The Softer Side of Modern
An updated take on the classics infuses an older Denver home with youth, freshness and timeless appeal
When homeowner Kiera Zink was ready to make changes to her vintage Denver bungalow, she had a lot of design ideas floating around in her head; she just needed someone to help pull together her vision of a chic, comfortable home. “I wanted something that was not exactly modern,” she explains, “but an updated, stylish version of classic—soft and pretty with some sparkle.” She and her husband Lee had bought the home in a quiet Washington Park neighborhood knowing that they would someday renovate it for the long term. “We believed this house had the potential to become our ‘forever home,’” Zink remembers.
Having admired interior designer Beth Armijo’s work on the pages of Colorado Homes & Lifestyles, the couple wisely hired her early in the game, before the top was popped, the interiors were gutted or major decisions had been made. That suited Armijo: “Designers can have the most impact if we can work with the whole canvas—the finishes, paint, cabinetry, molding, floors and furniture,” she explains. “It allows us to tell the whole story, to match the client’s personality, to create balance.”
Armijo filled the newly blank canvas from top to bottom with the young, fresh personality of the homeowners. “We gave the house a contemporary, transitional look; very updated, very light with fun, bold prints,” she says.
A spool chair takes on a bold, modern look with gray-washed wood, aqua upholstery and a big print pillow. The contemporary Caracole Bubbles side table goes glam with silvery and glass finishes.
The original fireplace in the living room got a modern makeover with Thassos marble mosaic tiles. Atop the crisply painted mantel rests Turbulence, an oil painting by Danny C. Williams from Walker Fine Art. Interior designer Beth Armijo set the tone for the house with a lighthearted mix of styles and textures, including the masculine Mr. Brown coffee table and Vanguard Spool Chairs from Highland Design Source in Denver.
Bold ikat draperies and vivid art play off a quiet washed-wood table and lacquered chairs, bringing edgy contrast to the dining room. The silver chandelier from Currey and Co. dishes up a sleek profile, and Angela Beloian’s acrylic painting, Curcurrcucu, from Walker Fine Art, brings in a bold blast of color.
The kitchen exudes timeless appeal with updated Shaker-style cabinetry in walnut and light gray paint finishes. “The colors don’t match but they are from the same family. The juxtaposition helps create balance,” Armijo says. She chose contemporary glass tile in shades of gray for the backsplash.
A trio of cut-glass Hudson Valley pendants illuminate the large island. Light aqua leather chairs from Kravet are unexpectedly luxe, with silver nailheads sparkling like jewelry. The freestanding butler’s pantry/buffet separates the kitchen and dining room, while glass doors open from both sides. Cheryl Rogers’ MSM-composition 3b hangs on the back wall.
Light and serene, the master bedroom is one of Zink’s favorite rooms. “It’s heaven,” she declares. The washed beechwood-and-tufted-linen bed by Brownstone Furniture features curved corners. The light fixtures and Ava Mirrored Circles nightstands by Worlds Away add just the right touch of reflective surfaces.
Armijo took a classic bathroom to the next level with marble floors, a sleek freestanding bathtub and a glitzy chandelier.
Outdoor rooms extend the home’s living space and are as artfully designed as the interiors. The modern white table and chairs from Hoff Miller on the patio contrast with oversized black rocking chairs around the outdoor fireplace. Iron bird sculptures from Birdsall &. Co. add some fun and motion.
Design Details
Interior Designer
Beth Armijo
Armijo Design Group
armijodesigngroup.com
General Contractor
Stephen Stone/Matthew Pierce Character Builders Colorado
characterbuildersco.com
