Located in Uptown Denver along the city’s lively Restaurant Row, Mile High Modern transforms just 315 square feet into a fully furnished, turn-key studio designed for traveling professionals. The goal was to create a space that feels intentional rather than temporary—compact, efficient, and comfortable, with every detail considered so that guests can arrive with nothing more than a suitcase.
The studio began as a small and dated utilitarian apartment—just 315 square feet with little definition between living, sleeping, and dining areas. Like many compact city apartments, the challenge was not simply aesthetic but spatial: every square foot needed to serve multiple purposes without feeling crowded.
Rather than treat the limited footprint as a constraint, the design process focused on clarity and efficiency. Storage, furniture placement, and lighting were all carefully planned to create a space that feels open and livable despite its size. The result is a studio that functions far beyond its square footage.
The design direction centered on simplicity and functionality while maintaining a clean, modern aesthetic. Because the apartment serves traveling nurses and professionals staying for extended periods, the goal was to create a space that feels calm, organized, and immediately livable.
The palette was intentionally restrained, allowing the architecture and furnishings to work together without visual clutter. Each piece was chosen with purpose—furniture scaled appropriately for the space, materials that feel durable and welcoming, and a layout that allows the studio to transition easily between living, sleeping, and working.
Rather than over-designing the small footprint, the approach was to edit carefully and focus on what matters most: comfort, clarity, and thoughtful efficiency.
Because the studio shares one continuous living space, the material palette needed to create visual interest without introducing clutter. To give the small footprint greater presence, board and batten paneling was installed just over halfway up the walls, subtly elongating the room and adding architectural structure where none previously existed. The lower portion was painted Cheating Heart, a deep charcoal that grounds the space and creates contrast against the Simply White upper walls.
Selective brass accents introduce warmth without overwhelming the palette. Rather than scattering metallic finishes throughout, they were used selectively—small moments that catch the light and elevate the otherwise restrained interior.
The bathroom stays clean and simple, with black hexagon floor tile adding character and glossy Cloe tile shower tile catching the light. Brass hardware brings warmth and a quiet touch of elegance to the compact space.
Because the kitchen is fully visible from the rest of the studio, it was treated as a design focal point rather than a secondary utility space. Clean lines, beautiful Cloe tile, and thoughtful organization allow it to feel both striking and composed, while floating shelves display carefully selected glassware and decor—turning everyday objects into part of the visual rhythm of the room.
Furniture was chosen for durability and clarity of form. Clean silhouettes keep the studio feeling open while avoiding pieces that compete for attention. Instead, texture carries much of the visual interest: layered fabrics, natural materials, and subtle tonal variation that add depth without crowding the space.
The result is a compact palette that feels intentional and balanced, proving that even a small studio can carry architectural character when each element is chosen with purpose.
Today, Mile High Modern offers a calm landing place in the middle of the city. Guests step outside into one of Denver’s most vibrant neighborhoods, filled with cafés, restaurants, and walkable streets, yet return to a space designed for quiet and rest.
Despite its modest size, the studio functions effortlessly for everyday living. Everything needed for a comfortable stay is already in place, allowing traveling professionals to settle in immediately. It’s a small apartment designed to feel complete—proof that thoughtful design can make even 315 square feet feel generous.
We renovate one property at a time — preserving what matters, refining what doesn’t, and designing for how spaces are actually lived.
— Deco Vaquero
Every piece was chosen with intention — layered textures, aged brass, dark paint, and restraint. Explore the full edit below.
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