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contents
ON THE COVER: Deck House by Rodwin Architecture and Skycastle Construction. (Photo courtesy: Rodwin Architecture).
atHome : INSPIRATION EDITION WRITERS
Brittany Anas, Linda Thorsen Bond, Emma Castleberry, Judy Finman, Adam Goldstein, Cynthia Harding, Sarah Huber, Julie Kailus, Wendy McMillan, Elise Oberliesen, Andy Stonehouse ADVERTISING FEATURES COORDINATOR / DESIGNER
Greg Stone RETAIL ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
Jill Stravolemos, Christine Labozan REAL ESTATE ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
Mary Romano ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS
Julie Casper, Pete Christiansen Ruth Garfield,Thais Hafer, Barbara Hunter, Kathy Johnson, Keith Kratochvil, Abbie Lance, Stacee McGovern, Nancy Peter, Shaelyn Rhinehart Dale Sekuler, Francine Wahlgren 4
AT HOME : INSPIRATION EDITION | SPRING 2019
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Panache Time: Home Styles to Bring Home
10 Eclectic Treasures 11 Discover Fabulous Finds by Shopping Consignment 12 Add Some Paint 14 Time to Take the Floor 18 Style and Function 21 Sustainable & Smart: Building a Custom Home 24 Look to the Light 28 Insight on Window Replacement 30 Creativity Inspires Commercial Engineering 34 Home, Smart Home 36 Fall in Love with your Outdoor Living Space 40 ‘Make Your Own’ Inspiration 42 Old Counters? Don’t Replace - Refinish At Home is an advertising supplement published by the Boulder Daily Camera, Longmont Times-Call and Colorado Hometown Weekly. ©2019 Prairie MountainMedia.com
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HOME DECOR
Panache Time THIS SEASON, BRING INSPIRATION HOME WITH HELP FROM BOULDER COUNTY DESIGNERS
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AT HOME : INSPIRATION EDITION | SPRING 2019
(Photo courtesy: Forma Furniture)
By Sarah Huber
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n home styles, 2019 is all about blending texture and color around conversation-sparking anchor pieces in a contemporary haven, said Hugo Brooks, owner of Indochine Home and Garden in Boulder. He explained, “An antique piece in a modern environment will warm the hard surfaces with depth.” He urged home owners to pour on “creativity and charm” with stone, wood and a plethora of textiles. Brooks travels regularly to Asia to secure antiques. The BDI Corridor Quad Wide Cabinet from Forma Furniture is the ultimate media cabinet, with louvered doors of solid wood that allow a speaker’s sound or a remote control’s signal to pass through unobstructed.The cabinet features a black, micro-etched glass top and black steel legs, and optional concealed wheels are included. Hugo Brooks’ wares at Indochine constantly change, but his customers’ love for sideboards endures. “This gorgeous cabinet crafted 60 to 80 years ago was re-lacquered in bright turquois in Asia,” Brooks said.The many drawers and levels makes it an efficient server with storage for napkins, table linens and flatware. (Photo courtesy: Indochine)
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Custom upholstery pulls a room from bland to “wow.” Wendy Rice at Home by Yours & Meyn encourages customers to bring in photos of their space for on-the-spot design advice or to schedule an in-home design consultation to determine the perfect look. A variety of colors, textures and, of course, designs revolve through the store.
As at Indochine, Home by Yours & Meyn in Louisville offers one-of-akind products from around the world. “Our unique buying approach allows customers to have products that aren’t going to be seen in their neighbors’ homes,” said Designer Wendy Rice. She recommended “quieting a space with neutrals and then bring in color with art, pillows, blankets, accessories and even window treatments.” Travis Garrish, president of Forma Furniture in Boulder, said the Scandinavian designs celebrated at Forma Furniture weave comfort with quality construction. He suggested, “Think about contrasting textures from your sofa or chair and add color with pillows, art or an area rug.” Take the advice of local design aficionados and drape your home with captivating furnishings from Indochine Home and Garden, HOME by Yours & Meyn and Forma Furniture. Indochine Home and Garden 7123 Araphahoe Road, Boulder, 303.444.7734, indochinehomeimport.com.
(LEFT) The Stressless Mayfair recliner from Forma Furniture is both elegant and laidback. Endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association, molded polyurethane cold foam provides fine-tuned support, and plush polyester fibers offer “a gentle touch of indulgence,” says Travis Garrish of Forma Furniture. An optional leather finishes feels sumptuous. (RIGHT) The Koncept Z-Bar LED Desk Lamp is the answer to the most demanding lighting tasks – while serving as an eye-catching furniture piece.The lamp’s head spins and moves forward and back and may be dimmed. Boasting a flexible, streamlined design and intuitive functionality, the Z-Bar deserves its reputation as a leader in LED lighting, Garrish said. 8
AT HOME : INSPIRATION EDITION | SPRING 2019
Home by Yours & Meyn 721 S. Front St., Unit B, Louisville, 303.665.2500, homebyyoursandmeyn.com. Forma Furniture 2460 Canyon Blvd., #L-05, Boulder, 303.442.2742, ormafurniture.com.
A first-rate decorative vase is much more than a flower holder. Consider this birch vase that proclaims a passion for the outdoors and is environmentally friendly, with its use of castoff wood. HOME by Yours & Meyn carries a host of inspiring and whimsical vases to complement any atmosphere.
Because selections at HOME by Yours & Meyn are ever evolving, the store’s designers group home accessories into trademark concepts, including innovative storage solutions. “Funky galvanized baskets,” said Designer Wendy Rice, are again popular in 2019 and channel a bit of history and a lot of western chic.
While Indochine is primarily a furnishings store, the frost-proof garden pottery Brooks imports from China and Vietnam are perennially among his bestsellers. He noted, “They come in all kinds of designs, shapes and colors, and since they’re fired at high temperature, they are guaranteed not to crack from frost” – quite a feat in Colorado’s shifting spring temperatures.
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HOME DECOR
Eclectic Treasures SPARK YOUR IMAGINATION AT FRONT RANGE MERCANTILE BY LINDA THORSEN BOND PHOTOS COURTESY OF FRONT RANGE MERCANTILE
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oes shopping mean rushing into a store, grabbing one of many identical items and hurrying out? Well, where’s the fun in that? If you welcome the joy of discovery, the thrill of the search and the serendipity of surprise, you should be shopping at the Front Range Mercantile. A family-owned and operated business that started in 1989, Longmont’s Front Range Mercantile is 21,000 square feet of eclectic treasures. Owners Marj Sater and Vicky Andrew work with more than ninety dealers who have unique antiques, collectibles, furniture and household items you won’t find anywhere else. There’s such a wide selection of merchandise that you might wander the aisles and not see the same thing twice. There are new arrivals every weekday, but there’s also the chance that the one thing you loved will be sold right out from under you if you don’t snatch it up when you see it. Here are some items to spark your imagination.
Front Range Mercantile 1201 S. Sunset St., Longmont 303.776.6605, facebook.com/frontrangemercantile. RIGHTEOUSLY ROUGH When you really, really don’t want to look like you shopped the big box store, consider these blue steel and wood floor pallets. They would be excellent for large plants at 22” wide, 28” long and 8” tall. Each pallet is sold individually. WARMING UP THE GUEST ROOM Why not treat your guests to a bit of nostalgia when they visit? It doesn’t take a lot of room to accent a shelf or table.The covered wagon harks back to the Old West, but it just looks antique – it’s new and made of resin and cloth ($79).The metal dollhouse is from the 1950s or ‘60s and is hearty enough to be taken down and played with or just offer a touch of home on a shelf. 10
AT HOME : INSPIRATION EDITION | SPRING 2019
MISSING THE GOOD OL’ DAYS? How about taking a pause that refreshes with this ‘50s Coca Cola machine? Made in 1955, it held 10-cent cokes when it came off the assembly line 64 years ago. It is fully restored and has been converted to dispense modern cans so it can be used today. It’s 17” wide 22” deep and 58” tall ($750). There are over 5,000 people in the Coca Cola Collectors Club, in case you want to buy the world a coke. THE INDUSTRIAL LOOK Nothing says effortless cool and easy maintenance better than industrial style. This refers to an aesthetic trend in interior design that takes clues from old factories and industrial spaces that in recent years have been converted to lofts and other living spaces. Industrial style can also be seen in the use of unexpected materials, like those of this table and stools. The metal table is four and a half feet tall and the stools are adjustable height.They are weathered grey with black powder coating and wooden seats. COOKING UP THE MID-CENTURY KITCHEN The NY Times did a study on why mid-century furniture is so popular and decided: “It’s good for small spaces (which makes sense for an increasingly urban population). It’s easy to find and available at every price point.The shapes are classic. And it goes with everything.” Mid-century modern is limited to 1947 to 1957. However you define it, mid-century style is one of the most sought-out trends at Front Range Mercantile. A good example is this kitchen cabinet of wood and orange laminate. It’s heavy solid wood and the drawers and tray slots work smoothly.The cabinet is 24” long, 48” wide and 36” inches tall.
I
DISCOVER FABULOUS FINDS BY SHOPPING CONSIGNMENT
f you have not been into a consignment store recently, you may be pleasantly surprised! It is a wonderful alternative to all the run-of-the-mill chain retail stores and strip malls. Clarissa Edelen, owner of Fabulous Finds Upscale Consignment, said, “Consignment is a strong trending industry because these stores have personality, eclectic inventory, great customer service and quality items as everything is hand selected to match the desires of their clientele. We basically “shop” your favorite
stores and have them all under one roof! Be it Restoration Hardware, Crate & Barrel, Homestead House, Tiffany’s, Nordstroms, John Atencio, or David Urman as well as
your favorite boutique brands, we like to say ‘we have it all from Gap to Gucci including Louis Vuitton!’ You can find things literally from all over the world in a consignment store. Fabulous Finds Upscale Consignment! We have been in business for six years and have over 10,500 consignors and over 75,000 items in the store on any given day.” Fabulous Finds Upscale Consignment 600 S. Airport Road, Longmont 720.340.4152, fabfindsconsign.com ATHOMECOLORADO.COM
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HOME IMPROVEMENT
Add Some Paint! 5 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE MAKING THAT FIRST BRUSH STROKE BY JULIE KAILUS PHOTOS COURTESY OF FIVE STAR PAINTING
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here’s nothing that says happy home (or office) like a fresh coat of paint. But choosing colors that actually look as good on walls or furnishings as they do on color swatches can be a challenge. And that’s just the selection process. Applying paint cleanly is a whole other story. Painting is tricky to get right. And color trends change regularly. But there
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AT HOME : INSPIRATION EDITION | SPRING 2019
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are people to help with that. To learn more about how to make painting the fun and inspiring home design project it should be, we caught up with Five Star Painting of Longmont. Here are five things you should know before making that first brush stroke. ON-TREND COLORS
Each year, Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams release picks for “colors of the year.” This year Benjamin Moore chose “Metropolitan,” a cool grey-blue. Sherwin Williams picked “Cavern Clay,” a warm orange with a Southwestern vibe. “This is a transition from last year’s colors of the years, which were a roasted pepper red and a deep aqua blue,” says Five Star Painting’s Alex Miller. “Both 2019 colors are more versatile and can be used to accentuate furniture, art or accent walls.” EYE ON ACCENTS
Accent walls remain a big trend for 2019. “It’s a great way to bring character and dimension into a space using paint,” Miller says. Plus it’s easy: Paint one or two walls in a room a bold color. In kitchens, cabinets are your accents. People continue to paint
over dated stained cabinets. Miller points to a recent project his company completed: white upper cabinets white with a dark gray on the lowers. “It looked fantastic!” Accent colors can work outside, too. “I think both 2019 colors would look fantastic on exteriors as well as interiors,” said Miller. “Both are fairly neutral and would look perfect with white trim and an accent color on the front door.” And that door is important. “It’s the first thing people interact with when they come to your home,” Miller said. The front door is a blank canvas for you to add some character to your home.” Color is character. WHITE ON THE CEILING
“If you haven’t painted your home since it was built, chances are that the ceilings match the wall color,” Miller explains. That’s a quick fix. A fresh coat of white paint on the ceilings can do wonders. “It helps hide dents, dings or imperfections,” he said. “And aesthetically, white ceilings brighten up rooms, create contrast from the walls, and make rooms feel larger and taller than they actually are.” PREMIUM PAINT FOR EXTERIORS
Miller said he’s seeing a lot of customers opt for “top-shelf ” paint.
And, indeed, not all paint is created equal. Higher quality paints can help protect siding and trim from Colorado’s harsh elements: sun, snow, even hail. And top-of-the-line paint can and last a long time, too, up to 15 years. HAND IT TO THE PROS
If painting is an overwhelming thought, get some help. It will be worth the money you spend. Miller reminds customers that his professional painters are “careerists.” That’s all they do. Estimates and color consultations are free, and technology lends a hand, too. “Let’s say you love a blue throw pillow on your couch,” Miller says. “We can use our ‘mobile color detector’ to pick out what that exact blue is and show you what it could look like on your walls or siding. From there, we can tell you what trim colors and accent colors would pair well with it.” Remember, painting should bring inspiration to your space – and you. If you love painting, go for it. If the prospect of painting scares you and you need it done perfectly, let it go to the pros. Five Star Painting Longmont, 303.622.5435, fivestarpainting.com/boulder. ATHOMECOLORADO.COM
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FLOORING
Time to Take the Floor IDEAS AND TRENDS FOR TRANSFORMATIONS UNDERFOOT
BY WENDY MCMILLAN PHOTOS COURTESY OF FLOORCRAFTERS
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e’re settled into the new year, refreshed and revitalized. Ready to do the same for your home, with style? Perhaps it’s time to treat your feet, and elevate your personal haven too. From first step across the 14
AT HOME : INSPIRATION EDITION | SPRING 2019
threshold, flooring matters. The right flooring expresses taste and purpose; offers solid ground and warm welcome. “Flooring can set the tone for the way you want your home to feel,” says Carpet Masters of Colorado Owner Mishelle Nauman. “It ties rooms together and creates cohesive space.”
Today’s consumers are more aware than ever of the impact of flooring on a home. They’re increasingly specific of what they are – and are not – looking for. What’s more, the qualities they seek go well beyond aesthetics. “As much as people are looking for fresh, new looks in flooring, they are committed to products and companies that match their values,” says Shaun Bezuindenhout, owner of Floor Crafters, wood flooring specialists and one of the longest standing flooring companies in Boulder. Floor Crafters donates a portion of profits each month to local charities and other non-profit organizations. Customers appreciate that commitment to community purpose, Bezuidenhout says. Concern for the environment also carries a great deal of weight in today’s decision-making. “Sustainability has always been something people care about, but its place as a deciding factor is becoming the norm.” Today, developments in the world of flooring mean people are bound to find themselves spoiled for options. That’s where knowledgeable professionals can really help lighten the load. If you’re pondering a new look, new finish, or entirely new material for your floors, know you can depend on skilled local resources committed to quality and customer satisfaction, from product guidance to installation. Here, experts offer tips and insights on the latest styles and trends to help you get your search for the perfect floor underway.
CARPET
Little competes with the satisfaction of simply taking off your shoes at the end of a long day and feeling the enveloping greeting of home. The warm, comforting, plush qualities of carpet go a long way in maintaining it as one of today’s most popular flooring mediums. With thousands of possibilities to choose from, let lifestyle be your guide and narrowing the search. “Always consider your daily lifestyle activity level,” Nauman says. “If you have pets and/or children, a more durable flooring category would be best suited for that lifestyle.” With today’s carpet range, lush softness and durability can go handin-hand. “We now have a selection of pet-proof and waterproof carpets, if you’re looking for a soft surface and easy clean-up,” Nauman says. Patterns are a great choice, too,
Nauman says, adding some texture and interest to your décor. LUXURY VINYL
Durable, stylish and comfortable, luxury vinyl that offers practical ease of maintenance alongside the natural look of hardwood or stone, at much more accessible prices than its natural counterparts. “We’ve been seeing more and more of our business moving toward vinyl planking in recent years,” says Aesthetic Flooring of Longmont Owner Aleana Kincaid. “It looks fabulous, is as cost effective as laminate, and is extremely versatile.” Want to make your room look larger? Nauman suggests wide planks in the hardwood look to enhance sense of spaciousness, alongside large format in tile. “Luxury vinyl is also durable, easy to maintain and waterproof, making
With thousands of carpet styles to choose from, let lifestyle be your guide and narrowing the search. (Photo: Shutterstock)
it a great choice for busy families,” Nauman adds. HARDWOOD
Rich, natural beauty and lasting strength are cornerstones of
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hardwood. While the gorgeous allure of hardwood itself may be timeless, the actual look – from cut to stain – is not. “The big thing now is, people are really tired of the narrow red oak planks popular in the 80s and 90s,” Bezuindenhout says. “They’re ready to refinish or replace with new, trendier options.” Wide, lighter-colored planks are particularly popular, Bezuindenhout says, adding that engineered words today are exceptional in the range of options they provide. “The new products are fantastic. They’re stable and sustainable. People can get the color, tone, feel and quality they’re looking for without a standard sand, stain, and re-finish.” TILE
Bringing a unique sense of style and elegance, tile is a timeless option that has been appreciated for centuries. For those with pets
or young children, ceramic tile may provide the perfect blend of beauty and safety. Moreover, they are low maintenance and affordable. Aesthetic Flooring offers a huge variety of quality tile and stone options that enhance any room – rustic to contemporary, indoors and outdoors, from kitchens to patios and more. LAMINATE
Not only do stunning laminate options perfectly mimic the texture, color and grain of real woods, stone, slate, and ceramic, they can endure heavy traffic while resisting moisture and stains … and they’re notably reasonably priced. “Laminate allows us to get a new floor into a home at a reasonable price that looks exactly like wood flooring,” Bezuindenhout says. “It’s a quality product people can feel happy when they buy – and one of the strongest, most durable
options. For families with kids and pets, laminate may be the best choice.” As with hardwood flooring, laminate today comes with a staggering range of choice. As with hardwood, Bezuindenhout says laminate is most sought after in wider planks and lighter colors. If the trends aren’t to your taste, though, no need to fret. The color spectrum offers everything from dark chocolate to pale white. Carpet Masters of Colorado 618 S. Sunset St., Longmont, 303.651.2407, longmont.floorstogo.com. Floor Crafters Hardwood Floor Company 6395 Gunpark Drive, Boulder, 303.449.3084, floorcraftersboulder.com. Aesthetic Floording 4350 CO-66, Longmont, 970.535.0461, aestheticflooring.com.
970-535-0461 www.aestheticflooring.com 4350 Hwy 66 • Longmont, CO
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Increase your home value and brighten your home with new flooring.
All Major Brands: Carpet • Hardwood • Tile • Stone • Luxury Vinyl Planking • Laminate • Concrete Polishing • Epoxy Coating
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AT HOME : INSPIRATION EDITION | SPRING 2019
REAL ESTATE
Selling Your Home CURB APPEAL TIPS FROM THE PROS
and hopeful, and home buyers are especially in this mindset.” UPDATE THE GARAGE AND/OR FRONT DOOR
“A very simple and inexpensive way to increase a home’s curb appeal is to focus on the garage door,” Gribbon says. “Updating with a new door, or repainting one that’s been beaten up, can go a long way.” This principle applies to the front door of the home, as well. A front door will be a buyer’s first impression of the home, and it’s an affordable and easy element to update with a can of paint and a little patience. A FLOWER POT GOES A LONG WAY
BY EMMA CASTLEBERRY PHOTO COURTESY OF RICH GRIBBON
S
elling a home is no small feat, even when the market is in your favor. Curb appeal is one of the most simple and important ways that sellers can improve the value of their home and encourage a quicker sales process. “Curb appeal is essentially a home’s first impression,” says Richard Gribbon, a broker with RE/MAX of Boulder. “Buyers pull up to a home with all kinds of needs and desires for their lifestyle ahead. Shipshape homes with timeless design will always appeal first. This goes for every segment of the market – starter, mid-level or luxury.” Lisa Wade, a broker associate with RE/MAX of Boulder, says that a home has good curb appeal when “the property looks clean, well maintained, at least marginally up to date.” She adds that the results of good curb appeal are definitely worthwhile. “If a home has good curb appeal, potential buyers will stop and want to come inside,” she says. “It draws them in.”
But where to start? Wade and Gribbon have a few suggestions for increasing the curb appeal for your home. LANDSCAPING IS YOUR FRIEND
Both Gribbon and Wade identified landscaping as one of the most important elements of curb appeal, and Wade even mentioned that many people can overlook this simple factor when prepping their house for sale. “A tidy aesthetic communicates order and ease, which are subtly very appealing to buyers,” says Gibbons. “I advise sellers to focus on cleaning up landscaping, dusting cobwebs from the entry, and keeping snow neatly shoveled in winter.” CLUTTER IS YOUR ENEMY
Gribbon says tidying up and decluttering the front yard and home facade are simple but vital steps for achieving good curb appeal. “What’s not there makes a difference,” he says. “It’s the same, and frankly eternal, idea that writers like Marie Kondo have been capitalizing on lately: order makes people feel good
Once you have decluttered and simplified the facade and yard, focus on small, bright additions. “Add a few simple and timeless elements, like flower pots on the front porch, to bring cheer,” says Gibbons. Wade recommends “some patio furniture or a swing on a front porch, or a welcome mat.” Finishing touches like these can not only make the home appear more cheerful, but they can also provide a memorable quality for a buyer who is seeing several houses in a single day. DON’T OVERTHINK IT
This is perhaps the most important piece of advice from Gibbons and Wade on the topic of curb appeal. “Don’t overthink it,” says Gibbons. It’s a simple formula for improvement: declutter, simplify, and add some cheer! Rich Gribbon, RE/MAX of Boulder 2425 Canyon Blvd., #110, Boulder, 303.441.5685, richgribbon.com. Lisa Wade, RE/MAX of Boulder 2425 Canyon Blvd., #110, Boulder, 303.489.6242, boulderco.com. ATHOMECOLORADO.COM
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WINDOW TREATMENTS
Style and Function SMART AND ENERGY-EFFICIENT WINDOW TREATMENTS THAT ENHANCE YOUR HOME
Innovative Openings recently updated this home with Duette Honeycomb Shades by Hunter Douglas. BY JUDY FINMAN PHOTOS COURTESY OF INNOVATIVE OPENINGS
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nnovative Openings, based in Louisville, sells interior window blinds, shades and shutters, as well as exterior shading solutions including awnings and retractable insect screens. In addition to Hunter Douglas and other distinctive lines, they are especially proud to offer Insolroll Solar Shades, manufactured next door to their showroom in Louisville. According to Kim Newby in marketing, the clean look of roller shades makes them the fastest growing market segment. Consumers are interested in simple yet elegant, child-safe window treatments that don’t accumulate dust as traditional draperies do. They want to allow light flow and views, and offer functionality like motorization, smartphone control, creating scenes and schedules, and even using voice control. 18
AT HOME : INSPIRATION EDITION | SPRING 2019
Innovative Openings has its roots in energy-efficient window treatments. The company branched out from retail into manufacturing 30-plus years ago. Its manufacturing division is Insolroll Window Shading Systems, now an award-winning, nationally recognized brand offering solar, blackout, decorative and even patio shades. Insolroll Roller Shades are sold through a network of installing dealers across North America, but at Innovative Openings, you can buy them right here in Northern Colorado. The company’s experienced consultants listen to customers to learn what their light and privacy needs are, and how they would like their shades to look and to function. The consultant will also consider window sizes and configurations, as well as exposures. For example, as Kim Newby points out, west-facing windows can be brutal in the afternoon, whereas north-facing windows
may require less sun control. “The care we take with detailing is something you can’t get from an online or ready-made seller … our consultant will help the customer plan the optimal way to install the product for best look and function, and deal with issues like unusual mounting conditions that require special approaches and care.” Going back to its roots, Innovative Openings encourages its customers to think about window treatments that make their homes more energy efficient, lowering cooling costs in the summer and keeping rooms warmer in the winter. Solar shades, for example, block heat, glare, and UV rays in the summer, but allow comfortable view-through. On a day when the sun isn’t out, unlike window films, they are completely retractable, allowing for better passive solar heat gain. Duette® Honeycomb Shades are another top energyefficiency choice, designed with honeycomb-shaped air pockets that provide insulation at the window to keep homes warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. “The possibilities for window treatments are broader and more personal than ever before, and at Innovative Openings, we’ve got the experience, technical expertise, and skill to help our customers maximize the look,
Insolroll blackout shades.
Insolroll Elements semi-sheer shades.
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function, and efficiency of their home’s windows,” Newby says. They also help customers enhance their daily lives with new technologies available in motorization control. Innovative Openings has Insolroll and Hunter Douglas products that can be controlled with your smartphone or tablet. The user can set “scenes,” and cause individual or groups of shades to move to chosen positions specific to a “scene” –a time of day, activity, or special occasion – with the touch of a button. The homeowner can also create schedules, for instance setting shades to open to certain levels every day at sunrise. This kind of control allows remote control, even far from home, and connection with Alexa voice control. Control scenarios range from the simple to the complex … from standalone systems with battery powered shades that don’t require hard-wiring all the way to integration with 3rd party, wired, whole home automation systems with all the bells and whistles. Simply scheduling shades to be open and closed at certain times of day can make a home more energy efficient, and result in reduced cooling costs and less UV damage to floors and furnishings.
Duette Honeycomb Shades by Hunter Douglas.
Innovative Openings, 667 S. Pierce Ave., Louisville, 303.665.1305, innovativeopenings.com.
A HOMEOWNER PERSPECTIVE
B
oulder residents Ben Gould and his wife and kids have just recently moved to their new home in the mountains of North Boulder. “It is a newly constructed, twostory, private, modern/minimalist home set on 45 wooded acres with incredible Colorado mountain views” Gould says. “The exterior is a combination of black metal clad, charred wood, steel, concrete and expansive glass. The interior is predominantly white throughout, leaving us a clean, minimalist slate to showcase our love for art.” He needed shades for the rooms, and chose locally made, motorized Insolroll shades from Innovative Openings. 20
AT HOME : INSPIRATION EDITION | SPRING 2019
“The upper level of the house is essentially a glass rectangular box with 10-foot floor-to-ceiling windows. Shades were an absolute requirement in all rooms for privacy and sun protection. The sheer number and size of windows required (and therefore shades required) definitely helped steer us towards selecting a motorized system; allowing us to more efficiently change the interior living conditions as nature changes around us.” The shades are working out well. “They look and function beautifully, and the simplicity of the motorized system is efficient and easy for everyone in the family. In the living areas the
blinds are black with 3% light transparency, providing excellent solar protection and privacy but still allowing enough light to enjoy the incredible views even when the blinds are drawn. “The blackout shades in the bedrooms provide excellent ‘hide-outs’ from light, which is not always easy to accomplish in bedrooms that have such large sections of windows/glass. The ability to program sections, combined with the efficiency and ease of use of the motorized shades, are extremely helpful in controlling the internal environment while still allowing us to enjoy our views,” Gould says.
RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE
Sustainable & Smart BUILDING YOUR GREEN DREAM HOME IN BOULDER COUNTY
This LEED Platinum certified modern farmhouse is Rodwin Architecture and Skycastle Construction’s first “regenerative home,” producing more energy than it consumes. BY BRITTANY ANAS PHOTOS COURTESY OF RODWIN ARCHITECTURE
H
ave you ever wondered what it would be like to create your own custom, green dream home? We went behind-the-scenes with Rodwin Architecture and Skycastle Construction, one of Boulder’s most respected and experienced design/build teams to learn more about the process. These awardwinning firms have completed dozens of beautiful homes in Boulder County over the last twenty years, including some of the greenest in the country. “Our mission is to offer our clients truly sustainable homes without compromising beauty or functionality,” said the firms’ Founder Scott Rodwin, AIA, LEED AP.
The integrated design-build team serving the Boulder County area is a leader in sustainable building, proving homes can reach the highest of green standards, without compromising beauty or functionality.
A testament: The firms have successfully completed multiple LEED Platinum homes (the highest green building certification offered by the US Green Building Council) including the “Farmhouse”;
which also became the team’s first “regenerative” home, meaning it produces more energy than it uses. The beautiful home is filled with green features, including passive solar design, a ground ATHOMECOLORADO.COM
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The Broadway House is a 3,000 square foot, near-Net Zero Energy home with a signature floating roof that allows the owner to enjoy giant views of the Flatirons to the south.
source heat pump, a 10kW PV solar system, non-toxic interior finishes, Permaculture landscaping, rainwater harvesting, LED lighting and Beetle-kill pine and reclaimed wood. The 2,800 square-foot home also incorporates thoughtful, creative design touches that reflect the homeowner’s lifestyle: broad sliding glass doors to facilitate indoor/outdoor living, built-in shoe cubbies under the stairs in the entryway, and a space-saving folddown quilting table in the guest room. “Creating a custom home can be one of the most satisfying and enduring expressions of who you are and how you want to live,” says Rodwin. “Most people never have the opportunity to live in a house that’s tailored to their lives. We start every project by carefully listening to our client’s goals – not just for their house, but for how 22
AT HOME : INSPIRATION EDITION | SPRING 2019
Scott Rodwin and Brandon David work on an architectural plan.
they want to live in it.” Some design firms only offer one style. Rodwin Architecture is best known for their warm modern designs, but when you look at the gorgeous portfolio of work on their website, you see a surprisingly wide variety of styles – Craftsmen,
Modern, Mountain and Farmhouse. The design team loves to innovate, and ultimately create homes that are a unique expression of their client’s personalities and preferences. The homes become true living art. The architects start by asking their clients to create a visual
collection of what they find beautiful using Houzz or Pinterest. Then the team asks questions like: ‘What sequence do you want to have when you enter your home? Where do you like to hang out? How do you want to cook?’ They merge that with what they learn from the site itself, the topography, the views, and the direction of the sun. The designers help you to understand and navigate the complex rules for building here. The firm’s secret sauce is what comes next: Their design/build delivery system seamlessly integrates the design and construction process. Brandon David, Co-Owner of Skycastle, holds an Environmental Design degree from CU and leads the construction process. “We work from a holistic approach. The structure, mechanical systems, building envelope, finishes and even landscape are all one complete design. We integrate those design ideas with a builder’s perspective right from the start. That helps to control and predict costs, and insures that our client’s original vision and intention is carried through to the final details,” said David. We asked Rodwin and David if there are any local design trends other than green building. They noted three: “Modern architecture,” said Rodwin. Scott graduated in 1991 from Cornell University, known as being one of the country’s foremost modern architecture schools. “What we look for is the balance point between the clean, bold and simple lines of modernism, and the warmth and beauty of nature.” Brandon offered the next: “Many of our clients are looking to create their ultimate dream home and their last house. They want to be able to gracefully age-in-place, so
This beautiful 3800 sf contemporary Colorado mountain home resides on one of Gold Hill’s original homesteads.The passive solar house maximizes the sweeping views of the Switzerland Trail and Indian Peaks mountain range.
Landing dramatically in the great room, a stone fireplace anchors the space at the Treehouse Home, while a wall of glass opens to the soaring covered deck, whose structure was designed to minimize any obstructions to the view.
we incorporate features like a “minimaster” bedroom on the main floor that serves for now as a guest room suite; roll-in showers; three foot wide doors, and extra blocking in the walls for future grab-bars. “Right-sizing,” said Rodwin. The firm is part of the “Not so big house” movement and looks to help its clients create a home that fits them (and their budget) just right. “Bigger isn’t always better. The best home is simply one that enhances the quality of your life.” Want to learn more about building a custom green home?
The Rodwin Architecture team will conduct a free site visit and project feasibility analysis for you. They’ll help you to understand the budget, timeline and the local rules so you can decide if creating a new custom home is the right move for you. Rodwin Architecture 1245 Pearl St., Suite 202, Boulder, 303.413.8556, rodwinarch.com. Skycastle Construction 1245 Pearl St., Suite 202, Boulder, 720.407.8010, skycastleconstruction.com. ATHOMECOLORADO.COM
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WINDOW TREATMENTS
Look to the Light A ROOM WITH A (NICELY ACCENTED) VIEW
Drapery side panels add a luxurious touch to a wood blind. BY CYNTHIA HARDING PHOTOS COURTESY OF HUNTER DOUGLAS
“L
A top down, bottom up configuration assures privacy but allows light to stream in at the top of the window. 24
AT HOME : INSPIRATION EDITION | SPRING 2019
ook to the light.” That may sound like a gauzy metaphor from a self-help guru, but it also serves as a practical bit of advice for anyone buying or decorating a home. In Boulder County, that’s particularly true, since a light-filled window often frames a breathtaking view. Yet, as the costs for other house essentials add up,
window treatments can sometimes be an afterthought. “Unfortunately ‌ new window covers and landscaping fight it out after the closing,â€? says Howard Leibowitz, owner of Howard’s Draperies in Boulder, who has been dressing windows along the Front Range for 44 years. He urges homeowners to think about their windows early in the process, which allows them to integrate window treatments into the feel of the home and create focal points. In Boulder County that often means making subtle choices in window decor to compliment the work Mother Nature has already done outside. “People in Boulder and surrounding areas, more than other areas of the country, go with simpler, not eye-catching,â€? Leibowitz says.
Hunter Douglas SilhouetteÂŽ blinds accent a stunning view.
However, perhaps surprisingly, simple can be difficult to get right. It means choosing the right style of window covering for both aesthetics and functionality, choosing the best color pallette to bring inside and outside together and having
those elements work at dawn, in the bright afternoon and in the deep of night. FUNCTION JUNCTION
One of the first things is to ask yourself is what you want the
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Hunter Douglas Vignette shades roll up tightly to accent the view outside.
window covering to do. Privacy may be a key concern in a city condo, but of little consequence in a remote mountain redoubt. The direction in which the window faces adds another element to the puzzle. A west-facing window, for example, brings in the stultifying afternoon heat before the inspiring sunset marks the end of the day. The room is also relevant; homeowners may want a bedroom window covering to block out light and deaden sound. BASIC TYPES
Blinds: Honeycomb are the most popular among Howard’s Draperies clientele, Leibowitz says. They may be traditional top down or bottom up, allowing light to stream in through the top of the window, while protecting privacy. Blinds may also be made of wood slats or what’s called woven wood, which provides a natural look of woven grasses or reeds to the blinds. Blinds and many other types
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AT HOME : INSPIRATION EDITION | SPRING 2019
A doweled Roman shade combines clean lines with fabric for a contemporary, but softer, aesthetic.
of window coverings are now motorized with a remote control or even voice-controlled and connected to home systems such as Alexa. They can be set to open or close at different times of the day. Shutters: These are usually made of wooden slats mounted within a window frame. Leibowitz says he generally sees shutters in shades of white of in light, neutral tones. “I don’t think there’s anything more classy that has stood the test of time,” Leibowitz says, adding that he sells quite a number of shutters. Shades: Typically made of fabric, shades cover the inner frame of the window. Roller shades are plain pieces of fabric (or in cheap apartments, vinyl) that are mounted on a roller. Roman shades are made of fabric and are moved up and down in draping folds. Leibowitz says Roman shades have become more popular, since they allow the
homeowner to add a little pizzazz with a special fabric without overwhelming the view or the room. Drapes and sheers: Many picture the traditional home with sheers over the windows, a valance over the top and drapes straight down the side or held to the side by a tieback. These styles are less common in contemporary homes, but have a place in more traditional designs. In more modern-style applications, side drapes in neutral colors are sometimes used to soften and separate tall banks of windows. THE BOTTOM LINE
Plan for windows early in the process and know your needs and taste. Happy gazing! Howard’s Draperies (Mailing Address): 4450 Arapahoe Ave., #100, Boulder, 303.449.4337, howardsdraperies.com.
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WINDOWS REPLACEMENT
Insight on Windows TIPS ON REPLACING THE WINDOWS IN YOUR HOME BY ADAM GOLDSTEIN
O
n its surface, the art and craft of installing and replacing windows is fairly uniform. According to Robert Sweeney, division manager for Champion Windows in Loveland, the vast majority of the company’s jobs follow a predictable model. No matter the age, size or layout of the home, most folks looking to get new windows installed have an idea in mind, and the trained technicians who perform the task have a straightforward approach to see that idea realized. “In essence, the job of replacing
windows is the same in terms of tear-out and replacement. Unlike a kitchen remodel or some other kind of remodel, replacing windows is a fairly standard process,” Sweeney said. “Our experienced installers rarely come across something we’ve never seen.” That makes sense, considering the dynamic of the work. After all, it’s a matter of tearing out old windows from a fixture and putting new ones in. How much variation could there be? A lot, as it turns out. Beyond the basic procedure, window replacement can involve all kinds of subtle considerations and variations,
differences that depend on the age of the house, the type of replacement and the scope and size of the project. While Sweeney is quick to point out that the nature of the work is fairly consistent, he also doesn’t deny that quality work in the field calls for specific considerations and careful thought. Even the most standard window replacement job depends heavily on the age of the house, Sweeney said. Older homes often feature windows that Sweeney jokingly calls “collector’s items” for their antique aesthetic and outdated functionality in terms of energy efficiency and
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AT HOME : INSPIRATION EDITION | SPRING 2019
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weather resistance. “Window technology has evolved quite a bit since the 1920s. People were not very energy efficient then,” Sweeney said. “The actual tear-out might be a little different – you might come up against some rot. But we can make our windows fit in any kind of an opening; most of our jobs are retrofits.” That’s why even the most basic window replacement job requires careful consideration and planning. Opting for virgin vinyl, high-quality glass, insulation and fused frames and taking into account the age, makeup and condition of a home can make a critical difference in installing windows that will help keep out the elements, save energy and last. Of course, those considerations are also essential when it comes to the bigger, more extravagant jobs, Sweeney said. For homeowners
looking to add a new sunroom or bay windows, considerations like the age of the home, the quality of the materials and other elements like the presence of siding can help make or break the project. Geography can also make a difference. “For homes on slopes or facing the mountains, owners already have a beautiful view, but they can only experience a few months out of the year. We do a lot of four-season rooms in those situations. “For many homes, it transforms the look and livability of that open space. It becomes more than a space where you grill,” he added. Bay windows – or windows that project from outside walls – are also an option that can transform a living space, Sweeney said. Again, a successful project boils down to paying correct attention to the elements and materials. What’s more, the physics and makeup of
bay windows necessitate careful planning. “If they’re not installed right, they can be a disaster; you have to be extra careful to pick a company that knows how to install it properly because of the weight,” he said. “We’ve installed them on second floors – you want to be sure that they’re not going anywhere.” Done properly however, bay windows can be a perfect fit for Front Range homes. Like glass sunrooms or even simple window replacements, they can help homeowners enjoy the natural landscape around them while still offering protection from the elements. Champion Windows 5850 Byrd Drive, Loveland, 970.744.2604, championwindow.com/ft-collins.
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29
ENGINEERING
Creativity Inspires Commercial Engineering THE BEHIND-THE-SCENES WORK OF BOULDER-BASED ENGINEERING FIRM ASCENT GROUP
BY ELISE OBERLIESEN PHOTOS COURTESY OF ASCENT GROUP
M
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ost people won’t realize how often they come in contact with the byproducts of local businesses. Whether you’ve heard of them or not, you likely have an experiential relationship with the Ascent Group, a Boulder-based engineering firm that boasts an impressive client list. Each time you stroll down to the iconic Union Station and admire the art, architecture and lighting, you experience some behind-the-scenes work from the Ascent Group. Thanks to business partnerships like these, oblivious consumers take joy in life’s small pleasures – and without ever knowing the details. Like, say, sipping suds at local bar that serves up Left Hand Brewing or Upslope Brewing beverages, more Ascent Group clients. Before the beer arrives at any bar, summer music
festival, or your refrigerator, keep in mind, that brewing equipment comes in gigantic packages – the kind that require forklifts or cranes to move. The Ascent Group was brought in when both breweries required structural changes to their buildings, said Andrew Kelsey, Principal with the company. Ascent was the Engineer of Record (EOR) for the structure of a cold storage building for Left Hand Brewing, in Longmont, which now offers a taproom. Changes like this help Left Hand maximize operations from the brewing process, to storage and shipping, Kelsey said. “We did all the foundation and building connection structural design, we had to give Left Hand a way to get pallets of beer from existing storage to the new cold storage,” Kelsey said.
Upslope Brewery called Ascent Group when they needed larger brewing tanks. Calculating the load from thousand-pound tanks helps engineers determine whether the existing floor structure supports the sheer weight of those tanks. If not, Kelsey said it then requires “poured reinforced concrete pads.” Problem solving skills like this are needed for nearly all heavy equipment installations, including roofmounted HVAC systems that weigh in the thousands. Because let’s face it-no one wants the AC unit to fall into their lap when kicking back in the tap room. Kelsey said they also work with smaller operations keen on tapping into the growing craft brew industry. In order to thrive, these brewers must retrofit their building space with new commercial equipment that can produce larger batches of brew.
OF LONGMONT / Boulder
(and surrounding areas)
“We help get a building repurposed for brewing with large heavy storage tanks and large electrical and plumbing lines. They also need equipment to cool and heat the space and it requires heavy equipment on the roof or floor, considering the building needs retrofitting to accommodate the heavy equipment,” Kelsey said. LOVING UNION VIBES
Whether you ride light rail from Union Station or just like to hangout in these trendsetting digs, just know this: Ascent Group was part of the interior systems support project for RTD and the rail systems. No doubt, that’s a pretty big feather in their cap. “We were hired to support architectural features, like suspended glass block supports from the floor and ceiling. We worked on mechanical, plumbing
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and electrical systems as well,” Kelsey said. Next time you fire up the laptop or mobile device at Union Station, just remember someone had to run miles of wires behind those walls. That’s what allows you to not only surf the web, make wi-fi calls and run mobile apps to buy a cup of coffee – but also for retailers to run credit card machines and use scanner or RFID technology to ring up your bill. It was the Ascent Group who helped make it possible, said Kelsey. [AECOM, General Contractor, Ascent Group as consulting engineers]. LOVIN’THE NEW OFFICE
Have you driven by that new office located at 3107 Iris? At about 37,608 square feet, you can’t miss it. If you’ve driven by this swanky place, then you have had an experiential relationship with the
Ascent Group was Engineer of Record for the 3107 Iris project in Boulder. (Photo Courtesy: Hartronft Associates PC).
Ascent Group – and you get how they leave their mark in and around Boulder. The two-year project started in 2016. The design team consisted of about 10 companies and 30 people. They teamed up with architects at Hartronft Associates to “make it [the building] stand up with wide open spaces and mountain views,” Kelsey said. “There is sustainable criteria that needs to be met, heating, cooling,
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draining, sighting for solar panels. We worked with the entire design team so it would all work together,” Kelsey said. Tenants in this new building will love views the of the Flatirons, natural light and that lovely new office smell. Ascent Group 6707 Winchester Circle, #100, Boulder, 303.499.3022, ascentgrp.com
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AT HOME : INSPIRATION EDITION | SPRING 2019
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33
HOME TECHNOLOGY
Home, Smart Home HOME AUTOMATION SERVICES CAN SAVE YOU MONEY (AND SAVE LIVES, AS WELL)
New technology makes it very easy to automate not only your furnace and air conditioning, but also take control of a wide range of home security and convenience tools. (Photo: Shutterstock) BY ANDY STONEHOUSE
C
hances are, as a Boulder County resident, you really don’t spend a whole lot of time in couch potato mode – you’re out skiing, on your bike, climbing, or away on travel and business trips, while your house ends up empty much of the time. Nowadays, the ability to electronically control your home while you are at work or on the road is considerably more comprehensive than one of those old, impossible-to-operate programmable thermostats. Kevin Gard, service manager with Boulder’s Precision Plumbing 34
AT HOME : INSPIRATION EDITION | SPRING 2019
Heating Cooling and Electric, says that new technology makes it very easy to automate not only your furnace and air conditioning, but also take control of a wide range of home security and convenience tools, no matter where you are. Blinds can be opened and closed and audio-visual systems operated, as well. “The systems we offer can do more than just save energy – they’re really there to protect you and your family, and tell you everything you need to know about what’s going on in your house,” Gard says. As the technology has developed over the past half-decade, Precision has been working with local
families to provide easy-to-use but completely comprehensive home automation tools, coordinating everything from smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to the ability to automatically run your lawn sprinklers. Precision bases its offerings around the Nest at Home system, the popular and adaptable, Googleowned automation tool. Nest uses a series of sensors throughout the home, plus your smartphone or tablet, to figure out when you’re actually there. “The home-away assist function is linked to your phone and sees when you leave and when you return, and adjusts the temperatures
automatically – there’s no schedule built into it,” Gard explains. “A series of infrared sensors also sees that you’re within a specific room and turns the systems on, kind of like a light switch.” The result is a highly efficient and energy-saving electronic monitor that can substantially cut power bills, as your furnace or air conditioner only need to run when you and your family are actually around. Feeling chilly, or looking to warm things up as you return from a weekend trip? Dial up the Nest setting on your phone and you’ll arrive to a toasty environment. You’ll also get access to full reports on your energy usage, which can help you better plan your heating or air conditioning usage. And much like a hybrid car, you’ll be awarded a virtual leaf on your phone when you’ve optimized
your energy spending, as a small incentive to maybe throw on a sweater once in a while. Automated remote control is just part of the package Precision can help install. Nest-based technology also monitors your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, including the ability to self-diagnose their battery levels, and also send reports to your phone. “The really big benefit is that if the system senses smoke or carbon monoxide, it will shut down your heating and ventilation system, so the fire is not fueled and smoke doesn’t spread,” Gard adds. “There’s also a night light feature that makes the detectors easier to see, and also turns on those lights in case of a fire. You’ll also get an alert to all of this, if you’re away from the home.” Beyond those services, the thirdgeneration Nest system can also
be modified to add everything from live video at your doorbell and throughout the house, to a sprinkler control app that monitors weather reports and recent temperatures to make sure you aren’t needlessly watering during one of those blistering summer heat waves. Gard says basic installation of the Nest at Home system takes about two hours. Families who are really interested in energy optimization can also consider a new range of wifi-based tankless water heaters, which can also be turned off when you’re off on vacation.
Precision Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric, 5035 Chaparral Court, Boulder, 303.581.1455, precisionplumbing.com.
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35
OUTDOOR LIVING
Fall in Love with your Outdoor Living Space LOCAL EXPERTS CAN HELP!
Indeed, no matter the size or scope of the home, a well-designed and durable deck can make a key difference in making an abode more livable, cozy and welcoming. (Photo: Okeefe Built)
COLORADOANS REALLY LIKE THEIR DECKS BY ADAM GOLDSTEIN PHOTOS COURTESY OF BUDGET HOME SUPPLY
C
halk it up to the Centennial State’s gorgeous views, its reliable and consistent sunshine or its rugged, outdoor culture. Whatever the reason, residents in this state prefer to have a comfortable and inviting outdoor nook where they can chat with friends, grill up the perfect meal and take in the air on a nice spring 36
AT HOME : INSPIRATION EDITION | SPRING 2019
or summer night. “This is the number-two or number-three deck market in the country. California is the biggest, and Texas and Colorado regularly battle back and forth for the number-two spot,” said Morgan Stevens, a salesman and deck expert at Budget Home Supply in Longmont. “You can build the biggest deck in the world, or you can build a 10-by-10-foot deck to put a grill and a table on,” he added, pointing out that both kinds of projects can carry a quality of artistry and craftmanship.
Indeed, no matter the size or scope of the home, a well-designed and durable deck can make a key difference in making an abode more livable, cozy and welcoming. Stevens and his colleagues at Budget Home Supply field a wide range of requests when it comes to fitting homes across Boulder County with the perfect deck projects. “We do plenty of decks on huge, million-dollar mansions in Boulder, but we also do handicapped ramps to get down steps,” he said. “Whatever purpose you want if for will steer how you’ll make it.”
In other words, different kinds of projects call for different approaches. According to Home Advisor, the average cost of building a new deck in 2019 was about $7,000, with the low range totaling less than $1,700 and the high-end
projects coming in at anywhere up to $18,000. That’s a wide range, and a homeowner’s final bill will depend entirely on their ambition and scope. Even so, even the humblest and the most grandiose deck projects
share a basic set of building blocks. Take, for example, one of the most basic and fundamental aspects of construction: material. Wood and composite are the two most popular options, and both offer their own advantages and appeal in Colorado’s
MATERIALS TO ENHANCE YOUR LANDSCAPE NATURAL STONE PAVERS FROM STONE UNIVERSE
BY DARREN THORNBERRY PHOTOS COURTESY OF COLORADO MATERIALS
D
o you find yourself stumped for inspiration when it comes to your landscape? Sometimes the magnificent ideas you read about in magazines are next to impossible to do yourself, especially if your budget is fixed. So how to spruce up your outdoor living space and make it a place you always want to be when there are so many products, design schemes, and contractors out there? The answer: Start simply. Emil Anastas, sales manager at Colorado Materials, Inc., gives our readers a primer on a few great products and their applications for homeowners. PORCELAIN PAVERS
2cm outdoor porcelain pavers designed specifically for outdoor installation. Anastas: “Because they are a manufactured product, they are very consistent in size and depth, which make them a great option for homeowners. They’re extremely durable and a great option for customers looking to bring their yard into the 21st century.”
Red-dyed mulch
“Natural stone pavers are a great option for customers looking to tackle a project on their own,” says Anastas. “Because these products are dimensional, they make them relatively easy to install and are available in a wide variety of colors and textures to meet any need. Additionally, natural stone provides a long lasting patio solution with a classic and timeless look to fit any landscape.” SOILS AND MULCHES
Colorado Materials, Inc., offers its own custom blends of compost and soils. They have products suited for amending garden soils as well as natural top dressings for lawns that both provide long term nutrition for lawns and gardens. They’ve also got a wide variety of rock and wood to complete any project. Colorado Materials, Inc., sells to homeowners looking to take on a project, commercial contractors, and residential contractors. “As a family-owned business, we pride ourselves on our ability to serve each customer individually,” says Anastas.
Natural stone pavers
Paving stones
“If customers don’t have a truck, we offer delivery services as well. We can even assist in figuring out how much material they need for their project. We have a handy calculator on our website that does the same, along with a printable coupon for a discount on materials (coming this spring).” The business offers a wide range of materials and has one of the largest selections in Colorado. Their most popular products include decorative landscape rock, boulders for accents or water features and soils or composts for gardens and lawns. Flagstones from Colorado, around the U.S., as well as imported options for patios and hardscapes are popular, too. If you’d rather dream it all up and leave the installation to the pros, Colorado Materials has a list of residential and commercial landscapers available on their website, as well as slideshows of many of their products. Colorado Materials 1541 Boston Ave., Longmont, 303.682.2314, coloradomaterialsinc.com.
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unique climate. For many purists, a deck built out of wood may seem like the only viable option. A structure built out of cedar or redwood (the two go-to options for deck construction) pleases the senses; the look, smell and feel of a good, old-fashioned wooden deck just seems to fit the romantic notion of stepping outdoors for a beer with friends or a shift on the grill. There’s nothing more rustically Colorado than an outdoor deck built au natural. Still, that rustic appeal carries its own responsibilities. An all-wood deck is much more susceptible to the elements, Stevens said, and upkeep requires commitment and constant attention. What’s more, the availability of the most trustworthy types of wood can be unpredictable. “Redwood is getting harder and harder to obtain. It’s only
harvested in one forest in the Pacific Northwest, and it’s not as readily available as it has been in the past. With that, cedar is starting to take over, and it’s a good product as far as wood goe,” he said. “But any wood will deteriorate,” he said, adding that if an owner isn’t willing to sand and stain a wood deck at least once every two years, it will have to be replaced within a decade. That’s one of the reasons Stevens tends to recommend composite, a material made up of a mix of wood fiber, plastics and other materials. Aesthetically, they offer the look and feel of pure wood and necessitate less in the way of upkeep and care. “There’s a peace of mind with composite,” he said. “They’re usually guaranteed for 25 years, but they can very easily last much, much longer.” What’s more, composite decks
can be just as versatile as wood, no matter the size of the project. Brands like Trex Composite Decking come in wide array of colors, styles, textures and, perhaps most importantly, prices. Because of their durability and popularity, such proven and popular brands tend to satisfy every kind of taste and request. Indeed, the flexibility of such tried-and-true composite brands is one of the reasons that shops like Stevens’ carries less than 10 brands out of a total selection of more than 80. “I stock those brands for a very specific reason: I don’t have problems. I don’t have callbacks or warranty issues. I can confidently help a customer get into any of the manufacturers that I have,” Stevens said. “It just comes down to the customer’s preference.” But composite decks don’t mean a complete lack of upkeep. Though
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AT HOME : INSPIRATION EDITION | SPRING 2019
they require less attention than a structure rendered purely and entirely out of wood, they still call for basic upkeep to weather Colorado’s constant sun and occasionally brutal storms. “A common misconception is that composite is a maintenancefree deck,” Stevens said. “You still need to clean it. You don’t have to sand and stain it every two years, but you still need to put some upkeep into it.” That hasn’t served to dissuade the many homeowners in Colorado who consistently opt for new decks every year. For those in the Centennial State, it seems, having a cozy, elevated space in the backyard to call your own is worth a little effort. Budget Home Supply 780 Boston Ave., Longmont, 303.678.8800, budgethomesupply.com.
Wood and composite desks are the two most popular options, and both offer their own advantages and appeal in Colorado’s unique climate. (Photos: Sky Solutions).
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D0-IT-YOURSELF
‘Make Your Own’ Inspiration WITH IDEAS FROM MCGUCKIN HARDWARE BY JULIE KAILUS PHOTOS COURTESY OF MCGUCKIN HARDWARE
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t’s probably safe to say that McGuckin has been do-ityourself (DIY) far longer than the acronym or TV channel, says Marketing Manager Louise Garrels. The Boulder hardware store opened in 1955. But the interest in DIY and make-your-own (MYO) projects continues to grow. So McGuckin continues to diversify to fulfill the current generation’s needs and interests. Garrels says the Boulder institution serves lots of DIY types whose knowledge and skill sets range considerably. She put them into four witty categories:
MacGyvers: They’ve taken a shop class or learned basics from grandparents, so they’re comfortable tinkering to fix things. “These folks then carry over problem-solving skills to other challenges and will likely use their new-found solutions repeatedly to spare the expense of paying someone else find a solution,” Garrels says. “Multiple trips to the hardware store are just part of the experience and are a positive development.” Screen Fanatics: They can solve or fix anything by searching it online — YouTube, Pinterest, Instructables, etc. “Their DIY scope may be very narrow and they relish speed when it comes to fixing or building,” Garrels says. “Outside of things that they’ve
A FEW ‘MAKE YOUR OWN’ IDEAS PIPE LAMP Fashion this steampunk-ish light from scrap wood, a vintage hairpin-style lightbulb, keyless brass lamp socket, and a steel chain in gold. GIANT ‘MCBLOCKS’ Who doesn’t want a life-size Jenga to play with friends? Make this game yourself by cutting seven 2x4s each eight feet in length with a circular saw.Then invite your buddies to the sanding party to finish off the ultimate DIY.
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personally deemed DIY-able, they tend to spare no expense. But trips to hardware stores are sometimes a last resort when the online store is out of stock.” Schoolers: From science fairs to university capstone projects, they’ve got a syllabus to follow. “Schoolers might be budding MacGyvers and/ or Screen Fanatics yet can become paralyzed when making a decision because they’re worried about grades, deadlines, opinion of peers, and parental feedback,” Garrels says. “We have consoled and counseled our fair share of science fair parents who only learned of the science fair a few days before the fair.” One and Doners: They’re adventurous, but to a point. They
IPAD STAND This fun and functional project is as simple as cåutting and fastening together copper pipe for a rustic-modern stand that will stand out in your home or office. MASON JAR SNOW GLOBE This one makes for a great gift or accent piece for the mantle. Gather a classic Mason jar, glue, glycerin, glitter, and some winter figurines to personalize your globe just how you like it.
will flock to instructional videos, demonstrations, or classes to try a new skill, craft or art form. But in the end, they never do it again. “Thankfully, the experiences always leave these folks with a profound appreciation for anyone that has obtained mastery with the skill that they had attempted, and they will gladly pay for someone else to provide services!” Garrels says.
“The great thing is that we meet people right where they are. Wherever a customer is on the DIY spectrum, we can help. No question is too stupid to ask, no problem is unsolvable.” McGuckin Hardware 2525 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder 303.443.1822, mcguckin.com.
AND THIS IS JUST THE START! You can find supply lists and instructions for each projects above, plus many others, on McGuckin.com. Just select Inspiration from the main navigation and click on the Make Your Own page. Now get busy!
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KITCHEN BATH
Old Counters? Don’t Replace - Refinish! BY EMMA CASTLEBERRY PHOTOS COURTESY OF MIRACLE METHOD
T
here is no doubt that your countertops see a lot of wear and tear. Whether it’s the bathroom or the kitchen, countertops suffer a myriad of spills, breaks and bumps. But when this integral part of the home starts to show its age, don’t assume you have to incur the cost of replacement. Instead, contact Miracle Method to bring new life to your existing countertops. “Miracle Method has been around since 1979 and we use a proprietary process that is exclusive to Miracle Method only,” says Lynne Weber, vice president of operations at Miracle Method. “Because of this, we know the longevity of our finishes. We have been in business for 18 years and enjoy helping our customers to pick the solution that is 42
AT HOME : INSPIRATION EDITION | SPRING 2019
best for their needs. We take pride in providing the best customer service and quality at a fraction of the cost of replacement.” The benefits of refinishing over replacing are many. Not only does the process cost less – Miracle Method can cost up to 70 percent less than tearing out and replacing – but refinishing is also less timeintensive. This means you can get back into your kitchen or bathroom in as little as two days, whereas a replacement operation often takes weeks. Additionally, Miracle Method is far more environmentally friendly than the replacement process. Instead of sending your old fixtures and counters to a landfill, you’re giving new life to existing materials. It’s not just counters that can get a facelift from Miracle Method. Bathtubs, tile walls and shower pans
can also be refinished when they start to look a little dreary. With a wide selection of finishes and colors, any customer can find an option that fits their style at Miracle Method. “Our Natural Accent line has the look of a stone finish and we have many color options in that line,” says Weber. Miracle Method’s showroom, located at 1822 Sunset Place, Suite A, in Longmont, allows customers to see and feel the quality and durability of the finishes. A family owned and operated business, Miracle Method encourages visits to the showroom or call 720.574.1095 for an in-home estimate.
Miracle Method of Boulder 1822 Sunset Place, Suite A, Longmont, 720.574.1095, miraclemethod.com/boulder
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