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FrontRangeLiving.com -> Home Design
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 RETRO
REIGNS: Like many a Generation X latchkey kid, my after-school babysitter was
frequently the television. I grew up captivated by the impossibly well-adjusted
families portrayed in the syndicated shows Father Knows Best and The
Donna Reed Show. This might explain my attraction to 1950s home furnishings
– and why I am fascinated with their exaggerated curves, cartoon colors,
and highly stylized designs that made such a fitting backdrop for my TV
families.
By Stephanie Janard
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 A
BUNGALOW BECOMES A HOME AND A SHOP: At a time when many high-tech employees work from home, Jan and John Bowers
have taken that approach one step further. They’ve turned their
1920s bungalow into an antiques store and live upstairs. While workers tap
into work via computers, the Bowers live much like proprietors of one hundred
years ago. Commuting to work consists of taking a cup of coffee from the kitchen
into the dining room.
By Niki
Hayden
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 WHAT'S
IT WORTH? A GUIDE TO APPRAISALS: The popularity of the PBS television show, "Antiques Roadshow" has
nearly everyone wondering if there's a treasure in the attic. If you’ve been
eyeing Aunt Sadie’s pearl necklace or that set of fine crystal, you may have
something of value. How can you find out? We’ve asked Dewey Smith, a Denver
appraiser who is a member of the American Society of Appraisers. He explains who should call in an appraiser--and why. Dewey owned an antique
shop in Denver’s Larimer Square for fifteen years but now is devoted solely
to appraisals.
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Home Design
 WHEN
ROOMS CAME WRAPPED: HISTORIC WALLPAPERS -- With the surge of sleek modern houses after World War II and the current
trend toward neutral colors in contemporary American homes, wallpaper has
declined in popularity—with one exception. Reprisals of historic or period
wallpaper enjoy an upswing in sales. "We are the one area that is doing
well in wallpaper now," says Dan Cooper, director of Burrows & Co., a
firm in Massachusetts that specializes in replicating wallpaper, carpets and
lace curtains.
By Niki Hayden
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 EAST
MEETS WEST: COLLECTING ASIAN ANTIQUES -- As antiques go global with sites like
eBay.com, it’s no wonder that
collectors are reaching out to other cultures. If the lure of Asia can be found
in home design trends like feng shui, then discovering a passion for Chinese
porcelains or Japanese lacquer boxes can’t be far behind. Link these new
interests with the brisk trade between Asia and the United States as well as the
many Americans spending time in China, Japan, Singapore or Taiwan for business
or government careers, and new collectors are born.
By Niki
Hayden
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 RESTORING
WOOD ANTIQUES: BRINGING BACK THE LUSTER -- Most antiques suffer the rigors of
time, although some suffer more than others.
Fragile glass and china sit high on a shelf, always in jeopardy of clumsy hands.
Others simply wear out from use—the faded sofa, a rickety rocking chair that
has soothed many babies, a table with a scratched and marred top. Furniture sags
from the weight of years. If it’s greatly loved, or highly prized, help is available. Restoration can bring back faded luster.
By
Niki Hayden
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 POSTCARDS
FROM PARADISE: Collectors
spend a lifetime searching for objects of desire: silver, glassware,
jewelry and art. But what about collectors of a place? And what if that
place contains acres of astonishing beauty, geological wonders and
majestic animals? It’s no wonder that in Colorado, serious antique
collectors turn to national parks in an attempt to preserve photos, art
and memorabilia inspired by pristine natural beauty.
By
Niki Hayden
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 CHRISTENING
GOWNS: Poised in a row, 19th century christening gowns could be cast
off costumes of angels. Long skirts billow and tiny sleeves sprout from ruffled,
smocked or embroidered bodices. With any imagination, miniature cherub wings
flutter in the background. Dresses of starched organza or lawn—impeccably
preserved—were destined for one special day of Holy Baptism and then passed
through a family to the next newborn.
By Niki Hayden
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 THE
LADIES OF LAST CHANCE -- The Last Chance quilters, who banded together in
1926, are reckoned to be the oldest continuous quilting group in Colorado. Once
a week, as few as four, as many as 12, arrive. Potluck casseroles—from
macaroni and cheese to salads and dessert--line up, poised for lunch. With ages
ranging from 23 to over 90, the Last Chance ladies huddle around a stretched
quilt.
By Niki Hayden
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 COUNTRY
CASUAL -- In 17th
and 18th century Europe, ornately carved and veneered furniture may have
been crafted in the courts of the French kings, but village cabinetmakers
took note of the details. They made their own interpretations simpler and
more appropriate to country living. Rather than expensive imported
mahogany, it was local pine, oak and cherry that provided everyday tables, chairs and
cupboards.
By Carol Ward
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 A
PRIMER ON ORIENTAL CARPETS -- Chuck Paterson’s oriental carpet showroom is a windowless warehouse.
Rolled, stacked, hung on walls, draped over tables, the inventory is not meant
for the public because Chuck sells wholesale to shops and dealers. Here in an
organized jumble, the old
and new lie side by side. A 19th century stack of kilims from the
Caucasus in soft reds and indigo blues shares space with newly knotted rugs in
modern geometric designs.
By Niki Hayden
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Collecting
 THE
ART OF SCIENCE -- Leaf through a collection of 18th and 19th century botanical prints and you’ll journey
through a garden of delights. Scarlet, ruffled roses. Crisp, organza-thin
anemones. White wild roses perched on slender green tendrils. Hummingbirds flashing
gilded heads. Raccoons sporting rascally expressions--each hair tinged
delicately in ochre and black. For centuries, botanical prints and illustrations
have married art with science.
By Niki Hayden
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Collecting
 SNAPSHOTS
IN TIME: SAVING AND COLLECTING HISTORICAL PHOTOS -- Chief Wolf Robe from
the Southern Cheyenne sits for a portrait in Washington D.C., June 1909. Light
has fallen on his face and shoulders, and through a 19th century discovery
called photography, saved his presence. One hundred years later, we are transported as
onlookers to another location and time during a remarkable moment--perhaps
revealing a shocking truth.
By Niki Hayden
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Antiques
 SILVER:
A GRANDMOTHER'S LEGACY -- "There were so many exciting periods for
silver and every one of them is absolutely fascinating," says Marie
Brown, a Boulder antiques dealer, "The study of silver can take the
rest of your life." People like silver--for its beauty, history and
inherent value. By Carol
Ward
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Home Design
 BRUSH
UP--BETWEEN ANTIQUE AND NEW -- Down in the basement, tucked between the table saw and
terra cotta
planters, sits Uncle Bob's chair. By some circuitous route, it was added
to my earthly possessions about a decade ago. Sporting evidence of several
colorful paint jobs, it has been a trustworthy, impromptu
sawhorse, a stepstool and more. Uncle Bob's chair is about to get a new
life.
By Lindsey LaFon
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Collecting
 HAPPY
TRAILS -- As any Colorado history text will tell you, life in the pioneer West was
dangerous, paltry and meager. How is it that out of this hardscrabble life came
one of the most colorful styles ever to be called American? Horse trappings
braided and woven, sturdy spurs punched with filigree, leather saddles tattooed
in florid swirls, embroidered shirts, vividly dyed scarves, carved buckles,
fancy-stitched boots. Hollywood may have stretched the limits of outrageous
ornamentation, but the roots of flamboyance were always there. By
Niki Hayden
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Antiques
 ANTIQUE
LACE
AND LINENS -- Embroidery and lace terms fill the room--French
knot, punch work, cutwork, filet tatting, bobbin lace and spider weaving.
There is also drawn work where the seamstress actually removes threads
from the fabric. A 'forbidden' stitch appears on Chinese embroidery.
Needle workers, usually young girls, went blind in its execution and so it
became forbidden work by Chinese Imperial command.
By Carol Ward
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Antiques
 POTTERY
BY THE PEAKS -- Colorado Springs beckoned to Artus Van Briggle in 1899. The Ohio-born artist
came in hopes the salubrious mountain climate would restore his health. Unfortunately, the quest proved elusive for the talented painter and potter, who
died in 1904, at age 35, of tuberculosis. But although Van Briggle's life was
cut tragically short, he left behind a rich artistic legacy.
By Dianne Zuckerman
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Antiques Tour
 A
TOUR OF ANTIQUES DISTRICTS -- Nearly every city in Colorado has an antique district--shops nestled
together, or an entire city block that has attracted vintage clothing,
Victoriana, sturdy old oak furniture and early 20th century nostalgia
collectibles. A few towns, like Niwot and Lyons, encourage visitors to spend a
day, have lunch, chat with storeowners and customers, while learning about the
antiques world. And the Mecca for antique lovers is Antique Row in Denver.
By Niki Hayden
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Antiques
 AMERICAN FOLK ART
-- Nan
and David Pirnack began collecting American folk art 47 years ago,
although they weren’t aware of it at the time. It all started when
they bought a house. Included in the purchase was a collection. Suddenly
their trendy early marriage Danish modern furniture looked drab settled
next to a 19th century carousel horse. The Danish has
disappeared. The horse, frozen in his gallop, remains.
By Niki Hayden
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Antiques
 ANTIQUE
RINGS FOR MODERN BRIDES -- In the past, engaged women and their fiancées preferred to purchase and
perhaps design a ring symbolic of a new beginning. And
usually it was a diamond, the symbol for infinity. While today's modern
bride is looking forward to her future, she 's looking to the past for her
engagement and wedding rings. Whether it be Victorian, Edwardian or Art Deco,
the question asked in many jewelry and antique shops is: "Where are your
antique rings?"
By Carol Ward
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 SOFT
QUILTS, STRONG STORIES -- From pioneer women’s patchwork legacies to the AIDS Memorial Quilt,
unfurled over grassy acres like an endless field of flowers, soft quilts tell
strong stories.
The simplest of quilts, handed down over time and faded from years of use,
might have warmed a Western settler’s bed or kept cold winds from seeping
through cracks in a cabin wall. More elaborate patterns speak of a longing for
beauty and artistic expression or tout causes such as patriotic celebrations and
civil rights.
By Dianne Zuckerman
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 JUDGED
BY ITS COVER -- Hold a book of poetry by Katibi of Nishapur in your
hands and you might guess where it originated. The design resembles the
intricacies of a Middle Eastern carpet. A fluid, stylized script floats
delicately in ink, gold leaf and blue lapis lazuli. The date is 1605. The
place is Persia. It's one of the beauties in the University of Colorado Special Collections
room. If
you've ever wanted to collect books, we'll take you to this unique room.
Also, a fine press books dealer will tell you
how to get started.
By Niki Hayden
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 SAVED
FROM THE WRECKING BALL -- Jewelry, silver, glass and furniture may be
passed from grandparents to grandchildren. But architectural artifacts
originate from one
dismal episode--demolition. Buildings are torn down all over the world.
Pieces of fencing, a solitary door, a jumble of doorknobs--what once was trash is now someone's treasure.
By Niki Hayden
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 FESTIVE
FIESTA: When Eleanor Crandall's mother gave her
a set of Fiesta dinnerware, it was received
gratefully but not enthusiastically. Eleanor tucked the dishes into a
back cupboard. One day she opened the cupboard and
realized why her mother had loved this colorful, cheerful Depression-era
pottery.
By Niki Hayden
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 SOAP
DISH -- Pioneers once stirred vats of lard and rustic lye
from wood ashes to produce soap. It was tough stuff, sure to take a layer
of skin off when bathing. Today's homemade soap is designed: emollient
for dry skin with olive oil or astringent with tea tree oil. Whatever
your skin type, you can design the kind of soap you desire.
By Niki Hayden
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 A
BOUQUET OF ROSEVILLE -- Collectors love the naturalistic Pine Cone line with its
pine cones, branches and needle sweeping down on vases, baskets and bowls.
At the turn of the century, the Roseville Pottery Company produced work
that was aesthetically appealing, well made, well marked and plentiful.
It's still popular today.
By Carol Ward
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 CONVERSATIONS
WITH COLORADO ARTISANS -- Patty Hawkins’ quilts have been exhibited in the Museum of American Folk
Art, New York City, Quilt National in Athens, Ohio, The Museum at the American
Quilter Society in Paducah, Kentucky and the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C.
She has been interviewed for national TV programs such as HGTV and lives in
Estes Park, Colorado.
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 CONVERSATIONS:
WITH WOODWORKER HARV MASTALIR -- In his tool-laden industrial
garage, Harv Mastalir leans over a walnut table. It’s the only piece of
furniture in sight. As usual, he concentrates on one work at a time. In a
field with only a handful of contemporaries, Mastalir has built a reputation as
a master woodworker bent on perfection. He teaches at the Center for
Furniture Craftsmanship at Rockport, Maine, and the Anderson Ranch in
Snowmass, Colorado.
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 A
TOUCH OF GLASS -- from the Great Depression: "I
looked out into a sea of glass--beautiful gleaming glass in an array of
colors--green, pink, blue, lavender and yellow. The patterns had names
like Oyster & Pearl. Raindrops, Horseshoe, Thumbprint, Starlight and
Miss America."
By Carol Ward
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 ANTIQUE
HUNTING: ONE OF SUMMER'S PLEASURES - "Up, up, I force
myself out of bed on a Saturday morning, knowing that I have no time for
make-up or any fashion sense. I am an 'antiquer' and summer week-end
mornings are prime time."
By Carol Ward
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 Rocks of
ages - The Rocky Mountains that loom over us define our
geography. They also provide extraordinary building materials. We'll
tell you which rocks are the most popular and how landscape architects
are using them today with red rocks,
moss rocks and more.
By Niki Hayden
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