Joseph Tuenge (that's "tun-gee") is the resident gentleman here at cityhomeCOLLECTIVE, and a hard-working agent whom we're more than happy to have on board. He strolled in our doors a few years ago, fully-bearded and all dapper-dan, eager to hit the proverbial ground running. The beard has since left us, but I've gotten to know more about this kind sir (see below) and I quite like having him around.

Joseph's arrival at our COLLECTIVE doorstep was no mistake--he sought us out because, in short, he felt certain that we did things differently...and well. He's a man of purpose, this one, and our aim to create a client-focused and design-forward business was perfectly in line with his own. He's well-suited to the CHC mantra, indeed, but he's also well-suited in a more literal sense: Joseph dresses to the veritable 9s, and I'd wager a bet that he's got no fewer than 10 perfectly tailored and tapered suits in his closet. In fact, a properly-fitted ensemble is something of a must for Joseph, and to that end, he started a men's fashion blog in 2013 that ultimately became something significantly bigger -- The Kind Sirs is "a social club for stylish gentlemen - specifically for men who prefer to be in full suit," whose agenda includes only looking sharp, staying involved, and doing some good. Joseph is mild-mannered by any definition, but on my favorite days, he'll pop into a conversation unexpectedly with some biting, delightful wit. I know he likes pick-up basketball because he occasionally comes in limping (*wink*), and he and his wife, Geneveive, have got thee most adorable wee one (proof here). He's a sweet one, but don't let his quiet nature fool you...I've seen this guy go to bat on behalf of clients, and it's a thing of fierce, respectful beauty. Read on and get to know him for yourself.

Describe your perfect home or space. What does it look/feel like? I would love to have a lakefront property someday. Something with a ‘walk out the back door and onto the dock’ sort of spot. I grew up at a place like this in Nebraska - and it was such a serene memory maker. Ideally, It’d be an old and dusty A-frame that could be turned into a moody masterpiece.

One thing you absolutely cannot stand: Broken promises. I’m a bit old fashioned, and I put a lot of faith into a firm handshake. Never feels good to be let down.


One thing you absolutely, unequivocally LOVE: Good design. My mother instilled this in me. She always tinkered with our home(s). I’d watch her work as a kid, and was always super proud her and her abilities. I suppose design was born in me, but it’s taken years of studying to figure out the ‘good’ part of that equation. Now it’s all about application - fashion, homes, cooking, etc. I’ve learned that having a design oriented mind is crucial to my success. I suppose that’s because at it’s genesis, it’s all about balance, organization, and reason.


You're an agent. Tell me why. What lead you to this work? I love being out in the world, hearing people’s stories, and feeling real purpose. As an agent, I get to do exactly that. Somedays I play the designer. Somedays I play the therapist, and others the celebrator. No day is alike, and my appreciation for different cannot be understated.


Give me your take on our little COLLECTIVE. I like to say that cityhome has built the stage, and encourages each of us to perform our own theatrical plays. I love that I get to have such inspiring people around me on a day-to-day basis. They give creatives like me an outlet to let it all flow. My version is different from everyone else’s. And that’s not just ok - that’s high fived!


Describe your perfect day. What, exactly, does that look like for you? A perfect day for me would be spent strolling the St. Germain district of Paris and popping in and out of all of its little bistros. The people watching there is just so much fun. Such a brilliant city, and I’m so glad that it exists. Really something that can’t be duplicated anywhere else in the world.

Favorite read/watch: I’m a daily Bible reader, but other than that, you can find me skimming menswear pubs like The Rake, The Players, and Mr. Porter, to name a few. My two all-time favorite movies are The Goonies, and Vanilla Sky — hands down!


On my first day of college, I walked through the crowded part of campus without knowing that my backpack had slowly pulled my skirt up over my ass. It shaped me as a person, I think, in that it ruined my life. Tell me something humiliating about you. Once upon a time I agreed to participate in a cycling class at my local gym. It was one of those where they blasted the heat and shut the doors. Being a highly competitive and pretty athletic guy, I thought it would be no big deal. I was doing great, and then suddenly, I wasn’t. I had overheated, and a goat-like collapse was performed without any regard for the floor. Class was stopped and I had to be carried out (in front of the entire gym mind you) and fanned back to life. I might rather have died.


You could be living anywhere, really. Why SLC? I’ve lived in four states now. I was literally searching for my version of perfect, and I know that I’ve found that in here in this magnificent city - Daybreak specifically. This is where I’m staking my flag. I have everything I need here. Our cities are clean, the mountains are close, the people are doers, and the fun is endless.


How do you think we can improve this fantastic little slice of our nation? Where are we lacking? I think that SLC is just now starting to realize that we are in fact a big city. It’s always been a hidden little gem, but it’s been found out, and we are really doing a great job of keeping up with the demands. As the city grows, I would love to see more local shops - especially coffee shops. Put an incredible coffee shop in a neighborhood and watch that area take off! They will always be trendy, and really have power to effect communities in a major way. So yeah…more of them please!