 A FOREVER HOME
IN BONNIE BRAE
Warm, inviting space reflects
owners'
personal style
Written by ELLEN GRAY
Photography by LINDA HANSELMAN Within Denver, there exists an enclave of homes as different as they are wonderful. The neighborhood in which they reside boasts a history as interesting as the homes themselves and is well-known for its beautiful winding streets and towering trees.
Here lies Bonnie Brae, an area that when first developed was intended to replicate a Scottish village within the city. In fact, the name Bonnie Brae can be translated to “Pleasant Hill” in Gaelic.
True, Bonnie Brae is famous for its long-standing landmark, Bonnie Brae Ice Cream. In recent times, however, the neighborhood has seen a huge transformation, as smaller Tudor houses and even some of the more recent homes, those built in the 1950s and 1960s, have been renovated or scraped to make way for larger dwellings.
Today, the streets of Bonnie Brae bear an eclectic mix of houses of all shapes and sizes, many tucked among beautiful trees that are the area’s trademark. The home of Susan and Eric Goodman is an outstanding example of a newer home constructed on the site of one of the smaller Tudors that dotted the streets.
Originally from Ohio, the homeowners had been commuting between that state and Breckenridge, Colo., where they have a winter property. When they decided to put down permanent roots, the Goodmans settled on the Bonnie Brae house, believing it would make an ideal setting that could easily accommodate their three grown children and their families.
Perhaps the overriding factor in the couple’s decision to move to the Bonnie Brae home was Susan Goodman’s recent bout with ovarian cancer, an event that changed her life and truly reshaped her world.
“When I received my diagnosis, my focus changed entirely. I wanted a forever house. When you go through this type of experience, your perspective changes,” she says. “There are not a lot of survivors of ovarian cancer because most women are not tested for it, and by the time they are diagnosed, it’s in an advanced stage. It’s such an easy test, but doctors don’t advocate it, and therefore women don’t even know about it. Taking the test costs as much as going out for dinner, and it truly can save your life.”
Working with designers Judy Gubner and Colleen Johnson from In-Site Design Group, who also did the couple’s home in Breckenridge, the Goodmans created a space that reflects their personal style and that is as warm, cozy and inviting as it is beautiful.
 “This was an interesting project for us, because we’re really designers rather than decorators,” Gubner says. “Our typical projects start from scratch with the builder, or involve blowing up a property and designing it from the first step. In this case, we had a home that was fairly new and was in beautiful condition, with all finishes in place. Our challenge was to take all the Goodmans’ furniture from their other home and make it fit. Typically, this would involve somehow impacting the structure of the home, but in this case our goal was to use as much of the existing space and design as possible and incorporate their furnishings into the home.”
To say the project was a success would be an understatement. With the home already in near-perfect condition, all it took was careful and creative placement of the Goodmans’ beautiful rugs and furnishings to create a space that is truly a family home — a home where one yearns to return.
Throughout the house, knotty alder wood doors smartly complement impeccable oak flooring. Beiges, taupes and browns are showcased in fabrics and walls, creating an inviting and familiar atmosphere. Every room in the house is spacious yet cozy, and the entire effect is intimate and enveloping.
“We wanted a house that is visually appealing, yet that is hardy enough to accommodate our grandchildren,” Goodman explains. This is not an effect that is easily achieved, but the kitchen’s black soapstone counters, offset by creamy earth tones accented by shades of black and rust, are at once durable and sophisticated.
The designers also went to great lengths to consider what would work best for the homeowners’ specific needs. For example, the home’s once-formal living room was transformed into a beautiful and quiet sunroom, perfect for reading or relaxing. In this room, a remote-controlled fireplace fires up instantly and is fronted by two cozy chairs upholstered in brown floral embroidery and accented by brown and rust pillows.
In the kitchen/great room, a massive area that would otherwise be imposing, one area was designated the “breakfast area,” and cleverly houses the accessories used every day. Swivel barstools at the kitchen counter make for easy entertaining and interaction when others are in the room.
 Another special feature of the home is the circular turret that fronts one side, creating unique spaces that are enhanced by massive windows ushering in light and interesting angles. This effect is cleverly incorporated into various rooms of the home and is especially appealing in the home’s office, downstairs workout room and master bedroom.
A particularly appealing aspect of the home is found in the finished basement, where a sliding curtain shuts off one room to accommodate the family’s love of pingpong. Once enclosed, the front and back walls are the same, so no advantage can be gained by players on either side.
Throughout the home, an interesting collection of Asian art and furnishings is scattered in various rooms. These pieces were gifts from the couple’s son, who spent time in China. “This was a home that took a different approach to decorate,” says designer Johnson. “In a sense it required taking furniture from an existing space, throwing it up in the air and then making sure it could land in the right place. But the stars were aligned, because it did not require a huge amount of effort to make this home a showcase for the Goodmans’ personal items.”
In the end, the designers created a home of perfection, timeless elegance and warmth. Susan Goodman’s dream of a forever home has come true.
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