From the Editor: Spring Fever

Darla Worden reflects on CHL's May/June 2026 issue.

5 hours ago

Darla Worden,

Photo: Povy Kendal Atchison

In our Indoor/Outdoor issue we celebrate springtime in Colorado: the sound of lawnmowers and the scent of fresh cut grass, delicious aromas wafting from a barbecue grill and the glorious
color of spring blooms.

Homeowners of a historic home in Denver’s Country Club neighborhood invite us to experience their beautifully refreshed outdoor living spaces. They brought in the experts at Lifescape Colorado who devised a plan that appreciates the 1926 home’s lovely structure, embracing the “old”: details like existing walkways with moss that takes years to grow and mature trees with beautiful character. New additions include clay pavers, an outdoor fireplace and a water feature. The charming result exudes timeless sophistication that the homeowners love, and we do too—it’s our cover photo for this issue.

A couple who moved from Northern California to Cherry Hills Village brought their love of Napa Valley with them. When designing their home’s gardens, they enlisted the help of Designscapes Colorado to create a property that felt like a retreat. The home’s front courtyard achieves the perfect relaxed Napa Valley vibe, greeting guests with scents of boxwood, catmint and lavender and the sound of water from antique sugar kettle fountains. In back of the home, a pool terrace with a waterfall that spills from the spa has become a favorite hangout. “It’s exactly the kind of family space we wanted,” the homeowner says.

“A great landscape isn’t just beautiful,” says Phil Steinhauer, owner and CEO of Designscapes Colorado. “It’s a place where people naturally want to spend time.” Words to live by as we enjoy sunny days and watch vibrant green shoots appear in our yards. I’m an amateur gardener, absorbing tips from pros like these as I coax bulbs into blooms. Because there’s nothing like having friends and family over to share a meal outside in the garden during Colorado’s spring.