Houzz Tour: Channeling ‘Modern Cowboy’ in Denver
Bold colors, contrasting hues and faux taxidermy make a statement in this eclectic apartment
Palette: While refurbishing the fireplace, Eisenstein pulled blue notes from its original tilework to inspire the furnishings, especially the electric blue couch. “The theme I was going for was ‘modern cowboy,’” she says. “Fun, bold colors, contrasting hues and modern spins on the traditional taxidermy.”
Furnishings: Eisenstein purchased most pieces from big box and online retailers to stay within a tight budget, mixing in flea market finds where possible. Using clean midcentury-modern lines and sultry fabrics, such as the velvet on the couch, kept the mix cohesive and interesting. A wall of deer art is an urban take on faux taxidermy.
Sofa: West Elm; deer art: Ikea; light: Target
Furnishings: Eisenstein purchased most pieces from big box and online retailers to stay within a tight budget, mixing in flea market finds where possible. Using clean midcentury-modern lines and sultry fabrics, such as the velvet on the couch, kept the mix cohesive and interesting. A wall of deer art is an urban take on faux taxidermy.
Sofa: West Elm; deer art: Ikea; light: Target
Dining Room
The space previously had a large wall separating the kitchen and dining space, where an original buffet was located. Eisenstein and her team chiseled out the buffet and gave it a fresh coat of varnish, relocating it to another wall. Unable to restore the old floors, Eisenstein went with durable hand-scraped bamboo that’s eco-friendly and budget-friendly at $2.39 a square foot.
An hourglass dining table and chairs pick up the blue notes from the living room, while an orange rug echoes the warmth in the buffet.
Table: West Elm
The space previously had a large wall separating the kitchen and dining space, where an original buffet was located. Eisenstein and her team chiseled out the buffet and gave it a fresh coat of varnish, relocating it to another wall. Unable to restore the old floors, Eisenstein went with durable hand-scraped bamboo that’s eco-friendly and budget-friendly at $2.39 a square foot.
An hourglass dining table and chairs pick up the blue notes from the living room, while an orange rug echoes the warmth in the buffet.
Table: West Elm
Kitchen
By taking down that previous partition wall, Eisenstein reimagined a more modern, open layout that creates better flow. Gutting the kitchen was the largest part of the remodel. Walls were taken down and plumbing was moved. Previously the walls were all plastered and the kitchen was crammed with mix-and-match cabinetry. Now, it’s light and bright, with hex tile on the floors for an authentic nod to the era.
Light: West Elm; tile: World of Tile
By taking down that previous partition wall, Eisenstein reimagined a more modern, open layout that creates better flow. Gutting the kitchen was the largest part of the remodel. Walls were taken down and plumbing was moved. Previously the walls were all plastered and the kitchen was crammed with mix-and-match cabinetry. Now, it’s light and bright, with hex tile on the floors for an authentic nod to the era.
Light: West Elm; tile: World of Tile
Cabinets, backsplash and countertops: For a bold statement in a small space, the designer went with black-and-white cabinetry and bold wall tile that provides warm contrast to the chevron-patterned wood countertop. “It was a wonderful, exhausting, invigorating time period in which I was my own client, unrestricted by often safe choices that everyone likes,” Eisenstein says.
Cabinetry, countertop, bar stools and appliances: Ikea; tile: World of Tile; gold faucet: Homary
Cabinetry, countertop, bar stools and appliances: Ikea; tile: World of Tile; gold faucet: Homary
Peninsula: Since the space was tight and narrow, with a width of only 9 feet, an island wouldn’t fly. So Eisenstein made do with a short peninsula, creating an L-shaped layout that makes a good workspace.
Bathroom
Monochrome: The kitchen’s contrasting hues pop up again in the bathroom, which features white subway tiles set in a stacked pattern with gray grout for a graphic, contemporary look.
Vanity: Ikea; faucets: Homary
Monochrome: The kitchen’s contrasting hues pop up again in the bathroom, which features white subway tiles set in a stacked pattern with gray grout for a graphic, contemporary look.
Vanity: Ikea; faucets: Homary
Guest Bedroom
For a spare bedroom, Eisenstein channeled an Arizona-Southwest vibe, repeating the same blue-and-orange palette from the living and dining areas. Dream catchers, ram artwork and Southwest-patterned textiles pull the look together.
Bedding: HomeGoods; artwork: Target
For a spare bedroom, Eisenstein channeled an Arizona-Southwest vibe, repeating the same blue-and-orange palette from the living and dining areas. Dream catchers, ram artwork and Southwest-patterned textiles pull the look together.
Bedding: HomeGoods; artwork: Target
Master Bedroom
For the master bedroom, the designer aimed for a comfortable yet masculine look, with modern deer artwork and traditional plaids on the bedding in classic reds and blues. The candle by the bed burns a “cigar” fragrance to amp up the urban cowboy theme.
Bedding: HomeGoods; artwork: Target
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For the master bedroom, the designer aimed for a comfortable yet masculine look, with modern deer artwork and traditional plaids on the bedding in classic reds and blues. The candle by the bed burns a “cigar” fragrance to amp up the urban cowboy theme.
Bedding: HomeGoods; artwork: Target
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Designer Christina Eisenstein of Revival Design and her family
Location: Denver
Size: 1,000 square feet (93 square meters); two bedrooms, one bathroom
The backstory: This apartment is set in Denver’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, where several historic mansions have been converted into multifamily dwellings. Designer Christina Eisenstein purchased this apartment building with her husband as a fixer-upper in not-so-great condition. “There were areas, especially the basement, which reminded me of a scene from a horror movie,” Eisenstein says. “My husband bought the building, then handed me the keys with a ‘good luck’ and a smile.”
She did a lot of the work herself, learning along the way. “Up until this point, I had studied design in an academic environment,” she says. “I had done plenty of layouts and helped clients choose finishes. I was comfortable with working with a contractor, but now essentially I was one. I found an awesome crew and became one of them. I pulled up my sleeves and left the job site covered in dust. I learned building terminology in two languages and was on a first-name basis with the staff at multiple Home Depots.”
Living Room
In the living room, she revived original brick walls that had been hidden under layers of plaster. She also restored the original wood fireplace with a fresh coat of varnish, bringing back the apartment’s 1911 appearance.
Leather chair and area rug: HomeGoods