American Furniture Warehouse Design Challenge

The 2012 Parade of Homes is proud to offer a new twist to see great decorating ideas. It’s the American Furniture Warehouse Design Challenge. Three award-winning design teams have provided three wonderfully unique home designs for three unique Parade homes. But what makes it a challenge is that each design team used the same base furniture provided by American Furniture Warehouse, bringing about a fabulous new look for each home.

Each Design Challenge home features a great room and kitchen combination, along with the dining room and master bedroom suite. In addition to the base furniture of each room, American Furniture Warehouse, the Title Sponsor of the 2012 Denver Parade of Homes, will also be supplying rugs, lamps and wall art; while the builders will provide paint, window coverings and accessories.

And unlike other Parade events, if you love the furniture you see, you can buy it at American Furniture Warehouse to design a special room in your home. Just click here now to download a furniture list and price sheet.

Once you’ve visited the three 2012 Design Challenge homes, you can vote for your favorites by clicking above to go to the Denver Post online voting portal. You can choose your favorite great room, dining room and master bedroom suite in addition to your favorite home overall.


Prospectors Run in Central City, 857 Vernon Drive
This mountain retreat sits on the hills above the casinos, Opera House and historic homes of Central City. It features an open floor plan with gourmet kitchen, hardwood floors, two bedroom suites (the master is a spa-inspired five-piece), two and one-half baths, and three-car attached garage.

Lauren Matthews, owner of Denver-based White Orchid Interiors, was inspired by the home’s proximity to mountains and natural-toned colors. “I wanted to bring the feel of the outside in,” she said. Her design is mountain contemporary and utilizes clean lines and warm colors to give the home a spacious feel. In fact, the color tones resemble the aspen grove which borders the backyard and are visible through the large windows.

Click here for all the details and photos of this home and builder.


Verona in Highlands Ranch, 2409 Primo Rd., Unit B
This European-style low maintenance home is ideal for adults 50 and over. It features a gourmet kitchen and dining room, a master suite with coffee and wet bar, large walk-in closets and two-story fireplace.

Jodi Rutherford and Susie Murphy of Design Lines, first chose a colorful fabric with hints of European flair and then had pillows custom made. The rest of the homes’ color palette grew from that fabric. Their design also took into consideration the 55+ prospective home buyer and worked toward themes of freshness, friendliness and timeliness. Murphy said, “We were inspired to make this home feel warm and welcoming. We wanted an eclectic look that was fun, fresh, yet comfortable.”

Click here for all the details and photos of this home and builder.


Meritage Homes in Parker, 23743 Eagle Bend Lane
This distinctive golf-course community “showcase home” was designed for entertaining. Its open floor plan encourages lively conversation. The home also has three spacious bedrooms and 2.5 baths, an oversized front porch, and attached two-car garage.

Jodi Rutherford and Kris Yellen, also of Design Lines, took on the challenge of this home. Rutherford said, “We designed this interior for a younger, vibrant buyer who values an eco-friendly style, natural textures and fun treatments. Its look is new, fresh and different.” The design utilizes dark navy and white, which is a current and popular look. And, yet, it plays off natural elements that appear casual and elegant. One interesting feature is a painted chalkboard that resides on the wall above the dining room table and promotes the day’s menu in a friendly script.

Click here for all the details and photos of this home and builder.

Don’t Forget: If you get a “Frequent Visitor Contest Sheet” stamped at all 3 Design Challenge homes, you can enter to win one of two $2500 AFW gift cards. Click here for details.