Visionary Spaces
Weaving Stories Together in Denver’s Cherry Creek
How Rydhima Brar united form, function, and family in her recent renovation
For Rydhima Brar, the crux of interior design is storytelling. The R/teriors founder believes in identifying the essence of her clients and highlighting that narrative through every detail of a space.
RYDHIMA BRAR, FOUNDER AND INTERIOR DESIGNER, R/TERIOR STUDIO / PHOTOGRAPHER: CHRIS KNIGHT
“Every single element in the house has some sort of a meaning or story or a reason why I’ve picked that, whether it’s the color, a motif, or any specific detail,” she says.
“Every single element in the house has some sort of a meaning or story.”
After leaving her banking career in 2017, Brar established herself as a primarily residential designer based in Los Angeles. In 2021, two longtime clients—her first, in fact—returned to enlist her help in renovating their new home. The recently married couple had found a Denver Square home in the city’s Cherry Creek neighborhood. They loved the home’s signature wide porch and large windows, but the 2007 build felt dark and dated.
DENVER, CO, 2023 / PHOTOGRAPHER: ERIC LUCERO / FEATURING THE LITZE® SINGLE-HANDLE WALL MOUNT LAVATORY FAUCET IN BRILLIANCE® LUXE GOLD®
“When it comes to my design approach, a lot of it ties down to the history, the story, and the background of the clients themselves,” Brar says. In this case, she wanted to use a refreshing color palette and create a simple, functional atmosphere throughout the space.
“When it comes to my design approach, a lot of it ties down to the history, the story, and the background of the clients themselves.”
But she had another challenge: the newlyweds had different styles. The couple’s wife preferred lots of colors and texture, while the husband favored a more muted aesthetic. She wanted to strike a balance that met their needs—but felt warm and inviting.
To tell the entire family’s story, Brar dedicated different rooms to different expressions of their personalities.
DENVER, CO, 2023 / PHOTOGRAPHER: ERIC LUCERO / FEATURING THE JASON WU FOR BRIZO™ WALL MOUNT LAVATORY FAUCET WITH CROSS HANDLES IN MATTE BLACK
In the powder room, Brar featured a dark, masculine palette in line with the husband’s tastes. She wanted to emulate a speakeasy feel—and to build off of the lighter concept in the kitchen.
To match the black fixtures and statement wallpaper, she chose the Jason Wu for Brizo™ Bath Collection. “I love to create powder room ‘moments,’ and it felt like the right fit for this space,” Brar says.
DENVER, CO, 2023 / PHOTOGRAPHER: ERIC LUCERO / FEATURING THE INVARI® WIDESPREAD LAVATORY FAUCET WITH ARC SPOUT IN BRILLIANCE® LUXE GOLD®
DENVER, CO, 2023 / PHOTOGRAPHER: ERIC LUCERO / FEATURING THE INVARI® SINGLE-HANDLE FLOOR MOUNT TUB FILLER IN BRILLIANCE® LUXE GOLD®
In the primary suite meanwhile, Brar highlighted the wife’s preferences for a lighter, airier feel and more feminine palette. “She just wanted to feel ultra chic and ultra pretty when she walked in,” Brar says of the suite.
The Invari® Bath Collection developed the air of tranquility. “To me, it is the most glamorous collection. It’s so versatile, yet has the perfect blend of classic, yet modern design,” she says.
DENVER, CO, 2023 / PHOTOGRAPHER: ERIC LUCERO / FEATURING THE INVARI® WIDESPREAD LAVATORY FAUCET WITH ARC SPOUT AND CABINET HARDWARE IN BRILLIANCE® LUXE GOLD®
Alongside the Invari® Bath Collection fixtures, Brar chose a bold, dramatic slab for the shower and set it against a simple tile. “It still has that little bit of calm, but it’s very luxurious,” Brar says. “It gives that opulent feeling as you walk into the space.”
For the couple’s daughters, Brar wanted a timeless, universal space. The two had unique personalities, so she struck a balance that would mirror their styles.
DENVER, CO, 2023 / PHOTOGRAPHER: ERIC LUCERO / FEATURING THE ALLARIA™ WIDESPREAD LAVATORY FAUCET WITH SQUARE SPOUT AND KNOB HANDLES IN BRILLIANCE® BLACK ONYX / MATTE BLACK
Brar chose a pink onyx texture for the wall, contrasting light beige floors with a charcoal vanity. She also used the Allaria® Bath Collection in Brilliance® Black Onyx to blend feminine and masculine aesthetics. “They’ll be here for a while, so we wanted to make it something they can grow into,” she says.
And alongside the stories of the family members, Brar left her own touch on the house’s guest bathroom. Her contemporary style united their stories with signature flair.
DENVER, CO, 2023 / PHOTOGRAPHER: ERIC LUCERO / FEATURING THE LITZE® H20KINETIC® SHOWER HEAD AND JOINTED WALL MOUNT SHOWER ARM IN BRILLIANCE® LUXE GOLD®
Brar paired statement marble with clean lines throughout the space and used a black, white, and gold color scheme to create a glamorous atmosphere. “Almost every piece has some sort of statement-making moment,” she says. Against the rich green tile in the shower, she incorporated the contemporary beauty of the Litze® Bath Collection.
“Almost every piece has some sort of statement-making moment.”
Brar approached the project as a chance to weave together an array of aesthetics; to reflect individual personalities through a shared space. “It comes together in a really beautiful way,” she says. “They’re not fighting with each other, but it works and blends together.”
