One day early in our marriage, I mentioned to my husband that I wanted a tiny table to put beside the old club chair my parents had passed down to us. The chair has no particular pedigree, as furniture heritage goes, but it was in my childhood home for my entire life, and I loved it for the practical and sentimental comfort it gave me.

A few months later, on Christmas morning, my husband set before me a small table, just large enough to hold a cup of coffee and a hardcover book. Sleek and simple with a warm brown finish, the table was exactly what I had wanted. Delighted, I asked him where he’d found it, as I had experienced no luck tracking down the perfect piece. He grinned and said, “I made it.”

5280 Home Autumn 2015
More From The Issue

So began my love affair with custom furniture. Since then, we’ve had a few pieces made by local craftsmen, including a pair of bedside tables and a dining room sideboard. The feel-good factor is high: We support local furniture-makers, enjoy the satisfaction of having a small part to play in the design process, and get pieces that are perfect for our home now—and, I hope, our kids’ and grandkids’ homes in the future.

Which is why I’m so excited to share with you our first-ever furniture guide. You’ll find the inspiring story of a Front Range furniture-maker, advice on where to locate some of the most beautiful furnishings made in Colorado, and tips on where to turn for your own one-of-a-kind piece.

If your home is already fully furnished, this issue also has plenty of other beautiful things to ogle: a collection of gorgeous home accessories made here and sold on Etsy; the story of Boulder shop owner Lon McGowan and his mission to bring contemporary style to high-country living; and a designer’s tricks for revamping a cramped kitchen without adding square footage.

I hope this issue helps you discover just the thing—whether it’s a smart design idea or a tiny, charming table—to make your home feel perfect for you.

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If cooler fall temps inspire you to spruce up your home’s interiors, save your favorite projects and tips from each issue by following 5280 magazine on Pinterest. We’ve even organized them into helpful categories so you can easily find new ideas for kitchen remodels, home decor, and more.

This article was originally published in 5280 Home Autumn 2015.
Hilary Masell Oswald
Hilary Masell Oswald
As the former editor for two of 5280’s ancillary publications, Hilary Masell Oswald split her time between the vibrant design-and-architecture scene in the metro area for 5280 Home and the always-changing field of health for the annual 5280 Health.