As we prepare to usher in a new year, there are so many things to consider. How do we want 2020 to look? What should be different for us, personally, professionally, or otherwise? How can each of us act as a more productive, participatory, and empathetic member of our respective communities? We all want to be inspired in some way, be it to change or progress, to move on, to level up. To do the hard things that will ultimately make us better humans, better friends, better partners, employees, or neighbors. And as part of this growth process, we should welcome help in all its many forms. A little outside perspective never hurt anyone, and we should welcome that, too. In fact, the concept of “welcoming” is one that encompasses hospitality, empathy, acceptance, kindness, and love. And we could all do with a bit more of all of that.
to that end, we have a little announcement..
The first Friday evening of every month in 2020, cityhomeCOLLECTIVE will host an ongoing discussion about WELCOMING led by local and national experts. WELCOMING CHANGE in our bodies and minds. Designing and creating homes, buildings, and public SPACES THAT WELCOME collaboration, creativity, and satisfaction. WELCOMING joy and healing. Nourishing families and institutions that WELCOME DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION. Innovators and technologies working towards more WELCOME HABITATS for all the species on our planet.
Welcome to Salt Lake City’s community of thinkers and doers.
First Fridays will be free and open to the public, as it’s our hope that each of you will find a “welcoming” topic that speaks to and inspires you. And we’re beyond thrilled that Thomas McConkie, founder of Lower Lights and a COLLECTIVE favorite exemplary human, will be our inaugural First Fridays series presenter on January 3rd, 2020 (reserve your spot now at the link below). Through his thoughtful teaching and generous community-building example, Thomas exemplifies the values that our series theme of “Welcoming” seeks to explore throughout 2020.
The Lower Lights non-profit organization bridges Thomas’s experiences traveling the world twice over, studying Buddhism for over 20 years with the likes of Shinzen Young and Sasaki Roshi, and his innovative research in adult developmental psychology with Dr. Terri O’Fallon. Building on these themes, Thomas will lead a discussion about Welcoming A New Self, Welcoming New Connections that we’re damn near giddy with anticipation about being a part of in January and beyond. He’s passionate about helping individuals understand their capacity to grow, and expanding the scope of caring awareness from self, to community, to the world, and all of creation. An approach he believes has never been more crucial as we face the challenging times in which we live. Learn more about Thomas McConkie and the Lower Lights community at lowerlightswisdom.org. Please come prepared with an open mind and generous spirit, as Thomas is planning an experiential exchange where participants can explore this territory directly.
Seating is limited; reserve your spot by registering here!
If I were asked to name the chief benefit of the house, I should say: the house shelters day-dreaming, the house protects the dreamer, the house allows one to dream in peace. When the image is new, the world is new.” ― Gaston Bachelard, The Poetics of Space
Of all the things we’re grateful for this holiday weekend, the freedom to create spaces that are unequivocally ours is near the tip top. In my opinion, it’s of the utmost importance that we strive to create physical spaces that are in line with the lives we hope to live—if we can do that, we can help our homes help us be who we want to be. Yes, we know that our houses should shelter us, but it’s my belief that they should also empower us. While finances, circumstances, and life in general all ebb, flow, and get the occasional wrench thrown in them, in the end it is still up to us to decide what kind of life we want to live.
The beautiful part is that that “kind of life” is different for all of us, and it inevitably manifests itself physically into our spaces. It’s sort of a real world reflection of where you are on the inside, so it should be entirely unique. It shouldn’t be what others want for you (and it doesn’t even need to be what you wanted it to be six months ago). It’s what you want, here and now. At the end of the day, you know what sort of space suits you best, and you shouldn’t compromise on it.
So while we’re all heading in for hibernation, let’s get clear on what we want both of those spaces—inside and outside—to look like. They’ll both affect the other, after all.
Revisits and revisions to your dream space are to be expected, and there’s never a bad time to sit for a moment and marinate on the things that are important to us. Where do you feel most at home? How can we take that feeling with us when we leave? Whether we want a quiet refuge or more time on porches with people we love, that’s a choice we get to make on the outside that will positively impact our insides.
Let’s allow our homes to serve both as our sanctuaries and as a reminder to make the choice, again and again, to be “at home” within ourselves first. There’s no one quite like you out there in the world, and no space quite like yours. During this season of thanks, I’d like to thank you for both. Good choice.
While cityhomeCOLLECTIVE houses realtors, designers, and writers, alike, we’re all strung together with a fervor for interesting architecture and beautiful interiors. That said, the homes on this website aren’t limited to those we’ve designed or are representing in sale—we happily feature homes that simply inspire us, no matter their standing. The homes and hidden gems showcased in our Place of Worship series are meant to educate our readers about those brilliant spaces scattered across our state. There’s no set criteria for a cityhomeCOLLECTIVE Place of Worship—no architectural style, time period, minimum square footage, location, or price point, but rather an attention to detail and an appreciation for intentionally designed space.
IN THE SPIRIT OF PRAISE AND AN EFFORT TO INSPIRE A FEW MORE “AMEN”S, WE’RE MAKING AN OFFICAL CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS…
Is there a particular place you’d love to see featured on our site (say, with dazzling photos and write up to match)? Simply submit a bit of information (neighborhood, a brief description, and any interior/exterior photos you can snap) for consideration to our editor at the link below. Whether it’s your own home, your grandmother’s, or a bank you’ve long swooned over, we’d love to see the places you worship.
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A RESIDENTIAL OR COMMERCIAL SPACE.
Every holiday season–most every day of the year, for that matter–we dote on our clients. And while it‘s true that said clients are the lifeblood of this little COLLECTIVE of ours, today I‘m feeling a profound and overwhelming gratitude for another sensational group of people. That is, the veritable heartbeat of our business–my colleagues. Stick with me. Think of those you work with that make your job easier. The ones that often make you think, “thank god you do that so well...so that I don’t have to.”
You’re glad to have them, right? me, too.
My holiday wish (I’m making it come true right now, actually) is that you, our community and client family, be able to see what I see. I want to give you a peek behind the COLLECTIVE curtain…beyond the home sales and the beautifully designed spaces, beyond the perfectly curated Instagram images and meticulously edited copy, beyond the cozy office and the lofty manifesto. Behind all of that is a very real crew of people. And I want you all to know how very much I appreciate that crew…
so I’m going to give you a gratitude-filled look at why I love where I work so very much.
For all our differences, the team we’ve built at cityhome is alike in all the ways that matter. Realtors, yes. Designers, yes. Writers and editors and creatives…absolutely. But every last person here is made up of the actual good stuff. They’re all the kinds of people I’d let into my life on a personal level (and–for the most part–have). They’re the kind of friends that keep secrets and have your back. They’re honest people who challenge me every day, but only because they care as deeply about this COLLECTIVE endeavor as I do. When they’re in the room, you’re reminded of what good people they are…and when they’re not around, everyone else talks about how good they are. They tell me what I need to hear, rather than what I want to hear, because they believe it’s more important to have a difficult conversation that matters than the easy kind that comes with ambivalence. They’re the kind of people that you brag to your mom about. And I do. Like, all the god damn time. *makes quick call*
It’s difficult to explain, I suppose, but occasionally I wonder if my chest looks out of place on my body–surely, the love is so big it must be visible on the outside (but, like, let me know if it looks weird or if it just makes my pecks look really good). I feel a palpable joy when I think about the individuals who actually choose to come work at our little company, day in and day out (I’m not crying, you’re crying). And so, this holiday season, I want to express love to our clients, yes. Always. You are precisely what makes us tick. But more importantly, I’d like to encourage everyone to express some gratitude for those in your offices, homes, or neighborhoods that may need to hear it. Whomever it is. Say thanks. ‘Tis the season.
And to my dear crew at cityhomeCOLLECTIVE–from the absolute depths of my heart–I see you, and I’m glad to have you, and I’m madly, kindly, peacefully in love with all of you. (Have a look at the happy, healthy mugs below and tell me you wouldn’t fall just as hard.)
Happy Christmas.
This unit, much like the historic Sampson Altadena building it’s sat in, has a pretty strong sense of self. It’s always nice to spend time in a place that not only knows its aesthetic strengths, but how to flaunt them, as well, so we leapt at the opportunity to take a mid-day city stroll and pop by for a bit of atmosphere…
Hosting here is easy.
The original woodwork, the brick, the perfect bit of outdoor space, and the naturally lit dining room all but set the vibe for you so that you’re free to pay attention to the small details. The spatial elements all blend beautifully, providing a spotlight that allows the inhabitants to shine.
And how you shine is perfectly up to you.
Whether it’s reading and tea-sipping on the patio or having coffee, croissants, and conversation with friends, this space ensures the heavy lifting is squared away in the best of ways. A mid-city sanctuary with views and vibes aplenty, this one. We suggest you snag this salty slice while you can.
WANT TO SEE THE REST? CLICK HERE FOR FULL LISTING DETAILS.
We’ve all got issues, gang. Sh*t that requires daily work. We’ve got stress and anxiety, frustrations and irritation. It’s emotional, psychological, and mental…and we’re all slogging through it as best we can. But Salt Lake City residents may not know that some of those issues might just be worked out one sweet, sweaty class at a time…
Enter rebel house. for pedaling, punching, and peace.
First-timers to this joint are likely to walk in thinking about calories or goals and walk out happily high on nothing but the good vibes. This is the kind of place that enables you to stop focusing on the dreaded workout and think instead of how great it feels to just be there.
Rebel is run by a team of people who, quite simply, practice what they preach. Owners Devin and Nina sought to create a judgement-free, uplifting space where people could feel empowered to better themselves, no matter what that looks like. Says Devin, “Rebel House is a safe space, a space of inclusiveness, a place for people to focus on themselves, to disconnect from their phone, their job, etc.” Adds Nina, “you get what you give, and giving acceptance and inclusiveness is a beautiful thing. Especially when it’s wrapped up in a sweat dripping environment that creates real results and changes in you physically and mentally.”
There are no expectations at Rebel (and it’s kind of the best part). You can take a cycling class or a boxing class (or both) and be on your way. Go hide in the darkest corner of the room (the lights are off! No judgement!) and duck out quickly if you’re feeling anxious (guilty, as charged). Or you can show up ready for support and conversation. It’s all equally encouraged. Alone time, friend time, sweat time, mentor time, party time. Rebel’s an all-the-time-spot.
If you can’t solve your problems in an hour, at least you’ll come out with a clearer head.
Kudos to Devin, Nina, and the team for taking on the turbulent life that comes with starting a business, so that we can all be better equipped to work on ourselves. Do yourself a favor, and keep reading below to get to know these fantastic people. Then make your way to Rebel House.
Rebel House | 320 W 200 S | 801.718.7448
Why Salt Lake? In business and in life, for that matter?
Devin: Nina and I are both from Utah. We grew up in this city, and we thought we wanted nothing more than to get out of Utah. When we started dating we traveled all over the world and then moved to San Diego because we thought we would find what we were looking for outside of Utah. After a few years we knew that we wanted to be in SLC because we felt we could contribute to making it a place people wanted to call home…that we could create a space that revolved around community and bring some of the culture we experienced traveling the world. Utah is such a rad place to live and play and we felt like by creating Rebel we would contribute to that.
Nina:I love the hell out of this city. It took me traveling the world for 7 years, and living in California for less than a year (8 years ago) to realize just how much I love it here and that the grass wasn’t greener on the other side. Growing up, I felt this city was too small and lacked what I desired in a day-to-day lifestyle, but the past 10 years of living downtown in the heart of the city and watching it grow has been one amazing site to see. I can’t wait to see what’s to come for our city, and what we can contribute to it.
Tell us about the Rebel client:
Nina: Our clientele is extremely diverse in their backgrounds and physical abilities and that’s how we like it. One thing they all seem to have in common is heart. Our people are caring–to the point that I get chills on the daily with the acts of kindness I see.
Devin: The answer is pretty awesome actually. We have attracted people who want to feel connected, who want to give love and who want to work hard to feel empowered. We have become a cultural center, and we have people of all walks of life that show up and work their asses off for a common cause to be better and feel better.
There’s a lot of heart in your business, from employees to clients. How do you cultivate this without being cheesy or disingenuous?
Devin: Nina and I have always said it is never about the bike or the bag…it is about the experience that we provide. We believe whole heartedly that we all just want to feel connected, we want to feel like we are apart of something bigger than ourselves. Rebel is and will always be built on a connection. Our trainers and front-of-house staff all show up everyday to feel that connection just like our community, and that community showing up to do hard things with a smile makes it all worth it for all of us.
Nina: Coming to Rebel House we often hear “I really love this place and how I feel when I’m here…and I can’t put my finger on why,” from our clients. We believe whole heartedly that it is because we are so dedicated to genuinely getting to know everyone, and not on just a surface level. We really feel like a majority of the clients as the Rebel family who spend countless hours together in an uplifting and accepting environment.
You’re helping people transform. But how has opening and running this place transformed you?
Nina: This has been personally so transformative in seeing just how good people are out there. With how bleak the media is now a days, how many people struggle to keep up with the perfectly portrayed person they see on social media, how much sadness there is out there…it’s been incredible to watch all of the love that our space and people bring to it. Getting people together for fundraisers and raising large amounts of money to go towards bettering the world has helped me feel value, light, and optimism in my own life. I have never been one to want the spot light and I love seeing the difference I can make in peoples lives from what I can orchestrate and dream up behind the scenes.
Devin: I’m going to answer this in two pieces. 1) It is the hardest thing we have ever experience, we have never had a staff, we have never had to give feedback to people good and bad, we have never had to create an experience for people that makes them want to keep coming back, it’s hard, there have been a lot of sleepless nights, a lot of stress, a lot of tears! 2) I told my mom the other day that up until we opened Rebel I was unfulfilled, that I knew that my life was destined for something more. Today I could honestly say that if I died tomorrow, I would be proud of what Nina and I and are team have done. We did not build this place because we wanted to be rich, or to be known as “successful”, we built this place because we wanted to feel connected to other people and make the world a better place. The people have transformed me.
Got any great advice for other business owners?
Devin: Being a business owner is hard, and sucks at times, but is also the most rewarding thing you can experience. If you don’t love what you are doing and full-heartedly believe in what you do, don’t do it. Because when you are working 100+ hrs a week, and you’re broke and have more debt than you know what to deal with, you will quit, haha. But if you are serious about what you want to do then just go for it. The universe will open doors that you never knew were there. But remember, you have to be open to it and you have to be willing to wear all the weight on your shoulders.
Nina: Yes…do something that you love. I know we’ve all heard that a million times, but it’s SO TRUE. What gives you the chills? Do that and the success will follow if you’re willing to work hard and put your whole heart in it.
Let’s say you overheard someone talking about Rebel House…what would you hope to hear them say?
Nina: If I were to hear about Rebel from a stranger I’d want to hear that it’s a place that makes them feel better than when they walked in. I want it to inspire those who walk in the door to be better, and do better each and every day.
Devin: I would hope to hear them say that the community is what makes Rebel amazing. That there is no judgment. That it is inclusive.
Over the last decade, I’ve owned a few homes, and in each of those spaces, there has been (at least) one feature—one special detail—that I’ve loved. Something that stuck with me, such that when I look back, I can recall a routine or experience or feeling that was tied very distinctly to that particular home. So when I decided to build a home from [proverbial] scratch, I realized that I could scroll through the memories of homes past—my former condos, my restored Victorian and mid-century modern homes—and determine how to move forward. I got to really consider what it was I loved, then how to reinterpret it for an entirely different space.
It’s been one of the best parts of this insanely-daunting process.
The build-from-scratch effort is a long and tedious one. It requires an inordinate amount of patience. Of forethought, of back-and-forth, of resolve. What began with an architect meeting in 2015 and became appliance picking a few months later is still happening. Choosing finishes and marking progress is not quick or easy. But ideally, the space will be better for all the effort and time.
In thinking what exactly I have loved about past spaces of mine (and why), I came to realize a few absolute necessities of my yet-to-be-built space, and we carefully weaved them each into the design process. You can glean a bit of the magic in the fall 2017 and spring 2018 progress photos shown…but you’ll have to wait until I move in to see the rest.
In the mean time, here’s the what-to-expect rundown:
1. My goals are lofty. I loved my loft at the Westgate building downtown. No wasted space, just an open concept home. Use it all, live in it all, love it all. The new space will be a slightly larger loft, mind you…but a loft nonetheless.
2. The music matters. I used to take a moment of pause as soon as I walked into my Marmalade Victorian home after work to choose a record. I don’t know if placing the record player just at the entrance was an intentional decision at the time, but it became a favorite ritual of mine. Walk in, leave work behind, set the mood.
3. I’m rushing to the heavens. Speaking of ritual, this is a big one for me. That idea of stopping, of pausing…then walking through the threshold of “home” is a holy experience. Consider the massive columns that lead your eye to the “heavens” in a cathedral. Thanks to the help of my talented architects, Sparano & Mooney, we’ll be incorporating a similar theme in my home, both in the form of architecture and art. A floor-to-ceiling entry wall (22 ft. high) will act as a privacy panel from the glass front, but more importantly will serve as an opportunity to pause and reflect, as we’ll incorporate a piece of large-scale art. Additionally, a cross-section in the structure enabled us to work through the passage of light let in above and to the south of the door. Visitors will actually pass through a threshold of sorts between the outside and inside.
4. Let’s take a dip. My mid-century modern Apollo house was the only I’ve owned with a pool, but my god, I loved it. Morning laps, evening hangs, the occasional full-blown party…it got boatloads of use. Ultimately, it was such a worthwhile expense (for the sake of health/friendship/well-being), that I decided to incorporate a much-smaller version that separates the primary living space from my bedroom/pool house in the back. Morning laps, evening hangs, the occasional full-blown party…it’s all coming back to me now.
5. I’ll light my own fire. In at least three of my former homes, a fireplace has been present, and it was an anchoring spot in each space. Much as a pool will come in handy for 3 to 4 months of the year, so will the fireplace in the others. Heat aside, I kind of prefer to exist by candlelight, and this feature is a big deal for someone who loves to live in the dim.
6. Stay out of my room. Though the main space is a loft (and home to my kitchen/living area), we decided to build a separate structure for my bedroom and a flex space of sorts (the structures will be connected by an overhead hallway and the bedroom connected to the pool house/flex space by an interior staircase). Privacy is a tough gig where open-concept living is concerned, and this flex space will cover a lot of bases, much as my small sunroom in the Maryland building did. With a little creativity (and despite its being only 50 sq. ft.), it served as a guest room, movie room, and meditation den…and the pool house here will function in much the same way, but with a bit more room.
Fewer of our efforts encapsulate the COLLECTIVE cause better than our Find Your Space campaign. With each new ad, quarterly gracing the pages of Utah Style & Design, we bring you one of our smashing clients–someone who has utilized our real estate or design services, in some form–and the way that they are unequivocally loving where they live, and living the life they love. Our aim is to show you that yes you can live in a space that makes you your truest you, and yes that looks different for everybody.
For this volume of the series, we visited our clients, Morgan and Brett (along with Olive Bee and Baby Schafer), in their stunning, eclectic, Federal Heights home. As ever, we took the talents of our favorite videographer, Pat Fenelon, to task…and (as ever) the final result was exactly as perfect as we expected it might be. It’s little wonder this gorgeous spot sold in no time.
You’ve heard it a million times before. Ya’ know, Spring has sprung! Time to sell! Act fast!, and all that jazz. Thing is, it’s not just words, folks. The SLC market is poppin’ right now, and it seems we couldn’t hold on to a listing if we tried. Bungalows, mid-mods, cottages, starter homes, condos, duplexes…
they’re getting snatched up in record time by buyers that are ready to move, like, yesterday.
In case you didn’t know, we know a thing or two about selling homes (and on average, we sell our listings faster than those listed with other Salt Lake Brokerages, and we’re locally-owned and -operated…win, win). Whether you’ve got a home you’ve been thinking of selling, or you’re ready to cash in on that rental or investment property you’ve been sitting on, now’s the time. No matter what neighborhood, square footage, price range, or style, we got buyers that are ready to snap up your space and make their own. So, you know…Act fast!
Give us a ring for a free highest-price analysis of your home at 801.718.5555.
As a realtor and designer, part of my job includes telling people how they can increase the value of their homes (and I love it), but what we’re going to discuss today is how to increase the value of your life. It sounds intimidating, I know, but it’s not as difficult as it sounds…and it will benefit you, everyone around you, and all of SLC, for that matter. From birth, most of us are ingrained with an idea of what it means to live a “wealthy life”. This is something that is passed down from our parents (and our parent’s parents), and, for too many of us, this life involves a Robin Leach-type voiceover and some sort of grotesquely-oversized yacht. I’m here to tell you, this is NOT the case.
It may sound like psycho-babble, but when you’re good within, you’re good without.
I’ve chatted before about the importance of enjoying (and creating) life’s beautiful moments, and really, this is just an extension of that. Living a wealthy life is a decision you make on the inside. It’s all about making choices, right? It’s a choice to unplug and watch a sunset. It’s a choice to take the time to walk six blocks rather than drive ‘em. It’s a choice to print out and try a new recipe for dinner, just because. I recently took a 30 day vacation from booze, and in that time I became a sparkling water connoisseur (LaCroix is the clear frontrunner, for the record). Why would I deprive myself of a delicious, bubbly beverage just because I’m on a cleanse? I want the best and most rich experiences for myself–no matter what–and you should, too. If I’m going on a picnic, I’ll take the time to pack some lovely dishes, candles, and a great blanket to sit on. Every once in a while (don’t judge me) I buy some wine for no other reason than because I’m in love with the label. In both my personal and professional life as a designer, I’m constantly pulling inspiration from places I’ve been. Paris, Tulum, Moab, the Uintas. It’s everywhere, and it’s entirely cyclical. I’m continuously putting myself in a place to receive inspiration, thereby making it a hell of a lot easier to be inspired.
It’s not all about the benjamins.
When I first started cityhomeCOLLECTIVE, there was not a lot of dough to throw around (fellow business owners will know the struggle), but we’d still take the time to have employee picnics in the park with fruit, cheese, and fancy flatware. No matter what you do, do it in a way that inspires you—and others, come to that. The idea of “wealth” doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with money or possessions. That said, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with wanting to be comfortable and live the life you want. Somewhere during decades of propriety and social norms, the desire for material wealth became taboo, and while there’s something to be said for being a starving artist, there’s also something to be said for not. All I’m saying is, there’s potential to make every experience a rich one. And here’s the thing: a collective desire to live rich lives will lead to a beautiful, wealthy, healthy city. Imagine thousands of people waking up and deciding to raise the value of their life. That radiates directly into SLC. It’s the law of attraction–if we’re in a good spot, we see good around us, and others see it in us.
At 36 I decided to ask myself–yet again–what really matters to me. The answer? Well, everything. As you can probably tell from the trend of my blog posts, I’ve been dedicating time towards learning, being more present, conscious, and alert, and toward running a trustworthy business that’s reinventing real estate and SLC. Want my expert advice on how to raise the value of your house? Well, I’d advise you to raise the value of your life first…and then let inside and outside be one. Choose yourself. Choose beauty, whatever that looks like for you. Choose rich experiences that are free (or not). Choose to live a wealthy life and the rest will come naturally.
