Fort Collins, CO March 2026

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Home & Design Issue

Home. Just four letters, yet it holds so much meaning. It’s our sanctuary, our foundation, and the place where life unfolds. Home is where we begin and end each day, where our lives take shape, and where our hearts find rest. While the specifics of what “home” looks like vary for each of us, its significance is universal.

Author Wendy Wunder captured it perfectly: “The magic thing about home is that it feels good to leave, and it feels even better to come back.” With that in mind, this month’s issue focuses on what makes home special—from the warmth of shared meals and thoughtfully designed spaces to the people who bring it all to life.

This month, we had the privilege of connecting with local businesses and individuals who shape this community. Their stories highlight the creativity, resilience, and heart that make this area feel like home. We hope that as you turn these pages, you’ll be inspired to strengthen your connections—whether within your neighborhood, your city, or your own walls.

Many of our readers tell us they hold onto this magazine long after the month on its cover, treasuring it as a piece of home—whether as coffee table art or a source of inspiration. That’s a tradition we’re proud to uphold, and we remain committed to delivering the value you expect each month.

Thank you for welcoming us into your homes. Here’s to making this March a celebration of the spaces and people that matter most.

Happy March!

AMANDA BROOKSMITH, PUBLISHER @FORTCOLLINSCITYLIFESTYLE

March 2026

PUBLISHER

Amanda Brooksmith amanda.brooksmith@citylifestyle.com

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Rachel Otto

LAYOUT DESIGNER Lillian Gibbs

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Hannah Leimkuhler

Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.

ARTICLE BY RHIANNON JOHNSON

Stunning and UNIQUE HOMES

It takes a lot of work to make a house a home. A home reflects your personal style, functions to meet your goals, and provides relief from the outside world. However, unless you are a design professional, you likely need a bit of guidance to turn your thoughts and ideas into reality. One way to create a sanctuary that combines all the elements of your dream home is by immersing yourself in the advice and visions of award-winning architects and designers.

Flip through the gorgeous, glossy, photo-filled pages of these beautiful books and apply their lessons to your own home.

Learn how to integrate elegant timelessness, celebrate bold colors and eclectic patterns, or embrace the past while living stylishly in the present. You can then combine this global range of influences, unique perspectives, and aesthetic applications to create your own original design plan.

Whether you’re building a new home, planning a renovation, or your home is simply a constant work in progress, these four new releases are sure to provide the inspiration you need to transition your house into your dream home—whatever that may look like and wherever that may be. Enjoy!

Find inspiration in these four gorgeous books.

“LEARN HOW TO INTEGRATE elegant timelessness, AND celebrate BOLD COLORS AND eclectic patterns, OR embrace THE PAST WHILE LIVING IN the present.”

Palm Beach Style: Villa d’Este:

LEGEND ON LAKE COMO

In 1568 Tolomeo Gallio commissioned a grand villa overlooking Italy’s magnificent Lake Como. After two centuries in the Gallio family, Villa d’Este became home to multiple members of the aristocracy before being transformed into an elegant five-star resort in 1873. After 150 years of catering to an endless array of famous guests wishing to immerse themselves in “la dolce vita,” Villa d’Este stands as an example of blending tradition and modernity to create absolute luxury.

THE ARCHITECTURE AND ADVOCACY OF JOHN AND JANE VOLK

In the 1920s, American royalty wanted to establish a winter retreat and show off their newfound wealth.

Building grand homes inspired by European palaces, they created one of the world’s most famous resort towns. Commissioned to design over 2,000 projects during his sixty years of practice, John Volk’s legacy as one of the “big five” architects of Palm Beach, can now be seen on almost every street.

THE RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE OF D. STANLEY DIXON

Atlanta-based architect Stan Dixon has received tremendous media attention since the founding of his firm D. Stanley Dixon Architect, Inc. in 2006. His highly-anticipated debut book showcases thirteen projects from across the country. From a relaxed Jupiter Island coastal retreat to an elegant English-manor-inspired South Carolina home, each project varies geographically and stylistically, highlighting a variety of different aesthetic components.

Our Way Home:

REIMAGINING AN AMERICAN FARMHOUSE

The defined style of cozy and simple living has led to a rise in American farmhouse design in recent years. Interior designer Heide Hendricks and architect-builder Rafe Churchill show how they have brought twenty-first-century living to their late nineteenth-century New England farmhouse. This husband-and-wife team combined their talents to create a historic home that is both a personal retreat designed for everyday life and a constant source of inspiration for their other projects.

Built for How You Live in Colorado

Peterson Canvas & Awning: Experience, Performance, and Personalization Shaping Outdoor Spaces that Feel Like Yours

Colorado, with its scenic views, over 300 days per year of sunshine, and vibrant seasons, provides the perfect backdrop for outdoor living experiences. Northern Coloradobased Peterson Canvas & Awning LLC have helped homeowners enjoy their outdoor spaces for nearly 70 years. Current owners, Natalia Crofut and Gilles Arnaud, bring topnotch products and service to the Northern Colorado region, guided by Natalia’s three decades of manufacturing experience.

Homeowners benefit from a process that begins with seeing each project through their eyes, shaped by how they would want the experience to feel. Needs of the clients guide every decision in this collaborative approach with careful attention paid to what they hope to achieve and how they imagine using the space. Beyond the initial vision, thoughtful considerations - sun orientation, the sun’s seasonal path, daily use patterns, time-ofday comfort, and the home’s architectural character - all influence the design and ideal placement of the final product. The surrounding landscape also plays a role, including nearby trees, neighboring homes, walkways, and other visual elements that contribute to the overall harmony of the space.

The homeowner’s perspective shapes every conversation, grounding each project in how the space should feel and function for the people who live there. The clients’ needs are at the center of every recommendation

ARTICLE BY DANA OLSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID GROSSMAN WITH COLORADO PHOTOGRAPHY

made by the sales team, Natalia and Jim, drawing on their expertise to guide decisions about proportions, materials, construction methods, and details such as the best way to attach an awning to the home. They consider practical questions - like whether ambient light might interfere with a mobile workspace, which could call for a darker fabric, or whether a drop shade would help when the sun dips beneath an awning. To give homeowners a clear sense of the final environment, they work closely to refine scale, line, and color, ensuring the awning complements the architecture and truly feels as though it “visually belongs to the house.”

Performance is non-negotiable for the Peterson team - from the sales team, the office manager, to the seamstresses and installers. To provide the best possible experience for their clients, they work closely with manufacturer, Eclipse Outdoor, which provides excellent warranties and real-time customer support - something not commonly found in the industry. This partnership allows Peterson

to offer homeowners in-the-moment answers, expert recommendations, and exceptional products.

Installers James and Rachael bring just as much care and personal touch to the installation process, listening carefully to each client to ensure the installation is just as the client desires. A job is not considered complete until the customer is 100% satisfied.

Some homeowners are pleasantly surprised by how dramatically their outdoor living experience can change with thoughtful shade and protection. Peterson Canvas & Awning LLC wants that experience to feel inviting, helping people picture how different life will feel once comfort, shade, and even privacyenhanced by options like solar screens - are in place. Peterson recognizes that these designs are a true investment, often functioning as an additional room of the house and encouraging homeowners to linger, relax, and entertain outdoors. Enclosures can shield against wind and shifting weather, and when paired with heaters, even Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter gatherings can comfortably move outside.

Installers James and Rachael bring hands-on care and precision to every Peterson Canvas & Awning installation.

“A job is not considered complete until the customer is 100% satisfied.”

March is the ideal time to begin planning the transformation of your outdoor living space. Because each product is custom and crafted to a high standard, the turnaround time is generally four to six weeks. Thoughtful planning now makes it easier to enjoy your outdoor space throughout the year.

From retractable awnings to solar screens, interior shades, sail shades, and pergola covers Peterson Canvas & Awning LLC brings personalized care and attention into every project. In addition to their premium shade solutions, they provide custom sewing of anything from dog beds to fireplace covers.

To enhance your outdoor living environment, be sure to contact Peterson Canvas & Awning LLC at (970) 493-4033 or info@petersoncanvas.com.

The Fresh Start

A GUIDE TO PEACEFUL AND INTENTIONAL SPRING CLEANING

ARTICLE BY HEATHER SPINKS

Take a second to close your eyes and picture this: The afternoon sun streams through your windows, casting a warm glow across the room. Outside, Robins and Blue Jays sing their familiar melody, welcoming the season’s return. A gentle breeze slips through the slightly cracked window, carrying the crisp scent of early spring as your curtains sway softly. You stand in your kitchen, pouring a midday cup of coffee, feeling lighter—hopeful even—because warmer days are on their way.

There’s something about this fresh, ethereal feeling that not only melts away the last traces of winter but also sparks a quiet urge to refresh our surroundings. The cupboards that need decluttering, the baseboards that have gone untouched for months, the unworn clothes that no longer serve us—it all calls for renewal. This is the essence of spring cleaning: clearing out the old to make space for the new, both in our homes and in our minds.

For some, the idea of cleaning feels anything but peaceful. The thought of tackling clutter and dust can be overwhelming, turning what should be a refreshing transition into a dreaded chore. That’s why we’ve created a simple, practical guide to help you navigate spring cleaning with ease, turning it into a rhythmic, intentional process that mirrors the calm of the season itself.

Spring cleaning isn’t just about scrubbing and decluttering—it’s about creating a home that nurtures and uplifts you. By embracing this season of renewal with a gentle, intentional approach, you can welcome spring with open arms and a refreshed spirit.

Let this be the year when cleaning isn’t a chore but a ritual—a way to honor your home and the season’s promise of new beginnings.

Week1

Refresh and Declutter

• Open windows for fresh air and let the natural light in.

• Declutter surfaces—countertops, coffee tables and shelves—removing anything unnecessary.

• Go through kitchen cabinets and toss expired pantry items and mismatched containers.

• Sort through closets, donating or repurposing clothes you haven’t worn in the past year.

• Wipe down baseboards and dust ceiling fans, light fixtures and vents.

Week2

Deep Clean and Rejuvenate

• Wash windows and mirrors to welcome in the sunlight.

• Deep clean the fridge and pantry, wiping down shelves and organizing items.

• Launder curtains, cushion covers and throw blankets.

• Vacuum and shampoo rugs and carpets for a fresh start.

• Rotate and flip mattresses; wash all bedding, including pillows.

Outdoor and Seasonal Transitions Week3

• Sweep porches, patios and outdoor furniture, preparing for warm-weather gatherings.

• Check gutters and downspouts to ensure proper drainage.

• Tidy up gardens and potted plants, removing dead leaves and refreshing the soil.

• Store winter coats and boots, making space for lighter spring essentials.

• Replace seasonal decor—bring in fresh flowers, soft pastels and airy textures.

• Touch-up scuff marks on walls and doors.

• Stock up on cleaning supplies to maintain a fresh environment.

• Set a simple weekly cleaning routine to keep your home feeling refreshed.

• Light a scented candle or diffuse essential oils to celebrate your clean, peaceful space.

Week

4

Finishing Touches and Maintenance

Creating a Cozy Hive

A home is more than just four walls and a roof. It’s a sanctuary—a place where we find comfort, security, and a reflection of our personal style. For Kari and Nick Schaneman, owners of Bumble Bee Blinds, the journey to helping homeowners craft these intimate spaces started with an unexpected turn in life. In May of 2023, Nick was laid off from his long-time career in energy, a shift that propelled him toward the dream of owning his own business. With Kari stepping in to manage day-to-day operations, the couple took a leap of faith, launching Bumble Bee Blinds with a commitment to quality, integrity, and community.

MORE THAN JUST WINDOW COVERINGS

At first glance, window coverings might seem like a simple aesthetic choice, but they play a much bigger role in shaping the atmosphere of a home. Bumble Bee Blinds creates spaces that feel safe, warm, and uniquely personal. With an interior designer on staff, they help homeowners select treatments that blend function and style, ensuring each space reflects the homeowner’s vision. Their selection includes energy-efficient shades for budget-conscious customers, artisan fabrics to elevate ambiance, and eco-friendly materials that make a statement while supporting sustainability.

“When we started the business, one of the first tasks was developing our core values,” Kari says. “Do what you say, do the right thing, choose your mood (and make it a good one), and always work to positively impact the community and those around you.” Initially, Kari wasn’t sure how selling blinds could positively impact the community. But looking back, she realized just how much they had contributed. “I realize we really have made a difference,” she reflects. From training future designers through CSU’s Interior Design Program to

“We truly care about our customers. If a customer is going to have a problem, we want them to have that problem with us because we will make it right.”

supporting other businesses through referrals, their impact reaches far beyond window treatments.

JUGGLING BUSINESS AND FAMILY LIFE

Running a business while raising three young children has its challenges. “Some days I want to quit. Starting a business is hard, especially with limited experience. My husband is an eternal optimist. He helps to drive us forward and see all the good things we have done,” Kari vulnerably shares. Their kids love coming to the warehouse, seeing firsthand the success their parents are building, and being a part of something that is truly family focused.

Regardless of the challenges, Bumble Bee Blinds continues to thrive. In their first two years of business, they covered nearly 2,500 windows and were honored as Best of NOCO for the past two years. Their dedication to quality ensures that every customer receives top-notch window treatments that last. As Kari puts it, “We stand behind our work and our products to make sure you have an experience that is as sweet as honey. We also love bee puns,” which is apparent from the moment you speak with Kari or step in the Bumble Bee Blinds office and warehouse.

A BUSINESS ROOTED IN COMMUNITY

Bumble Bee Blinds isn’t just about beautifying homes— it’s about giving back. They actively participate in the local

Chambers of Commerce and community events, strengthening their connection to the residents of Northern Colorado. They have donated time and resources to charitable initiatives, including a golf tournament supporting Stillwater Ranch benefitting veterans and their loved ones. Their involvement with Habitat for Humanity is another testament to their commitment, as they participated in a Women’s Build Day and provided window treatments for the new homeowner when she moved in early last year.

Beyond their charitable efforts, Kari and Nick believe in fostering a supportive business community. They work closely with other small business owners, building relationships that go beyond transactions. Their referrals help fellow businesses thrive, and they take pride in knowing that their work contributes to the overall success of the local economy.

TURNING A HOUSE INTO A HOME

Window treatments aren’t just functional; they set the mood of a home. Soft draperies create a cozy, romantic ambiance, natural materials make a bold statement while being eco-friendly, and shutters offer timeless elegance that can increase a home’s value. Whether a homeowner is looking for energy-efficient solutions or custom designs, Bumble Bee Blinds offers options that enhance comfort, privacy, and style.

Kari jokes that she now notices window treatments everywhere—at friends’ houses, restaurants, even in movies and TV shows. Once you’re fully immersed in the world of blinds, there’s no going back. And while she and Nick love bringing style and function to homes, they also find humor in the little things, keeping their journey lighthearted amid the hard work.

A FAMILY-FOCUSED FUTURE

Despite belonging to a national franchise under HorsePower Brands, Kari and Nick have made Bumble Bee Blinds their own. With three other franchise locations in Colorado, they have built strong relationships with fellow owners, exchanging support and ideas daily. Yet, at its core, their business remains deeply personal.

Their team is an extension of their family. When designer Jessica welcomes her second child in April, Kari looks forward to babysitting—allowing Jessica to continue creating beautiful solutions for residential and commercial spaces. For them, family life and business life flow together naturally, reflecting their core belief that success should never come at the expense of personal connection.

THE BUMBLE BEE PROMISE

At the end of the day, their mission is simple: to make the process of transforming a space as easy—and sweet—as honey. From the initial consultation to installation, they bring professionalism, passion, and, of course, plenty of bee puns. Every product is backed by limited lifetime warranties, ensuring that homeowners not only receive top-notch window treatments but also peace of mind.

Bumble Bee Blinds isn’t just selling blinds; they’re creating spaces that feel like home. And thanks to their unwavering dedication, their customers can rest easy knowing they’re in good hands.

Bumble Bee Blinds | 970-585-5033

Set your schedule. Make an impact. Build a life you’re proud of.

Behind each of our 200+ City Lifestyle magazines is someone who cares deeply about their community. Someone who connects people, celebrates businesses, and shares the stories that matter most. What if that someone was you?

Or

ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD

PHOTOGRAPHY BY

DAN JENKINS, AMANDA PROUDFIT

MID-CENTURY WARMTH, REIMAGINED

There’s a certain moment when a house stops feeling new and starts feeling like home. It isn’t marked by square footage or finishes alone. It is something quieter, more emotional. In this home, designer Kate Manz set out to do exactly that: give a newly built home a heartbeat and a soul.

Rather than treating the house as one sweeping statement, she approached each room as its own story, layered with meaning, memory, and texture. The result is a home that feels collected, personal, and deeply lived-in.

“Tackling each space and room as its own story and concept is how to make a new space feel personal,” Manz explains. “But bringing it all together cohesively is always the challenge.”

Her solution? Warmth, intention, and a strong belief in the power of people. In new builds it can take years for a home to shed its newness. For this project, the goal was to fast-track that sense of belonging by layering in pieces with history and heart. Vintage market finds, local artists, and meaningful objects play a starring role throughout the home.

“My love for design goes hand in hand with the people and stories that bring it to life,” she says. “I absolutely love seeing the evolution from concept to completion and all the elements and people that help bring those ideas to reality.”

That philosophy becomes especially important in the home’s expansive open-concept living area, where scale could easily overpower intimacy.

MATERIALS:

DESIGN TAKEAWAY:

In large rooms, architectural details like niches, built-ins, or material changes can create visual rhythm while giving meaningful objects a true home.

THE OPEN CONCEPT, REIMAGINED

The main living space is defined by bringing the outside in with sweeping outdoor views and generous proportions. Rather than fighting that openness, embrace it.

“The big open concept room really highlights the expansive outdoor views,” she says, “but making intimate spaces within that open room was really important.”

A layered niche wall, created in collaboration with the interior architect Nick Flower, brings both structure and softness to the room. It introduces texture, depth, and a place for unique objects and family heirlooms to live, turning negative space into a personal gallery.

LOUNGE: A STUDY IN CALM AND DEPTH

Designed as a counterpoint to the openness of the main living area, the lounge is a cocoon, both peaceful, layered, and deeply versatile. It’s a place for reading, movie nights and slow mornings.

Rich tones and varied textures do the heavy lifting here, creating depth without heaviness. Soft lighting and custom upholstery make the room feel both intentional and effortless.

MATERIALS:

Virginia Sin pendant light, In Common With sconce, Arté Oblong wall covering in Ochre, Particular Tile in Vapor, Custom sage velvet sofa, Plush Vintage Moroccan rug

DESIGN TAKEAWAY:

When a room serves many purposes, let texture and tone create cohesion. A restrained palette with varied finishes keeps the space flexible and serene.

ENTRYWAY: A WARM WELCOME

The entryway sets the tone with a simple but powerful goal: Welcome to my home.

Natural stone underfoot grounds the space, while a soft vintage rug and living greenery immediately soften the experience. Art with personal meaning invites guests to linger rather than rush through.

CONTINUED >

MATERIALS:

Luca split stone pavers, Vintage Turkish rug, Plants, Virginia Sin Wall hook

DESIGN TAKEAWAY:

An entryway doesn’t need to be loud to be memorable. Combine tactile materials with one or two meaningful elements to create an instant emotional connection.

POWDER BATH: SMALL ROOM, BOLD SPIRIT

If there’s one place Manz encourages clients to take risks, it’s the powder room. Here, she leaned into terracotta earth tones, layering textures and tile sizes for visual interest and warmth. Patterned and solid tiles work together, while textured wall coverings and a sculptural stone sink elevate the space from functional to delightful.

MATERIALS:

Particular Tile in Satin Terracotta and Vanilla Bean, Arté Wallcovering Shards in Brick Red, Red travertine sink, Rachel Donath chunky mirror, Playful art work by Olivia Fields

DESIGN TAKEAWAY:

Small spaces are ideal for experimentation. Mix patterns, finishes, and textures within a tight color family to create depth without overwhelm.

PRIMARY BATH PERSPECTIVE:

Restraint is key. A simple, elevated foundation allows for flexibility—style can evolve through art, accessories, and soft textures.

At its core, this home is a reminder that design isn’t about perfection, but rather it’s about feeling. By treating each room as its own narrative while weaving in warmth, history, and human connection, a space was created that already feels loved.

PROJECT CREDITS

Builder - Buildwell

Architect and Interior Architect -

Flower Architecture

Designer - Kate Manz

HOUSEPLANTSThe Perfect Roommate

AN INDOOR GARDEN SANCTUARY

The ubiquitous houseplant has long been a cautious curiosity for many. Comments such as “I don’t have a green thumb,” or “I can’t keep anything alive,” have echoed through the rooms and hallways of almost every home in America. Well, it’s time to dispel all the mistruths about whether houseplants are beneficial and to lay the foundation for a little oasis of green happiness in the corner of every home!

By the way, you don’t really need a green thumb as there are plenty of hard-to-kill houseplants that can survive any level of neglect! And remember not only do houseplants look pretty, they also decrease stress and anxiety, increase happiness, and bring a sense of joy and relaxation to every room.

ARTICLE BY SEAN O’KEEFE

Houseplants make us feel better about ourselves in many ways because they allow us to care for them and we reap the rewards of that love. No one is alone when you have a houseplant, as they are our forever listeners. Yes, some people actually do talk with their houseplants all day long! There are many science-based benefits to having houseplants in the home and office environment. Aside from reducing indoor air pollutants and increasing humidity in the

home, house plants have been shown to reduce mental fatigue, accelerate the healing process, as well as improve productivity and focus.

Pothos, spider plants, lady palms, yucca, and succulents are so pretty and easy to grow. It is no wonder that we have seen a revival of indoor gardening trends.  Instagram is teeming with photos of incredible indoor “living green” vignettes that show us all how clever we can be when decorating with house plants! All you

There are many sciencebased benefits to having houseplants in the home and office environment.

really need is to a pick a place in the home that has the best light and pick your plants.

Think outside of the box when it comes to decorating with houseplants. Look for underused spaces. Use mixed and matched pots of different sizes and shapes. Turn a shelf into a plant display. Go vertical with some hanging plants or an antique ladder. You can even group some of your favorite plants together into a single large decorative pot.

Signature large plant displays anchor the most well-designed rooms in America and it’s all there for us to look at, learn from, and bring into our own home. Whether combined into a single large decorative pot or clustered together in a corner, always remember the key to any house plant décor is to have a thriller, a tall plant usually with a strong color and form; filler plants that literally will fill the pot covering all the soil; and a spiller plant that trails over the edge

of the pot. Try any combination of your favorite plants or a tried and true combination of a fiddle-leaf fig, a prayer plant, and a string of pearls.

No matter how you look at it, houseplants improve our lives in many ways. Indoor gardens provide us an alternative way to commune with nature and to reconnect with the living world. We all benefit from the additional life that houseplants bring into our homes. In this crazy world of ours, wouldn’t be it nice to return home to your own personal indoor greenspace. Happy gardening!

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