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this tile is in the ‘Santa Barbara style,’” Susie says fondly. “It took a while to find it, but I love it.” and upstairs hallway, many of the works are of the Santa Ynez Valley in California, where Susie grew up. In the family room off the kitchen, two paintings of scenic Washington – Mt. Baker and Deception Pass -- pay homage to Dave’s home and where the two met while in college. Susie was very close to her mother, and the two enjoyed antique shopping together. “When we lived in Missouri and my mom lived in Ft. Collins, I was out visiting her and we went antique shopping. I bought two of my favorite pieces and had them shipped to Columbia, MO only to have them moved to Wyoming about five years later when we took the job here,” Susie laughs. “Who knew?” Both pieces now serve a purpose in the dining and living rooms, and are joined by a mirror that has been in the family for generations. “I have pictures of myself and my mother in front of that mirror when we were both married,” Susie adds. In the Christensen home, furniture serves a purpose and must serve it well. As we discussed the havoc children can wreak upon furnishings, Susie explained how her furniture had to grow with their family and be very functional – even today. “We have a lot of kids on our staff (of all ages) and I don’t ever want anyone to think that they can’t come over and enjoy the house,” Susie says. “We are very casual people and I want people to feel comfortable in our home.”
When we entered the home on our visit, Susie encouraged us to relax and get comfy. That invitation, combined with the cheerful color palette, family photographs and personal touches made it very easy to feel at home right away. When asked whether Susie employed a particular design style in the house, she replied, “I don’t have any themes or designs when decorating, but I did want a very comfortable and livable house. Family is the most important thing to us and we wanted a place where the kids felt comfortable when they came back home.” As she led us on a tour of the home, explaining the stories behind the artwork, furniture, antiques and Cowboy memorabilia, it became clear to me that there was indeed a theme – everything in the home translates to that love of family and their history. When one enters the home, a wide staircase leads to the upstairs. To the left, Dave’s o?ce with gold walls, a giant brown bucking horse on the wall, and a hutch filled with treasured items from Dave’s coaching career is full of Wyoming pride; to the right, a cozy living room and gas fireplace encourage conversation. Continue straight to the kitchen, where Viking appliances, a generous granite island, and a tray ceiling paneled with wood serve as the hub for Susie and Dave’s love of entertaining. The kitchen backsplash combines a color combination which, ironically, resides in my own home too: vibrant blue, green, red and yellow. “I’m from Santa Barbara, California, and
In many places, watercolor paintings of scenery depict different areas of the country. “The {paintings} hold fond memories for both of us,” Susie says. In the entryway
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Wyoming Lifestyle Magazine | Fall 2013