An Interview with the Annabode Team Sometimes I wish I could return to my childhood—before the internet, cell phones, and endless channels and streaming. We are inundated with information and communication from the moment we wake up to the moment we close our eyes, much of it useless or unimportant. I’m from a small town in rural New Hampshire and, despite living in Denver now, sometimes I wish my family could escape to the woods Walden-style and live out our fantasies of rustic living. Maybe we’ll get there someday, but for now, I take respite in slowing down and living as mindfully as I can ..read more

One of the most frequently asked questions we get is “Should I hire an interior designer?” People often think that interior designers only work on full home remodels or new construction. While that is certainly the case for some firms, many interior designers will take on projects from historic renovations, to single level renovations, to just furnishings & decor. Keep reading for our comprehensive guide to everything you need to know about hiring an interior designer. What does an interior designer do? Interior designers are here to make your life easier. We listen to your hopes & nee ..read more

We love the holiday season – it’s one of our favorite times of the year. That said, when it comes to decor, it’s easy to get swept up in the holiday cheer and make some not-so-sustainable choices for your health, your home, or the planet. Read on to discover our top seven tips for sustainable holiday decorating. 1. Buy a real tree Artificial trees are typically shipped from overseas, and because they’re made of plastic, they will eventually end up in a landfill. Real trees are more sustainable as they are biodegradable and can be recycled. Try buying yours from a local tree farm. 2. Shop seco ..read more

Denver’s interior design community is thriving, and we feel so lucky to be a part of it. We’ve compiled a list of the city’s top design firms. Read on to learn a bit more about those who made our list. Studio Thomas Lead Designer: Kristen Thomas Style: Clean and modern with plenty of texture Best for: Clients looking for an elevated aesthetic and lots of architectural detail @studiothomas Duet Design Group Lead Designers: Miranda Cullen and Devon Tobin Style: Upscale and unique Best for: Clients looking to “wow” with a space that’s one of a kind @duetdesigngroup State. Lead Designer: Laur ..read more

Life is messy – especially with kids. Our homes are filled with toys, backpacks, Costco bulk items, books, clothes, holiday decorations – so much so that it can often feel like our things are taking over our living space, without much space left to, well…live. One of the most common needs we hear from clients is that they are desperate for more storage. Whether it’s no front hall closet, not enough room for partners’ clothing in the bedroom, or too many toys in the living room, everyone wants more space to hide it all. We get it, and we’re happy to oblige. But… We should also all take a secon ..read more

In the world of sustainable design, there are innumerable certifications to declare a product, building, or business as “Green”. Whether it’s a product certification, business, or professional certification, we’ll help you navigate the most common: Sustainable Product Certifications When it comes to home and building products, there are several sustainability certifications that can cover almost any type of product. These certifications examine everything from product lifecycle to impact on human health: Cradle to Cradle Cradle-to-Cradle certified products must meet high standards for materia ..read more

Selling your furniture on Craigslist is a sustainable way to find a second life for a piece of furniture you no longer want or need (another one we like – Facebook Marketplace). Turning your trash into another man’s treasure is one of the easiest ways you can help the environment, as it helps to cut back on waste and the negative effects that can ensue when it’s disposed of improperly.  New to the whole Craigslist thing? No problem. Below is a list of our tips – from the listing to the transaction – that will help you sell your stuff online.  1. How to Write a Craigslist Listing How ..read more

In combing through our blog archives, I recently came across an old post in which I proudly revealed a living room makeover that made me pause.  It was my husband Austin’s and my first home, back when we lived in Washington, DC and long before I became an interior designer and founded Annabode. Seeing the old photos again and reading what I had written was humbling to say the least.  But it was also invigorating, and I thought – what could one find by looking back at all the iterations of our living rooms from the past ten years, even further back, from our first apartment to our cur ..read more

One of the easiest and most effective ways to add character and meaning to your space is to incorporate vintage and antiques finds into its design. Mixing old and new is often what helps to make a house feel like a home – and it’s a sustainable practice, too. Here in Denver we are lucky to have access to a multitude of resources for vintage and antiques. Read on to learn more about some of our local favorites. (Photo: @capsuledenver) Garage Vintage Location: 776 N. Santa Fe Dr. Inventory: Vintage and mid-mod furniture and décor Why we like it: Located in the charming Santa Fe Art District, it ..read more

Some of our most rewarding projects have been when we get to stretch our design chops and try a new style. Part of the beauty of working where we do in Colorado is that the architecture here runs the gamut from Victorian to Tudor Revival to Rustic to West Coast Modern. Do we bring the same beautiful elements to each new space – neutral palettes, organic forms, delicious textures? You betcha. Do we source as sustainably as possible, no matter the style? Always. Sustainable Design isn’t confined to one style. Instead, it considers: What things are made of Where they were made How they were made ..read more