Located in Boulder County in the quaint town of Niwot, Goldbranch is perhaps the most exclusive community on Colorado’s Front Range. Boasting artistic infrastructure, state-of-the-art electronics and video security, and stunning views of the Rockies, Goldbranch is unparalled in its offerings.

Experience the charm of Tuscany in The Village at Goldbranch. These stunning rural Mediterranean-style homes incorporate romantic balconied courtyards enclosed by the residential structure. Iron- and wood-gated porte-cochères create the utmost in private indoor-outdoor living. Expansive Village floor plans are facilitated by cherry wood-paneled elevators, creating an intimacy found only in a truly private retreat. Gourmet kitchens are a standard feature in all Village homes.

For those who desire to create the estate of their dreams, six spacious lots remain, slated for architectural themes that complement The Village. A 12,000-square-foot custom home is scheduled for completion late 2009. Goldbranch is protected by detailed design guidelines intended for discerning residents.

Qualified architects and builders are welcome. Please note that Goldbranch is unique with its exemptions from certain recent Boulder County Land Use and Building Code changes, including house size limitations and most of BuildSmart. Further, Goldbranch has multiple building permits immediately available. Inquire with a Goldbranch sales associate for further details.

Experience the intrigue of Boulder County and the uniqueness of Goldbranch.

www.GoldbranchEstates.com

Shower Remodel

Shower enclosures have come a long way in the past couple years. So have bathroom fixtures and tile. If you want all these elements to work together, some planning is required.

If you’re going to remodel your bathroom you should consider the design and configuration before you begin construction. Planning ahead will assure that your bathroom is both functional and beautiful.

Glass shops measure, furnish and install the materials to custom fit your application. Before you visit a glass shop you should do a little homework so you can get a good cost estimate and take advantage of all the options that are available.

Design elements to consider are:

Will the shower door open, slide or swing? Check the clearance to make sure there is enough room for a swinging door.

If you are considering a European-style frameless enclosure, make sure that there are double studs behind the tile where the glass will meet the tile. This will ensure proper strength of the glass clamping mechanisms.

Will the water flow directly onto the glass or is the area large enough to have only splash back hit the glass? This may influence the type of hardware and vinyl that is used.

Where will your towel racks go? Do you need to include one on the shower?

Now that you have considered the design, you can look at your space and determine which options will work for you. To get the details that you will need for your new enclosure, follow these steps:

1. Measure the space where the enclosure will go and sketch it on graph paper, a view from above works best.
2. Note the height of the tile and the height of the shower head.
3. Take some photos of the space.
4. Take this information to your local glass shop to get design advice and a ballpark estimate.

Final measurements will be made by the glass shop once the tile is installed. It usually takes about 7 to 10 days to get materials.

Enjoy your new shower!

Tangerine, cherry, blueberry, lime and lemon – deliciously tasty fruits, to be sure, but they’re also the hot new hues in kitchenware this spring.

With big leaps in silicone technology, we’re seeing a host of new products crafted from the flexible material. Silicone travels easily from freezer to microwave or oven, then safely into the dishwasher.

Color is finding a home in durable plastics and steel kitchen gear, too. Crate and Barrel has Mario Batali’s ingenious flexible grips, which slip neatly over hot pot handles, and a cheery orange juicer.

At Conrans, Joseph Joseph’s handy measuring spoons are magnetized for easy storage on the fridge.

Williams-Sonoma stocks a compact yet sturdy stepladder in fiery red, apple green or electric blue, as well as an eye-catching set of versatile silicone mini prep bowls. The retailer also sells a set of multicolored steel paring knives.

But color is only one part of the story: Quirky, kid-friendly gadgets are the other. Today’s parents want their kids to be kitchen savvy; supplying them with fun yet functional tools makes the learning easy.

Boston Warehouse’s Animal House collection includes a toucan can opener, porcupine scrubber, woodpecker scissors and mouse cheese grater, among a menagerie of other clever tools.

Gaylon Emerzian is co-producer of the Web site spatulatta.com, winner of an award from the James Beard Foundation. On the site, two sisters age 11 and 8, often with kid helpers, teach young viewers how to cook.

When Emerzian first saw the animal-shaped tools, she thought they were witty and cute.

“But to my surprise, they were more than that. The kids found them very ergonomically correct. The bird vegetable peeler, though seemingly big for little hands, turned out to have just the right heft and balance for an 8 or 9 year old. The kids loved the whole set.”

Look for the animal house line on kitchenware Web sites and in stores.

Sur La Table has a rainbow-hued whisk and a family of stand-up implements, including a spatula, spoon, pastry brush and measuring cup, all featuring a brightly colored silicone body with the business end on top. The line is aptly named “Head Chefs.”

Look for creative toasters, tools and timers from the French design house, Pylones. Robots, pirates and maidens join elephants, puppies and a host of bold graphic patterns in fanciful “outils de cuisine” – tools for the kitchen.

www.pylones.fr
Robot timer, about $33; Silver Spots Toaster, about $79; Pirate Peeler, about $17

www.surlatable.com
Rainbow whisk, $16; Head Chefs collection, $10 each

www.spatulatta.com
Kid-friendly cooking instruction, tips, recipes and gear

www.kitchenkapers.com
Animal house collection (also available at Target, Kohls), $5-15

www.crateandbarrel.com
Mario Batali’s silicone grips, $4.95, Mighty K juicer, $39.95

www.williamssonoma.com
Colored paring knives, set of 3, $29.85; Leifheit Mini K Stepstool, $45; Le Creuset prep bowls, set of 4, $15

A home is where your life unfolds, where memories are created. Whether those memories are filled with the wonder of your daughter’s first steps or the thrill of fixing the knocker on the front door of your very first house, that home is a landmark. And buying it is a landmark occasion in your life.

Because we believe every home is a landmark, we take our commitment to our clients very seriously. We listen to you so we can match you with the ideal home for the life you want to live. We do the analysis necessary to ensure that you are making the right financial decision in a complicated housing market and fluctuating economy. We provide the resources for you to evaluate each of your many alternatives. Then we guide you through flawless real estate transactions with expertise honed by over 30 years of experience buying and selling homes in Boulder County.

Joel Ripmaster founded Colorado Landmark in 1977. Today, 40 agents who share his passion for Boulder County combine in-depth knowledge of our community with the latest technology to meet our clients’ needs. Our affiliation with Leading Real Estate Companies of the World and Luxury Portfolio gives us opportunities to expand our reach, for our Boulder County home buyers and sellers, using the resources of one of the most highly esteemed national and international real estate firms in the industry.

Our expertise is expansive, including luxury properties, green built properties, estate properties, ranches and horse properties, income properties, and single-family homes and condos in Boulder, Longmont, Louisville, Lafayette, Superior, Erie, Frederick, Firestone, Niwot, and the Greater Denver Area.

For us, landmark is more than our name, it’s our philosophy. Because every home is a landmark.

For more information, please call 303.443.3377 or visit www.coloradolandmark.com. And for great community and real estate information, check out our blog at http://boulderhomeinfo.blogspot.com.

CONFRONT YOUR CLUTTER

There’s no time like the present to take Brenner’s advice. Before you start on any other element of your simple redesign, it’s best to reassess your relationship with those knick-knacks peppering every shelf and your collection of mismatched chairs. We know it won’t be easy. According to Brenner, “This is the hardest thing for people to do because they’re attached to their things. There are two kinds of clutter: junk that accumulates, which should be thrown away or given to charity (don’t forget to get a tax receipt), and sentimental clutter. For the sentimental clutter, I suggest storing it or giving it to a son or a daughter who would appreciate it.”

A PERSONAL CANVAS

No surprise here: If you’re sick of staring at your white (or gray or yellow) walls, head to the paint store and go for a totally different color than the one currently surrounding you. If you’re not ready to commit to an all-over shade, start small. You can paint one room, or just an accent wall or ceiling. Designer Tracy Murdock, of Tracy Murdock Interior Design in Woodland Hills, suggests this grand opening: “I think painting in entry halls is a great way to get immediate impact and to receive guests.”

Maybe you’re a touchy-feely person and would like to add some texture to a room. Hire a professional to skip-trowel your walls for a cool faux-finish look. “This method is great because it has some highs and lows to it, which can add great depth, and then adding paint and glaze to it gives it highlights,” says West Hollywood designer Philip Nimmo, of the design firm Philip Nimmo & Company and Philip Nimmo Ironworks. Another one of his ideas: “I love using raffia paper (woven sea grass) to add texture to one wall.”

If your walls are void of wainscoting, that doesn’t mean you can’t install it. “Wainscoting is a fantastic way to create impact, especially on a budget,” says Murdock. “It can be traditional or spiced up and dramatized by using a bright color on the upper part, such as kelly green, or even a bold wallpaper.”

To give a bedroom a dramatic touch with a unique and unexpected focal point, simply paint a headboard right onto the wall (be sure to trace it first), or visit a flea market for a vintage screen to place behind the bed. “A friend of mine found some great old Indian doors at a flea market, and we just hung them behind the bed,” says Nimmo. Don’t worry if the piece looks too vintage, as your favorite paint or fabric will give it new life.

LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE

“Using lamplight throughout the home creates a softer mood.”

Of course you want your home to look good, but you may as well look your best, too. Murdock suggests getting rid of the canned lighting, noting that using lamplight throughout the home creates a softer mood and “is always much more flattering on people.” Another one of her tips: “I like to use swing arm wall sconces behind sofas and next to or on headboards, creating more space on tables, not to mention that they are more functional and you can put special touches on the lampshades.”

Nothing changes the feel of a room like the right lighting. Dimmers are a must-have, Murdock says. They give you the flexibility to control lighting, even at its harshest. You can turn them up for everyday living or down when you want to unwind after a long day. And, of course, you can adjust them just so to set the mood for entertaining or romance.

Switch plates – “nobody notices those.” But the fact is, this is one of the easiest design updates, and it packs a big punch. “Switch plates go out of style very quickly, but they are so simple to change,” says Brenner. “Take out the old ones, screw in the new ones and you’ve updated the room in a matter of minutes.”

ADD FLASH TO YOUR KITCHEN AND BATH

Nothing dates a bathroom more than an old, clunky, brass-framed, tinted-glass shower enclosure, so now’s the time to go seamless and frameless, says Nimmo. Doing so will take years off the room, finally giving it that “wow” factor it’s been missing. And while you’re at it, replace the showerhead and faucets. Nimmo adds, “If you’re at the point of updating the look of the room, the faucet probably looks tired. It’s amazing what new fixtures can do.”

Don’t think kitchen and bathroom knobs are important to your redesign? According to Brenner, getting new and vibrant replacements for those old, faux bronze drawer pulls will “change the whole feel of the cabinets. It’s so easy to do, and there are so many nice ones. You don’t need to change all the cabinets – just change the pulls.”

Updating your kitchen and bathroom accessories is another simple way to transform the look of these two rooms. Buy a new accessory collection in a style that floats your boat – think porcelain, stainless steel or wood. In the bathroom, go for new towels in a color you haven’t used before, and ditch a traditional bath rug for a sleek teak mat.

“Adding some Nature makes your home fresh and alive and lifts the spirits like nothing else.”

You spend so much time slaving away in your kitchen that you deserve a new backsplash. For added dimension, think about mosaic tiles. Since this is a change you probably won’t be making very often, Nimmo advises going with a more neutral palate: “I believe the simpler it is, the more of an advantage I have when I want to swap out my accessories.”

FINISHING TOUCHES

Move a piece of artwork from the living room to the bedroom, and take one from the bathroom and put it in the hallway – just shake it up and see how the room is transformed. Says Brenner: “If the same piece of art has been on the same wall for years, you’ll notice it in a different light if you change its location. It really does transform a room and it’s the simplest thing to do.”

It’s time to retire those pillows that came with your couch and invest in new ones that will add a vibrant touch to your room. “Accent pillows are mandatory,” says Brenner. “I always suggest people buy a neutral color sofa, and change the throw pillows every couple of years to a current color – same for the bedroom. A couple of pillows in a poppy color will change the entire room.”

Decorating with – or without – an area rug is a quick way to revamp any room. Try going from a solid to a modern printed rug. Area rugs can also be a great seasonal change to any room. Nimmo reveals, “During the winter I use my area rugs, then during the summer I store them.” Or, if you prefer to decorate with rugs year-round, here’s Nimmo’s tip: “In summertime I like more textural rugs, like sea grass, and in wintertime I use a pile or woven rug.”

“Accent pillows are mandatory.”

It’s time to add an unexpected touch to your home, and a great way to do that is with jewelry. Umano Beads, designed by Barbara Bacigalupi, can be hung on lamps, door handles, vases and drawer pulls, giving your room a meditative and reflective feel. The beautiful beads can express a sentiment you’d like to project, like love, good health, prosperity or tranquility. They’re also a great conversation piece.

You’re done with your redesign, but something’s missing. Ah, nature! Start by adding fresh-cut flowers to your weekly shopping list. “This is the single most important simple way to improve your home,” says Brenner. “It makes your home fresh and alive and lifts the spirits like nothing else.” It’s true, flowers will add a seasonal and creative touch to any room – and you’ll get more compliments than you’ll know what to do with. (You’re welcome.)

At Anna’s Farm, residents enjoy wandering through the neighborhood paths, relaxing on quaint benches, and the community’s green space and playground. In addition, they enjoy a beautiful neighborhood highlighted by charming duplexes and single-family designs that combine the charm of an old neighborhood with modern energy-efficient advantages, which reminds you of Old Town Lafayette and the way people used to live.

Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of busy highways, Anna’s Farm still has easy access to almost everything. You’ll appreciate the easy commute to Boulder, Denver and DIA. You’ll love the convenience of nearby shopping, schools, a recreation center and golf, plus Waneka Lake and walking and biking trails that are nearby.

Anna’s Farm has a few ranch and two-story, single-family homes and two-story duplexes still available, base priced from the low $200s to mid $300s. Homes feature 2, 3 or 4 bedrooms, up to 3-1/2 baths, unfinished basements, inviting covered front porches, and rear-loading garages that preserve the beauty of the front of each home.

Each home is Built Green and Energy Star Certified, and built with the Character for which Wonderland Homes is renowned, creating a lasting value with energy savings, resource conservation and overall comfort for the homeowner. Wonderland Homes is a local builder, building homes with Character for over 40 years.

With all these amenities, Anna’s Farm is truly the perfect place to call home. But be sure to visit soon because Anna’s Farm is in its final phase and almost sold out! Just a few homes are left. Series Closeout is in progress with closeout incentives available. Located one-half mile west of Highway 287 on Baseline Road. Open: Sunday, 12 to 5 p.m.; Monday 12 to 6 p.m.; Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information, call 303-665-2089 or visit www.WonderlandHomes.com.