What makes a great neighborhood? This is a question that store founder and owner Becky Miller recalls being asked countless times during her 25-year career in real estate. Elevating a neighborhood from livable to valuable is precisely what her shop, Modern Nomad Home + Studio, is doing.
It’s time to rethink how we do retail. Good stores offer more than mere places for commerce and consumerism; they provide an opportunity to explore and inspire. They are destinations worth returning to, offering an experience that ignites the senses with carefully crafted design, a considered atmosphere and an environment inviting conversation and curiosity. This is the idea behind Modern Nomad.
On the corner of W 12th Ave and Delaware Street, stepping into Modern Nomad feels like going over to the chic abode of your most interesting and sophisticated friend. Relocating from RiNo to Denver’s Golden Triangle, the open-concept space is framed within a white-brick, reclaimed building bursting with character and illuminated with floods of natural light.
Miller describes the move as "serendipitous," expressing gratitude for finding the building. Dating back to 1926, much of the original charm and "good bones," as she describes it, were preserved, mirroring how Modern Nomad itself enhances the neighborhood it’s embedded within.
The store transcends traditional retail, functioning additionally as a community hub hosting events, artist showcases and fostering engaging conversations. “We want to bring joy back to the art of shopping,” says Miller.
Having grown up traveling, she shares her passion with an intentional selection of products from the vendors around the world she’s built relationships with, displayed alongside goods from local Colorado makers. The shop boasts a collection of imports from England, France, Turkey, Morocco, Japan and beyond.
Echoing the spirit of the "modern nomad," as anyone who seeks beauty with curiosity and consideration, the inventory rotates, offering passersby and loyal patrons reasons to return time and time again. Carefully placed items span tables, shelves and walls, displaying an aesthetic and exciting array of home goods, beauty essentials and design pieces.
Additionally, Modern Nomad hosts two boutiques, Two Kisses Jewelry and Relic Vintage, offering a blend of sculptural jewelry by Tina Ulibarri and eclectic vintage styles curated by Emily Kaler. Explore their unique creations on the main floor, and don't miss the "secret" lower floor with even more curated finds!
Running a small business poses challenges, as Miller acknowledges. Community support is vital. Sharing this sentiment, reception to Modern Nomad within the neighborhood and the greater area has been overwhelmingly positive. Both new and returning customers eagerly embrace the store as a place of value.
Modern Nomad encourages us to think deeper about the objects we are drawn to and what they reveal about our innermost selves. Embodying the values of exploration, wonder, beauty and self-discovery, the conversation around what kind of experience retail should offer is challenged, calling consumers to shop differently and engage intentionally.
Open from Tuesday through Sunday, Modern Nomad Home + Studio hosts regular events throughout the month. Stay connected through their social media channels (@modernnomadhome) and sign up for the newsletter online at ModernNomadHome.com.
“We want to bring joy back to the art of shopping,” - Modern Nomad founder and owner, Becky Miller