Chris Turner and Paul Wrona
Founders, Elevate By Design
In naming their Denver studio Elevate By Design, Chris Turner and Paul Wrona offer a sly wink at Colorado’s high altitude as well as a bold statement of purpose: to raise the bar within the landscape design industry. The pair, who linked up in 2012, take a thoughtful, artistic approach to what they call “outdoor architecture.” “We create and develop so much more than planting plants and building patios,” Turner says. “Our projects have a strong focus on key elements such as fire and water features, outdoor kitchens, cabanas and sport courts. It’s important to soften spaces, create seclusion and compose an area that feels cozy.” In short, EBD orchestrates the outside. “With almost 300 days of sun a year, our outdoor spaces should be just as important as the main living spaces inside the house,” Wrona contends. “We get great fulfillment from projects that weave the personalities of our clients into the spaces we create for them.” Here, the outdoor enthusiasts show us how to spend a perfect summer day in Denver.
9 a.m. Start the day in the Highlands with a vanilla latte and a fresh bagel from either Cafe Zuri or Maci Cafe.
10 a.m. Stop into the Elevate By Design studio, off Speer Boulevard in the Highlands, to meet great people and embrace a true collaborative work space–with good music playing in the background. This is where the magic happens! Get to know the team members and their passions while playing a game of Ping-Pong in the conference room.
11 a.m. Make your way to Denver’s RiNo Art District to see the Colorado Crush graffiti murals. We love them–they’re really inspiring and abstract.
1 p.m. Now that you’ve worked up an appetite, move on to Los Chingones on Larimer Street for some street tacos.
3 p.m. Head to the Denver Botanic Gardens on York Street to gather inspiration from the art exhibits. With live summer concerts and Alexander Calder‘s sculptures currently on display, there is something for everyone here.
5 p.m. It’s time to go to the Cooper Lounge at Union Station for a cocktail. While there, snack on the cheese and salumi plate.
6 p.m. If it’s the first Friday of the month, head to the Tennyson Street Cultural District for live music and a look through the open galleries during the First Friday Art Walk.
8 p.m. While you’re on Tennyson Street, have dinner at Parisi Pizzeria, Trattoria e Vino–a great Italian place. Start with the fritto misto, then order the prosciutto, rucola and parm. To finish, savor the gelato from the restaurant’s gelato bar.
