In a rapidly growing city such as ours, it’s easy to feel a bit disconnected from one’s own neighborhood if one doesn’t spend quite enough time out in it. After a few too many instances of “Where did that building come from?,” two of our crew decided to take a tiny tour of the 1700 S and Main area to see what’s on the rise…

We started at Moda on Main, which—adjacent to a comic book store and a coffee shop—seems pretty perfectly situated. Just down the road, we ran into the familiar facade of 15 Main and the now-sold-out Row 17, as well as a bit of new construction (including a few CW Urban projects in the works). Pounding the pavement is a tiring business, and while a margarita from El Meños, just across the street, sounded tempting, we made our way to nearby fave Sweet Lake Biscuits & Limeade to sample their habanero-spiced hot chocolate (the perfect pick-me-up on such a chilly day). Covid has certainly rocked the local businesses and eateries of this town, but we saw no shortage of bustling stand-bys and new spots popping up around these parts (support local! Let’s keep ‘em coming!).

We’re loving that the adaptation of this area includes not just new builds, but plenty of places to find tacos, lattes, a cocktail, or a comic. The walkability of this neighborhood is truly in bloom, and we’re going to keep our eyes squarely on these coordinates to see what else will pop up in this pocket of SLC. There’s much to come from this neighborhood, including a handful and a half of mixed-use buildings and townhomes, and we can’t wait to see how this slice of Salt Lake establishes itself.

For this edition of Home, Made., we’re bringing you something a little different. It’s a hybrid of sorts, this one. Brenna and Will Becker fell in love with this handsomely preserved home and elected the help of our cityhomeDESIGN team to fine-tune it to perfection. We’re positively infatuated with this space: the exterior is a sturdy, steadfast example of mid-century disciplines, and the interior is now a flawless blend of old-meets-new. Though outfitted in weighty materials and colors, there’s a degree of playfulness to the design, which was brought to life with help from our friends at Domain Design/Build. The Beckers’ is a prime example of what makes a Home, Made: it’s a space that’s been lovingly cared for, tailored, and tended to in efforts to foster an environment ideal for the growing, loving, and living of those residing inside. The structure had brilliant bones—all it needed was a little TLC. Enter our designers…

 THE HOME

What drew your family to this particular spot? Initially, we found the house based on location. It was halfway between downtown and the canyons and an equal commute for both of us. The roofline really grabbed us in the online pictures and pulled us into seeing it even though [we were looking for more bedrooms]. It totally floored us and we put in an offer immediately afterward. It needed some lipstick but had a beautiful structure. The full-height basement was totally unfinished, so we were able to put in another large living space, bedroom, laundry room, and storage areas. 

How—if at all—was the design inspired by the way you live? We love the elegance and simplicity of the design (and the house). We try to buy things as if we’ll die with the same possessions, so using natural materials that stand the test of time was really important to us. We’ve got a thing for wool and marble, so we were able to indulge that. When we ripped out the old kitchen, we couldn’t get over how much bigger the whole house felt. There was a large suspended cabinet that effectively blocked the kitchen from the rest of the house. Getting rid of that really made cooking feel less isolating and drew everybody else into that area. We like spaces that are defined by purpose but don’t feel cut off from the rest of the house. It’s important for us to be near our kids and each other when we’re all home, and the design lends itself to that. 

Any spaces or details you’re particularly keen on? The lighting in this home was fairly grim when we bought it. Changing out the lights in the house with beautiful fixtures and thoughtful bulb choices (on dimmers) really changed the atmosphere here. The hoods over the stove! Swoon. They’re truly remarkable.  So beautiful you want to hug them. There is an outdoor space we really love too. There was a fenced-in courtyard on the side of the house, off the driveway, and walled off from street view. We were initially going to rework the fence and had torn it down. However, after tearing it down we realized we liked being able to see the street and our neighbors unobstructed, and it was a great little shady area to drink wine, decompress and watch the kids ride their bikes. There is an unbelievable, absolutely giant Japanese maple in that courtyard that we enjoy the hell out of. There are also these great Mugo pines in front of the house that basically hide you from anyone looking in from the street. 

Any unexpected most/least-used rooms in the house? Do you gather where you thought you would? The house’s original footprint was well thought out initially, and we really utilize every inch of the house. The living room we put into the basement level is our kids’ domain and they use it far more than I had anticipated. It really keeps the upstairs living area feeling a little more put together in the day-to-day. One of the smartest things we did was to swap the wood fireplace with gas. It gives us a hot spot in the living room and we use that room all the time. There is a LOT of glass in this house and I was initially worried it would feel cold and standoffish, but that hasn’t been the case. We don’t have a TV or computer in there so it lends itself really well to reading, board games, coloring, conversation, Legos, Zoom meetings, and snacks. 

Summed up in a word (or as many as you like), what’s life like inside this home? So cozy.

Any bits of wisdom you’d like to share with us that you learned during this process? Be bold and go with your best first impressions when presented with a design. Also, trust the process of letting that design unfold through the construction process. Have patience and know you’ll need some flexibility with timelines as there is always something unexpected. We ripped out our kitchen and a bathroom on 3/4/20 (while we were living in the house)—just days before the world shut down due to Covid. Things took longer than expected for a number of reasons, but eventually, everything came together and we are so thrilled with the result.  

The Design:

The red marble (from European Marble and Granite) was selected for the pink hue it gives on. Says lead designer Brea Valenzuela, “Its contrast with the red glass tiled backsplash adds an unexpected playfulness.

The pendant lights in the kitchen, handmade ceramic and blown glass from New York-based designer Anna Karlin, were added to achieve textural interest.

Local metal fabricators Meta Designs helped create the showstopping hood tube wraps that inclose the cylindrical hood vents.

The terrazzo flooring from Terrazzio was selected to match the era of the home. Says Brea, “We went large scale to minimize grout lines and give off the feeling that it had been in the space for decades.”

The shipment from Italy containing the custom faucet in the bathroom (from Fantini) saw a few quarantine delays, but the end result was worth the wait. The baby blue color and playful shape add a pop of color and “an element of surprise to an otherwise neutral and organic space.” 

“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view.”—Edward Abbey. 

As avid outdoor adventurers and long-time lovers of Southern Utah’s harsh and vibrant landscape, cityhomeDESIGN clients Kirsten and Monte purchased a lot tucked against Moab’s La Sal Mountains to build their ultimate getaway spot. The multi-year journey of envisioning, designing, and building their space from the ground up resulted in the recent completion of this stunning modern home sited amid amazing views of the Spanish Valley and Utah’s spectacular red rock country.

Of their first stay in the home since it was completed Monte says, “I was speechless. It just blew us away.”

Says Kirsten of the home’s location, “We get such a peaceful vibe being in the red rock, and we wanted to highlight the outdoors as much as possible.” For them, a perfect day of dust-covered and mud-splattered adventure ends with big smiles and the promise of a calm, cozy, and low-maintenance sanctuary when they arrive back to their home away from home. Their design goal: that even though the volume of the house might be substantial, the home wouldn’t detract from its surroundings; and that the experience of being inside the space would amplify, rather than compete with, the outside environment and views. “The outdoor-indoor feel was really important to us,” explains Monte of the design. “It’s the entire point of having this house.” 

With this vision in mind, Kirsten and Monte – longtime friends of cityhome founder/owner Cody Derrick – connected with us for the top-to-bottom interior design of the project, along with Washington D.C.-based architect Gregory Upwall of Studio Upwall, and the Moab-based team of general contractors Kara Stoner and Eric Plourde, owners of the sustainable design-build firm Eco Logic. Says Kirsten of the entire project’s origin, “We had the initial concept in mind and had no idea how to execute it, which is why we reached out to cityhome.” 

As Kirsten and Monte are currently living abroad for their jobs, finding a solid team to implement their plans from afar was crucial. “From the beginning, we knew that we were going to have to put a lot of trust in the team to make decisions on the fly if they couldn’t get a hold of us right away,” Monte says of the experience, which was significantly aided by lots of video calls (they were Zooming long before Covid made it a household name) and an Instagram project account run by Eco Logic. Says Monte, “On a project like this there’s so many factors involved, and they all have to align. You have to find the sweet spot of what you’re willing to give up control on,” which crucially hinged upon finding an architectural concept that suited their lifestyle and budget needs, along with a builder and designers who could implement their vision remotely. 

Being a Utah native (and having spent many family vacations in the area along with architecture class trips while he was a student at the University of Utah), architect Greg Upwall’s excitement for the project was immediate: “As soon as I heard the project was in Moab my eyes lit up.” His professional emphasis on sustainable design was a consideration magnified by the region’s climate extremes and rugged environment. Says Greg of his first visit to the project site pre-concept, “I drove out to the site before dawn and watched the sun rise to see how the light moved across the landscape. I spent the better part of a day sketching the path of light in my sketchbook, taking photographs, and observing all I could about the site.” Immediately, he was struck by the beauty of the desert landscape and the juxtaposition of the valley against the La Sal Mountains.

“Our philosophy for any project — but especially one in such a special place like this — is that the building has everything to do with the site. It has to be responsive and uniquely situated to the site and its surroundings.” 

After several design iterations, the clients and architect arrived at a concept that embraced both simplicity of form and function for a 1,900 sq ft (2 bed, 2 bath + loft) floorplan that emphasizes indoor-outdoor flow, and copious window expanses that strategically frame stunning views, which Greg describes as “moments of celebration.” The site itself prescribed the home’s orientation to the natural world, with passive solar considerations integral to the home’s siting: The long axis of the house aligns with the sun’s path rising over the La Sal mountains from the east and large windows frame the sun setting over cliffs to the west. The distinctive, asymmetrically gabled roofline reflects the surrounding landscape and nods to the architectural vernacular of the region. This form is mirrored by the clients’ substantial detached gear garage, which has a ¾ bath and washer-dryer setup (which is crucial for keeping the aftermath of outside adventuring in red rock country, well, outside). 

Extending into a deep overhang on the main dwelling’s southern elevation, the roofline provides shade in the hottest months of the year while also creating secluded areas for outdoor dining and lounging. The transitions feel seamless with the use of continuous concrete flooring extending from the interior fluidly to the outside areas. “We wanted to create a very transparent connection to the exterior, to really have some permeability,” says the architect. “We intended the design to allow for the clients to immediately be able to act upon what they feel compelled to do outdoors. If they look up and say, ‘Oh, look at that gorgeous moon,’ there are multiple doors as part of the design so they can go right outside and experience it.” 

Kirsten and Monte are thrilled with the final result that emphasizes natural daylight and integrates optimal passive solar window placement. They note that when they stayed in the house for the first time this winter, that with the home’s radiant floor heating, abundant sunlight streaming in to create a natural solar gain, and the layered, textural, natural-fiber furnishings (selected by senior designer Brea Valenzuela and installed by the cityhome team) they felt cozy even on the chilliest days. Says Monte, “The way Greg lined it up was just absolutely spot on. I can’t think of a place within the house that you can’t look out and just see something awesome.” That even includes the bathrooms, he relates with a big grin. “A friend told us after his stay, ‘That was the funnest shower I’ve ever had. Even your guest bathroom showers have killer views!’”

Kirsten’s favorite moment in the home is the loft situated under the gable’s peak, accessible by a simple metal firehouse-style ladder.

“Every kid that comes to the house just beelines it right for that ladder,” she says of the airy loft’s access, which was inspired by one of her favorite childhood spots. “Growing up there was a family cabin with a loft, and it had a very scary ladder that you had to navigate to get up there. Only when you were big enough, and brave enough, could you make it up into the loft,” she explains. “When we were talking with Brea about what our ladder would look like, I kept coming back to the idea that you have to ‘earn it’ to get to the loft.” Of the Moab home’s ladder Kirsten says, “Not that it’s as rickety or scary as the one when I was a kid, but it’s straight up and it makes the mama’s a little scared at first. The kids figure it out, though: When they’re old enough, and brave enough, they can make it up there, too. And it’s totally worth it.”   

The clients also credit the cityhome design team with adding softness and playfulness to the long, open, high-ceilinged common area of kitchen, living, and dining rooms. “Everything kind of played off of Moab’s surroundings. It’s their home away from home, and it needs to fit their lifestyle when they’re here,” says Brea of the concept. She adds that the team “wanted to treat the views through the windows as if that was the art for the space,” and kept the finishing materials and furniture choices low-maintenance and relatively neutral and organic to complement, rather than compete with, the landscape. “When they proposed plaster in the kitchen for the backsplash,” Monte says, “I was a little skeptical, but thought, ‘Okay, you know best. That’s why we hired pros.’ Now it’s one of my absolute favorite parts of the place – that stuff looks and feels incredible,” an element for which the cityhome design credits one of our go-to artisan plaster collaborators, Limestrong.

Eco Logic contractors Kara Stoner and Eric Plourde affirm that the choices for cladding, flooring, and other materials support the home’s function with added high energy performance. Says Kara, “Our ability to increase just the efficiency of heating and cooling by 30% is huge. Not only does that help the pocketbook of the owner,” but it usually translates into less waste during the construction phase, “and lessened environmental impact in the long run.” She says of the project’s linear, passive solar form and modern materials, “This kind of architecture isn’t typical for Moab – in a good way. It stands out with all these crisp edges, and yet it blends in with the rocks and landscape.” 

The goal of minimalism can also be an ironic part of the modern build process, explains Eric. “People will say that they want ‘simple and clean,’ which is actually really hard to do if you do it right. The tough part is figuring out how all those pared-down details actually flow together” during construction. An example of this attention to detail is the natural steel elements of the extruded roof form intended to weather over time with a natural patina, along with durable pressure-painted wood siding and slatted sliding panels. “It’s as beautiful to see from the outside, as it is to look out through from the inside,” says Kara of the materials. “It creates a nice boundary for privacy, but also you can see the natural world and the mountains through them. It’s pretty cool.”  

Monte describes the trust necessary in collaborating on a project from half a world away as a worthwhile challenge. “We would wake up in the morning and the first thing we’d do is look for Eric’s pictures on the Instagram page,” which they note was an incredibly thoughtful client check-in touchpoint. “Kirsten and I talked constantly about it and hoped that the progress photos would actually match up with our expectations.” Says Kirsten of the finished project, “The process was kind of like that ladder to the loft. Maybe it makes you a little nervous along the way, and it pushes your comfort level; you’ve gotta earn it.” To which Monte whole-heartedly agrees: “Everything is exactly how we envisioned it would turn out, and the team totally delivered.” 

“That’s what Moab’s all about,” Kirsten sums up their project experience. “It’s about the adventure.” And the finished design? Totally worth it. 

For short-term rental inquiries at this home contact Arches Vacation Rentals, 435.355.0373, [email protected]

COVID’s influence on our city has been evident in myriad ways (and, to be honest, our COLLECTIVE hearts have been more than a little warmed by the outpouring of community support for our fellow Salt Lakers who’ve been hit hard by this pandemic). In the last year there’s been a major influx of folks getting creative in efforts to keep our food scene alive and thriving. We’ve seen a major push for people to shop local and order takeout from their favorite eateries, and there’s also been a delightful cropping-up of local quaran-preneurs who’re finally living out their baking/BBQing/chef-ing dreams from home. One such solution for at-home dining comes to us from a few of our favorite local restaurateurs: Hive Eats is the brainchild of Publik’s Missy Greis, Cucina Wine Bar’s Dean Pierose, Pago Restaurant Group’s Scott Evans, and James Roberts, and seeks to bring the experience of a few of Salt Lake’s beloved dine-in spots straight to your door (and, subsequently, your belly).

With a selection of meals available from a slew of our favorite eateries (Copper Onion, Arlo, Trio, and Mazza among them)—as well as Hive Pantry picks from Publik and normal ice cream—it’s difficult to go wrong while perusing the options. Orders must be placed Sundays for Thursday delivery, and the offerings include such scrumptious dishes as Publik mac & cheese with pulled pork, Avenues Proper’s lamb shepherd’s pie, chicken pozole from Copper Onion, and Mazza’s Maghmoor.

We commend our neighbors’ resourcefulness when it comes to rolling with those pandemic punches (and when it comes to getting our favorite dine-in dishes in our dining rooms, we’re fully on board).

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Last year was full of many unforeseen obstacles (many, many, many), so if you’ve been thinking about making a move, it might feel like a bleak and overwhelming landscape out there. While we may not be able to say with absolute certainty what will happen in 2021 (in fact, we’d advise you to avoid anyone who says they can), our outlook is not so grim! Being a real estate brokerage on the forefront of the chaos, we decided to chat with a few of our COLLECTIVE property consultants—Leigh Anne, Brian, Camilla, Jewel, and Joseph—to get their forecast for how this year’s shaping up. Whether you’re a prospective buyer or seller, check out our tips and predictions below for a bit of insight into this crazy market of ours (and be sure to check out the link below if you’re interested in joining us for a roundtable discussion/Q&A about the 2021 market on Feb. 16th!)…

OVERVIEW:

“The year 2020 was one for the books in many ways. In Utah, the real estate scene was one of growth, good interest rates, and low inventory—we broke a 15-year record for the highest number of homes sold in both Salt Lake County and Park City. Both of these markets, while very different from one another, are benefitting from the same three factors: record low-interest rates, strong population growth, and—despite the pandemic—strong job growth. When you take all that and layer in a dramatic decline in existing available homes, a continued housing shortage from delays in new construction (care of the recession), and slowing construction projects due to COVID’s impact on supply chains, you get a market that is drum-tight. Looking into 2021, we expect more of the same. As spring approaches, we’re hopeful that—along with the anticipation of positive vaccine news and declining COVID cases—there will be more existing available homes, and they will likely continue to be snapped up at a record pace.” – Leigh Anne Bernal, Broker

RATES:

I’m optimistic about 2021. Even as prices continue to climb, interest rates should remain low (I expect around 3%). Last year, first-time buyers represented 31% of the annual share. – Brian

Think this market is benefitting sellers only? Think again. With these low interest rates, you can score a higher-priced home for the same payments as you would have paid on a pricier home with high interest rates!
 – Camilla

It’s a bit of a heyday for both the buyer and the seller right now. A buyer benefits from historically low interest rates and the ability to afford higher-priced homes at a reasonable monthly mortgage; a seller is able to cash in at all-time highs. It won’t always be this way. As soon as the interest rates start to creep back up, the market will need to adjust accordingly. – Joseph

AVAILABILITY

This year, I expect the market to remain just as robust as last year; however, I am optimistic more homes will come to market as the vaccine takes effect and more and more people become comfortable with the idea of their residences being shown to buyers. – Brian

2021 looks on par to still be a seller’s market with low interest rates and still very little inventory. 
- Camilla

I expect to see a boom of homes hitting the market in March, but not enough of them to even out the buyer demand. Just like the last two years, buyers will need to be ready to fight. I think many buyers will choose to avoid the maddening scramble of the house hunt and will turn their focus to building a home instead. Many have considered escaping the city for various reasons (closer to work, air quality, affordability, etc), and this might be their chance. – Joseph

I expect home prices to climb but at a more moderate level than in 2020—a break for first-time buyers. – Brian

TIPS FOR BUYERS:

Go in as a backup offer—it’s not as certain a position, but you may have a shot at getting your dream home without the fierce competition. – Camilla

First-time buyers might feel like they’ve brought a knife to a gunfight as they go toe-to-toe with more cash-heavy buyers, but the mechanics of buying remain the same: have your financial ducks in order, find the right brokerage, and hire the right agent who knows the sort of space you’re after…then be prepared to move quickly when the right property hits. Last year, over 30% of the total sales went to first-timers…so don’t give up hope! – Brian

Getting an early start in the home buying process is critical, as I expect buyers to pay upwards of a 10% premium on home prices as we move into the summer months. – Brian

If you are buying, make sure you are ready to get into multiple offer situations (an agent can help you write a strong offer). It is not just about price! Deadlines, down payments, contingencies, leasebacks, and more can all be factors that get you the deal. Make sure your agent communicates with the seller’s agent to get all the information. – Camilla

Keep in mind that if you are a buyer, a seller isn’t going to look at lowball offers when a listing first hits the market, they just don’t have to do that in this market. – Camilla

TIPS FOR SELLERS:

The best pricing strategy right now is to list at a competitive price to attract multiple buyers which will drive the price up above the asking price. – Camilla

If you are selling, set up an area as a “home office.” Many buyers are looking for that right now, and that could make your place stand out. – Camilla

My best advice for navigating what is sure to be a crazy 2021 real estate market is to be uber-prepared and dialed in on what it is that you want. Have your finances in order, a vetted preapproval, and flexibility to see homes quickly. Get ready to make decisions quickly. Being prepared and getting creative will put you in the best position to get the space that you want. – Jewel

If you think your home is a little bit unique and might be a hard sell, this could be the perfect time to sell. There are lots of buyers looking at very few properties, and buyers are more willing to do repairs and remodels to make it work for them. – Camilla

The main catalyst driving home sales is our rapidly growing job market. In the last decade, Utah ranked first in the nation for highest employment growth (29.4%) and took home the blue ribbon for its rate of population growth (15.5%). Seems as though the secret’s out: this Land of Zion is a pretty fantastic place. I expect an increase in out-of-state buyers due to growing opportunities for remote work. – Brian

Want to chat more about what the SLC market might look like in 2021? Join us for a Real Estate Roundtable discussion/Q&A! Register for free at this link, and join the conversation on Tuesday, Feb. 16th, 12:00p – 1:00p.

It’s officially 2021, and while the first fortnight of this year has had a distinctly “2020”-mouthfeel, we’re still grateful to be squarely in the month of fresh starts. Though the calendar is a man-made invention, there’s still something to January that feels like a bit of refresh button—our cache may not have cleared completely, but we’re hopeful that things will start to run a bit more smoothly. All of 2021 is stretched out before us, and there’s a whole lot of possibility in the 50 weeks left until the next ball drop. ‘Tis the time of resolutions, and we’ve got a few of our own:

OUR PROMISES TO YOU FOR 2021

More space. We promise to continue to find unique and beautiful ways to bring you the unique and beautiful spaces that surround us.

More of what’s real. your homes and our homes, regardless of whether they look perfect. We just want to highlight what works for you, and what it is that makes you feel at home.

more wellness. let’s find those places in our city and state that make us a healthier, happier people. from the salty lakes to the freshest ones, the mountains to the deserts, and the built environments for pampering/care. we want to be immersed in that which makes us well…both as individuals and a greater community.

More of what YOU want. More feedback seeking, more fine tuning, more listening. We’re here for you, and we want to give you what you came for. 

More shout outs. we’re going to continue to shout the efforts of locals that are busting ass to make this community a better one (including local doers, makers, movers, shakers, et al…restaurants/businesses/leaders in the community).

more discussion. we want more provoking and inspiring conversations with thought leaders in our industires: more architects, designers, color theorists, and house therapists. let’s learn!

more honesty. we’ll Continue to love on the ways that SLC is crushing it and won’t be shy about the areas in which we all need to keep working. 

more hard work. we need to ensure that all folks from all communities and backgrounds feel welcome at our collective
. we must continue to explore what “home” means, and how that changes—or doesn’t—as the world around us changes. we also vow to bring more education and opportunities for homeownership to locals from all sides of the grid, including thise individuals who live in historically marginalized communities: that means more first-time homebuyer workshops and more credit repair classes.

more giving back. we will continue to put as much back into this community as we get out of it (and trust us…that’s a lot.) and, on that note…

more accountability + opportunities to grow. if you see an area where we’re slacking…let us know.

Celebrating the unique character of spaces and the people who inhabit them is one of the things we love best about our COLLECTIVE’s approach to life, living, and doing business. As the pandemic shook up our content creation world with limited opportunities for accessing the spaces of others, we started the Collective Casas series to open the doors wide to the unique abodes of our team members, with full disclosure of all of those curiosities and quirks that make a home, well… feel like home. From adaptively re-used historic storefronts to sprawling mid-mods, lovers of downtown-adjacent SLC living and those appreciating some elbow room in the foothills. It’s made us fall in love with and appreciate our Salty City and her environs all over again from the perspective of our own doorsteps.

For this round of Collective Casas, we checked in with cityhome real estate agent Joseph Tuenge. If you know Joseph, you’ll also know that he brings his own savvy style and intuitive flair for top-notch client care to our crew. Along with spending lots of family time with his lovely wife Genevieve (an uber-talented graphic designer) and their adorable five-year-old daughter Evelyn; Joseph and Genevieve love nothing more than bringing their well-honed aesthetic chops to DIY renovation projects. We were especially pleased to have the opportunity to take a peek at their most recent endeavor, a Sugar House bungalow that they’re now renting out as an Airbnb. Cityhome’s founder, Cody Derrick, met up with Joseph and Genevieve via a video call to find out more about how this absolute cutie of a cottage came together.

Cody Derrick: So, that first moment you walk into a house is a crucial one, right? Was this one of those houses that was an immediate “yes,” or was it a “maybe” that had a special moment that turned it into a “yes”?

Joseph Tuenge: I thought the house and the neighborhood were as cute as can be, and I was immediately drawn to the home and its underlying potential. I loved that it was it was the corner house at the top of the block. Even though it was a mess and needed some TLC, I initially thought it was going to be more of a “lipstick” project; that it could just be styled. It was really motivating for me to think of giving it that lift, that boost. Bring it back to its glory. So, at that point I needed to run it by Genevieve.

CD: So how did that visit go? What finally sold it for the both of you?

Genevieve Tuenge: And I was doing my best to not show it, but I was instantly excited when we pulled up and he said, “That’s it, that’s the one.” The character of the home really spoke for itself. It’s over one hundred years old and has a lot of original details in it: The fireplace surround, the moulding on the doors and entrances. It gave me goosebumps then, and still does today as I speak about it. It began a fun chapter in our lives, with so many memories we’ll forever cherish.

JT: I was building her interest by telling her my ideas for the home before she saw it, for sure. But when we got there, I decided to treat her as I would one of my own clients, where I just let her in the door and observed her reactions to the space as she moved through the home without interjecting my own thoughts on her experience too much.

CD: I love seeing how everyone’s design aesthetic plays out. I mean, I love a maximal approach with all the stuff, but also love how you guys did such a great job at being very pared down with your minimalism and still curating unique pieces so perfectly. How’d you find that balance?

GT: Well, I feel like not having a budget at first drove a lot of our design decisions! [ed. note: much of their initial renovation budget got absorbed – literally—via a main water line disaster just days after closing.] We also designed the home backwards, in a way. You know how you usually start with a big piece of furniture and then work elements around it? Well, we started with a vintage coffee table I scored for 20 bucks. I loved the curves and imperfections of it so much, and it just really set the tone for what we wanted to do in the house. We wanted to mix in various styles.

JT: We went through so many different ideas with this place, but really, I owe a lot of it to Genevieve for editing it back when I’m prone to overthinking it too much. I’m all, “we could do this, and this, and this,” and she’s great about reigning it all in, getting back to simplicity.

CD: What was so special about that coffee table that ended up influencing the aesthetic of the house?

JT: We were living in the house as we did all of the DIY work, so we’d just have random stuff like that coffee table we were using as placeholders until we could figure out the big pieces. And before you know it, we’d started using that coffee table, and putting flowers on it, and a ton of candles everywhere, and I unexpectedly fell in love with it. It became an inspiration for us.

“Once we decided to make it a bnb, i put myself in a vacationer’s shoes…”

CD: I love that you really seem to have honored what the house needed, rather than imposing a particular era or style on it. It doesn’t feel forced.

GT: It was really integral to the process that we decided to live in the home during the mayhem and kind of let it speak to us. And we got to know intimately the great “moments” of the house that make it special. The original woodworking around the fireplace and the front room are so cozy, and the bathroom is really charming, with it’s great, old clawfoot tub. And we love the windows by the coffee bar. We’d stand at them and look out every morning while enjoying our coffee. Once we found and fell in love with the unique characteristics of our home, we designed around them. Our favorite room quickly became the front room, mainly because it’s where we gather by the fire all together. But also, because it showcases our very favorite furniture piece–the white boucle sofa. Risky for an Airbnb, but it’s the money shot, right?

CD: Did you have any other considerations in mind knowing that you’d probably be using it as a rental property down the road?

JT: We’d identified that the most desirable locations for a BnB were in walkable neighborhoods or places with great access to the mountains. And we think it helps to have some character to it, and some cozy elements. A home away from home.

GT: Once we decided to make it an BnB, I started putting myself into a vacationer’s shoes. When I’d look at listings to travel to, I’d ask myself if it looks like somewhere I’m going to really enjoy spending my time? I look for things that make it feel like it’ll be a special place to stay, not just someone dropping a showroom of furniture into a house and calling it good.

CD: You mentioned that getting to know your neighbors during the renovation was a highlight of the project. They sound terrific; can you tell me more about that?

JT: Absolutely. And the timing actually worked out with the pandemic, as weird as that sounds, in that we moved in and then, bam, we really couldn’t go anywhere else from March on. It gave us the opportunity to explore the neighborhood on foot a lot more than we probably would have, otherwise, while we were going on family walks. We got to know our neighbors when we’d sit out on the porch, while walking our dog, or on our way to get ice cream.

GT: We really discovered the best, most walkable restaurants and bars that way as well. It forced us to get out and adventure around our neighborhood!

JT: We got to know the entire block of neighbors really well and they’re all so eclectic and different. Folks were really excited to hear about our plans for the home, since it had not been given attention for a very long time and everyone was glad to see that we were giving the home the medicine it needed to kind of heal that part of the block.

CD: Sounds like you miss it, a bit.

JT: It was a very soothing place to live for a moment in time. We poured as much love as we could into that home, met great friends, created amazing memories, and with local restaurants being literally just steps away, we ate like we were royals. In the midst of all that, we managed to design a romantic and calm get-away for those that would choose to stay at our humble Sugar House abode. We hope they’ll experience some of those same vibes that we experienced. I’m sure they will.

CD: Any last thoughts?

JT: Give our home’s Instagram a follow @sugarhouse980 and hit us up anytime you’d like to stay. We’d love to host you!

Click here to see the AirBnb listing!

While the weather outside might not be quite so frightful as in years past, it’s still qualifiably nippy outside…particularly when the sun dips behind the Oquirrhs and you find yourself headed down the hill from a (you-better-have-been-distanced!) day on the slopes. Few things make one’s nose and cheeks pink like a day on the mountain (we’re lucky enough to have a solid handful to choose from), and we think it’s a universal truth that nothing warms fingers, toes, and nose quite like an aprés bite of comfort food. As SLC is a ski town, there’s no shortage of spots to gather your strength and grab a bite, but there are a few places that rank a bit more highly in the eyes of seasoned local slopers. Here’s a round-up of our favorite places to fuel up (and—as COVID is still very much a thing—to grab a bite to go) aprés snowsport…

Lone Star Taqueria

Seafood-forward Mexican from an aggressively colorful, mountain-adjacent Streamline Moderne might seem like a miss, but the line you’re bound to wait in tells otherwise. Let it be known that the fish burrito from Lone Star not only hits the mark at all times of year, but the stuff cooked up in this tiny taqueria pulls folks from all corners of the state. Get extra sauce and be prepared to go halfsies on it with a friend (or have delicious leftovers for days). 2265 Fort Union Blvd, curbside pick-up and drive-thru available 

COTTON BOTTOM INN

Slinging no-frills burgers and fries since 1966, the Cotton Bottom has racked up quite the die-hard following of regulars (particularly of the après-ski variety). This established tavern recently underwent some exciting changes care of the Bar X Group, but the famed garlic burger—slathered with top-secret, house-made garlic butter—remains a staple (and assuredly holds a place in SLC’s hall of fame). Just be sure to BYO post-lunch breath mints. 2820 E 6200 S, dine-in and takeout available

davanza’S

Even though, as resorts, Deer Valley and Park City tend toward a more upscale experience, Davanza’s—located just adjacent to PC’s Main Street—offers uncomplicated, straightforward après-ski done right. All of the food here is solid, but a couple slices of their much-beloved pizza is a particularly rewarding way to wrap your day. 690 Park Ave, Park City, available for curbside pickup, dine-in, and delivery

HECTOR’S

Luckily for locals, Salt Lake has plenty of Mexican fast food restaurants. That said, after a long day on the mountain, there’s something special about the way a burrito from Hector’s hits. Consequently, this lovely, family-run spot on 33rd south has become a necessary stop for many on their way home from the Cottonwoods. 2901 E 3300 S, available for dine-in and drive-thru

The wing coop

A dozen bone-in Buffalo wings is always a nice way to cap off a cold day on the mountain, and Wing Coop is as good a place as any to write such an ending. The sauces here range from classic to wildly hot and wonderfully inventive, and the fried sides are all assuredly delicious as well. 569 N 300 W, available for pick-up, delivery

At last—at last!—2020 is coming to a close. We don’t think the globe has ever been so collectively glad to bid adieu to a particular 365-day stretch, and that “3…2…1…” on December 31st can’t come quickly enough, if you ask us. But obvious heartbreak and hardship aside, there’s been plenty of beauty and good news this year…and a whole lot to be thankful for. Mainly, we’re grateful for every one of you (and all the ways in which you keep showing up for us as we try to show up for SLC as best we can). Same as every other year, a few of our efforts stuck out just a bit more to y’all, and garnered a bit more attention than the rest. Without further ado, here are our Top 10 (see: most-clicked) stories from 2020…

1) COTTONWOOD LANE | HAND OF MOD

Our love affair with this mid-century stunner on Cottonwood Lane starts a few years back when we featured the space as a COLLECTIVE Place of Worship. When the owners were ready to sell, we were delighted they gave us a ring and a shot at finding the perfect person to fill this space. No surprise here…this listing’s debut was one of our most-viewed stories ever, and it was sold by Cody in a hurry. Damn near broke the site. Full story here.

2) Place of Worship | HOME GROWN

We like to think fate brought us to this warm, modern work of art when we spotted it on a drive-by. We dropped a love note to the owners, and—upon invitation inside—were elated to find that the interior rivals the exterior in terms of fantastic design and fabulous finishes. But a mass of actual greenery isn’t the only thing flourishing within these walls. Full story here.

3) MODERN ON MILTON

With an exterior as striking as this one, it’s no surprise that this Liberty Wells listing nabbed a spot in the top ten. It’s the clean-lined, well-appointed home of our dreams, this one (and—lucky for you—it’s still up for grabs…for now). Full story here.

4) OUR GO-TO TAKEOUT RECOMMENDATIONS

Along with the rest of the world, 2020 turned this little town of ours onto its head. We distanced, we masked, and—whenever possible—we stayed home. Sporatic stay-at-home orders and city-wide mandates kept us from gathering in our favorite eateries at a time when they needed us most. Enter: our running list of takeout recommendations. Thai, tacos, pies, wontons, and a slew of quaran-preneurs dot this dote-worthy (and frequently updated) list. Full story here. Support SLC!

5) PRINCETON AVE. | WHAT’S IN STORE

Unique properties are our specialty, so this former storefront in the Harvard & Yale neighborhood holds a special place in our real estate-lovin’ hearts. The street-facing wall of windows does wonders in the way of natural light (and we don’t imagine there’s a limit to the number of house plants one could fit in here). Look like the kind of place to hang your hat? This one’s currently on the market. Full story here.

6) from the desk of cody derrick: home appreciation

This year forced us all to turn inward, both within our homes and within ourselves. Our COLLECTIVE CEO, Cody Derrick, penned a little something on the cyclical nature of appreciation, and how it affects our homes and ourselves. Full story here.

7) scenic drive | a lot to love

Where can you find .25 acres of wide-open possibility? Why, at 1935 Scenic Drive, of course! With views like these, we can understand the fascination y’all had with this pretty plot. We like to imagine a minimal, modern spot here, with west-facing windows aplenty. Feeling inspired? This bit o’ land is still up for grabs. Full story here.

8) 9th & 9th | Modern marvel

This modern casa is one of 9th & 9th’s most recognizable homes (chances are you’ve admired it from Trio’s lovely patio), and we were thrilled to bring this fabulous listing to all of you over the summer. In a twist everyone saw coming, this light, bright, and neat-as-a-pin space was sold in jif by Jewel. Full story here.

9) PLACE OF WORSHIP | A BOUNTIFUL SPACE

This remarkable mid-century spot is tucked into the hills of Bountiful, and currently inhabited by a few of our COLLECTIVE nearest and dearest, Peter and Alycia. The two are partners in love, life, parenting, and business, and this is the space from which they beautifully conduct all four. Full story here.

10) AVENUES OASIS | ON 7TH

This historic home in the Avenues was outfitted with enough updates to bring it into the 21st century with ease, and the resulting space was equal parts cozy, clean, and character-packed. It’s been overlooking the valley since 1904, and we reckon it’ll stand sentinel for years to come. This charmer was gone in a hurry, courtesy of Alexander. Full story here.