A House in Aspen

Not really Aspen, but in Woody Creek to be exact.  Woody Creek is about 10 minutes from Aspen and is best known for Hunter S. Thompson and the Woody Creek Tavern.  That being said, you won't find cookie-cutter suburbia in Woody Creek, but you will find unique homes and some special people who are lucky enough to live there.

Here's Susan and her boys.  I didn't get a picture of Richard.

Our friends Richard and Susan and their two sons happen to live in Woody Creek. We were guests in their home a few weekends ago. Whenever we visit, I'm always blown away by their house. It's not huge by Aspen standards, but they did a great job designing a house that is stylish and works well for their family. They are world travelers, so the house has a modern global feel to it, but at the same time it's still mountain-y. Does that make any sense? Maybe I should just show you some pictures.

This is their house from the back.  The backyard is visited by all kinds of wildlife, including elk herds, deer, and bears.  A snake even managed to make it onto the kitchen counter once!

Here's their house from the front.

Walk in through this front door that Susan designed.




And into the open living room.

Another view of the living room, looking in from the kitchen.

Speaking of kitchens, here it is.

Here's the guest room, where we got to stay.

I kind of never wanted to leave!

And the guest bathroom.

Here's the powder room.

When I saw this dresser in one of the boy's rooms, I had to sneak a picture.  Fun colors + Stripes = Love!

I also spent a lot of time enjoying the backyard with Mary, where I snapped a few more pictures.

It's the perfect place to grab a lounge chair.

And enjoy the view!

If you are in the market for a house in Woody Creek, lucky you!!!! This house is for sale as Richard and Susan get ready to embark on their next adventure. 

I feel so lucky to have friends like Susan and Richard.  Not only are they some of the most fun and interesting people I know, they are also the kind of people who make me feel happy and positive about life.  I'm always happier after I've spent time with them than before.

See how happy we all look?!?!?

Favorite Things in My Town!

Hello! One of my favorite blogs, Centsational Girl, is having a link party called "Favorite Things in My Town."  So, I thought I'd create a little post for you on my favorite things in my little town. 

Most of my life has been spent in a big city, until I moved to my little town of 7,000 five years ago.  If nothing else, small towns have personality and quirks.  One of the quirkiest things about my town are its festivals.  Where else can you celebrate "Mike the Headless Chicken Festival?"  This festival celebrates a chicken that literally lived without a head for 18 months!

Source: roadsideamerica.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

We don't have shopping or dining, but we do have a statue commemorating Mike right on Main Street.

My town is also crazy about dinosaurs.  In 1900 the giant brontosaurus named "Sue" that is housed in the Field Museum in Chicago was found right here.  G-r-r-r-eta greets you as you enter town.  For some reason my kids have always called her "Big Chloe."

Source: examiner.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

We also have a yummy little diner called "Munchies," whose mascot is, of course, a dinosaur.

Source: examiner.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

I love the trails around town.  We live right at the base of the Colorado National Monument.  Unlike the Washington Monument and other statue-type monuments, "the monument," as it's known locally, is a huge mesa - perfect for biking and hiking.

Source: en.wikipedia.org via Suzanne on Pinterest

Source: en.wikipedia.org via Suzanne on Pinterest

Source: americansouthwest.net via Suzanne on Pinterest

We also have world-class mountain biking.  I'm too much of a scaredy cat to be a mountain biker, but I love to run on the trails, most of which are on cliffs overlooking the Colorado River.

Source: 2pedal.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

I hope you've enjoyed learning about a few of my favorite things in my quirky little town.  I would love to know more about your towns and cities too.  Link up your posts to Centsational Girl's party that starts on Wednesday August 31st.

Dream Home #2: Lisa's Dream Home

I'm so excited to be hosting my first guest post today.  I have Lisa from A Room with A View sharing her Dream Home with us.  Lisa and I began blogging about the same time.  She is one of the most sincere and kind bloggers I have come across and am happy to call her a blog friend.  She is an Interior Designer and is always ready to share some great design tips.  I love her warm and colorful interiors that have a global influence.  She is also crafty and has shared tips on making no-sew pillow covers as well as a stunning chandelier for her daughter's room.  Stop by A Room with A View and say "hi" to Lisa.
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Hi everyone, I am fairly new to blog land (my blog: A Room with A View) and I am excited to be a part of this fun series on this great blog. Putting it together was a real treat - thank you, Suzy!

When one first chooses a home (be it the first or the fifth) it is usually the exterior one first makes a connection with, that one is drawn to or that one may see some potential in. For those of us who do not have the luxury of building our own home it helps to love what we see on the outside. The exterior sets the tone for the interior - it is curb appeal and a whole lot more.

I have lived in various styles of dwellings - a duplex, townhouse, bungalow, apartment, semi-detached, and now single family home. My dream house would most certainly give a strong sense of what one could expect indoors because of the architecture. It would encompass some (yes, even less would be a dream) or all of these criteria - 

• Situated someplace where the weather is temperate or even tropical
• Have a good view
• Near/by a body of water if not with a pool or koi pond (I love the water!)
• Well-kept lawn and garden
• Wrap-around porch, veranda (or any indoor-outdoor space)
• Eat-in kitchen with access to back porch or patio
• Good-sized windows and french-style or similar doors which would let the outside in and maximize any amazing views.. a lot of natural light would be amazing
• Open floor plan
• Preferably one story. I currently have four floors and it can be exhausting!
• The size of the house would not matter; nothing too big.

These next few homes capture the general aesthetics I would look for.

Architectural Digest photography Miguel Flores-Vianna

via Southern Living photo Erica George Dines

via Southern Living

Architectural Digest photo Roger Davies

via

These pictures are good examples of indoor-outdoor spaces (with or without pool) I find most appealing.

Architectural Digest photo Roger Davies

Architectural Digest photo Roger Davies

So relaxing - all I need is a good book!

 

Banyan Tree Hotel, Seychelles via Architectural Digest photo Erhard Pfeiffer

Great for entertaining.

Architectural Digest photography Miguel-Flores Vianna

That tropical feel

Elle Decor photo Simon Upton

Breathtaking!

 

Cotton House, Mustique via Architectural Digest photo Dan Forer

Elle Decor photo William Waldron

Architectural Digest photo Erhard Pfeiffer

These next pictures capture the essence of how I would like my dream house to feel in terms of open flow, great windows and doors letting in natural light while taking advantage of the beautiful outdoors,  airy, warm and inviting, great for cooking, entertaining and relaxing in. Feast your eyes..

Architectural Digest Photography Miguel Flores-Vianna

Architectural Digest photo Erhard Pfeiffer

via

House & Home photo Michael Graydon

via Coastal Living photo Jean-Philippe Piter

Architectural Digest photo Erhard Pfeiffer

Architectural Digest photography Reto Guntli

via Southern Accents

via Cottage Living

Architectural Digest photo Roger Davies

via Elle Decor photo Eric Piasecki

Elle Decor photo Simon Upton

via Elle Decor photo Pieter Estersohn

House & Home photo Angus McRitchie

I just had to add this pic for the natural light, although I was drawn to the decor and colors (that would be an entirely different post!)

Architectural Digest photo Roger Davies

Beautiful, manageable garden

House & Home photo Angus McRitchie

House & Home photo Ted  Yarwood

Incredible views.......

Architectural Digest photo David O. Marlow

These pics have been mostly of big homes. My dream house does not have to be big - just pretty, comfortable and functional. This is the place where family and friends, near and far - should always feel welcome. When a house has good bones, there is no limit to what one can do with the decor.

I hope you have enjoyed touring these magnificent places. Thank you so much, Suzy, for allowing me to share a dream!