My Houzz: Charming Queen Anne Cottage in Denver
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Cindy Snalam
Location: West Highland/Sloan's Lake neighborhood of Denver
Size: 1,550 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths
That's interesting: The bar top in the basement wine cellar has seen the cup rings of many a celebrity, since it's originally from a local nightclub.
When Snalam moved in, the backyard left much to be desired. Between the patio and garage featured here, she removed 500 cement pavers total. She says that reworking the landscape design and implementing all of the plant growth made the home feel like hers. Many of her beautiful perennials are currently in bloom, including salvias (blue flowers in foreground) and a Harrison yellow climbing rose (yellow flowers). The Harrison yellow is a very old rose variety common in the Highland neighborhood.The structure at the rear of the garden was built in 1908. It was originally used for a carriage but is currently used for storage.
The kitchen is where Snalam feels most at home, mainly because she loves to cook. A very handy neighbor helped her knock out the plaster on this wall to expose the original brick. He is also responsible for the floor tile in the kitchen and dining area, as well as the refinishing of wood floors in the hallway and stairway. Dun-Rite Kitchens refaced all the kitchen cabinetry with oak.
This basement wine cellar is a testimony to Snalam's world travels and seasoned palate. The design and renovation were a collaborative effort between Snalam and her friend Patrick Ridgeway, who also lives in a historic home. The only existing piece in the basement was an old jelly cabinet, which Snalam repurposed as a wineglass hutch.
Snalam advises other renovating homeowners to take their time when making changes. "It's important to live in your house and take renovations step by step so that you properly allocate the time, funds and plans necessary for success," she says. "It's important to understand the gravity of change. Once you rip it out, it's gone. It's crucial to make sure you know what you truly want before the project begins."
The home's original fireplace was taken out and now serves as garden decor. An aesthetic match with contemporary functionality from Valor Stove now lives in its place. The tea light candleholder on the mantel is a piece of an old wine barrel. The artwork is by another local named Katharine McGuinness.
Natural light is a key inspiration for Snalam's interior design concept. The front entry and living room are generously illuminated for the first half of the day by eastern exposure. The tapestry hanging in the hallway is from an excursion to Laos. Snalam's wall color palette was achieved by trial and error. She invested in a multitude of Benjamin Moore samples and painted until the right color was obvious.
Snalam, a speech pathologist and Denver arts connoisseur, had been house hunting for a year when she happened upon this cottage in the Witter Cofield Historic District of the Denver Highlands. She and a friend wandered in during an open house and it was love at first sight — despite the original pink and blue exterior color scheme. Snalam says, "It took me over a year to pick the paint colors. I still am not happy with the green. I thought the colors went well with the orange brick, known as Denver Brick."
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