Article By Alyssa Shikles • Photography by Dan Kenemore
Editor’s Note: House to Home is a new feature of NORTH that takes readers inside some of the beautiful homes in Colorado Springs. This is where you can take a peek behind the curtain, literally. Meet the people who live there and learn how their house became their home. I n a corner of Colorado Springs’ historic Old North End, designers Rich Schell and Greg Wragge’s house is an architectural outlier — and, after nearly 24 years of calling the space home, a deeply personal expression of the people who live there. Built in the 1960s as the dream residence of a prominent Colorado Springs physician, the 4,800-squarefoot residence was designed by architect Robert Seevers in what he called “International Modern,” a style now more commonly associated with Mid-Century Modern. When Schell and Wragge discovered
the four-level split-level design home in 2002, they recognized how unique the space was. The couple — co-owners of Colorado Springs retail showroom EVAN GUY, with Schell also serving as principal of Rich Schell Interiors — wanted a home that could stand out and represent them as designers. With its generous floor plan and individual architecture, it was the perfect blank space to create a home that was entirely their own. “I don’t know that there’s another home like ours in Colorado Springs, and that’s what we liked about it,” Schell says. “It was a phenomenal opportunity to have a beautiful home that had a direction and the potential for us as designers.” Over the past two decades, the couple has transformed the house through major renovations and an ever-evolving collection of art, antiques, furnishings and plants. From living spaces that resemble curated galleries to the
intricate and lush garden grounds, the home has never been defined by a single design style. Instead, it is a culmination of remarkable objects and intentional details, all of which tell a story. For Schell and Wragge, their home is not just another display room — it’s a representation of who they are, their passions and what they love. But it is not a space they enjoy alone. Opening their doors to the community over the years, they have hosted numerous garden tours, charitable events and gatherings of more than 100 people. “My vision is having it be my home first and sharing it second,” Schell says. “I often say, I don’t enjoy my home as much as I do when I have people in it, experiencing it for the first time.” Schell and Wragge recently opened their doors to NORTH Magazine, providing a first-hand look at the collections and designs that make their home one of a kind.
Curated Clutter
No matter what direction you face or corner you peek in, there is always something to look at in Schell and Wragge’s home. However, the sheer number of items — or “curated clutter,” as Schell calls it — is intentional. “I’m in the business of finding things, and I’m always exposing myself to beautiful things and estates where I get things from,” Schell says. “But I don’t want to buy things just to fill space. I buy things because I love them.” From hand-painted pieces of art sculpture to beautiful accessories, Schell chooses items and furniture that are statements, many of which have a history or personal story behind them. From an 1866 Italian life-size bronze statue of John the Baptist (affectionately nicknamed “JB”) that stands in a living room corner, to a cabinet full of Schell’s late father’s Hot Wheels collection, every item is purposeful and personal. “If someone walks into my house and asks, ‘Who dusts?’ I consider that the greatest compliment,” Schell says.
Collections Abound
On one wall, you’ll find a curated series of portrait paintings, and on the next, a grouping of early 1900s Chinese sewing baskets. In a room Schell calls the “East Meets Africa room,” there is an assortment of Asian and African art and objects. Even in the master bedroom, a collection of Lalique and French crystal resides, predominantly gifted from one of their friends. “It doesn’t matter what you collect, whether it’s rocks, coins or stamps — the passion behind the collection is what drives the look,” Schell says. In theory, the conglomeration of artifacts, styles and cultural pieces might seem to clash. However, Schell’s philosophy is that a mix of elements can work beautifully when they share a sense of quality, beauty and history. “Not everything needs to match,” he says. “But everything needs to belong.”
The Ultimate Man Cave
Downstairs, the aesthetic takes a sharp turn. The basement is darker, more contemporary and playful, with orange accents, a vinyl collection and an Under Armor mannequin named “Elrod” who guards the bar. “It’s this crazy, fun man cave that’s a diversion of anything else we do,” Schell says. Even the lighting was designed to become part of the room’s art. Instead of relying primarily on traditional can lights, illumination is directed toward the walls and artwork, creating depth against the dark backdrop. At the bottom of the stairs, a neon sign painting has been repurposed as a guest signature board — the rite of passage where visitors can leave their mark.
The Garden, Layer by Layer
Schell’s background as a floral designer — including his first Colorado Springs job as head floral designer at The Broadmoor hotel — has influenced his instinct for balance, proportion and planting. Much like the interior of the home, Schell and Wragge’s garden has developed over time. Originally overgrown and onedimensional, the garden now is a multitiered, wandering masterpiece, filled with flowers, sculptures and fountains. “If I’ve got five inches of dirt, I’m going to put something in it,” Schell says. “My gardens are as packed as my shelves.” With warm lantern lights and comfortable nooks to sit and relax, the garden has become a favorite space to welcome guests, including local garden clubs.
Seize the Day
After nearly a quarter-century, Schell and Wragge’s home is still changing, little by little, every year. With every new purchase, design tweak or flower planted, the space is never static and resembles the couple’s philosophy: “Carpe Diem.” “Seize the day, seize the moment, make the decision,” Schell says. “The two saddest times I ever had were walking away from a piece of art I wanted to buy and didn’t. Those are moments that haunt me forever.” For Schell and Wragge, the art of the home is simple: find what moves you, make it yours and open the door so others can witness what makes it special.
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