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Name: Samuel Schimek & Denver
Location: The Bank & Boston Lofts, Denver, Colorado
Size: 750 square feet
Years lived in: 1 year; Rent

Samuel, owner of I Heart Denver, and his trusty companion Denver, live in a bright and open space just a few blocks from his downtown store. Highly influenced by boutique retail, Samuel's loft reflects his love the city and support of local artists.

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When we first met, he described his style as "nerd chic" on account of his collection of Star Wars and Star Trek posters and gadgets. Admittedly, I can't tell the two apart (I know, I know) but think it adds a great slice of personality to his art-filled home. I was most intrigued by the Star Trek TOS intercom replica in the bathroom doorway that makes a "whoooosh" sound as you pass by.

Samuel has designed his living space with great intention, similar to his shop space. He is extremely kind and passionate about art and supporting artists. His store carries 100% Denver based content from local artists and gives 70% of sales back to the artists and designers. Nestled among the shops along the 16th Street Mall the shop receives many tourists who are looking for souvenirs and unexpectedly find a shop full of Denver's most talented artists.

Apartment Therapy Survey:

My Style: Modern/Contemporary and I am really into the difference between the two.

Inspiration: Local art, boutique retail, design blogs, niche product design

Favorite Element: All the different art I have accumulated over the years.

Biggest Challenge: Fancy taste on a small budget, I see so many things I want. The challenge is sticking to what I NEED or what will add to my look successfully in my price range.

What Friends Say: How fun!

Biggest Embarrassment: How much discount shopping I do.

Proudest DIY: My found object artwork. It has really added to the aesthetic of my apartment, but I have also used it in my professional work. It has been the basis of most of my art exhibitions and many product designs at my store.

Biggest Indulgence: Working up to a real designer purchases more often. I have been able to buy a few original art pieces from a local up and coming artist each year, and rarely I let myself buy that expensive designer item that wows me when I see it on my favorite blogs.

Best Advice: Finish one piece at a time, completely finish it. Don't have 20 DIY projects going at once. Work on one at a time and finish it well.

Dream Sources: NotCot.org is my fave because it's a curated blog experience. I can get a snap shot of hundreds of blogs in a day and click what really interests me.
Different from NotCot.org is the main site NotCot.com the inspiration and genius picks/projects of Jean Aw. I really admire her opinion on product design and what she chooses to put in her own home.
Lovely Package A lot of the compositional choices I make when decorating are rooted in design basics. I really pay attention to the "grid" and how it can help with my organization. I find that packaging design really inspires my use of the grid and helps me with layout of everything even my furniture!
Some of my personal work is inspired by Vance Kirkland, and the
museum created around his work is a huge source of modern furniture examples.

Resources of Note:

ENTRY


LIVING ROOM

    • Big painting with Cat: Tiffany Kennedy
    • Small Geo Painting Lisa Kolwalski
    • Fuzzy felted sculpture on my desk Laurie Lynnxe Murphy
    • My framed Star Trek Movie Posters are reproductions from Japanese movie releases.

KITCHEN

    • Big blue painting and painted figures are my personal work

BEDROOM

    • Framed Green eagle is my creation, made using 99% recycled art found objects and reclaimed house paint.
    • The large splattered painting is by a very talented local artist Harry Walters

BATHROOM

    • Star Trek TOS intercom replica is in the doorway, it was how they communicated on the different decks of the original enterprise. And it makes the door "whoosh" noise when ever someone enters the bathroom

Thanks, Samuel and Denver!

(Images: Ashley Poskin )

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