Bezel, a sophisticated watering hole in the heart of downtown Denver, is celebrating the season with a festive pop-up bar serving cold-weather cocktails, such as the Clarified Peppermint Cocoa. The concoction takes three days to make, so plan ahead to be sure it’s ready to fill the punch bowl at your annual holiday party.
“Growing up, I always loved drinking hot chocolate around the holidays. For Bezel’s pop-up holiday bar, I wanted to do an adult take on the classic.”—Ravin Buzzell, general manager, Bezel Denver
Bezel Peppermint Tea
Ingredients
2 cinnamon sticks 1 star anise 5 cardamom pods 5 all spice pods 3 whole cloves 1 whole nutmeg 3 oz. sugar 1 peel of whole orange plus juice 1 peel of whole lemon plus juice 1 peppermint tea bag 12 oz. water 1/8 tsp. peppermint extract
Directions
In a dry pan, roast all the spices then add to a container. Add sugar, citrus peels, citrus juice and peppermint extract. Steep one tea bag in 12 oz. of water, then add tea to spices in the container. Stir the batch, cover and store in a refrigerated overnight. In the morning, stir the batch and remove spices and peels.
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Cocoa Mixture
Ingredients
3 oz. cocoa powder 12 oz. whole milk 1 tbs. lemon juice dash orange juice
Directions
Bring milk and cocoa powder to a steady boil. Remove from heat and add citrus juice before adding to the tea batch. Stir and let sit for 20 to 30 minutes. Strain through layered cheese cloth to remove curdled milk solids. Cover and store refrigerated and allow to settle.
8 oz. apple brandy
batch Bezel peppermint tea
batch cocoa mixture
Directions
Combine the batches of Bezel peppermint tea and cocoa mixture, then add 8 oz. of apple brandy. Pour into eight glasses. Serve in a rocks glass, poured over a single large ice cube.
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Howard Lorton Furniture & Design loves the idea of a “tete-a-tete” settee in the entertainment room. The tete-a-tete can be used to casually divide the space into a sitting area for watching TV and conversing, as well as a spot for playing games.
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To create a Mediterranean style, MD Design played with organic textures and a subdued natural color palette that spoke to the Mediterranean coastline. They pulled variations of cream in paint and tile to soften the space. They chose aged brass for our metal finishes throughout the spaces we designed. When paired with white oak and shades of cream, the brass accents really shine. The main focal point in the kitchen is the arched custom range hood that they paired with a bold black marble backsplash. This design is a nod to the Mediterranean style one might find in Santa Barbara.
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Christy Sport’s favorite element is the bistro set. It reminded them of something that you might happen upon in a French garden or tucked away in an olive grove. Simple yet sculpted, it evokes that Mediterranean lifestyle of uncomplicated and sophisticated.
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The multi-colored trio of pedestal tables at the center of this design are not only beautiful pieces, but function for all different occasions. They are sculpted and interesting, making it feel as if you have unique piece to ground the seating area. Bringing together three tables of different sizes and heights gives it more interest. Then, when you are having a party or small gathering, you can move them for what is needed and best for the flow of the space at the time.
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Beautiful Habitat started with a traditional Mediterranean material in terracotta tiles, but reimagined them in a modern way with a large-scale herringbone pattern. Next, they took inspiration from the arched doorways that are so prevalent in Mediterranean architecture. They also reimagined that shape in a modern way by repeating the element literally in wall art and figuratively in the wallpaper.
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They incorporated the Mediterranean Modern style by allowing themes of softness, warmth, and organic shapes drive their design. A mix of soft earth tones are grounded with neutrals. Soft material elements of rattan, linen, alabaster, and woven rope underscore the Mediterranean theme and add textural interest. Additionally, repeated organic shapes and rounded edges were used to make the spaces feel welcoming and cohesive. Semi-circles are prominent on the sideboard as well as in the wall mural that play into the arch shapes seen throughout the home.
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Studio LW’s favorite element in the space is the wallpaper. The contrast of the black and white pattern draws your eye to the designed wall, and pops against the room’s subtle colors. It brings a fresh and youthful element to the room.
What can a homeowner incorporate to make their (kitchen, living room, foyer, mudroom, powder bath, etc) have the look and feel your space has?
It is important to install “fixed” items such as wallcoverings and window treatments to achieve a higher level of creativity and visual appeal. These items make a permanent statement to the design of the home. The furniture can be swapped out for different pieces, but the fixed design features are what will define the style of the room.
What can a homeowner incorporate to make their (kitchen, living room, foyer, mudroom, powder bath, etc.) have the look and feel your space has?
To incorporate the feel into your space, look and see what natural elements are in the surrounding environment. For example, Colorado has many beautiful trees and mountains, so although there is a Mediterranean scheme to the home’s architecture, they wanted to pay homage to the actual area by including the mountains in the headboard with warm tones known to Mediterranean décor.
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A signature element for sTABle is to layer in lots of textures, patterns, and to have fun with color. With that being said, it’s important to make sure that design decisions are made for and with the client, as the space is always ultimately created for their specific desires and functionality requirements.
