The holiday season is upon us, and it’s time to start tackling your shopping list! If you’re looking to get some thoughtful and unique gifts while supporting your local businesses at the same time, then you’ve come to the right place! Here are a few of our favorite local stores.
Number 1. Trunk Nouveau: Located in Aurora’s favorite Stanley Marketplace, Trunk Nouveau carries a number of pieces from local and regional artists, offering unique gifts like jewelry, candles, kitchenware, and more! The best part? This local business donates 6% of every purchase to non-profit organizations in the area!
Number 2. Nu Life Organics: A mobile all-natural bath and body company based out of Denver, you can catch them at seasonal local farmer’s markets and through it’s online shop!
Number 3. Lawrence and Larimer: Locally recognized by 303 Magazine as one of the 6 Black-Owned Businesses that Are Revolutionizing the Denver Fashion Scene, Lawrence and Larimer houses streetwear, accessories, candles, and more.
Number 4. Paisley & Park: Perfect for the fashionista on your list, Paisley & Park offers trendy apparel for everyone, with styles ranging from bohemian chic to Park Avenue timeless.
Number 5. The Local at Southlands: Carrying local products and foods and just a quick 15-minute drive from the Painted Prairie community, The Local at Southlands offers handmade gifts, local food and drinks, and other gifts made by Colorado vendors! It’s a great place to grab a bundle of items and create a unique Colorado gift basket!
Number 6. Heirlooms Antique Mall: This massive (14,000 sq feet!) antique mall will transport you to a timeless and mysterious space with historical pieces and treasured knick-knacks, perfect for anyone on your list.
Number 7. Little Wolf Boutique: Perfect for the little ones on your list, this adorable children’s boutique carries kid’s clothes, baby gear & furniture, and even toys. Find this gem in the Stanley Marketplace, conveniently located about 11 miles from Painted Prairie!
Number 8. Patterns & Pops: Cozy, chic, and everything in between, including children’s wear, Patterns & Pops is a Downtown Denver local boutique started by two best friends with an addiction to shopping! Everything in this quaint little shop is under $100, so break out that wallet; it’s time to shop!
Number 9. Coloradical: Your new go-to clothier for all things Colorado, including t-shirts, hats, patches, sunglasses, stickers, and more! Find this local shop in person and online! #GiftIdea: Create a special bundle for your favorite Coloradoan!
Number 10. Aspen & Pine: The ideal place for your favorite outdoorsman! With everything from camping gear and skis to sporting rentals and provisions, this sustainable outdoor shop is a great place to snag a gift certificate or winter gear for anyone on your list!
With a handful of incredible local boutiques and gift shops less than 25 miles from Painted Prairie (and online!), you’re sure to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list! The only question left is, where will you shop first?
Ever wonder why you should buy a newly-built home rather than a resale? Well, we have five reasons why you will want to consider buying a new home, especially at Painted Prairie.
Here’s our list:
Are you ready to explore Painted Prairie’s new homes? Click on this link to learn more about our builders and what they are building at Painted Prairie. Our homebuilders are some of the best in the country and they are ready to welcome you home.
Pumpkins and hayrides and dancing, oh my!
Painted Prairie’s third annual Harvest Fest was one for the books, as we kicked off fall with a day full of fun!
We enjoyed a sprawling Artisan Market with some of our favorite vendors, including Fat Cat Ceramics, your newest obsession, crafting gorgeous hand-spun pottery, and Woven in Wild, funky handmade macrame, with a side of hippie glam jewelry, just to name a couple!
This year our Alice and Wonderland characters scattered throughout Periwinkle Park and along Orleans Street to test out our littlest Prairie guests’ trivia knowledge! Each character provided a punch to their punch cards, with a yummy candy prize at the end.
Denver’s hottest band, Funkiphino, entertained the crowd, ensuring our dancing feet didn’t stop all afternoon long! The sounds of this fan-favorite funk group boosted our energy and made for the perfect soundtrack for the day.
Giant games like Connect Four and Jenga provided some exciting competition, while those looking for something a little more mellow enjoyed frolicking in the pumpkin patch.
Those looking for a fresh and fun way to tour the neighborhood took part in an old-fashioned hayride, passing through all of Painted Prairie’s pocket parks and model homes.
Our guests worked up quite an appetite, enjoying all of the festivities! Luckily we had some of Denver’s most delicious food trucks in attendance! Guests enjoyed tasty eats from Walking Taco Company, Uncle Dave’s BBQ, and White Rabbit Coffee after enjoying some groovy tunes and perusing the artisan market.
Our newest home models from David Weekley and Parkwood Homes were the stars of the show, with potential new Painted Prairie residents filtering in and out throughout the day, discovering reasons why our community is such a coveted place to live.
David Weekley Homes opened its newest model, The Sloan, at 21005 E. 61st Drive, Aurora, CO. A gorgeous 2,300 square foot home featuring three to five bedrooms, two to three full baths, one-half bath, and a two-car garage.
Parkwood Homes, a brand new builder to the community, debuted its first model, The Chelsea, at 21275 East 61st Drive, Aurora, CO 80019. Boasting a rooftop deck, a carriage house perfect for a home office or guest hideaway, and many more traditionally modern finishes, this model is a gorgeous addition to the neighborhood.
Remington and Berkeley Homes’ brand new sales trailers were also open and sharing what’s to come in the Painted Prairie community from these incredible local builders. (Now open at 6286 E. 62nd Drive and 6286 Lisbon St. in Aurora, CO.)
Thank you to all who came out to celebrate our favorite event of the year, checked out our latest model homes and sales trailers, and joined us to ring in the new season! If you have photos from the event, please tag us at @paintedprairieco on Instagram and Facebook!
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Congratulations! You’ve decided to embark on the homebuying journey, and it’s time to get your ducks in a row. As a first-time home buyer, you may be tempted to start hitting open houses, but there are a few things you should attend to first. As a potential homeowner at Painted Prairie, it’s important to understand the ins and outs of mortgage loans and homeowners insurance. These aren’t topics that get most buyers really excited and dreaming, but they are crucial to the process!
When considering a mortgage lender for a new construction home, it’s important to do your research. We reached out to Valerie Cameron, the Senior Loan Originator at Prime Lending to get her expert advice.
Much like finding a realtor that you can work well with, Valerie recommends talking to three different mortgage lenders to start — it is important to choose someone who you communicate well with. Do they talk more, or do they listen more? If they listen more, are they truly hearing what you’re asking?
In addition to great communication, it’s important your lender has significant experience in financing new construction homes. There are many nuances to new construction that are not found in a resale home. Construction schedules can fluctuate, and if your lender is not familiar with the process, it can create unwanted delays.
During your lender interviews, make sure to ask them about rates, loan terms, down payments, and mortgage insurance and compare them. Each lender likely uses different forms, allocating fees in different categories. Valerie shares, “Be sure to ask your potential lender whether or not you’ll be working directly with them or if you will be passed over to an assistant. If they pass you over, are you okay with that?”
As a new construction home buyer, you’ll want to understand that mortgage loan rates can be locked long-term. The larger your loan, the longer you can lock the rate. “I recommend talking to someone who understands and regularly executes long-term locks,” says Valerie.
Remember that there is a fee to lock a long-term loan; however, if you don’t cancel the loan, the fee is then credited to your closing costs. Because of the variables with new construction, you’ll probably not know your closing date until you’re close to it. Make sure to lock your loan in longer than you think you’ll need it — it’s much cheaper to take this route than to extend the lock on your loan.
If you’re considering buying down to a lower interest rate, you’ll want to consider how long you plan to stay in your home. In an ever-changing market, rates can change multiple times each day. Take a look at the math. Here’s an example: If it costs you $2,500 to buy down the rate to save you $30 a month, it will take you 7 years to break even. If you don’t plan on sticking around for that long, it won’t be worth taking this step.
Another crucial part of the home buying process is homeowners insurance. We spoke to Kelly Stewart from Farmers Insurance to lend a little insight.
When choosing an agent, Kelly recommends considering someone with at least 3 years of experience in the industry. Be sure to check their website and social media reviews. Are they personable, knowledgeable, and listen to your concerns? Are they responsive and professional? These are important questions as your agent plays a crucial role in helping protect your assets.
You should engage an insurance agent about 14 – 30 days before closing, Kelly shares. Loan officers like to have the insurance address early in the process and finalized at least 7-10 days before the closing date.
Once you’ve picked your agent and are buying a new home, there are ways to lower your cost on your homeowner’s policy! Kelly helped us understand the risks and benefits to consider:
In the future, be sure to check in with your agent anytime you:
Are you looking for more information about mortgage loans and homeowners insurance? Join us on Saturday, August 13th from 9am – 1pm at the Painted Prairie Home Tours with a Twist event, in partnership with 5280. Valerie Cameron and Kelly Stewart will be there in person to answer your questions on Mortgage Loans and Homeowners Insurance, plus you’ll find experts in other housing industries such as interior design. No RSVP is needed — we can’t wait to see you there!
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work with an interior designer on your home? If you’re an avid HGTV fan, it may feel like designers are magicians, right? It seems like designing, purchasing, and executing a vision happens in just a few days — but in reality, it’s a much more complex process!
As a home’s very first owner, you’ll be responsible for making a fair amount of design decisions on your own, and with a new build at Painted Prairie, you’ll want the beauty of your interior home to be just as spectacular as the exterior.
You may be thinking, can I afford to hire an interior designer? Is it even worth it? Truthfully, you can’t afford not to hire an interior designer! Why? An interior designer can save you money. Have you ever purchased a piece of furniture that blew your mind in the store but looked entirely out of place in your home? What about painting a whole room a particular color for it to turn out completely different than what you were picturing? An interior designer will help you navigate the design process, avoid costly mistakes and make decisions that will increase the value of your home.
“By collaborating with an interior designer, you’re gaining a partner in your overall building process. You’ll have someone to present new ideas you may not have thought of before. Design fatigue is REAL, and having someone to listen to you and help organize your thoughts who also understand the scope of the project is really helpful,” shares Jocelyn Verano of Ellis Design Studio.
So when should you get an interior designer engaged in your process? Truthfully, as early as possible, even in the architectural phase of building. Our experts tell us, “An interior designer can help you communicate with your builder. Many people don’t understand adjusting to a new scale in a new home. Interior designers can help you choose fixtures that complement your home’s architectural design and adjust to the scale of furnishings.”
We spoke a little more in-depth with Jocelyn to gain insight into design trends for 2022. “Warm color palettes and earthy tones are very on trend right now,” Verano states. “Camel, linen, and naturals. And don’t forget about texture! Texture is huge and can help make a contemporary style feel timeless. If you’re looking to add a little color to your neutral spaces, try a saturated deep teal or olive green. Remember, less is more. A reduced volume of accessories can make a big impact.”
Jocelyn also shared her top three recommendations for people moving into a new space regarding interior design:
1. Hire a professional. In a new living space, the scale of your home is going to be completely different. An interior designer can help you navigate through this.
2. Get settled in and take inventory of what you have and love. A great interior designer will help you find the perfect places for your favorite things.
3. Take the time to decide your aesthetic and how the space will work for you. You want your everyday living space to be not only beautiful but functional as well — something that feels like home.
Are you looking to get a little more information about interior design? Join us on Saturday, August 13th from 9am – 1pm at the Painted Prairie Home Tours with a Twist event, in partnership with 5280. Jocelyn Verano of Ellis Design Studio will be there in person to answer your questions on interior design, plus you’ll find experts in other housing industries such as mortgages and insurance. No RSVP is needed — we hope to see you there!
New Home Build at Painted Prairie Community Will Provide Opportunity and Hope for Individuals Living with Disabilities
Last month, nearly 100 people gathered under the pavilion at High Prairie Park at the Painted Prairie community in northeast Denver. They were there to learn more about the 2022 Inspiration House, a collaboration between KB Home, a Denver area homebuilder, and its trade partners, whose donations or discounted services and materials significantly reduce the cost of the home build. The proceeds from the sale of the new home are then donated to Home Builders Foundation (HBF), a nonprofit organization that completes free home modifications year-round to help elevate the lives of individuals with disabilities.
The house being built by KB Home at Painted Prairie is the eighth Inspiration House undertaken since the program began in 2003. The previous seven homes have together raised more than $700,000, which has helped HBF complete home modifications for nearly 2,000 individuals living with physical disabilities.
Among the speakers was Chris Layne, Miss Wheelchair Colorado 2020–21. Layne, a former nurse who was paralyzed while hiking in Clear Creek Canyon, shared the importance of the work done by HBF. After undergoing months of rehabilitation and adjusting to life in a wheelchair, Layne experienced true anxiety when she learned she was about to be discharged from Craig Hospital. Picturing the steps that led into the home that she’d lived in for more than 20 years and the second-floor bathroom, Layne was concerned that she’d never be able to live independently again. Fortunately, her family contacted HBF, who built ramps leading into the house, installed a stair lift, replaced flooring and created an accessible bathroom so that the home was ready for Layne when she was discharged. Layne explained how the modifications elevated every aspect of her life, saying, “With Home Builders Foundation allowing me to get that independence with my disability, I am able to do so much. I look at it as not what I can’t do, but what I can still do with my independence and my life.”
Randy Carpenter, President of KB Home’s Colorado division, has been involved with HBF for years and shared that being the sponsoring homebuilder for the 2022 Inspiration House is the perfect fit for the company’s values.
“Through our KB Cares program, we strive to invest in the communities where we build, work and live. We believe that we can drive change and have a positive impact on the lives of others,” stated Carpenter. “Last year, we donated more than $1 million, and our employees volunteered over 1,200 hours in communities across the country. We are proud to partner with HBF and lead the efforts to make a real difference for individuals and families living with long-term disabilities.”
The 2022 Inspiration House, which has already been sold, is expected to be completed in late fall. The new home blends attractive design features and includes three bedrooms, a loft, spacious den and large great room that flows seamlessly into the open kitchen. The 2,300-square-foot, two-story home sits on a corner homesite and offers breathtaking mountain views.
As with all KB homes, the Inspiration House will be ENERGY STAR® certified and include WaterSense® labeled fixtures, which will help to deliver significant savings on utility bills. Additionally, the home will be designed to deliver an enhanced indoor environment and include high-performance ventilation systems, low- or zero-VOC products and other features guided by the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Indoor airPLUS standards.
During the gathering, the Developers of Painted Prairie generously announced that they would be donating the entire cost of the homesite to the 2022 Inspiration House. Other trade partners in attendance eagerly joined in; to date, more than 20 partners have already signed on to donate or discount their labor and/or materials for this year’s Inspiration House.
Dave Highfield, Principal of Fortress Framing, announced his company’s commitment and encouraged others to join by saying, “Because we’re all in this together, our donations and contributions multiply. By the end of the project, we’re not just helping one family, we’re helping scores of families living with a disability.”
HBF has seen a significant rise in demand as more people with long-term physical disabilities are requesting services. The funds raised from this year’s Inspiration House will help HBF complete an estimated 280 projects this year — all of which will enable individuals with disabilities to live more comfortably, safely and independently.
Local real estate professionals were the focus on May 17 at the Second Annual Painted Prairie Spirit of Excellence Awards. More than a recognition event, the Spirit of Excellence Awards celebrated the spirit, dedication, and achievements of the members of the Prairie Partners Program, Painted Prairie’s national award-winning broker recognition program.
The night featured several recognition categories for our Prairie Partners. Congratulations to the nominees and winners in each category: Kearns Team, Realty ONE Group Five Star, Leaderboard Club; Kari Cummings, TJC Real Estate, High Five Club; Angie Hunt, McStain Neighborhoods, Broker’s Choice; Liz Thompson, eXp Realty | Art of Home Team, Social Advocate; Kari Cummings, TJC Real Estate, Million Dollar Club; and Ashley Faller, Focus Real Estate, Builder’s Choice.
Leaderboard Club: Monthly top five ranked brokers featured on Painted Prairie’s social media channels
High Five Club: Brokers who sold five or more homes
Broker’s Choice: The only non-broker category, this recognition goes to goes to the top Painted Prairie onsite sales team member as selected by the Prairie Partners.
Social Advocate: The broker most engaged with Painted Prairie on social media and events.
Million Dollar Club: Top performance of brokers who closed homes totaling more than one million dollars.
Builder’s Choice: Top Leaderboard broker, as selected by Painted Prairie builder sales team members.
Each year, Painted Prairie selects one broker who stands out in our community. This broker has consistently engaged and goes above and beyond to support Painted Prairie’s programs and the community’s success. This real estate professional is also well represented in numerous Spirit of Excellence recognition categories. The 2022 Prairie Partner of the Year award was awarded to April Denmon of Denmon Realty.
Denmon received a custom Prairie Hawk sculpture by world-renowned wildlife artist, Stephen LeBlanc. LeBlanc’s work can be seen throughout the United States and Colorado, and in Painted Prairie’s own High Prairie Park.
Held at the prestigious Schlessman Lobby at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, the Spirt of Excellence awards reception was sponsored by several industry partners. We thank the following sponsors for their support of the Spirit of Excellence Awards and the Prairie Partners Program: Heritage Title Company, Denmon Realty, Closet Factory, New American Funding, and 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty.
About the Prairie Partners Program
The Prairie Partners Program is Painted Prairie’s national award-winning broker recognition program. The program rewards and recognizes area real estate brokers for their dedication and support of Painted Prairie and the development of the community. To learn more about the program, visit: https://paintedprairie.wpengine.com/painted-prairie-broker-resources/.
Want to live in a place where you have the opportunity to enjoy ample and open green spaces, AND enjoy an easy commute?
Our editors found future and current residents who fell in love with the quality of life that living at Painted Prairie affords. Take a moment and learn why they chose the nation’s best master-planned community to build a home and a life.
We are sure you will agree that loving where you live makes all the difference in the world for a happy, balanced life.
Taylor and her fiancé, Joshua, are future Painted Prairie residents who chose the community after spending a year hanging out with their best friends who are early residents. The couple fell in love with the neighborhood, its parks, the views, and the variety of house options.
“My favorite part of Painted Prairie is definitely the mountain views,” she said. “I feel like you can see them from almost anywhere in the neighborhood! We have always wanted to live in a neighborhood we could grow into and really feel like we are a part of, and we’ve definitely found that at Painted Prairie.”
The couple are under contract for a KB Home Villas model. The home is the perfect fit for the young couple who are busy planning their wedding and working. It was important for Taylor to grow into a community as they begin their lives together.
“We just knew we wanted to be a part of the community,” said Taylor. “We quickly fell in love with the beauty of the neighborhood, and the location, as it’s not too far from my job at Children’s Hospital. My fiance works from home, which allows him to get out and enjoy the parks on his breaks. We love and believe in Painted Prairie’s vision. We can’t wait to watch it come to life and be a part of all the fun to come!”
Was it love at first sight at Painted Prairie? For Liz and her husband, Paul, well, actually yes!
As a former Central Park resident and Realtor, Liz was already familiar with the community. As she researched Painted Prairie’s location, amenities, and builders, for her real estate clients, Liz began to daydream about living in Painted Prairie herself.
On a whim, Liz and her husband Paul, a Southwest Airlines employee, walked into the Washburn model at David Weekley Homes to ask about current inventory. The couple instantly fell in love with the layout and the surrounding amenities in the neighborhood. A day later, they learned a Washburn home was up for grabs after the original buyers canceled their contract.
“We were under contract the next morning,” said Liz. “We had no plans to move, but when the home became available, we knew it was a good decision. The floor plan checked so many boxes for our family, including a larger kitchen, dedicated office, larger bedrooms and closets, with the opportunity to design the basement in the future. With two teenage girls, we needed more space!”
The family loves the current parks and future amenities such as the dog park and Town Center – which will all be within walking distance. The added bonus? Paul’s commute is less than 15 minutes to DIA. The location, current and future amenities, and the design of the neighborhood all solidify Liz’s decision to move to Painted Prairie.
“We lived in Central Park for eight years and experienced firsthand the excitement of new parks, builders, building a home from dirt, and the idea of a community coming to fruition,” said Liz. “We were able to visualize the future of Painted Prairie and knew it was the right place for our next move.”
Painted Prairie is located near many of the major employment centers in the area, with more coming as employers move to the area. Only 17 minutes from downtown Denver, nine minutes from Anschutz Hospital, and eight minutes from DIA, the community is approximately a 15 to 20 minute drive from anywhere in the north and central Denver Metro area.
