Coming Home to Spring
March is an auspicious month. Daylight saving time comes to an end, and spring begins to peek its head around the corner. After a mild winter, spring is traditionally the snowiest month of the year, yet it’s also when daffodils boldly push through lingering drifts, a telltale sign of what’s to come.
As a community, we start to emerge from hibernation. The subtle signs of warmer months reveal themselves in small but meaningful ways: you may hear birds chirping in the early morning, or see people lingering on bar patios in their biking gear while you are on your way home from work.
This month, we focus on the home. Home is arguably one of the most important aspects of who we are, yet it’s often overlooked. How we live and care for our spaces says more about us than the clothes we wear or the jobs we hold. That’s why we’re checking in with local ecological builders who make it their mission to help people live more energy-efficiently and reduce their carbon footprint. We’re also turning our eye toward an interior designer who understands that spaces are about more than aesthetics; they’re about how it feels to be in them.
Here’s to a warm spring. Let’s do a snow dance, hope for a few more storms, and stay ready to embrace the brighter days ahead.
JAMES LEONARD, EDITOR
@DURANGOCITYLIFESTYLE
March 2026
PUBLISHER
Branden (Brandy) Murray
branden.murray@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
James Leonard | james.leonard@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Denise Leslie | denise.leslie@citylifestyle.com
SALES SUPPORT ASSISTANT
Carley Ridley | carley.ridley@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Kalista Pena | kalista.pena11@gmail.com, Christine Heartsill, Janine Collins, Shannon Roberts, Amy Salvagno
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Andy Wingerd, Rae Scott Photography, Amy Salvagno
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman
LAYOUT DESIGNER Andi Foster
SPECIALIST Hannah Leimkuhler
QUALITY
BUILT ON TRUST.
Interior Finish Carpentry • Custom Woodworking
This message is for our long-standing builder partners—and the craftsmen—who have helped shape Hermosa Trim Company. Thank you for your loyalty, collaboration, and confidence in our team year after year. Your trust is the foundation of our success. Hermosa Trim Company is built on seasoned craftsmen with 151 years of combined experience, mentoring skilled carpenters so every experience is high-quality and worry-free.
Our focus is interior finish carpentry, supported by a full in-house woodworking shop producing custom cabinetry, doors, closets, furniture, and architectural millwork. From first walkthrough to final detail, our approach is consistent, prepared, organized, and dependable, so you can move forward with confidence knowing the finish work is in capable hands. To the builders we work with—and the team behind the work—we thank you.
If you’re looking for a reliable trim team to support your next build, we’d love to connect. Serving Durango & La Plata County for 25 Years 970.749.8746 • jerry@hermosatrim.com
Violet Mae Upholstery
Emily Lloyd, founder of Violet Mae Upholstery, transforms forgotten furniture into vibrant heirlooms. Inspired by a Midwestern upbringing rooted in fixing—not tossing—she rescues worn pieces and reimagines them with bold color, rich texture, and thoughtful craftsmanship. Named for her daughter’s middle name and her own, Violet Mae reflects Emily’s love of family and creativity. In Durango, she’s preserving the bones of yesterday while giving them new life for today’s homes. To learn more about saving your vintage furniture, visit www.violetmaefurniture.com
The Flying Hatter
From clean, classic lines to bold artistic statements, The Flying Hatter creates custom hats designed to last a lifetime. Founded by Val F. Russell—an art school graduate with a background in circus performance, education, and production—the studio blends athleticism, fashion, and grit into one-of-a-kind, handmade designs. Clients span from San Francisco to New York. Consultations are available by Zoom or in person in Durango; call 901-826-5709 or email theflyinghatter@gmail.com.
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Bookcase Styling your
Tips for an Organized and Aesthetic Display
ARTICLE BY SHANNON ROBERTS
A bookcase is often more than just a storage unit for books; it’s a focal point of a room that can enhance the overall decor and reflect personal style. Styling a bookcase can be a rewarding endeavor, allowing you to showcase your literary collection and curate a space that feels inviting and visually appealing. Here are some tips to help you achieve a beautifully styled bookcase.
Styling a bookcase is a creative process that combines practicality with aesthetics. By using these tips, you can transform an ordinary bookshelf into a stylish, engaging focal point that complements your home’s decor while showcasing your personality and interests.
Step 1
Strategically Place Books on the Bookcase While Incorporating Decorative Elements.
When placing books back on the shelves, think about the arrangement, vertical stacks are more traditional, horizontal stacks more modern, or both for more visual interest. Adding decorative elements such as picture frames, vases, or sculptural objects to break the monotony. Incorporating items with varying heights can create a dynamic arrangement. Use larger items like art pieces or baskets on lower shelves and smaller decorative objects higher up. Aim for a balanced look while avoiding perfect symmetry. This creates an organic flow, drawing the eye naturally across the shelf. Incorporate asymmetrical groupings for added interest, mixing textures, colors, and shapes.
Step 2
Use Color Wisely and Add Natural Elements.
Color plays a role in styling a bookcase. You can opt for a monochromatic palette for a sophisticated look or introduce pops of color for a more energetic vibe. If your books are of various colors, pick a few colorful decorative pieces that complement or contrast them effectively. Integrating plants or natural elements can breathe life into your bookcase. Small potted plants can add color and texture.
Step 3
Create Zones and Add Personal Touches.
If your bookcase has multiple shelves, consider creating zones or themes for different sections. Infuse your personality into the bookcase through memorabilia, travel souvenirs, or personal artwork. These pieces add a storytelling dimension and make the space uniquely yours.
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY SALVAGNO
Elevated Cocktails for Brunch Beyond &
3 Fun Cocktails That Are Sure To Impress
Whether you prefer to dine reclining pillow-side in pajamas or beside a beautifully dressed table, you’ll appreciate an elegant, elevated cocktail to make your brunch menu extra special. So while you’re indulging in a few extra pieces of bacon, savoring bites of flaky quiche and luxuriating over berry and whipped cream-topped pancakes, you’ll be sure to impress with one of these three morning-friendly mixes.
Gin Jam &
A simple ingredient drink unites the botanical complexity of gin with the rich sweetness of your favorite jam.
Ingredients:
• 2 ounces gin
• 1 ounce lemon juice
• 1/2 ounce simple syrup
• 1 teaspoon raspberry (or your favorite) jam
• Spoonful of jam for garnish
Instructions:
1. Add the gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and jam to your mixing glass.
2. Add ice and shake for 10 seconds.
3. Strain into a double old-fashioned glass over crushed ice.
4. Top with a spoonful of jam and stir it in while you sip.
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Ingredients:
• 2 cups orange juice
• 1/2 cup tequila
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• Lime wedge, for rimming glasses
• Coarse salt, for rimming glasses
• 1 bottle champagne or Prosecco
• Orange and lime slices for serving
Instructions:
1. In a pitcher, combine orange juice, tequila and lime juice and stir to combine.
2. Line glass rims with lime and dip in salt. Pour in orange juice mixture and top off with champagne.
3. Add sliced oranges and limes to glasses and serve.
Margarita Mimosas
Sweet and tart combined with classic champagne bubbles make for the perfect brunch accompaniment.
HEALTHY AT HOME
LOCAL AGENCIES PRIDE THEMSELVES ON COMPASSIONATE IN-HOME HEALTH CARE.
By providing high-quality care, these three local agencies hope to give their patients the best quality of life while alleviating stress for families.
Nurturing Hearts provides non-medical companion care services. With a commitment to integrity, empathy, and excellence, their caregivers support individuals in living fuller, more connected lives in the place where they feel most at home.
Currently, Nurturing Hearts offers three tiers of service: holistic home care, companion care and respite care. With holistic home care, caregivers prioritize nutrition, safety, mental health, physical health and socialization, which are crucial aspects of an individual’s overall health and well-being.
ARTICLE BY KALISTA PEÑA
Companion care aims to build strong connections by engaging individuals in activities that spark joy, such as knitting, solving puzzles and sharing meaningful conversations about memories, family and personal passions.
Respite care offers a well-deserved break for caregivers and family members, as Nurturing Hearts’ caregivers handle essential household tasks such as laundry, light housekeeping, food preparation, medication reminders, and daily activities.
Through these non-medical services, caregivers nurture the hearts of those they serve by bringing warmth, respect, and companionship into their daily lives.
Visiting Angels offers non-medical senior care throughout Southwest Colorado and strives to provide clients with the support they need to age comfortably at home for as long as possible.
When families are deciding to pursue in-home care, it is essential that they feel confident and supported. Visiting Angels offers guidance throughout the entire process, alleviating stress by answering any questions or concerns that may arise.
Each patient receives a personalized care plan designed to support comfortable, independent living. Services include personal home care, Alzheimer’s care, dementia care, respite care, elderly companion care, certified palliative care, and more.
These care plans are flexible and adapt as a senior’s needs change over time, ensuring support aligns with current challenges, preferences, and circumstances.
Visiting Angels delivers home care when it matters most, whether fulltime, part-time, or 24/7 care. To learn more, visit the Visiting Angels Southwest Colorado website.
Guardian Angel Home Health is committed to delivering high-quality, safe, and cost-effective home health services while maximizing patient autonomy and positive outcomes.
Their caregivers, affectionately known as Guardian Angels, demonstrate deep commitment and dedication, providing quality care while ensuring loved ones can remain in the comfort and familiarity of home.
With professionally licensed personnel, Guardian Angel Home Health offers a wide range of services, including skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, and homemaking and personal care.
Registered nurses work closely with physicians to provide intermittent professional nursing services such as catheter care, wound care and dressing, injections, IV therapy, and diabetic care and education.
Through examination, evaluation, and physical intervention, physical therapists help remediate impairments and disabilities while promoting mobility.
Medical social workers support families by connecting them with community resources, helping patients feel fulfilled and confident in their dayto-day lives.
These are just a few examples of the services offered by Guardian Angel Home Health. To learn more, visit their website for the full scope of care options.
To further support individuals wishing to age in place, advocate Martha Mason hosts free monthly workshops at the Durango Senior Center, 2424 Main Avenue. “How to Stay Out of a Nursing Home” meets every second Tuesday from 1–3 p.m.; learn more by calling 970-382-6445.
HOW WE TURNED THIS LAKE CABIN INTO A READY-TO-LIVE-IN RETREAT
ARTICLE BY CHRISTINE HEARTSILL | PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAE SCOTT PHOTOGRAPHY
REIMAGINED LAKE HOUSE
We live in one of the most beautiful regions in the lower 48 states—Southwest Colorado. The mountains, the lakes, and the changing seasons invite you to slow down and breathe a little deeper. You may love where you live, but still feel disconnected from your home. Perhaps you have considered remodeling, yet the question remains: where would you even begin?
Renovating can feel like a never-ending series of decisions. Layout, finishes, lighting, and furniture — all the small details no one warns you about until you are standing in a dusty room trying to choose a paint color while juggling the demands of everyday life. It can feel overwhelming, especially when the home is not your primary residence or when you live far away. That is exactly why this Electra Lake project was such an honor to be a part of. This was not just a refresh. We replanned, renovated, and refurnished the entire home. The goal was simple: to create a warm, cottage-style lake cabin that feels welcoming the moment you walk in, while making the process easy for a busy mother-and-daughter duo living hundreds of miles away who had no interest in managing a remodel or shopping for furnishings themselves.
When I first stepped into the home, I immediately saw its potential. The setting was breathtaking, and the structure itself had great bones, but the layout and finishes were working against it. The home had not been updated in over 30 years. The finishes felt tired, and the flow did not support how people actually live, gather, and relax today. A 1990s addition created a large, awkward room at the back of the house with a dated bathroom that did not function as a comfortable or cohesive part of the home. The kitchen was another major pain point. It was a small, closed-off galley kitchen that felt cramped and disconnected, completely mismatched to the scale of the lake views and the homeowners’ intended use of the space.
If any of this sounds familiar, it is because many Durango-area mountain homes share the same issue. They have charm, history, and incredible locations, but their layouts are often stuck in a different era. For this project, we focused on transforming the kitchen, dining, and living areas into one connected great space. We wanted it to feel cohesive and inviting, allowing the lake to be part of the experience without forcing everything to face a single direction.
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The furnishings were carefully placed to take advantage of the large front windows and sweeping lake views, while also creating a strong interior focal point to ground the space. We added a new stone fireplace on the wall parallel to the windows, and that single design decision changed everything. It allowed for three distinct seating moments in the living area, all oriented toward the fireplace, with some seating also enjoying direct views of the lake. The space suddenly felt intentional, warm, and balanced.
Across from the living room, the dining area was positioned to face the windows. Whether playing cards, sharing a meal, or enjoying a morning cup of coffee, the space feels deeply connected to the beauty of the outside world. The biggest transformation, however, came from the new floor plan. To open up the kitchen and create room for a large island, we rethought the surrounding rooms entirely. The powder room, pantry, and bathroom locations were relocated and reworked, allowing the kitchen to finally breathe.
The new kitchen island became a true gathering spot with generous seating and ample surface area. It also functions as a buffet station when the homeowners are hosting. The kitchen sits just behind the dining area and remains fully open, allowing people to move easily between prepping, serving, and sitting down together. This was never about making the kitchen bigger in size. It was about making it useful. A kitchen should support real life, not complicate it.
The clients wanted a cottage-inspired aesthetic that still felt appropriate for a mountain lake home. We leaned into warmth, texture, and a collected look that feels comfortable rather than pretentious.
New wood doors and trim were installed throughout the home. The doors were stained a rich, dark tone to bring depth and contrast, while the trim and walls were painted a warm white. We used Benjamin Moore’s Swiss Coffee, a color that creates softness without feeling yellow or overly bright.
For the furnishings, we layered plaids and florals and grounded the palette with rust tones and sage greens. The décor carries a subtle cottage flair tailored to the home and setting so it feels elevated and timeless rather than trendy.
Open-plan living works best when there are clear visual anchors, and in this home, we created three that work together seamlessly: a stone fireplace with a roughhewn mantel as the living room anchor, a statement kitchen island as the functional anchor, and a custom French country dining table with seating for ten as the entertaining anchor.
Each anchor gives the eye a place to land and supports how the homeowners actually use the space. To tie everything together, we used two chandeliers in the great room, one over the dining table and one over the living area, and repeated the same rug style in both spaces to create cohesion without walls. We also added a tall cabinet in the kitchen that functions as a coffee bar and accessory hub, a small but impactful detail that makes daily life easier and the home feel ready for guests.
One of my favorite details in the home is a feature we weren’t sure if we’d be able to achieve given the structural limitations. We converted a closet in the loft into a cozy seating area that overlooks the living and dining space and looks out toward the floorto-ceiling windows facing the lake. It is the kind of spot that instantly makes a home feel personal, a place for morning coffee, a quiet phone call, or curling up with a book.
This project was designed for a busy mother and adult daughter who wanted the freedom to step back. We began with a walkthrough and design kickoff where they shared their inspiration and the feeling they wanted for the home. From there, I took the lead. First came the floor plan design, because when the layout is right, everything else becomes easier. Then we selected finishes, including tile, paint, and stain colors, flooring, plumbing, and electrical fixtures. Finally, we designed and sourced all furnishings and décor.
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“A RENOVATION DOES NOT HAVE TO STEAL YOUR WEEKENDS OR TAKE OVER YOUR MIND. WITH THE RIGHT PLAN AND THE RIGHT TEAM, IT CAN BE ORGANIZED, CALM, AND EVEN EXCITING.”
Everything was presented in a complete design package with selections already made. The clients were able to give feedback and request edits, but they did not have to make hundreds of piecemeal decisions week after week. This approach reduces decision fatigue by offering a clear vision and guiding refinement rather than chaos.
Turnkey design also means shielding clients from unnecessary stress. We worked closely with local Durango remodeler Chris Meyer of CMS Construction, collaborating daily to solve problems quickly without pulling the homeowners into the weeds. At one point, we discovered a structural post hidden inside an original wall. Rather than allowing it to become a disruption, we integrated it into a tall storage cabinet, preserving the structure and making it feel intentional.
By the end of the project, the home had a completely new energy. The seating supports conversation and comfort. The fireplace adds warmth and purpose. The kitchen invites gathering, and the dining table makes hosting feel effortless. The clients visited the site twice, once mid-construction and once after construction was complete, before furnishings were installed.
Then came the moment everyone looks forward to: the “big reveal”. Walking into a fully furnished, styled home — done. No running around town. No stress.
Interior design by Christine Heartsill, owner and principal designer of Mountain Luxe Interiors in Southwest Colorado.
A HIGH DESERT GARDENER’S GUIDE TO PLANTING IN DURANGO’S SHIFTING SEASONS
Serviceberry
Nanking Cherry
PLANTING BETWEEN SEASONS
ARTICLE BY JANINE COLLINS
March always walks a precarious line between winter and spring. Sunny days make you want to get out and play in the garden, while nighttime temperatures keep the ground frozen solid, even without snow cover. At least snow cover helps insulate the soil and retain moisture. For Janine Collins, botanist and owner of Botanical Concepts, this seasonal tension is a familiar rhythm in Southwest Colorado. Spring can be confounding for gardeners in the high mountain desert, where temperature fluctuations are extreme. In a place where the weather is already unpredictable, climate change has taken that unpredictability to new heights. Over the past few years, spring has arrived warmer and earlier in the day, yet nighttime temperatures remain very cold. This can be confusing for humans because we are asleep in our warm, temperature-controlled homes and only feel the daytime warmth. Emotionally, we are ready to plant.
Nighttime temperatures, however, are the most important factor when determining when to plant. A good rule of thumb is this: if you can get a shovel into the ground, you can plant in it. Perennial seeds can also be put out at this time. Once nighttime temperatures remain above freezing, spread seeds.
If you are just beginning to create a garden space, start with trees and shrubs and go native. Native plants benefit bugs and critters, use the least amount of water, and most importantly, they are one of the most effective ways to sequester carbon right in your own backyard.
First, Amelanchier alnifolia , commonly known as serviceberry, is my favorite. There are several beautiful varieties. It is edible for all, filled with blooms in the spring, and offers a stunning color change in the fall. Cistena plum, Nanking cherry, and crabapples all bring color and texture with very little water and can handle intense heat. Sumacs come in different sizes and shapes and put on an impressive fall color display. In shadier areas, snowberry, available in both small and large varieties, offers sweet light pink blooms followed by white berries.
My top evergreen tree choices are Rocky Mountain juniper, Colorado spruce, and Douglas fir. Juniperus scopulorum , the Rocky Mountain juniper, can reach 25 by 25 feet and does take up space, but it has many hybrids that offer a wide range of height and width options. Douglas fir is a particularly beautiful tree with a softness that Colorado spruce lacks, and it grows faster.
My favorite deciduous tree is the Amur maple, Acer tataricum . It is the only maple that requires very low water, and its colorful seed pods add seasonal interest.
Seeds are the cheapest, easiest, and in my opinion, the most entertaining way to grow perennials. Watch the weather, and if there is any chance of precipitation on the horizon, throw your seeds before or during it. If moisture is not in the forecast, be sure to water generously. These are the plants I have found to be the most successful when grown from seed:
• Blue grama grass ( Bouteloua gracilis)
• Yarrow ( Achillea millefolium)
• Penstemon ( Penstemon spp.)
• Cranesbill geranium (Geranium spp.)
• Bee balm ( Monarda spp.)
Pay attention to the soil and the overnight temperatures, and your garden will tell you when it’s ready. In the mountains, timing is everything.
Yarrow
Bee balm
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