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As Featured in West + Main Home Magazine: Kitchen Chronicles

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From 1920 Time Capsule to Cozy Culinary Haven
with West + Main Agent Angela Spangler

“ “We loved the charm of the home, but it just wasn’t functional,” Angela shares. “Now, it fits our lifestyle perfectly—cooking, entertaining, and cozying up on snowy days.””
— Angela Spangler

When W+M agent Angela Spangler and her partner, Nick, took on their 1920 home, they weren’t just renovating—they were uncovering history. What started as a pandemic project for Nick in 2020 turned into nearly five years of trial, error, and a whole lot of YouTube tutorials. Now, at 99% completion, their kitchen is the crowning jewel of their DIY adventure.

“We loved the charm of the home, but it just wasn’t functional,” Angela shares. “Now, it fits our lifestyle perfectly—cooking, entertaining, and cozying up on snowy days.”

This wasn’t just a cabinet swap. Before the kitchen transformation could even begin, they tackled plumbing, electrical, and structural fixes—bumping the difficulty scale to an 8 out of 10. Their biggest surprise? The original insulation was newspaper from December 1920, offering a peek into the past before they vaulted the ceilings and added skylights. “We hadn’t even considered it until after the asbestos abatement, but once we saw the potential, we couldn’t resist.”

The DIY Details: Nearly every inch of the space was a hands-on effort, from the custom-built floating shelves to the dining nook made from a live-edge walnut slab. Their boldest design choice? The deep green island, a perfect contrast to the warm wood tones and quartz countertops. “For once, this project didn’t hit us with any jaw-dropping disasters,” Nick jokes. 

Lessons from the Remodel Trenches: Nick, a seasoned DIYer, offers some wisdom: “Add 20% to your budget, increase your timeline by 30%, and always use the right tools—unless you want to stare at your mistakes daily.”

The Finished Space: With triple the storage, a pot filler for convenience, and a space designed for gathering, their kitchen is now both beautiful and functional. “This is exactly what I envisioned—well, minus the vaulted ceiling. That was a happy accident,” Angela laughs.

As for what’s next? Nick’s love for renovation has turned into a business—Kozee Home Improvements LLC—so the projects are far from over. But for now, they’re finally kicking back and enjoying the home they built, one unexpected twist at a time.

 

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As Featured in West + Main Home Magazine: A Groovy Getaway

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A Vintage Condo Revival with West + Main Agent Cindy Hall

“ “I’ve always had a love for design elements that elicit a certain feeling,” she says. “The goal was to blend that cozy ski chalet vibe with modern touches—a funky, retro blast from the past.””
— Cindy Hall

When W+M agent Cindy Hall stumbled across a dated studio condo in Dillon, Colorado, she saw more than old cabinets and mirrored walls—she saw potential. “I’ve always had a love for design elements that elicit a certain feeling,” she says. “The goal was to blend that cozy ski chalet vibe with modern touches—a funky, retro blast from the past.”

What followed was a bold, budget-conscious renovation that turned a tired unit into a vibrant and rentable gem affectionately dubbed The Bob Dillon. With just over $12K (and plenty of late nights), this glow-up proves that with creativity, strategy, and a little help from handy friends, big change doesn’t have to mean a big budget.

“I found this project to be really approachable,” she shares. “Some paint, some vision, and a few extra trips to the hardware store can go a long way.” The kitchen showcases original vintage charm—like the sunny yellow countertops and existing tile, now refreshed with paint—blended seamlessly with bold new touches. Think playful furniture, peel-and-stick backsplash, and a statement ceiling in Jade Romanesque green that ties it all together in a groovy new era.

Rather than demoing dated features, she leaned into their charm. “Even the bathroom tile isn’t new—it’s just painted!” And the floor-to-ceiling mirrors? They reflect Lake Dillon from the bed. “That could’ve been missed if I hadn’t lived in the space for a bit.”

When asked what she loves most about the finished product, she lights up: “The reaction of friends and guests who visit The Bob Dillon. It’s more appreciated than I ever imagined.”

 

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Ski-haw! People on skis towed behind galloping horses compete in the wildest winter race in the West

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The Colorado skijoring season opened last weekend in Ridgway with novice riders hanging on tight hoping for a piece of the purse. Not all of them finished upright.

Imagine yourself clicking into skis with the goal of going as fast as you can through freshly groomed snow — but instead of gravity drawing you down the mountain, a horse and rider pull you with a tow rope at about 30 to 35 mph along a closed course as you navigate obstacles while spectators record your every move with their phones.

Skijoring — pronounced skee-jor-ing — combines the Norwegian terms “ski” and “kjøre” (“to drive”) into a team activity that originated many hundreds of years ago as a form of winter transportation (think the Tang Dynasty in China) and depending on the country, skiers were pulled by reindeer, elk, dogs and eventually horses.

The once winter travel mode is now a popular winter sport with competitions held each winter in the snowiest towns in the American West. In Colorado, skijoring has a rich history that is celebrated in competitions all over the state.

In Ouray County, right near the base of the towering San Juan mountains, dozens of racers, horses and riders form teams to best each other in timed competition over three days each January at the Ouray County Fairgrounds. This year was San Juan Skijoring‘s 9th annual festival and it drew riders and spectators from around the region and beyond to race behind horses Jan. 10-12.

San Juan Skijoring organizer Richard Weber III said the Ridgway festival would have “the highest level of skijoring competition that has ever been held in skijoring.”

Other competitions held in Silverton and Leadville are much older than the one in Ridgway. But Weber said by offering large purses San Juan Skijoring has grown in popularity year after year.

From novice competitions to “big air” contests where racers jump over full-size trucks, San Juan Skjoring has become a favored destination for competitors and spectators alike.

If racers have good, fast runs that are free of mistakes and penalties, there is big money to be made from just a few minutes of competition.

 
 

The production side of the Ridgway event has grown too, with professional video and broadcasters brought in to turn the competition into a live-streamed event that was broadcast to the world and still can be watched by subscribers to The Cowboy Channel.

As Weber and organizers already look ahead to the 10th annual festival, he says there will be plenty of big money to go with the big air that has become a staple of San Juan Skijoring.

Where to watch skijoring next:

Skis and Saddles SkiJor Pagosa:  Jan. 18 -19. Races start at 8:30 a.m. both days at the Archuleta County Fairgrounds in Pagosa Springs.

Estes Park Skijor: Jan. 24-26. Races start at 11:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Estes Park Events Complex.

Coal Mountain Skijoring: Feb. 7-9. Races start at 9:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Moffat County Fairgrounds in Craig.

Silverton Skijoring: Feb. 15 -16 on Blair Street in Silverton on both days.

Leadville Ski Joring 78th annual competition: March 1- 2. Starts at high noon on Harrison Avenue in Leadville each day.

Grand Lake Skijoring: March 8-9. Races start at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday on Grand Avenue.

Read more at The Colorado Sun

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As Featured in West + Main Home Magazine: Mid-Century Gem

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W+M agent, Pam Catania’s clients

“They painted the walls white (they were pinks and oranges), put in black fixtures, and subtled down the southwestern to sell it.””
— Pam Catania

After nearly 30 years, W+M agent Pam Catania’s clients decided it was time to give their beloved home a fresh look before putting it on the market. Their impeccable taste— refined over decades—leans towards classic mid-century design, perfectly complementing the home’s original architecture.

When they first bought the property, it had a heavy southwestern influence, with pinks, oranges, and adobe accents throughout. To modernize the space, they painted the walls white and added sleek black fixtures, toning down the bold color palette while leaving the striking adobe fireplace and flagstone floors intact. The wooden beams which span the ceiling were also preserved, maintaining the home’s character. The master bath saw a big transformation, moving from 1980's pink and teal to a more modern aesthetic.

Pam suggested these updates to appeal to today’s buyers, and within a few months, the home was ready to shine. The layout features the primary bedroom on one side of the house, with secondary bedrooms thoughtfully placed on the other, providing both privacy and functionality.

As owners of a custom cabinetry and countertop business, the couple’s attention to detail is evident throughout, with handcrafted cabinetry and woodwork adding a personal touch throughout the home.

The property also includes a charming ADU that’s been part of the home from the start.

Situated in a coveted neighborhood that is known for its custom-built homes on spacious lots, this 3,200 sqft gem offers the perfect blend of mid-century charm and modern updates—all on one floor.

 

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As Featured in West + Main Home Magazine: Home Gym Goals

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W+M agent, Kate Kazell’s client, Melanie Phillips

“Fitness has been a huge part of my life for the past decade, and the way I’ve worked out has evolved. After moving across the country to Denver, my husband and I finally had the room to create our own home gym.”
— Melanie Phillips

For W+M agent, Kate Kazell’s client, Melanie Phillips, fitness has been more than just a passion- it’s a lifestyle. Known for her blog, @headstandsandheels, Melanie shares, “Fitness has been a huge part of my life for the past decade, and the way I’ve worked out has evolved. After moving across the country to Denver, my husband and I finally had the room to create our own home gym.”

The couple transformed an alcove in their finished basement into a stylish yet functional workout space. “We wanted the gym to be chic but also practical. We added brick wallpaper on the main wall, a large mirror, shelving for storage, fun neon lighting, and foam floor tiles.” The layout has four workout zones: floor exercises (yoga, Pilates), weightlifting, and two types of cardiowith a Peloton bike and treadmill.

The key to their home gym’s success is organization. “Once everything has a home, it makes the space functional for a variety of workouts.” Melanie advises starting with basics like dumbbells, a yoga mat, a mirror, and a bench, adding more equipment over time

With colder months ahead, the home gym becomes an even more essential part of Melanie’s routine. “We use our home gym most in winter. When it’s too cold to go outside, it’s great to have a space to work out at home.”

As someone who gets bored with the same routine, she keeps things interesting by alternating between online classes including, Sculpt Society, Form, and Peloton. The flexibility to switch between spin, strength training, and low-impact workouts has been especially important during her pregnancy.

Melanie's home gym reflects her fitness journey and lifestyle, offering the perfect space to sweat, stretch, and stay motivated.

 

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