When people walk into Jonathan Auty’s year-old modern furniture showroom, they often exclaim some variation of “I could just move in here!” And that is by design, says Auty, who spent a year rehabbing the 2,500-square-foot former artist’s loft on the southern edge of RiNo. ModMobili, open by appointment to both the trade and the public, has a kitchen and dining area, two distinct living areas, two bedrooms, and a rooftop terrace—all exquisitely furnished and decorated, down to the sheets, potted plants, and Auty’s own paintings on the walls.

“People tend to think that modernism is cold because there is no adornment,” Auty says. “I want to show that it’s extremely livable. It can be cozy.” Part of the showroom’s warmth comes from the 46-year-old himself, who started his career in hospitality as a bistro owner and interior designer in Seattle. Auty went on to work around the country for companies such as Ligne Roset, Design Within Reach, and Luminaire, making contacts at iconic furniture brands along the way.

5280 Home Spring 2015
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That relationship-building paid off when Auty moved to Denver three years ago. ModMobili is now the exclusive Rocky Mountain purveyor of more than 20 lines. Among his most enticing pieces are “Mezzadro” (a tractor-seat stool also found in the Museum of Modern Art’s permanent collection) and minimalist Living Divani sofas. And Auty hopes his real-life setup inspires. “Whether you have a city condo or a bungalow in Cherry Creek,” he says, “if you’re wondering how modern furniture is going to look in your space, that’s what the showroom is for.”

Visit: ModMobili is located at 1203 24th St.; 303-968-5262; modmobili.com