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Last summer, I had the pleasure of taking two European vacations—one in Italy, the other in Croatia. When I returned from my travels, my phone’s camera roll was filled with hundreds of photos of centuries-old stone structures, patinated terra-cotta roof shingles, gilded interior moldings, and streets lined with stucco buildings in a spectrum of muted sunset hues. You could chalk up my fascination with European design to my profession, but one doesn’t have to work for a home magazine to appreciate the built beauty across the pond.
Several of the homes, spaces, and products featured in this issue are inspired by destinations in Europe and beyond. You’ll meet a Boulder ceramist whose vessels are influenced by Mediterranean and Asian pottery, tour an Aspen home with all the charm and warmth of an old Belgian farmhouse, and discover the British-born kitchen brand Cabbonet, which recently opened its first Colorado design studio. (Though I wish that’s my kitchen shown above, I’m actually pictured among the gorgeous marble slabs and sleek cabinetry found at Cabbonet’s new location at the Denver Design District.)
This issue is also packed with style inspiration from an array of local kitchens—including a Wash Park dining nook that seems suited for a Parisian arrondissement and a Morrison cookspace with a European country feel. So if you didn’t get the chance to travel internationally this summer, allow the following pages to be your passport to great design.