by Jessica Hughes
At California Closets with Mary Gelwick, Alexandra Sandberg, Kristin Becker, and Jena Brenneman (from left to right).
Cherry Creek Design Collective event at TOWNhouse.
Element Home hosted Jarred de Palo aka Mr Depalakua at their Cherry Creek store.
Just in time for the annual spring refresh we all look forward to in our homes, the Cherry Creek North neighborhood held its first ever Cherry Creek Design Day. Hosted by the Cherry Creek Design Collective, the inaugural event brought together the area’s top design retailers for a full day of networking, hands-on experiences, and inspiration from Cherry Creek’s design community.
Event organizers, Kristin Brown of Rocky Mountain Shutters and Kristine Vanacker of Ann Sacks, are also the brains behind the newly-formed Cherry Creek Design Collective — a group that aims to unite the neighborhood’s top design retailers that have flocked to the high-end Denver neighborhood over the last few years.
The idea came shortly after Vanacker moved her tile and stone showroom from Denver’s Design District to Cherry Creek, “She asked if there was a design group in Cherry Creek of like businesses and I said no but there should be,” says Brown. “Ever since that first meeting, we have been working with the Cherry Creek Chamber to build this group. This idea truly was to bring awareness to the public and professionals the great design and home furnishings offerings in Cherry Creek.”
Ann Sacks Tile & Stone showroom finds itself in good company with newer high-end design retailers moving into the Cherry Creek North shopping area in the past few years, including TOWNhouse and Joybird. As Cherry Creek North continues to expand its offerings of design retailers, Brown and Vanacker felt inspired to create a central event that highlighted these industry experts that reside in their backyard.
“We wanted to host an event that brought professionals into the neighborhood and got them exposure to the wonderful design and home furnishing offerings in Cherry Creek North,” says B
Attendees visit Ann Sacks Tile + Stone at the first annual Cherry Creek Design Collective.
rown. “This first event was focused on providing an introduction to the businesses a part of the collective, while our next event we plan to have a consumer day as well.”
Brown says the collective includes members from the Cherry Creek Chamber, members that work in the design and home furnishings in the Cherry Creek area, which can be retail locations in the neighborhood or professionals who want to work in the area.
Attendees began their journey at Rocky Mountain Shutters, Shades & Closets, where they enjoyed mimosas and breakfast treats, and explored offerings from Hunter Douglas Window Fashions and The Designery. The day continued with visits to various showrooms opening their doors, including organizing tips and tricks at California Closets, non-toxic interior design at Interior Define, with Uniquely You Decor, on-Budget Design Service at The Brass Bed, and more.
“The idea is that as a group we can get our individual businesses in front of the eyes of our consumers whether for professionals or direct to homeowners, and bring awareness to the wonderful home furnishing and design options in Cherry Creek North,” says Brown.
The Collective also commissioned local artist Michael Dowling to conclude the event with a meet-and-greet happy hour at TOWNhouse. “A wonderful addition to the event was from artist Michael Dowling. He donated a beautiful design featured on our swag bags, which he signed for each participant.”
As the Cherry Creek Design Collective looks to the future, they are excited to have the event grow in the number of businesses participating as well as people attending. “We hope to have a professional and a consumer day next year and we are excited to have this continue to be an annual event,” says Brown. “As a collective we will also be hosting more events throughout the year, including a walk with the owners and managers of these businesses this summer for the Cherry Creek Summer concert series, as well as a CEU day for design professionals and many more!”
To learn more about the Cherry Creek Design Collective follow them on Instagram @cherrycreekdesigncollective.
Photos provided by Cherry Creek Design Collective.
