How To: Style Your Wedding

STYLE YOUR WEDDING WITH FURNISHINGS & DECOR

Styling a wedding takes creativity, a love of design and an eye for detail. Every little piece contributes to the overall look to reflect you and the things you love.

Of course, there’s the dress, the cake and florals, but you can also express your personal style through furnishings and accessories on your special day.

Purchasing quality pieces for your wedding allows you and your partner to keep, repurpose and update your own home as you start your new life together. Rather than renting generic seating, purchase furniture that will last for years while holding a special meaning. Choosing your own pieces and upholstery also allows you to completely customize each component to bring your vision to life. Your furnishings and accessories easily become your wedding keepsakes as well as functional, beautiful pieces you’ll use every day.

As more and more weddings are evolving into more intimate celebrations, the focus shifts to investing in more meaningful elements rather than attempting to please and accommodate hundreds of guests. Recently, our Senior Designer, Mandy Black, partnered with wedding planner Emily Campbell of Go Bella event production to create a romantic setup for a small, outdoor celebration. Mandy shares some of her tips below for pulling together the wedding of your dreams, with pieces that will last long after the big day.

Include another whimsical seating space for guests to relax in the outdoors. Make it extra magical in the evening by adding candles or a chandelier hung from the trees.

The Lounge Chairs
When choosing accent chairs, you can get really creative with customizations. Each piece can be exactly how you’d like it, from fabric to finishes and nail heads. For your wedding day, and your home, we suggest choosing durable performance fabrics for any custom upholstery. There are so many gorgeous fabrics such as Crypton and Sunbrella that are completely treatable and cleanable in case accidents happen.

The Poufs
It’s fun to feature another texture and add softness to a space on your wedding day with poufs. Poufs are easy to move around can be used for seating in your living room, entry or at the foot of your bed.

The Pillows
Pillows are another fun accessory to mix and match and are completely customizable. Choose a variety of textures or patterns to make it eclectic or stick to the same color palette as the perfect accents featured in the same room.

Small accessories from your wedding day become instant heirlooms that can be passed down to generations.

The Bar Accessories
Perfect and functional for your wedding and your home. We love the look of decanters, wine coolers and whiskey glasses and love that they are small enough to move through your dining room, living room and kitchen for entertaining.

The Tabletop Accessories
From candlesticks and vases to bowls and platters, your wedding tabletop accessories can seamlessly refresh any space in your home.

The best part of your wedding day are the small details, the big moments and the memories you keep. By investing in your own furnishings and accessories, you’re not only styling your dream day, but are able to bring mementos back into your home.

Featured Vendors
Photography I @jamesandschulze
Producer I @gobelladesign
Florals I @bloomflowershop
Cakes and desserts I @katypiersoncake
Furniture I @thecollectivedesign
Location I @skitiplodge @keystoneweddings

Come browse our collection of designer-curated furnishings and accessories at our furniture store, get creative with furniture customizations or get in touch with one of our designers to make your special day even more memorable.

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Our Holiday Gift Ideas

COLLECTIVE’S HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
WITH MANDY BLACK, SENIOR DESIGNER

interior design expert - The Collective Design

With the approaching holidays, many of us are looking forward to cozying up with our loved ones for meaningful meals, memorable moments, and the opportunity to slow down and enjoy rest and relaxation with our closest circles.

Whether you’re looking for an impactful gift for your family, friend, or host, or want to treat yourself this holiday season to larger home design updates that will be enjoyed long after the holiday celebrations, Collective has you covered.

Make your giving as magical as the holidays with our unique, furnishings and décor inspired by our team of designers. Here, I share some of my favorite pieces in our Frisco furniture store that would bring joy to any loved one and make for the perfect, unforgettable gift.

Who wouldn’t love a new coffee table to gather around? Whether it’s for relaxing nights in with friends, or for family game night, this centerpiece of the living area brings everyone together, literally. I love this Chamcha wood, grey waterfall dining table. It’s a very transitional piece and could work in both a traditional or modern space. The natural wood material, the waterfall edging, and live-edge details make it unique and a one-of-a-kind piece.

Give the gift of comfort for kids or adults alike. This sheep fur bean bag will bring a uniquely sophisticated sense of relaxation to any home. Perfect in a bunk or media room, this piece is so soft and cozy. It’s a must-have for your mountain home.

I love this piece, the smooth obsidian chair, for its neutral tones and the wood accents that bring the outdoors in and add a little modern touch. Beautiful in a living room or as an accent chair in a bedroom, the gray material provides a soft element and relaxing feel.

Many of us are working from home this holiday season. This hair-on-hide desk makes for a functional, yet stylish addition to any home or study.

Wall art is both sentimental and unique – the perfect gift for the people who have everything! I love this petrified shell artwork for its unique, 3-dimensional display and natural elements. This piece is one that can be showcased during the holidays and throughout the year in any mountain home.

Another one of my favorite must-have items is our petrified wood martini table. This beautiful piece doubles as artwork and is pretty in a bedroom next to an accent chair, between swivels or next to a sofa in the living room. Accessorize with a favorite book or evening cocktail!

Along with these items there are many more gifts available in our furniture store from unique accessories like coffee table books, candles, and decanters to rugs, throws and pillows to bigger furnishings and artwork.

We wish you a very happy holiday! No matter the time of year, if you’re looking for a refresh, remodel, or full design overhaul, get in touch with our team of award-winning designers to discuss your vision. We’d love to work with you.

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Renovation Before & Afters

BRECKENRIDGE REMODEL BEFORE & AFTER

Whether you’re considering a remodel an existing space or building a new home from the ground up, our full-service architectural offerings have you covered from the first client meeting and initial renderings to the final product. Our approach towards bringing our client’s visions to life is founded on our guiding principles of trust, transparency and collaboration. By combining the forces of our award-winning designers and our in-house architects, Collective is fully equipped to tackle challenges like this remodel located in Breckenridge’s Warrior’s Mark neighborhood.

Beginning with a home built in the mid-70s with many years since an update, our team focused on introducing a more progressive design while adding more spaces for gathering. “We completely stripped the house down to the studs. We rebuilt the garage to create three new bedrooms, added a new garage with a rooftop deck and ripped out the original bedrooms to make room for an entertaining space. Finally, we combined the kitchen, living and dining areas into one airy, open-concept space,” said Architect, Zane Levin. “This is one of the larger remodels I’ve worked on and resulted in one of the coolest transformations.”

Here, we share this home’s before-and-after evolution and how the clients of this project appreciated our seamless design process, personal approach and attention to detail. Join Zane as he sits down with the client to get the full story on this unbelievable remodel.

Zane: What was different about working with Collective compared with what you expected?
Client: The level of detail Collective provided from the beginning and through the project was much greater than I expected. I felt comfortable that nothing was going to get missed because there were so many details to see and choose. The team made it easy by offering great suggestions for us to review and choose.

Zane: Why did you initially choose Collective?
Client: The professionalism and experience. Throughout the process, the team had it all under control and laid everything out very easily for us.

Zane: What was your biggest concern in choosing Collective, and what put your fears to rest?
Client: My biggest concern was having to make a thousand decisions on my own in something I have never done, a full remodel. Collective put those fears to rest early in the process when they made it clear that they will keep everything under control and won’t let us make a single mistake.

Zane: What were you hoping to get out of working with Collective, and how did the experience compare to your expectations?
Client: We were hoping to get great guidance on the project and suggestions that fit our idea and desires for the home and for the way we live. Collective nailed it and took our initial idea to a new level that ended up even better than we could have ever expected.

Zane: What made you happiest working with Collective? Client: The end result. Through the process, the designers made every little detail very seamless for us, but the end result of the home, what we were looking for and more, really makes us the happiest. Learn more about our Summit County architecture team, our process and browse our breadth of work. If you’re ready to bring your vision of home to life, get in touch with our team of architects and designers today.

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Revive Your Spaces with New Furniture

REFRESH & REFURNISH YOUR HOME

What do you feel when you step inside your home? Does it bring you a sense of comfort, joy and inspiration? Your home should be your happy place, your respite; not an additional source of stress or anxiety.

If you’ve been looking to make a change in your home, big or small, there’s never been a better time. Whether you’re looking for a few new furnishings or accessories, or a full revamp, our team is here to make your vision a reality.

Here, two of our designers show how they bring existing spaces back to life.

Before

After

Collective Design Team
What spaces were the clients looking to update and why?
The clients bought the entire home furnished. All of the pieces were pretty traditional, dark, heavy and not very functional. They wanted to brighten, refresh and open up their spaces. We introduced lighter tones and stylish pieces in a more practical layout that complimented the client’s taste.

Was there a theme in the pieces chosen for the project?
The overall theme was mountain modern. We incorporated different color schemes throughout each room of the house, which was fun and made each space unique.

What’s something unique about this project?
We wanted to do something different and playful in the stairwell since there’s about three levels of wall space. We knew our custom skier, snowboarder and climber wall art figures would be perfect. The clients chose which poses and figures they wanted to display, and we mapped out which would look best where. Then it was just a matter of picking the right colors to make the ombre effect happen! The figures start out as red at the bottom of the stairs, to match the family room color scheme, and have an ombre effect leading to the dark blue figure up top that ties in the living room’s color scheme.

How did your clients react to the final design?
They were excited to see their home in a whole new light. These are a few of the comments that they shared…
“This was our first time working remotely with a designer. We appreciated the level of detail that was put into presentations, samples, etc. to ensure we were comfortable with the selections. The ease of the process and the team made us happiest. Everyone was positive, accommodating and communication was excellent. There were no financial surprises and the design team provided very detailed reports of project costs. We now have a beautiful home with quality furnishings and a relationship going forward for future needs. The experience exceeded our expectations.”

Before

After

Catherine Lykins, Associate Designer
What spaces were your clients looking to update and why?
My clients were looking to refurnish their entire new home. Upon moving in, there were a few pieces left behind from the former owner that were mostly log-style, more traditional furnishings. My clients and I wanted to go in a completely different direction. I wanted to help liven up the space by introducing a more mountain modern vibe that complemented their home and their personal aesthetic.

What was the process like for this project?
I always ask a ton of questions from the beginning to get to know my clients personally, get a sense of their style and what inspires them. It’s so important to build that client-designer relationship so we are able to work together and continue to build trust throughout the project.

For this project, we basically started from scratch to create an entire new look. My clients shared images of their primary home to show their style and what they love. I knew exactly what they were looking for, so we were up and running in no time! From there, I got familiar with the home and provided a few floorplan options for each room. Once my clients decided on the final layout, I started sourcing pieces that not only fit with the home’s character, but also provided beauty and functionality for their family.

Was there a theme in the pieces chosen for the project?
My clients wanted a more mountain modern look with touches of whimsical accents. I featured some of my favorite embroidered pillows that tied the living and dining room color schemes together perfectly.

Want to see more of our projects? Check out our before & after remodels blog or our interior design portfolio. If you’re ready to bring your vision of home to life get in touch with our designers today.

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Considering a Remodel?

REMODELS – BEFORE & AFTER

Refreshed. It’s that feeling you get from new beginnings. It’s recognizing the inevitability of change and celebrating a new season of life. It’s seeing your home in a whole new light, and injecting energy back into your space with thoughtful design updates.

There’s never been a better time to breathe new life into your home with a remodel or renovation, leaning on our designers to build upon what you already love while embracing the evolution of your vision and the optimism of a fresh start.

Here, our designers and architect share how they revive spaces through remodels, their personal approach and attention to detail to bring their client’s vision of home to life.

Catherine Lykins, Associate Designer

Before

After

What were your clients looking to update and why?
They were looking to remodel the entire basement to add a larger family room, bar, bunk room, office, and bathroom. The rest of the home focused on mainly cosmetic updates, space planning, and new furnishings and accessories.

What was the process like for this project?
Since this is remodel, we had to start by figuring out what the scope of the project was and what the clients were looking for. After meeting with them, talking through how they’ll be using their home, and honing in on their style, we moved into the design set phase. The general contractors then take over and we act as their right hand with anything they need design related. Once construction was finishing up, we went through the same process for furnishings.

What’s something unique about this remodel?
This ski-in, ski-out home was built in 1975. You can see how different these spaces feel simply by updating the floors, paint, and ceiling.

Collective Design Team

Before

After

What were they looking to update and why?
The clients were looking to update the kitchen and living spaces on the main floor, the place where they gather and entertain most. We pushed the kitchen island out, created a custom wet bar, updated to neutral washed cabinets, lighter tile, and new hardware. We also stripped the dark, traditional look of the log accent wall and added a neutral wash to make the room look larger and brighter. All the details and pieces were thoughtfully chosen to reflect their lifestyle and aesthetic.

What’s something unique about this remodel?
Textures play a huge role in making a space warm, inviting ,and unique. We were able to work with our clients to design stunning, custom area rugs which tied it all together.

Zane Levin, Principal Architect

Before

In Progress

eagle-county-remodel-architecture-during

After

What were they looking to update and why?
Everything besides the roof and the walls. We completely stripped the house down to the studs. We rebuilt the existing garage to create 3 new bedrooms, added a new garage with a rooftop deck, ripped out the original bedrooms to be an entertaining space and incorporated an open concept in the kitchen, living and dining areas. The clients wanted more sleeping capacity, a new master bedroom larger than the existing bedrooms, and fun areas for gathering.

What’s something unique about this remodel?
When we use the term, “remodel” or “renovation”, it’s typically a change to a portion of the home. An addition is a singular space that’s added, like a new master suite or new garage. This home is a remodel with an addition, making it unique in itself. The project was a lot like a new construction build because of its huge undertaking and we’re doing so much.

Want to see more of our projects? Check out our before & after refurnish blog or our interior design portfolio. If you’re ready to bring your vision of home to life, get in touch with our designers today.

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Our Favorite Home Bar Designs – Cheers!

OUR FAVORITE BAR DESIGNS

Our Collective design team shares their favorite home bar designs…

The thing I love most about this bar is that it blends perfectly with the home’s environment and doesn’t stand apart from the overall décor. It comes equipped with ample shelving space for bottles and glasses and has everything necessary to relax and entertain in style. The location complements the home’s living space, allowing for easy access to that perfect cocktail after a long day of working from home!
~ Adrienne, President of Design

This was originally dead space underneath the stairs. Our client is an engineer by trade, and upon noticing the dead space, asked if it might be possible to use it as a wine room. With a lot of creativity and collaboration with the construction team, we made it happen. Although it has a glass door, you don’t really know what’s in the room until you walk in and go under the stairs. The glass door definitely piques your curiosity to see what else might be in the space! We incorporated materials used throughout the rest of the home – natural stone walls, wood flooring done in a herringbone pattern to make it feel special, barnwood, and decorative lighting. The clients were thrilled with the final result and say it’s one of their most favorite spaces in the house.
~ Lisa, Design Director

I love how inviting this bar is. It is the first area you see when walking downstairs from the main living room. With a home theater featuring lounge seating for ten to the right, and a bowling lane and gaming table to the left, this is the perfect space to unwind and entertain guests. The natural elements used complement the outdoor Copper Mountain scenery, and the pendant lighting that runs across the ceiling adds an extra wow factor. This space is a picture-perfect destination for an at-home happy hour!
~ Mandy, Senior Designer

I love that this bar and family room provide an open concept space with plenty to do! It incorporates ample seating at two bar areas, a theater, pool table, and a game table. We also included mirrored bronze crackle glass countertops instead of granite. I love that it helps reflect light in the lower level and it’s definitely a conversation piece! ~ Catherine, Associate Designer

Want to see more of our favorite spaces? Check out our interior design portfolio and follow us on Instagram for daily inspiration. If you’re ready to bring your vision of home to life, get in touch with one of our award-winning designers.

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Decorate Your Mountain Home for the Holidays

HOW TO DECORATE YOUR MOUNTAIN HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Mandy Black
Design Consultant

When planning your holiday decorations, think about what inspires you. My husband and I are always taking hikes and exploring, which inspires me to bring the outdoors into our home this holiday season. Mixing natural elements with pretty, sparkling accessories makes any space cozy and festive. Here, I’ve put together some simple tips to bring the holiday spirit into your mountain home.

How To: Decorate Your Mantle

Winter foliage and evergreens are a great place to begin when it comes to the mantle. I started by placing the wreath. I wanted to add that natural element while drawing the eye up. Then I placed a simple garland to run the greenery the full length of the mantle.

Another thing to remember when styling a mantle is adding height to either side. You don’t have to worry about being too symmetrical. It gives the decor a whimsical vibe if you interchange a few different heights and materials, like the candle holders and glass trees.

If you want to add a little more color, throw some ornaments onto the garland. The pop of red mixed with the silver and glitter from the ornaments is so pretty and really ties the design together!

How To: Decorate Your Coffee Table

It’s fun to think outside the box when planning your holiday decor. Simple tricks like adding a wreath to your coffee table is an easy way to do so. You can fill the center of the wreath with gorgeous ornaments to display those festive colors.

Another easy holiday decorating trick is adding candles to your design. The soft flickering light brings warmth to the space, while adding a different element to your decor.

How To: Decorate Your Dining Table

Wow your friends & family this year with an amazing holiday table! The best design trick here? It’s all about layers! Lining stylish vases down the middle of your table with winter foliage is a great place to start. Then, mix in some fun candle taper holders on each side. You can add greenery or garland between the vases and more candlesticks to make the centerpiece look fuller.

Another simple holiday trick is adding pinecones or nuts to the table, bringing in warmth with another natural element. Don’t forget to incorporate festive linens or napkins to add softness and color to the table.

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How To: Style Your Nightstand

HOW TO STYLE YOUR NIGHTSTAND

Cat Lykins
Associate Designer

The bedroom is a space where you refresh, relax and recharge, so it’s important that it’s very “you.” Nightstands are a piece you can completely personalize, mixing your favorite photo and your latest book club novel with great accessories. You’ll see these just before you sleep and right after you wake, so put some thought into how you want to feel in those moments and the pieces that will get you there. Here are some of my favorite nightstands and accessories and tips on how to style and personalize bedroom furniture.

Choosing a Nightstand

Before I choose a nightstand, I measure the space to be sure I’m getting the perfect fit. An appropriately sized nightstand will sit even, or as close to the top of the mattress as possible. Typically, I will line the back of the nightstand up with the back of the bed and leave a few inches between the two for bedding. Then I love to choose a unique yet stylish nightstand that makes a statement in the room. The goal is to have it catch your eye and work as a focal point.

One of my favorites is our Greyson Nightstand. The raised harlequin pattern on the Greyson’s facade gives it a playful feel. Its modern-machine look comes from its hand-aged, zinc finish, while three drawers provide ample storage. Plus, it’s neutral so it can work in any space.

After selecting a strong focal piece as my foundation, I’ll choose the nightstand accessories.

Lamps
A lamp is a great bedroom accessory and highly functional, adding personal lighting to your space. Again, I start by measuring. A good way to properly size a lamp for your nightstand is to measure from the top surface of the nightstand to the top of your headboard. The top of the lamp should sit near the top of the headboard. I love the Quail Lamp which brings a splash of color to a neutral space.

Books
To add more height and color to your nightstand, a stack of books is a decorative and functional way to accessorize. Always include your favorite reading book over a few of our tabletop books: Good To Glow, A Beautiful Mess, Dog People, Cuba, or A Tribute to Flowers and more. Make sure that it’s an odd number in the stack. Believe it or not, this helps give visual balance.

Greenery
Add a succulent or a small vase of flowers for a natural element that visually softens the room.

Meaningful, Purposeful Pieces
Finally, add a favorite small accessory to your nightstand. A photo frame holding your favorite memory, a jewelry dish or simply a pair of glasses. Have fun with it and play with items outside the box!

Collective’s team welcomes the opportunity to meet with you and discuss your remodel goals—and how we can become your partner in designing a home you love!

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How To: Style Your Coffee Table

REMODEL TIPS FROM COLLECTIVE DESIGN’S PROS

Lisa Yates

Design Director

When you think of a living room, it should bring you memories of gathering. Whether it’s playing a board game with your family or having friends over for cocktails, everything happens on or around the coffee table. It can be where you showcase some of your favorite possessions, be a functional piece and even a one-of-a-kind showstopper, all in one. Here, I get to share my personal interior design tips and favorite items for how to style your coffee table.

It’s all about style, texture, and scale when it comes to your space and furnishings. As for coffee tables, people are moving away from glass-top coffee tables and towards more comfortable, livable profiles. In your mountain home especially, natural elements are the way to go.

Round coffee tables are hard to find, and this one is especially beautiful with the unique use of the natural wood slices. Our chamcha wood Boscage Coffee Table brings a stunning natural element into your living space.

Must-have items on every coffee table:

Books

Three of my favorite coffee table books are Colorado Black On White by John Fielder, with over 200 images of his life’s work in Colorado, Ice Is Black by Laurent Baheaux, showcasing arctic landscapes and wildlife, and The Equestrian World by Peter Clotten, for his journey behind the scenes at world-famous equestrian competitions, races and more.

A Tray

Every coffee table needs a tray to serve as a catch all for remotes, coasters, candles and more. Our pine tree or skier trays are unique, fun, and perfect for your mountain home. If you’re looking for something different, we have some gorgeous hair-on-hide trays that are beautiful and mountain-modern.

Coasters

Coasters are a necessity but can still be stylish and natural. Our olive wood coasters are patterned by the natural grain of wood, and each has a unique patterning making no two ever the same. Or our hair-on-hide coasters are a chic accent and pull in an elegant look. I like to keep it clean and simple. Depending on the style of the space, textures of décor and scale of the coffee table, consider adding a candle or greenery help give it some height. Also, changing the candle and flowers based on the season is a fun way to mix things up and show off your personal style.

Candles

For a different texture, I love our wild groves metal candles that are industrial and clean without being overwhelming, Accessorize with a cute set of matches, too!

Greenery

Brighten up your space with some natural greens. I love our faux succulents that come in sets of 3. Display them all together or disperse around your home on tabletops. Fresh or faux, greenery is always in-style and freshens up your space.

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STYLE YOUR WEDDING WITH FURNISHINGS & DECOR

COLLECTIVE’S HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDEWITH MANDY BLACK, SENIOR DESIGNER

BRECKENRIDGE REMODEL BEFORE & AFTER

REFRESH & REFURNISH YOUR HOME

REMODELS – BEFORE & AFTER

OUR FAVORITE BAR DESIGNS

HOW TO DECORATE YOUR MOUNTAIN HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

HOW TO STYLE YOUR NIGHTSTAND

REMODEL TIPS FROM COLLECTIVE DESIGN’S PROS

Must-have items on every coffee table:

Coasters

Candles

Greenery

COLLECTIVE’S HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
WITH MANDY BLACK, SENIOR DESIGNER