NEW LIFE
FOR A GRAND
DENVER HOME

Historic house in the
Country Club District is
renovated to its former glory

By ELLEN GRAY
Photography LINDA HANSELMAN

Beautiful architecture coupled with a fascinating history provides the backdrop to a wonderful home in Denver’s historic Country Club District.

The stately home, built in 1905, has provided haven to some of Denver’s best-known families and has racked up a rich history that resounds with all the trimmings of a good work of fiction, including scandalous divorces, attempted murders, politics and wellheeled tradition. The elegant home was selected as the Junior Symphony Guild’s Show Home in 1991.

The classic Greek Revival mansion was designed by architect Frederich Sterner, who created several famous local edifices, including the Daniels & Fisher Building, the University Club and the Denver Athletic Club. According to various documents, the house was originally commissioned by Lester and Alice Bridaham, socialites who later fell on hard times and were forced to sell the property in 1912. Two months after the sale, Bridaham made front-page news by jumping to his death from the Colorado Building.

The home’s next owner was Quigg Newton, Sr., whose son later became mayor of Denver and president of the University of Colorado. The next owner was Courtland S. Dines, another highsociety type, who, after four marriages, was shot and wounded by the chauffeur of an actress he was dating. In 1918, the home was purchased by Frank Cullen, who lived there with his wife and his brother, Neil, reputed to be Frank’s illegitimate son. Upon Frank’s death, Neil inherited the home and lived there with his wife, Olga Lukusta, who was found dead of mysterious causes in a hotel room.

Clearly, this is a home that offers up a lively and colorful history. In tribute to this legacy, the current owners committed a full year to extensively renovating the house and restoring it to its former glory. The result: a visual work of art that celebrates family, friends and all who pass through its doors.

Every inch of the 5,000-square-foot home is equally as appealing from the outside as it is from within. Set a sizable distance from the street, the beautifully landscaped exterior provides a captivating backdrop to the plantation-style red brick structure, which is framed by six massive columns that invoke a sense of timeless serenity.

The actual renovation of the house was carefully crafted to reflect the original integrity and design. The restoration project was a huge undertaking, since nearly 70 years of paint had to be stripped off the walls. The home’s walls are wet wall, which is very thick and virtually soundproof compared with more common drywall.

Each room of the home has been decorated around a theme, yet all rooms flow enticingly into one another in a seamless pattern. The interior design of each room was accomplished by beginning with a single major design element and working everything around this aspect.

In the library, for example, which was formerly the music room, a beautiful rug that once belonged to the owner’s grandfather provides the focal point for all fabrics and paint colors that now adorn the area. The library itself is a little darker than the rest of the home, providing a cozy family haven in colder winter months. Lovely antiques are scattered throughout and reflect a grace and elegance resulting from long hours spent scouring shops along the East Coast.

Color is used uniquely in each room of the house. In the library, for example, shades of tan and butterscotch surround furniture that resonates with hues of teal, accented by greens and pale oranges. In the corner, a classic Louis XVI chair pays homage to the room’s stately presence.

The home’s owners sought to create a living space that would be ideal for a family as well as for entertaining. Both goals were easily accomplished, and over the years, the home has played host to stylish dinner parties for eight and splendid cocktail parties for 100.

Just off the library is perhaps the most notable room in the house. Originally designed as a ballroom (this room was added in 1917), the huge room is reminiscent of a grand room in a European palace. An inlaid custom-made pale green and rose carpet, measuring 27 feet long and surrounded by an intricate hardwood inlay of cherry, oak and walnut, sets the stage for all furnishings and color palettes. The room’s original floor was maple, which was placed over braided hemp to provide spring for dancing the night away. The wooden floor was honed to an extrasmooth finish, so that the heels of women’s shoes would not get caught.

The room’s massive barrel-vaulted ceiling is made entirely of cast plaster, and all the room’s original molding has been restored to its original splendor. Painted on the ceiling is a wondrous sky scene with fluffy white clouds. A beautiful Swiss crystal chandelier sparkles and draws the eye upward and out to the
huge windows that surround the room. Within, hues of pale blues, mint green and raspberry adorn couches and chairs. During several months of the year, breathtaking flowers and huge leafy trees encompass the space outside the room, giving occupants the feel of looking out into a country garden.

At the back of the living room, a small room is discreetly tucked away. Originally used as a tea room where ladies would gather in the afternoon, the owner closed off the area and added bookcases and shelving to turn it into a functional office space. Molding was added to maintain consistency with the home’s other rooms. A deep, rich Jaguar racing green covers the walls, lending an air of masculinity that adds functional appeal and eradicates any resemblance to its dainty predecessor.

Off the library is the home’s main entrance, which in itself is nothing short of remarkable. Here again, molding was restored and added both to create authenticity and tone down the large area’s stark feel. Shades of vanilla and creamy pale yellow soften the room and shower the space with a feeling of warmth. In the center of the room, centered before the grand staircase, a round marble table provides a breathtaking
focal point. The table consists of marble inlays in at least 12 different colors and sits on a marble base.

Suspended above the table is an enormous chandelier, which has hung in the home for many years and was taken from one of Denver’s old hotels. The chandelier hangs from a 20-foot ceiling and is actually suspended from airplane wire to hold its massive weight. The huge steamship staircase ascends one level, then splits and goes up again on either side of the landing. A deep green carpet covers the first set of stairs, and long brass rods are set into each step.

Another room in the home that holds true to the original design is the dining room, which still boasts the original wall covering and curtains. The walls are upholstered in a red and gold brocade fabric, and a small alcove at one end of the room adds a charming dimension to the overall appearance.

Another exceptional room is the master bedroom, reflecting the current owner’s taste and style. The room is done in a soft French blue, and fabrics are made of traditional blue and white French toile, which covers the headboard, spread, curtains and loveseat.

Interestingly, the huge home had very few closets, including the master bedroom. The sitting area was converted to a huge walk-in closet, including shelves, drawers and doors. Even in these rooms, the owners added molding to create continuity. The same blue and white wallpaper was added to the master bath, and an eyecatching blue and white diamond-patterned carpet finishes the effect.

Truly, this storied home reflects a labor of love and is viewed with pleasure by all who pass through its doors.