From the Editor: Hygge is Where the Hearth Is

Darla Worden reflects on CHL's November/December 2026 issue.
Ed Letter Por

Photo: Kendall Wright Buckley

It’s that time of year: snowy days and crackling fires—a time to practice hygge, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere to enjoy with our loved ones. Much more than a trend, it’s a lifestyle and an attitude that encourages us to curl up with a good book in a comfy sweater and slippers, or go on a walk and breathe the fresh air.

In our Cozy Abodes issue, we’re invited inside a Beaver Creek home, designed with plenty of hygge for the primary residents— a couple from Louisiana and their beloved cat—who decided to make Colorado their permanent home. They wanted each room to make a statement, and the great room does that with a grand piano, soaring ceilings and a show-stopping fireplace. Sumptuous throws and pillows are ready for enjoying the fire and watching skiers glide by their windows.

Ed Letter Fire

Photo: Dallas + Harris

Tucked into the trees below Independence Pass, an international family updated an Aspen home into a luxurious all-season retreat. The renovation included remapping the closed-off rooms and creating airy gathering spaces for the extended family. In the living room, windows provide a panoramic view, while inside, a contemporary fireplace adds warmth.

In Denver, a globe-trotting couple acquired a townhouse and embraced the opportunity to embed it with their own style and collections from their travels. In the room that the homeowners call the “listening and reading area,” a Calacatta Grey honed marble fireplace invites guests to take a seat on one of the swivel chairs for conversation or listening to music on the record player—pure hygge.

More delights await you in this issue: playful holiday decor, a slopeside Aspen condo’s makeover and our 2026 Top Builders List.

Wishing you a happy hygge season. Think snow!

Darla Worden
Editor in Chief

As seen in Colorado Homes & Lifestyles’ November/December 2026 issue.