes you want to stay for dessert.

2328 Pearl St., Boulder

RIVER AND WOODS BRAMBLE & HARE

At Bramble & Hare, farm-to-table is so much more than a buzzword. Much of the menu’s ingredients are grown right on the restaurant’s 500-acre Black Cat Farm, and the space itself feels just as nourishing. From soft blankets draped over chairs to the cute rabbit motif peeking out from paintings and other art, this is a restaurant that has considered its guests. Service is friendly and attentive, and the quiet makes it easy to actually hear the person across from you, no shouting required.

1964 13 th St., Boulder CONTINUED >

Housed in a pale yellow Victorian that looks like it belongs in a storybook, Lucile’s Creole Café feels less like a restaurant and more like a particularly charming friend’s house—one who happens to be very good at breakfast. Inside, the rooms are sun-washed and welcoming, with mismatched dishware and the aroma of coffee and biscuits perfuming the air. You can tuck yourself near the big wooden staircase or claim a spot on the wraparound porch, where mornings stretch easily into afternoons. Food is pure comfort, too: Cajun favorites like pain perdu, beignets, and Creole-sauced Benedicts.

2124 14th St., Boulder

LUCILE’S CREOLE CAFÉ

Raise thinkers, not test-takers

Discover an education designed for the way children learn. Here, students don’t just memorize the world—they build, create, and solve their way through it.

FLOATING ABOVE BOULDER

A Modern Hilltop Home by Cottonwood Custom Builders Redefines Daily Living With Uninterrupted Flatirons Views

Perched above its surroundings, this modern residence maximizes its Boulder setting with uninterrupted Flatirons views, most dramatically from a cantilevered living room. Built by Cottonwood Custom Builders, it replaces a dilapidated structure with a striking architectural statement.

“From the beginning, the homeowners wanted a home that was within walking distance to downtown Boulder,” says Maggie Pattillo, marketing director for Cottonwood Custom Builders. “They envisioned a modern home that embraced Boulder’s indoor–outdoor lifestyle and celebrated the site’s incredible Flatirons views.”

After dismantling the existing structure and recycling as much material as possible, the team set out to design a residence that would feel timeless, precise, and deeply connected to its surroundings, while responding to the realities of a challenging urban lot.

The homeowners initially selected HMH Architecture to design the residence, and through a long-standing partnership, the firm recommended Cottonwood Custom Builders to serve as the builder. Early in the planning process, the team encountered significant code and bulk plane conflicts that ultimately derailed the original design. As a result, the project was forced to pause and undergo a complete reimagining. Cottonwood Custom Builders became more deeply involved during this pivotal reset, collaborating closely with HMH and the planning teams to navigate the constraints and bring new momentum to the project.

CONTINUED >

AN ELEVATED APPROACH TO LIVING

Set on a sloped, triangular hilltop parcel, the site shaped nearly every design decision. Solar orientation, neighborhood context, and strict Boulder building codes demanded an exacting approach. To maximize views, the home features an inverted floor plan, placing the primary living spaces on the upper level and private areas below. “The finished home reflects that vision through a refined, contemporary design that prioritizes light, views, and connection to the outdoors,” Maggie explains.

The upper level opens to the home’s most defining feature: a cantilevered living room

engineered at a rare 1:1 ratio. Extending outward toward the Flatirons, the space creates a sense of suspension while fully engaging the surrounding landscape. Achieving this required close coordination with engineers and a willingness to exceed typical structural standards in service of long-term performance.

The design process was complex, requiring a complete redesign that pushed against allowable setbacks while balancing architectural ambition with code compliance. Strategic interventions, such as a custom-angled skylight above the staircase, introduced natural light while preserving privacy.

“The finished home reflects that vision through a refined, contemporary design that prioritizes light, views, and connection to the outdoors.”

— Maggie Pattillo, marketing director for Cottonwood Custom Builders

THE BEAUTY OF EXACTING WORK

Inside, the home’s interiors reflect a disciplined, modern sensibility. Clean lines dominate, with drywall running seamlessly to the floor without base trim—made durable through the use of a custom fry reglet. Tile is used strategically to add depth and visual interest, most notably in the living room, where a three-dimensional installation subtly shifts in appearance as daylight changes.

Honed concrete floors anchor the basement; a custom metal staircase introduces a sculptural element. Porcelain pavers extend living space onto the roof decks, and Aspen Leaf cabinetry, crafted in Berthoud, Colorado, adds warmth. Recycled metal siding wraps the exterior, reinforcing durability.

“Material choices and structural elements reinforce the home’s modern, highly detailed concept,”

Maggie notes. “Structurally, the 1:1 cantilevered living room is the home’s defining feature—an engineering-forward statement that goes beyond typical cantilever ratios.”

High-performance systems, including a tightly sealed building envelope, highly insulated windows, a glazed skylight designed to reduce summer heat gain, and a high-efficiency multi-zone HVAC system, ensure the home performs with the same rigor as its design.

The result is a modern Boulder residence that pairs architectural ambition with thoughtful restraint—proof that precision, when done well, can feel quietly luxurious.

To learn more, visit CottonwoodCustomBuilders.com.

SWEPT

Boulder

Hale

Berkeley

Arvada

SWEEP ING

BUILT TO BLEND. DESIGNED TO STAND OUT.

AT HOME WITH PROMINENT BOULDER ARCHITECTS & DESIGNERS

ARTICLE BY MEREDITH ROWE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMANDA PROUDFIT

As someone who goes into hundreds of homes a year, it’s unusual for me to be stunned by a property, but I was recently bowled over by three because of how deeply they reflect the people who own them and love them. Each fits perfectly into its context, whether that’s surrounded by barns, buildings, or the forest—but they are also truly original.

These homes are a stark contrast to Pantone’s color of the year, Cloud Dancer, and a reminder that collecting takes a lifetime and style should be personal. As architects and designers, each owner is in the home business, and they’ve given us a peek into what they do when they don’t have rules or clients, other than themselves and their families.

CONTINUED >

SUSAN MCGRADY, OWNER OF LOW RIDER

Low Rider is an institution in the Boulder community—a second home for artists, artisans, and unique home goods. But once it was an abandoned gas station, and it took the vision and courage of Susan McGrady to transform it into the store we see today.

In addition to collecting for and managing Low Rider, McGrady also works with home design clients who want to cultivate a home full of items that tell a story. When asked about her favorite pieces in her own home, McGrady struggles to answer because every single piece has a backstory.

“Everything I have I choose,” says McGrady. “I can tell you a story about every single thing here.”  Many items are made by friends or family members, like the large Butch Anthony piece that greets guests right when they walk in and the Laura Morningstar pottery that accompanies it. Some were traded at a swap meet with friends, like the end table and barstools she traded for her current bathroom cabinet.

Because McGrady and her husband built the home, most of the construction materials were also salvaged, like the ceiling constructed from an old train depot and door frames built to work with found doors. At around 2,000 square feet, the home isn’t massive, but it's incredibly functional and can flex to four bedrooms if you include the Airstream parked outside. It also has stunning mountain views and more than enough wildlife to keep them on their toes and entertained.

HARVEY HINE, FOUNDING PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT AT HMH

Back in 2009, Harvey Hine designed and developed a mixed-use building, and currently lives in one of the two-bedroom condos with his wife, Gail Ramsberger. Although it’s not very large, the space plays host to a number of creative activities.

Hine built a full-scale jewelry workshop into the oversized primary closet and a painting studio for Gail in the guest suite. He designed the entry as a sixty-foot art gallery to display their art collection, many of which were painted by relatives.

CONTINUED >

"Art is very important for us,” says Hine. “When people visit, they ask about the paintings and furnishings; there’s a story about everything. It’s a conglomeration of our life.”

On a recent trip back to Austria last year, Hine found himself regularly participating in salons. His friends would host 14 people for dinner, but the evenings were not about the food. Sure, they’d have spaghetti, salad, and lots of wine—but the focus was the discussions. Since returning to Boulder, Hine and Ramsberger commissioned a 12-foot table and have begun hosting salons of their own, bringing together people who did not previously know each other.

Hine also works on his 1969 Jaguar XKE and sees learning car body work as an extension of jewelry making at a larger scale. Between jewelry design, car restoration, and architecture, Hine does not differentiate one scale of design from another.

"It is all a creative process,” says Hine.

CONTINUED >

EMILY TUCKER, INTERIOR DESIGNER

This year, Emily Tucker and her family completed Camp Grizz, a weekend getaway perched on just shy of 8 acres of pine forest in Ward. Thanks to her training as an architect, Tucker drew up the house herself and designed it with plenty of room to host family and friends.

For the interiors, she explored styles and colors that she wanted to try throughout the years, but hasn’t had the right home or client. There’s an eggplant-purple kitchen, a cherry-red bunk room, ochre-brown tile in the bathroom, and mustard-yellow trim around the picture windows, creating a distinct juxtaposition with the surrounding land they love so much.

“For me, it wasn’t bringing the outside in,” says Emily Tucker. “We can step out and be immersed, but I really wanted the house to be distinct.”

This cabin is a dream come true. In her work as an interior designer, she loves creating meaning for families in their homes, and that’s exactly what this process has been for her with her family.

Through a mix of her California-casual childhood and New York-formal twenties, Tucker has a wide breadth of knowledge and inspiration to pull from to help every client cultivate their style at home. She’s very grateful to be able to partner with all of the amazingly talented craftsmen in Boulder County and throughout Colorado.

mosaic architects + interiors

Building Homes

& Stability

Homes

Andy Pemberton’s Everest Fundraiser for NIVAS

ARTICLE BY MEREDITH ROWE

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF NIVAS

For Andy Pemberton, home has meant many different places and spaces throughout the years. He grew up on the East Coast and called North Boulder home for many years before moving to a 10-acre farm in Louisville, and he’ll proudly show you photos of his goats, mini donkeys, and Highland cows—Millie, Maisie, MacGregor, and Juno. Next month, he’ll head to Kathmandu to make home at Everest Base Camp.

This isn’t Pemberton’s first time in Nepal. In 2022, he summited Ama Dablam with his oldest son, Jack, and his little brother, Chris. That climb had everything he was looking for: it’s technically challenging and very vertical, but doesn’t require additional oxygen. Now, he’s going back to bring visibility and support to Nepal’s most vulnerable families with NIVAS in what he’s calling Project Ascend.

Pemberton joined the NIVAS board last February after learning about the non-profit from the builder running his renovation, Ken Storm. While picking out farmhouse finishes, Storm was able to perfectly demonstrate the large impact NIVAS can make with very little.

“He told me, ‘The cost of a house in Nepal is the cost of your front door,’” says Pemberton.

Storm and other Colorado-based architecture and construction professionals founded NIVAS after volunteering in rural Nepal over 12 years ago. NIVAS focuses on safe, permanent housing for

women-led families, particularly single mothers, because this stability also improves their safety, health, and economic opportunities.

Today, NIVAS has helped over 2,500 people in 17 communities, and they do so by partnering with local people and organizations to ensure long-term impact. In addition to building physical structures, they also educate on land rights and provide professional training and seed money for businesses.

For Pemberton, it wasn’t a question of if he’d get involved but how he could be most impactful. He’s spent his career working in media and content and knows a good story when he sees one. To him, the best story is Everest, whether he summits or not.

He spent a long time thinking about this challenge and wanted to make sure he was doing it for the right reasons. At 58 years old, Pemberton realizes his window is closing. His kids are 26, 23, and 21, and he feels he has to train three times harder than them for similar results.

He’s also five and a half years sober and hopes this is inspirational for other people who are struggling with addiction. To him, year one was like checking a box, and after that, he needed some more direction. His climb in 2022 was year two, and it gave him a bigger purpose.

“I talk about it because it helps me in the process,” says Pemberton. “If I can share that, it keeps me moving in the right direction.” CONTINUED

He gives his wife, Margaret, a lot of credit in supporting him through this endeavor, even if she doesn’t love the risk involved. She knows the challenge has made him happy and gives him a sense of presence—and she’s also happy for him to rejoin her on the farm, which he affectionately refers to as her Everest.

To prepare for his climb, Pemberton has been testing his equipment on Longs Peak, summiting and overnighting in 20-below windchills. He’s also set up a ladder on his barn and climbs it in full gear with weights to try to prepare himself for the shock of doing it on Everest, fully exposed to the elements.

“Surprise is where some people panic,” says Pemberton.

On April 6, Pemberton leaves for Nepal with this big, audacious goal—and a whole community of people he’ll be supporting and spotlighting in the Makwanpur and Dang districts. He’ll trek to base camp with his family, and then he’ll acclimate until May 19, when his summit window begins.

Pemberton hopes to raise $100k with Project Ascend. Whether or not he summits Mt. Everest, these funds will make a huge impact in Nepal, building around 16 houses. Learn more about the expedition and donate to the cause at Nivas-Built.org/Project-Ascend

anobject (ofdesire) thisis

anna flowers on shaping the moment

“it’slike walking withbare feeton theearth.”

If you’re holding this magazine, you’re almost there.

Where? The tangible world beyond the digital realm...a place full of objects you can actually touch. Feeling these pages against your fingers you understand this. There is something sacred about it. After all, with our attention commoditized to the half-second, is there not a certain reverence to slowing down, reclaiming a moment each day for yourself?

Which brings us to Anna Flowers. Ceramic artist. Boulder local. Purveyor of space to find these moments. “I think my pieces give people an opportunity to just...stop. Even if only for a minute,” says Anna. Her ceramic vessels and altars tap into something the modern world cannot touch.

The hand-building method Anna uses is an ancient form of pottery, developed by humans thousands of years ago. “I love folk art,” she says. “I love the shapes...this rooting in something primal.” And each one of Anna Flowers’ pieces arrives grounded in this history, yet their meaning is also intensely personal.

This begins with the artist herself. As Anna explains of her early work: “The more altars I made, the more meaning they carried...and the more meaning they carried for me, the more I wanted to share it.” After using the altars to create an intentional space in her own home, she began selling her work so that others could do the same.

How one integrates her art into their life takes many forms. This might be as simple as lighting a candle or reading a poem before sunrise. However it looks, “it’s offering people a way to have a small ritual every day that is manageable, and all their own,” Anna says. “Tiny acts of self-care can make such a difference in your life.”

Anna’s own journey as an artist has taken many turns over the last twenty-five years, with plenty of joy and hardship along the way. Yet the question lingers: how does one turn struggle into beauty? Anna says only time can metabolize experience into inspiration. “In that space between, I find a way to respond rather than react.”

Which circles back to slowing down. Part of this process means finding oneself in community. On this latter point, Anna cultivates her own sense of community by offering workshops for people to build their own altars and connect with something deeper. She says about working with clay: “It keeps me grounded. It’s like walking with bare feet on the earth.” It’s a feeling she loves giving others the chance to experience, as well.

At a certain point, with work like this, the distinction between form and function fades. Utility and beauty become one. “I love filling my space with beautiful things,” Anna says. “I don’t think it has to have any purpose at all, except making you feel something.” And in making us feel something, art finds its purpose.

“I care more about the world inside of us than the world outside,” Anna says. “Meaning I think the biggest thing we can do for the world outside is to care for our own world inside.” Whether that means taking a moment to light a candle in a handmade altar, becoming part of a community, or reading an analog magazine in this digital age...you’re almost there.

To see Anna Flowers’ work or attend an altar building workshop, find her at AnnaFlowersCeramics.com

Celebrate With Us

the art of living in

furniture as lived experience

ARTICLE BY TONY FIRESTINE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID LAUER

Photo by Poppy & Co.

By the time a home feels effortless—like it’s always been that way—someone has done a great deal of intentional work behind the scenes. Furniture plays a large role in that feeling, shaping how people gather, rest, move, and live over time. For interior designer Jen Miller, furniture isn’t about filling a space—it’s about supporting life as it actually unfolds within it.

An interior designer and furniture procurement lead at Boulder-based HMH Architecture + Interiors, Jen’s influence is often subtle but deeply felt. She approaches furniture as a narrative tool—one that reflects daily rhythms, personal histories, and the way homes evolve rather than remain static.

Jen didn’t originally set out to work in furniture procurement. She studied fine art and later documentary photography, drawn to visual storytelling and the emotional resonance of objects. “I’ve always been drawn to unique and thoughtful spaces, the objects that inhabit them, and storytelling,” she says.

“I spent a lot of time at my grandmother’s house, and for 40+ years nothing moved from its place with the exception of the art,” Jen says. “She used an interior designer to create a home that was eclectic and timeless.” That experience left a lasting impression—one that still informs how she thinks about permanence, personality, and restraint.

At HMH, Jen’s work reflects a narrative-driven approach informed by the firm’s holistic view of architecture and interiors. “There’s a strong emphasis on spaces feeling personal and lasting, not overly styled or frozen in time,” she explains. Furniture plays a critical role in shaping that experience. “I’m deeply invested in individual pieces,” Jen says, “but always with an eye toward how they relate to one another—and how they support the way a home is actually lived in.”

When meeting new clients, Jen looks beyond stated preferences to understand daily rhythms and habits. “I’m listening to how they talk about their everyday life,” she says. “Do they entertain a lot? Are they homebodies? Do they have kids or pets? Do they go barefoot in the house, or are they always in shoes?” Even subtle cues offer insight into what will truly serve clients’ living spaces.

CONTINUED >

For Jen, intentional spaces resist perfection. “When everything matches perfectly, it can feel stiff,” she says. She gravitates toward mixing eras, textures, and materials, often incorporating clients’ existing pieces to create a more authentic conversation within the space. “Every piece should have a purpose—sometimes functional, sometimes purely for beauty—but always contributing to a cohesive experience that supports their lifestyle.”

Local relationships play a vital role in that process. Working with Colorado-based makers allows for deeper collaboration and transparency. Jen recalls projects in which clients met artists in their studios and witnessed processes firsthand. “It becomes a shared conversation,” she says, one that transforms objects into meaningful connections. “One example that comes to mind is working with local artist Liz Quan. Being able to see her slipcasting or hand-carving processes up close and hear her answer clients’ questions turns the artwork into more than a finished object.”

CONTINUED >

“There’s a strong not overly styled but always with they support the way or frozen in time. an eye toward a home is actually feeling personal I’m deeply invested and lasting, in individual pieces, to one another—and how lived in.”

emphasis on spaces how they relate

a vintage favorite finn

juhl 108 chair

JEN MILLER ON A DANISH MODERN CLASSIC AND WHY IT STILL BELONGS IN TODAY’S HOMES.

THE PIECE

I’M ALWAYS DRAWN TO HOW HUMAN THEY FEEL. THEY’RE UNDERSTATED, COMFORTABLE, EASY TO MOVE, AND QUIETLY EXPRESSIVE. I ESPECIALLY LOVE THE BRASS PINS AND THE HORIZONTAL WOOD BAR JUXTAPOSED WITH THE UPHOLSTERY ON THE BACK.

THE ERA

THE CHAIR WAS DESIGNED IN 1946, DURING THE RISE OF DANISH MODERNISM, A PERIOD WHEN FURNITURE WAS BECOMING MORE BODY AWARE. COMFORT, CRAFTSMANSHIP, AND PROPORTION WERE CENTRAL, NOT JUST HOW A PIECE LOOKED IN A ROOM.

THE CRAFT

THE CONSTRUCTION IS DECEPTIVELY COMPLEX. THE MATERIALS—SOLID WOOD, UPHOLSTERED ELEMENTS, AND THE BRASS DETAILS AGE BEAUTIFULLY, WHICH MATTERS TO ME. FINN JUHL IS KNOWN FOR SAYING, “THE DEVIATION IS IN THE DETAILS.”

WHY IT WORKS TODAY

IT BRINGS WARMTH AND CHARACTER TO CONTEMPORARY SPACES WHILE FEELING TIMELESS. I OFTEN LIKE TO PAIR A FABRIC THAT PUSHES THE NOTION OF A VINTAGE CHAIR AND A CONTRASTING WELT TO REALLY MAKE THE SHAPE POP—THIS WAY IT EASILY BECOMES AN HEIRLOOM PIECE WITH THE INDELIBLE MARK OF THE GENERATION THAT PASSES IT DOWN.

THE TAKEAWAY

WHEN WE USE PIECES THAT ARE BUILT WITH LASTING CRAFTSMANSHIP, WE’RE NOT ADDING TO THE LANDFILL. VINTAGE PIECES LIKE THIS DON’T DATE BECAUSE THEY WERE NEVER CHASING TRENDS. AND OF COURSE, SOMETIMES IT’S JUST ABOUT THE JOY OF FINDING SOMETHING DISTINCTIVE THAT DELIGHTS US.

Comfort, too, is multilayered. “Comfort isn’t just about softness,” Jen notes. “Texture, layout, and how long people linger all matter. Furniture plays both a visual and functional role,” she says. “The best pieces have a strong point of view and encourage connection.

Perhaps most importantly, Jen designs with time in mind. She believes homes don’t need to feel finished all at once. “People grow into their homes, and the space should be able to shift with them,” she says, advocating for restraint and allowing art and objects to arrive organically.

Through her thoughtful approach to furniture and procurement, Jen helps create homes that don’t just look good when they’re complete— they continue to feel right as life unfolds within them.

“When your goal is Prep-for-Sale Success. Without Stress.”

“Maurer is going to be on my list for any job and any friends…it was so painless and seamless.”

“We needed the painting done very quickly and on-time. Our Realtor recommended Maurer. She said, I can recommend cheaper guys but they won’t do the job Maurer does. I called, and I’m thinking they have so many jobs going, there’s no way. But they said ‘No, we’ll get it done in your timeframe. It went just like clockwork. And, boy, sure enough, they were done completely and cleaned up on the day they said, so I didn’t need to change my stagers or anything like that. We loved our transitional look, but needed to bring in that modern aesthetic people are going for these days. Their expertise went a long way to that. They really nailed it. And there’s absolutely nothing to point out that they missed. Everything about it was perfect. All those tiny details make the whole place look better than it did before… I mean, beyond having fresh paint.”

SIMINE AND LARRY TEPPER, HOMEOWNERS

How Dust & Spark Creates Furniture Designed to Integrate Into the Home for Generations

ARTICLE BY TONY FIRESTINE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY POPPY & CO. BY KELSEY HUFFER

In a world often defined by fast design and disposable goods, Dust & Spark stands apart. Founded in 2018 by craftsman Scott Hensen, the Longmont furniture and fabrication studio has grown from a solo operation into a small but thriving workshop creating custom wood and metal pieces for homes, restaurants, and public spaces across Colorado. At its core, Dust & Spark is less about furniture as product and more about furniture as purpose.

Scott started the business on his own, building pieces part-time and full-time off and on as his family grew. For years, Dust & Spark existed in the margins of evenings and weekends, shaped by patience rather than urgency. That changed in 2024, when Scott left his role at a custom home builder to focus exclusively on growing the studio. A major project outfitting Hearth Bakery helped catalyze the transition, along with the hire of his first employee.

In 2025, Dust & Spark completed another Hearth Bakery café, built 67 tables for the iconic Flagstaff House restaurant, and took on a slate of residential commissions throughout the Boulder area. Growth created opportunities, enabling Scott to hire two additional employees and relocate the studio from a small barn in rural Boulder County to a larger commercial space in South Longmont. This year, the company is preparing to launch its first made-to-order product line, including tables, bed frames, and lighting that reflect the same values as its custom work.

Those values were shaped early. Scott grew up immersed in both art and construction. His grandmother, Sandy Hensen, a well-known potter in Boulder from the 1970s through the 1990s, introduced him to form, line, and creative intuition. Working alongside his father on remodeling projects taught him precision, measurement, and problem-solving.

Table Credits:

Home Architect: Lake Flato

Table Design: Comeux Architects

Table Maker: Dust & Spark

CRAFT PURPOSE

CONTINUED >

CRAFT WITH PURPOSE

“Marrying those two [experiences] has helped me hone my skills in the furniture craft,” he says, noting that the blend of creativity and technical thinking still defines his approach today.

That duality is evident in how Dust & Spark designs with wood and steel. Each project begins collaboratively, rooted in the client’s needs, space, and vision. From there, material decisions take shape organically. Wood often leads with its warmth and character, while metal is introduced as a complementary force rather than a competing one. Scott gravitates toward finishes and patinas that feel alive, allowing rawness and refinement to coexist.

Sustainability is woven into every decision. The steel is U.S.-made and infinitely recyclable. The studio primarily works with domestic hardwoods sourced

from the U.S. and Canada, selected for their adherence to responsible forestry standards. Many liveedge slabs come from salvaged urban trees removed due to storms, disease, or development. Each slab presents a puzzle, its irregular shape and grain guiding the final design rather than conforming to it. That dialogue between vision and material is what makes the work meaningful.

While clients often admire the visible craftsmanship, Scott is just as focused on what they’ll never see. The underside of a table is sanded with the same care as the top. Hidden welds are executed with precision and strength. “What we make is for our clients; how we make it is for us,” he explains. Those unseen choices ensure longevity, allowing a piece to endure not just physically, but culturally. Scott imagines Dust & Spark furniture being rediscovered decades from now, still functional, still valued.

CONTINUED >

Function and sculpture are inseparable in the studio’s work. Clean lines, tight joints, and structural integrity are treated as an art form in themselves. Welding steel that naturally wants to warp under heat becomes both a technical challenge and a creative exercise, one that keeps the work engaging and exacting.

Finishing is where transformation happens. Dust & Spark favors hard-wax oils for residential pieces, selected for their zero-VOC content and ability to enhance natural wood tones. The studio guides clients through in-person finish selection, balancing aesthetics with real-world durability. “The reveal is the best part,” Scott says, describing the moment wood comes alive under finish.

Ultimately, Dust & Spark furniture is meant to fuse or coalesce into life. Especially pieces like dining tables, which become anchors for daily routines and milestones. “The newness factor might wear off,” Scott says, “but it gets replaced by the memories made around it. The piece eventually melds into the home

and becomes a member of the family.” Over time, the furniture becomes less an object and more a presence, quietly holding the stories of the people who gather. That sense of intention extends beyond clients to the craftspeople and community involved in the work.

For Scott, making furniture is about building meaning. “We have honed in on this idea of ‘craft with purpose’... for our clients as we provide them with functional art for their homes and spaces, and as we try to make a bigger impact on our community,” says Scott. Dust & Spark has provided donated pieces to local school galas, nonprofits, and victims of the Marshall Fire to share their impeccable craft with community members in need. In every joint, weld, and finish, Dust & Spark creates pieces designed not only to last but to matter.

For more information, visit DustandSpark.com

93

LOTS | MILES OF TRAILS | MODERN ARCHITECTURE

Build your dream home 20 minutes from downtown Boulder in Denver Metro’s newest custom home community.

ART THAT FEELS LIKE HOME

A Guide to Choosing Art for Your Space

With Verbunt Galerie

Choosing art for your home is about more than filling walls; it reflects your lifestyle, values, and how you want to feel. That philosophy guides Verbunt Galerie, founded by Australian-born art advisor Mikayla Verbunt, now based in Colorado, blending global perspective with personal curation.

Recently opened, Verbunt Galerie connects collectors and designers to contemporary artists from around the world through thoughtful, intentional curation. Rather than following trends, Mikayla focuses on pieces that feel meaningful and livable, meant to grow with those who live with them.

START WITH HOW YOU LIVE

Mikayla’s first step in helping clients choose art is understanding their lifestyle. “A big part of my process is getting to know my clients as people, because art is so deeply personal and connected to our experiences and memories,” she says.

She considers daily routines, the type of home, and how each space is used, noting that a mountain home requires different materials than a beach house and households with children may not suit fragile works. “I always consider how someone will actually live with a piece over time,” Mikayla explains. Her advice is consistent: “Art is subjective, and you should lean into that. Always choose the piece that moves you and feels meaningful to you, not what is trending.”

DEFINE THE MOOD FIRST

When selecting artwork, Mikayla typically begins with mood. “How do you want to feel when you walk into the room? What do you want your guests to feel?” she asks. Bedrooms benefit from calming, grounding work, while entryways and living areas can support bolder pieces that encourage conversation.

Scale matters: pairing a delicate piece with a larger work creates a focal point, and thoughtfully arranged smaller works can be just as impactful.

Photo by Abby Shepard

THINK BEYOND THE CANVAS

Color, lighting, and placement guide the eye and create flow, but Mikayla also encourages clients to explore unconventional formats. Framed tiles, wall sculptures, textiles, sculptural objects, and mixed media add depth, texture, and personality, helping a space feel layered rather than overly styled.

ORIGINALS, PRINTS, AND BUILDING OVER TIME

For clients unsure about investing in original art, Mikayla emphasizes emotional connection, aesthetics, budget, and long-term goals. Originals offer individuality, while prints and mixed media provide accessible entry points. Clients can build a collection over time, blending originals, prints, ceramics, textiles, and photography to create depth rooted in personal story rather than price point.

VISUALIZING THE RIGHT FIT

Verbunt Galerie offers complimentary art advisory consultations, during which Mikayla learns about a client’s vision, space, and lifestyle. She curates selections and provides digital mockups so clients can visualize how artwork will live in their home. Clients can preview a piece in their home, while Mikayla oversees framing, shipping, and installation to ensure a seamless experience.

ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS

Before committing to a piece, Mikayla encourages clients to pause. “Does this piece bring me joy? What was my first instinct when I saw it, before hearing anyone else’s opinion?” That initial reaction, she believes, is often the most honest. When emotion, aesthetics, and lifestyle align, art moves beyond the wall and becomes part of how a home is experienced every day.

To shop Verbunt Galerie's collection, visit VerbuntGalerie.com.

LET’S CREATE EXTRAORDINARY SPACES, TOGETHER.

DESIGN • BUILD • LIVE

Celebrating 25 years in Boulder County, creating outstanding designs and construction.

Outdoor living spaces are a great way to protect against fire and are far more drought resistant than traditional lawns and landscape. Let RSL Outdoor help you be more fire ready and water conscious today.

HOW A BOULDER RADIO SHOW HAS CARRIED HIP-HOP CULTURE FOR NEARLY 50 YEARS

Every Sunday night from 7 to 10 pm, while most of Boulder winds down for the week ahead, something rare is still happening on the radio. Eclipse: The Shedding of a Blacker Light airs live on KGNU, continuing a tradition that began in 1978, making it, as host Dave “Deeprawk” Ashton puts it, “the longest running hip-hop program on planet earth.” KGNU Community Radio is a volunteer-powered, listener-supported station serving Boulder, Denver, and beyond, amplifying independent music, diverse perspectives, and community-rooted programming since 1978.

Eclipse launched around the same time as KGNU itself, born from a call for show ideas when the station was first forming. A group of CU Boulder undergraduates, many of whom were students of color, applied for a program that would play music not getting airtime elsewhere, while also creating space for conversations about issues affecting the community. At the time, hiphop, as most people know, didn't yet exist, and rap music wouldn't become commercially available until the following year.

Because of that, Eclipse has always taken a broad view of hip-hop. The show isn't limited to rap records alone, but instead centers on underground music, social context, and voices that weren't being heard on mainstream radio. Over the decades, the sound has shifted with the culture. The show has gone through eras that include early rap, political anthems, and even stretches influenced by “quiet storm” soul, which Ashton describes as “slow romantic music for getting your groove on,” while staying rooted in community expression.

Ashton first became involved with Eclipse in 2006 after volunteering at KGNU and building a reputation in Colorado's hip-hop scene as an MC. He’d appeared on the show to promote music, but it was an invitation from the DJ Discern (DSRN) that brought him into the booth more regularly. Even then, it took six years before he became a consistent monthly contributor.

Today, Eclipse operates as what Ashton calls a family rather than a crew. The show typically features two to four DJs each week, working in a “cipher approach,” a collaborative, sometimes competitive rotation of long-form mixes. That structure, combined with the station's volunteer-driven model, is what Ashton believes has kept Eclipse running for nearly five decades. When one wave of DJs starts to fade out, another steps up, and the door stays open for new people to join. That steady handoff has helped the show stay consistent over time, with KGNU providing the home base.

The Eclipse Fam currently includes Mimi Da Masala, Buddah Shenglong, DJ Phanatik, Jubei Powers, DJ Konz, The Variable, Captain Chris Nathan, DJ A-L, D5, DJ Soul Rane, and Deeprawk Dave.

Ashton's own sets are shaped by vinyl, limitation, and intention. Because he plays exclusively from records, each mix requires preparation and thought. His themes often respond directly to what's happening in the moment, whether that's local protests, personal experiences, or a stack of records that suddenly feel connected. “It's about what's going to sound good together,” he says, “while still having some kind of message.”

While Eclipse is known for keeping classic hip-hop alive, the format also makes room for discovery. New sounds enter through local artists, guest features, and DJs, bringing their own tastes to the table. Ashton, who stays active in Denver's music scene, sees that exchange as essential.

Some of the show's most memorable moments come from the guests. Ashton points to a takeover by legendary Brooklyn producers Da Beatminerz, Mr. Walt, and DJ Evil Dee. This standout episode felt less like a radio appearance and more like a shared moment in hip hop history.

Eclipse ’s legacy also includes its founders. Ashton stays in touch with Becky Taylor and Steve Chavis, both of whom went on to influential media careers. Early on, Eclipse wasn't afraid to blend music with reporting, covering major events as they unfolded, long before that kind of storytelling was common on hip-hop radio.

In an era dominated by streaming algorithms, Ashton says Eclipse still matters because hip-hop is bigger than playlists. “Music is the most visible part of hip-hop culture,” he says, “but it's not the end product.” Eclipse continues to honor the culture's foundations of DJing, MCing, dance, and graffiti through shared airtime, live mixing, and conversation. Learn more about KGNU and Eclipse at KGNU.org.

March Around Town

1st

THE DEVIL MAKES THREE WITH LIGHTNIN’ LUKE

The Devil Makes Three brings its gritty blend of folk, blues, and Americana to Boulder, joined by Lightnin’ Luke for a night of raw, high-energy roots music. For tickets and details, visit Z2Ent.com

1st

RITE & RACH

The Boulder Symphony Orchestra returns with a high-impact program that pairs a landmark of early modern music with one of the repertoire’s most formidable piano showpieces. Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring brings sharp contrasts and restless momentum, followed by Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 featuring pianist Jiarui Cheng. For tickets, go to BoulderSymphony.org.

4th

YACHT ROCK REVUE

Yacht Rock Revue brings its slick, feel-good sound to Boulder for a night dedicated to the smooth hits of the late ’70s and early ’80s. Expect polished harmonies, laidback grooves, and a crowd-pleasing set that turns soft rock nostalgia into a full-on party. For tickets and details, visit Z2Ent.com

6th - 8th

CU PRESENTS: OKLAHOMA!

A golden-age classic comes to Macky Auditorium Concert Hall as CU Boulder performers stage Oklahoma! A frontier-set romance with humor, rivalry, and a lineup of instantly recognizable songs. For tickets and details, visit CUPresents.org.

11th

CU PRESENTS: DANÚ

Danú brings its acclaimed Irish traditional sound to Macky Auditorium Concert Hall, blending virtuosic musicianship with songs rooted in centuries-old folk traditions. For tickets and details, visit CUPresents.org

DIFFICULT DIALOGUES: HOMELESSNESS IN BOULDER

Chautauqua hosts an installment of its Difficult Dialogues series focused on homelessness in Boulder. Moderated by Jennifer Ho, the evening centers on community conversation around compassion, public safety, and long-standing local challenges, with an emphasis on respectful dialogue and listening.

COLORADO GLASSWORKS: STAINED GLASS HUMMINGBIRD CLASS

Learn the basics of stained glass in this hands-on evening class focused on foiling and soldering techniques. Participants create a pre-cut hummingbird suncatcher with guided, individualized instruction—and leave with a finished piece ready to display. To sign up or for more information, visit COGlassWorks.com 14th 13th

NERSHI HANN TRIO

Presented by KGNU, the Nershi Hann Trio brings an intimate, roots-driven set to the Chautauqua Community House. Featuring Bill Nershi of The String Cheese Incident, songwriter Jillian Nershi, and drummer Jason Hann, the trio blends acoustic textures, longtime collaborations, and songs drawn from decades of shared musical history. For tickets and details, visit Chautauqua.com

AN EVENING WITH MATISYAHU

Matisyahu returns to the Boulder Theater with a live set that blends reggae, hip hop, and rock, balancing laid-back grooves with upbeat, sing-along moments. For tickets and details, visit Z2Ent.com

TASTE OF PEARL

Presented by Downtown Boulder, Taste of Pearl transforms downtown boutiques into tasting stops for an evening of small bites from a wide range of Boulder restaurants. Guests stroll Pearl Street, sampling everything from global flavors to local favorites while exploring participating shops along the way. For more information, visit DowntownBoulder.org. 11th 19th 29th

2958 6TH ST

5 Beds | 4 Baths | 4638 SQ FT

$3,750,000

2590 BLUE HERON CIR W

5 Beds | 7 Baths | 5426 SQ FT

$2,475,000

THE PATRICK DOLAN TEAM

With over 20 years of working together, we’re a team that feels like family - built on trust, fueled by purpose, and dedicated to our clients and the work that we do. Bryce, Kelly, Karolyn, & Patrick

5292 SUN DIAL PL

3 Beds | 4 Baths | 3256 SQ FT

$2,845,000

583 REDSTONE DR

5 Beds | 5 Baths | 4890 SQ FT $1,225,000