Mountain Living Blog

Throw open the door to something new

In the high country, we’re all about indoor/outdoor living, so we predict the latest from Marvin Windows and Doors is going to be an instant hit. Hot on the market, the Ultimate Lift and Slide throws notions of the traditional door out the window. Available in sizes as large as 12-feet-by-48-feet, this door (if you can even call it that) is made of panels of glass that disappear from view in one of two ways: they either stack together and appear as one panel, or completely disappear and slide into a pocket in the wall. The effect? Nothing but views. Look for the Ultimate Lift and Slide nationwide this winter (though if you just have to have it, now it’s already available in some regions). Check it out at marvin.com.

Add comment July 2nd, 2009 at 12:25pm Caroline

Celebrate the Fourth — With Art!

What better way to pass the summer hours (and the holiday weekend) than by enjoying beautiful art outdoors? If you’re near the Mile High City over the Fourth of July, swing by the Cherry Creek Arts Festival, which takes place in a Denver hot spot–the Cherry Creek North Merchant District–from July 3-5. It’s the Festival’s 19th annual celebration of visual, culinary and performing arts, and as one of Colorado’s most anticipated summer festivities, the tour de fine arts draws 35,000 people to its grounds year after year. And don’t forget to stop by and visit us at the Mountain Living booth! For more information, visit cherryarts.org.

Photo by Jenny Griffin

Add comment June 26th, 2009 at 10:38am Caroline

The Healthy Homes Tour and Fair: making sense of green

No doubt "green” is everywhere these days. Let the Healthy Homes Tour and Fair in Avon, Colorado help you wade through the various shades of green out there–in everything from products for your home to building materials. Make a day of it in Avon at Nottingham Park from 10 am to 4 pm, Saturday, June 20. The Healthy Homes Fair showcases the ideas, products and services that are shaping the green revolution, while the Healthy Homes Tour lets you see them in action. Both are free. From hybrid to hydrogen, Built Green™ to biodiesel, Fair and Tour guests get hands-on experience with these eco-friendly solutions through demonstrations, displays and actual home applications. For more information, visit eaglevalleyalliance.org.

Nottingham Park in Avon.

1 comment June 17th, 2009 at 10:44am Caroline

The Institute of Classical Architecture & Classical America comes to the Rocky Mountains

Come celebrate! The Institute of Classical Architecture & Classical America has come to the Rocky Mountain region with a brand-new Rocky Mountain Chapter. To learn more about the Institute (which keeps the practice and appreciation of the classical tradition in architecture alive) and the new chapter, come to the Rocky Mountain Chapter’s kick-off event in Denver: Tuesday, June 23, from 5 pm to 7 pm at the Prima Ristorante Mezzanine at the chic Hotel Teatro. Admission is free; RSVP to Gail Breece at info@classicist-rm.org or 720-266-6787.

2 comments June 8th, 2009 at 10:15am Caroline

An new–and easy–way to eat local

Door to Door Organics–a Colorado-based company that delivers fresh, organic fruits and vegetables to its customers’ doorsteps each week–is back with their "All Local" Colorado box. During its debut last season, the box was a "huge hit," says company founder David Gersenson. And it’s no wonder why: inside, find an assortment of fresh goodies–all locally harvested–including peaches, cherries, melons, apples, spinach, corn and peppers. Depending on your appetite, go for the "Bitty" ($23.66) or the "Small" ($33.66). Mouth starting to water? Visit colorado.doortodoororganics.com to browse through the company’s complete menu of fresh assortments and delivery options. 

Add comment June 1st, 2009 at 01:05pm Caroline

A few of our favorite fabrics

There are ample reasons why we love Place Textiles’ spring 2009 collection, dubbed "The Painted Desert." This family of fabrics comes in four patterns and 34 colors–all inspired by the palette of the American Southwest. You’ll love the way color meets texture through striated warps, tightly-woven yarns and handsome stripes. Then there’s the fact that these textiles are designated Durable Luxury, which means their colors hold fast, they resist stains and they’re washable at low temperatures–all while being soft like fabrics should be. Sounds like the perfect upholstery pick for summer! placetextiles.com.

Add comment May 22nd, 2009 at 10:55am Caroline

Take a family vacation that plans itself

Take your family on a mountain getaway, and let Vail Mountain Lodge & Spa (one of our favorites) take care of the details. With the Mountain Family Fun package, which runs through September 5 and starts at $445 per room/per night, families will enjoy a fun range of activities: access to the two-story rock climbing wall at Vail Athletic Club plus two semi-private climbing lessons, two Spa treatments or two rounds of golf, one dinner at the Terra Bistro for four, and–to start each day off right–a free breakfast, also at Terra Bistro. The package runs for up to three nights. For more information, visit vailmountainlodge.com.

Add comment May 18th, 2009 at 10:47am Caroline

Mountain Living’s Natural Dream Home Wins at the ASID Awards

Last night, at ASID Colorado’s Eleventh Annual Interior Design Awards, Associates III took the honors in the "Sustainable Home" category for Mountain Living’s Natural Dream Home! It’s no wonder the home’s interiors received accolades: every fixture and furnishing, from recycled concrete and glass countertops to bunk beds crafted from reclaimed Wyoming snow fence, was selected for its sustainability and style. To take a look inside, click here. Congratulations to the team at Associates III and Mountain Living for making it all happen!

Add comment May 8th, 2009 at 04:33pm Caroline

Have you heard of 10th Mountain Huts?

Experience the best of the Colorado backcountry this summer through 10th Mountain Huts, a network of 29 huts throughout the Colorado Rocky Mountains, all connected by 350 miles of hiking, biking and (during the winter, backcountry skiing) routes. If that’s up your alley, then hear, hear: Vail Symposium is offering a how-to on the hut system. On Tuesday, May 19 from 6 to 7 pm in Minturn, CO, executive director of 10th Mountain Huts Ben Dodge will tell you all you need to know about the history of the world-class system, how you can use it year-round, and what’s new with the huts this season. Plus, go for free and enjoy refreshments and a chance to win a free hut night for two this summer. Just make sure you RSVP by May 14: science@gorerange.org, or call Tiffani at 970-827-9725, ext. 10. For more info, visit huts.org or vailsymposium.org. 

Add comment May 4th, 2009 at 03:29pm Caroline

Ranch-style Fun at Bishop’s Lodge

Just outside of Santa Fe, there’s a hotel and resort called The Bishop’s Lodge Ranch Resort & Spa that’s out of the ordinary. For starters, it’s set on 450 acres at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and yet it’s only three miles from the Historic Plaza district of downtown Santa Fe. Then there’s the world-class Spa and Wellness Center, a full-fledged fitness center (which is home to Santa Fe’s largest outdoor pool), miles upon miles of trails, and–our favorite feature–its ranch-style twist.

This summer, there’s even more going on at Bishop’s Lodge than the usual perks. Here’s the skinny:

Wednesdays and Fridays from May 15 through September 4, The Cowboy Cookout & Trail Ride Dinner: Take off on horseback at 4:30 pm and ride to the top of the mesa for a full ranch meal. What’s on the menu? Grilled flat iron steak, homemade BBQ chicken, ranch burgers, corn on the cob, cole slaw, potato salad, fruit cobbler–the works. Dinner only is $59 per person; for both the ride and dinner, $119.

Saturday nights: "Savor Live and Amplified" brings the beat in the Bishop’s Lodge living room for a weekly dance fiesta. From 6 to 10 pm, Cuban tapas and mojito specials.

Thursdays in June: Jazz by the Pool with drink specials and bar fare from 6-8:30 pm. 

For more info and ranch-style events, check out bishopslodge.com.

Add comment April 24th, 2009 at 03:01pm Caroline