CREATING STORY-FILLED SPACES THROUGH THOUGHTFUL, RESPONSIBLE DESIGN.
BY SHALEEN DESTEFANO
There is so much to love about woman-owned, design firm, Annabode. Their sole focus is to create a space that brings you joy, all while being environmentally conscious, and supporting local. We talked with Founder Anna Smith about how she has changed the interior design industry, and Denver design scene for the better.
Did you always know you wanted to work in a creative field? When did you start Annabode and what was life like before?
My childhood was steeped in art, history and travel but it took a long time to find a career that married my strengths and interests. My graduate work was in the History of Decorative Arts; I spent time studying at Sotheby’s in London and the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., interned at a historic house museum, and then finally fell in love with the process of design when we bought our first home. It wasn’t until we moved to Colorado in 2015 that I decided to start my own business and founded Annabode.
Annabode is the only full-service interior design firm in Denver, that specializes in both environmentally and socially-conscious interiors. Can you tell us more about this philosophy?
We believe in conscious consumerism, and that you feel more connected to your home when you know the people and stories behind the objects within it. We want to make sure those stories are of hope, creativity, equality and sustainability rather than waste, destruction and disease. Over the past few decades, we’ve learned to pay more attention to what is in our food, water, clothing and personal products but there is still a lack of information for consumers about their furniture and finishes.
When it comes to our projects, we start with supporting local businesses, artists and makers. We maintain internal material standards when it comes to flooring, performance fabrics, paint, etc., and we thoroughly vet our vendors to ensure they are as focused on sustainable practices as we are.
When it comes to aesthetics, “sustainable” design doesn’t have to look a certain way or conform to a specific style. It’s about the process – which is why you’ll see a range of design styles in our portfolio.
For our readers who are new to hiring interior designers, can you tell us a bit about the services you offer?
We offer three types depending on the size of your project and the level of service you are interested in. The first is Turn-key Interior Design, which is best for when you need a professional team to take care of everything for you. We support our clients’ design to completion – whether for a renovation, a few finish updates around the home or just soft furnishings.
We also offer Shoppable Sessions, which are perfect for when you have most of your main furniture pieces but the space still feels unfinished. It’s incredible what our team can do in just a few hours, beginning with moving your existing pieces and styling with your decor before filling in any gaps with our own vintage and maker-made inventory. You can “shop” your completed and styled room at the end of the session and purchase as much or as little as you like.
Lastly, we also offer A-La-Carte Consultations for anyone who is embarking on a home project themselves and needs professional guidance. We like to think of it as “renting” a designer for a few hours. Many of our clients just need one Consultation to kick-start their To-Do list, but often we have clients who use us at every step of the way – especially during renovations for things like finish selections and sample approvals. We meet with many couples who have just moved into a new home and are struggling with where to put their furniture; our gift cards make a great housewarming present, too!
Where do you find inspiration?
We always start from the home’s period and original architectural intent, because that is where that feeling of “place” and cohesiveness of design come from. We carefully document each project’s original features – whether that means Victorian hardware and ceiling medallions or contemporary millwork and windows for newer construction.
In all of your years of design, what has been your favorite project?
Our “Park Hill” project, which is a 1935 Tudor we have been designing and renovating in phases for the past few years. You couldn’t ask for better, kinder clients and the amount of trust they have put in our firm has yielded truly incredible results. At the end of their first construction phase, they told us that hiring Annabode was the best money they had ever spent – and who could ask for a better compliment than that?
Tell us what your dream house looks like.
It’s hard to choose, but probably a 1950s home from the Organic Modernism movement – something like J.B. Blunk’s hand-built home, or Russel Wright’s – with creative, hand-made and unexpected details you can only discover upon close inspection. Wharton Esherick’s Pennsylvania home would be another – just for the floors alone.
What are your three most treasured items inside your home right now?
My husband and I often play the game “What would you save in a fire?” and tease ourselves at having no good answers. We have some sentimental things, some beautiful things and some practical – but nothing we treasure or couldn’t give up with a moment’s notice.
We find constant solace and comfort from art, books and music, especially when it feels like the world is on fire. What are you reading right now and what’s spinning on your record player?
I’m currently halfway through “Rooted” by Lyanda Lynn Haupt, which is a wandering but beautiful series of reflections on the intersection of nature, spirituality and philosophy. When it comes to music, I’m never far from Johnny Flynn. His album Lost in the Cedar Wood is a collaboration with nature writer Robert Macfarlane, and I have it on repeat.
Have you had an opportunity to collaborate with any Denver artists?
Collaborating with Colorado artists and makers is at the core of our firm’s mission and it is a joy to connect and create with them on every one of our projects. From Monica Curiel, Paige Stewart, and Evan Anderman to Lundy and Fenway Clayworks, we love connecting our clients with the people in their community who make their pieces.
What can we expect from you in the future?
We hope to continue to be a leader in the Denver design community when it comes to sustainability and healthier choices in the home, and to that end, are planning some events to share what we know. Stay tuned and keep an eye on our Instagram for upcoming dates.
To learn more, visit annabode.com or call them at 303.990.9012.