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You asked, nudged, and begged, so we’ve done it: Our editors have compiled our list of favorite places to buy all those fixed-in-place finishes: cabinets, tile, lighting, appliances, and bath and kitchen fixtures. Most of the stores are locally owned, but a few chains made the list (there are no big-box stores, though). And all of our choices were derived independently—not based on advertising. So: For your next reno, bookmark list as a place to start!
Cabinets
Aspen Leaf Kitchens
Here you’ll find high-end, Colorado-made cabinets sold out of a charming showroom (in a flawlessly renovated bungalow) on Tennyson Street. “Typically, people view cabinetry as serving a functional purpose, but now we’re seeing it become a design focal point,” says Aspen Leaf business developer Chad Nichols. 4338 Tennyson St., 303-433-6110, alkl.com
Bulthaup
Housed in an ultra-sleek storefront in Golden Triangle, this offshoot of Littleton’s Kitchen Distributors is the only Colorado retailer for its namesake German cabinet manufacturer. (Trending now: anodized-aluminum finishes.) We love: B3 drawer systems for minimalist utensil organization. 1038 Bannock St., 303-777-5409, bulthaup.com/en
Exquisite Kitchen Design
See timeless, elegant kitchen concepts by founder Mikal Otten and his team of designers in their beautifully appointed showroom at the Denver Design District’s Collection. 601 S. Broadway, 303-282-0382, myekdesign.com
Kitchen Distributors
This 5,000-square-foot, two-story showroom invites you to envision the contemporary cabinetry in your own home. “We also keep meticulous records of each project, should anything arise in the decades to come,” says director of marketing Morgan MacKay. 1309 W. Littleton Blvd., Littleton, 303-795-0665,
kitchendistributors.com
Kitchens by Wedgewood
At the firm’s original showroom in Louisville, view the manufacturing facility where custom projects are built. Look also to the other brands they rep (Medallion, UltraCraft, and more) for a variety of styles. Options to ask for in this Marie Kondo era: hidden lazy Susans and blind corner storage. Multiple locations, wedgewoodcabinetry.com
Luxe Kitchens & Interiors
A Washington Park-based boutique design firm, Luxe specializes in kitchens and baths with an elegant, tailored feel. Principal Angela Coleman and her team work with Minnesota-based Plato Woodwork, known for its custom cabinetry that’s like fine furniture for hardworking rooms. 1059 S. Gaylord St., 720-440-9448, luxeki.com
Rifugio Modern
Their flagship cabinetry line, Arclinea, is beloved by design pros as a top Italian brand. “Rifugio refers to the beautiful mountain refuges of the Dolomites,” says proprietario Brian Pignanelli. “We consider the kitchen the ultimate refuge.” Look for a new Cherry Creek North location this spring. 2901 Blake St., 720-504-8999, rifugiomodern.com
Solesdi
A newcomer—housed in RiNo’s Oz Architecture-redesigned Gold Star Sausage Company building—Solesdi carries sleek cabinet systems by Italian brands Boffi and Dada. 2800 Walnut St., 303-999-6334, solesdi.com
Studio Como
This Italian-design purveyor—a RiNo mainstay and the only store stateside that offers Minotti, B&B Italia, and Flexform under one roof—is your go-to resource for European minimalism, including sleek Poliform kitchens. 2535 Walnut St., 303-296-1495, studiocomo.com
Thurston Kitchen & Bath
Launched in Aspen in 1977, Thurston has a 12,000-square-foot Denver showroom (part of which was renovated just last year) that’s the place to explore everything from super-matte nano-tech cabinet finishes to the latest Miele appliances. 761 Kalamath St., 303-399-4564, thurstonkitchenandbath.com
Vesel Contemporary Kitchens
The contemporary cabinetry at Vesel is inspired by top European brands but made custom by craftsmen right here in Colorado. Namesake Kevin Vesel opened the luxe LoHi company (in a studio behind Old Major restaurant) in 2013. 3316 Tejon St., 303-475-4000, veselbrand.com
William Ohs
The 45-year-old, Denver-based cabinet-maker ships product all across the country, but everything is made right in Denver with hand-applied, multistep finishes. Trending now: rift-cut oak and the color blue. You’ll love: Six on-site kitchen designers ready to help you navigate the 3,000-square-foot space. 115 Madison St., 303-321-3232, wmohs.com
Kitchen & Bath Fixtures
Kohler Signature Store by Facets of Cherry Creek
Opened in spring 2017, the Cherry Creek North destination displays kitchen and bath wonders that the founders of Kohler—kick-started in Wisconsin in 1873—could never have imagined, including an ombré faucet finish that fades from rose gold to polished nickel. We love: Wall-Mounted Farmstead Sink. 3310 E. First Ave., 720-245-2911, kohlersignaturestoredenver.com
Ultra Design Center
Decorative plumbing and architectural hardware become haute art at this locally owned depot. (A move to the new International Design Collection is planned for this spring.) Currently in vogue: fixtures that amp up your at-home wellness regime, including steam showers and therapeutic bathing technologies. We love: Victoria & Albert Barcelona 2 tub. 1025 Zuni St., 303-571-5611, ultradesigncenter.com
Waterworks
Au naturel finishes—like unlacquered brass—are all the rage at the Denver outpost of the Connecticut-based line (a mainstay of preppy Colorado households ever since the showroom opened at the Denver Design District Collection in 2012). We love: Henry Gooseneck Three Hole Deck Mounted Lavatory Faucet with Metal Cross Handles. 601 S. Broadway, 303-282-6800, waterworks.com
Lighting
Circa Lighting
Set to open a 4,500-square-foot shop in the Denver Design District in June, Savannah, Georgia-based Circa is beloved by decorators for good reason: The company’s offerings are as timeless and classic as Savannah itself. We love: Cynara Small Chandelier. 601 S. Broadway, circalighting.com
Fusion Light and Design
This Colorado company has a location in Denver and another in Colorado Springs, but we suggest you trek up to the Windsor showroom, housed in an old bank building complete with its original vault. “Our showrooms are more like boutiques—not overwhelming with tons of fixtures,” says owner Kristen Bland. Multiple locations, fusionlightandesign.com
Galleria Lighting & Design
A glowing emporium of lighting with nearly 20 years in the business, Galleria represents more than 200 brands—including a few of our personal favorites: Arteriors, Currey & Company, and Robert Abbey. 100 Rio Grande Blvd., 303-592-1223, gallerialighting.net
RH Denver, the Gallery at Cherry Creek
Gallery at Cherry Creek. Photo courtesy of Restoration Hardware.
When it opened three years ago, RH turned heads—hello, 70,000-square-foot, Venetian-plaster-clad storefront! For anyone hunting for lighting, it’s an essential stop, thanks to dazzling fixtures by legends like Jonathan Browning and Ian K. Fowler. 2900 E. First Ave., 303-331-1938, restorationhardware.com
Room & Board
More than 90 percent of Room & Board’s modern design wares are made by American artisans, with hallmarks of yankee ingenuity built right in (think: three-way switches and USB integration). Bonus: The Cherry Creek North location’s rooftop deck is a destination itself. We love: Fairbanks Pendant. 222 Detroit St., 303-322-6462, roomandboard.com
Urban Lights
The expansive Overland showroom meets every lighting need imaginable. Don’t miss fixtures from Kelly Wearstler for Visual Comfort, as well as newcomer Vermont Modern by Hubbardton Forge. We love: Vermont Modern One Light Mini Pendant. 1393 S. Santa Fe Dr., 303-747-6445, urbanlightsdenver.com
Appliances
Builder Appliance Center (BAC)
Calling all Julia Child wannabes: This lighting, appliance, and plumbing megashowroom has 14 working kitchens, where the company’s resident chef does product demos every Saturday.The average staffer has 13 years of industry experience, which means there’s no better place to get your questions answered—like how to use that new Alexa-integrated appliance. We love: Viking Electric Single French Door Oven. 1880 W. Oxford Ave., Englewood, 303-789-9945, 4bac.com
Mountain High Appliance
With a new 15,000-square-foot Littleton location opened in October, this family-owned Colorado business (best known for its Louisville shop, thanks to that catchy radio jingle) carries more than 65 brands and has more than 250 appliances hooked up at each location so you can try before you buy. Bonus: a company-trained delivery and installation team. #NoRegrets. Multiple locations, mountainhighappliance.com
Roth Living
The brand-new, ultra-modern showroom (designed by local firm Arch 11) for this luxury appliance
supplier is outfitted with show-stopping kitchen vignettes from some of Denver’s best kitchen designers. We love: Wolf Coffee System in Black. 742 S. Broadway, 303-373-9090, rothliving.com
Specialty Appliance
Black stainless steel is the appliance color du jour at this three-location outfit, founded in 2001. Denverites love Specialty Appliance for the diverse inventory, which includes low-end to ridiculously luxe brands (Miele, Sub-Zero, and Viking among them). We love: AGA Elise Range in Matte Black. Multiple locations, buyfromsa.com
Tile
Ann Sacks
Windows line three sides of this Portland-based tile purveyor’s Broadway storefront—all the better to illuminate their boundary-pushing tile. Ascendent trends include handcrafted (read: gorgeously imperfect) ceramic tiles in earthy palettes and saturated hues such as persimmon and emerald. 545 S. Broadway, 303-282-9300, annsacks.com
Arizona Tile
Sprawling across seven acres just off I-70, Arizona Tile is literally unmissable. The company carries slabs and tile under one roof and is your resource for marble mosaics, quartz countertops, glazed-porcelain backsplash bricks, and so much more. We love: Lucia Porcelain Tile in Walnut. 10100 E. 45th Ave., 303-574-2990, arizonatile.com
Crossville Studios
The largest family-owned tile manufacturer in the country, Tennessee-based Crossville Studios has eight locations in Colorado; the newly renovated 7,500-square-foot Virginia Village showroom has bath, shower, and kitchen vignettes. Multiple locations, crossvillestudios.com
Daltile
At the Denver outpost of this international tile manufacturer, eight design consultants await to assist with every-thing from flooring to exterior wall tile selections. Can’t get there? Try the Room Visualizer tool on their website. Multiple locations, daltile.com
Decorative Materials
The Denver Design District location is this Colorado company’s largest at 5,000 square feet, and is the place to find that conversation-worthy backsplash—think: ceramics with glossy undulating surfaces and tiles inspired by the Art Nouveau style. We love: Maison Surface Pemberton Parquet tile. 595 S. Broadway, 303-722-1333, decorativematerials.com
Julep Tile Company
Every lovely tile Julep makes is sustainably crafted by hand in a Louisville studio run by a husband-and-wife duo. “The style of our tile is pretty unique—inspired by intricate vintage wallpaper and textiles, but with a simplified look,” says co-owner Kirsten Sharp. We love: Handmade Subway Tile with Pearl Trim. juleptile.com
Materials Marketing
An excellent source of stone, glass,and ceramic tile and architectural stonework, this national brand claims it’s the only such supplier in the country to own and operate its own manufacturing facilities, which means high-quality results: “We just carved horned frogs for a fireplace for a couple who wanted to incorporate their college mascot into their home,” says director of marketing Dede Dunn. “Does it get more custom than that?” 601 S. Broadway, 303-777-6007, materials-marketing.com
Porcelanosa
Tile is just one of many offerings at this Denver Design District kingpin—which is moving to the coveted Suite A by the end of the summer. It’s home to everything from clean-lined kitchen cabinetry to sinks hewn from dark slate. Book a meeting with a design consultant to reimagine your space. 601 S. Broadway, 303-802-3210, porcelanosa-usa.com
