Press Kit
Modern Bungalow is proud of our artisans and thrilled to share the tradition of craftsmanship and quality with the world.
Our Story
Founded in 2004, Modern Bungalow made a name for itself as it sat poised to fulfill a growing need in the Denver area for well-made, high-quality furniture made to last a lifetime…and beyond.
Matt Hubbard and Danielle Sandusky bought Modern Bungalow from its original owners in 2017 as they sought a mid-career move into something more interesting, challenging and ultimately satisfying.
"We decided we wanted to stop working for other people, so we began to look for a business to purchase. We looked at a lot of good businesses. We looked at a lot of bad businesses. We never found the product, brand, and customer mix we felt we could be passionate about.
Then Julie Leidel called. Everyone should have a Julie Leidel in their life. Julie left an enthusiastic message about a little store she knows. She introduced us to Kate and Ed, and from our first meeting this opportunity was different. Modern Bungalow had what we were looking for: a community of artists, builders and enthusiasts with whom we share a passion for real craftsmanship. We decided to buy Modern Bungalow.”
Sometimes it just takes breathing new life into a business with solid footing, and the business will instantly soar! This wasn't that case. It took years of work and investment to modernize Modern Bungalow.
"We really thought it would be 6 months to get the company where we wanted it...In reality it took us 3 years. Then we ran smack into a pandemic."
Modern Bungalow thrived because of the community it has around it: Our employees, our customers and our vendors all worked together to make sure Modern Bungalow survived; Because of them we did more than survive. We thrived.
How we operate
We looked for highly skilled and sustainable furniture makers. It became clear Amish builders were still the best way to go for wood furniture. We work with several Amish groups, at very different levels of technology. Orders are sent to the individual builders, who specialize in each furniture type. (Chairs, tables, beds, etc) Once complete, the pieces are transferred by horse and buggy to the finishing shop; checked for quality, matched to sets, and finished to order.
Heirloom quality furniture isn’t the only thing we provide our customers. We also have décor and accessories - rugs, lighting, tile, art and more - designed and built by only the most highly vetted artisans who share our standards of craftsmanship and service where quality over quantity is the only way to go. We are proud to be collectively committed to creating a better and more sustainable world and are lucky to have the opportunity to work daily with others who share this goal.
As the business has grown, we are grateful for the opportunity to reach customers wherever they choose to shop, in person or online. Through the expansion of our website, we are continuing to bring in new customers as well as offer people a chance to shop from the comfort of their own home.
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Our Culture
We’re small, but mighty. Which means we attract those who have the same values and goals that help us stand out. We’ve put together a team dedicated to helping people find timeless, handcrafted furnishings that last. We want shopping with us to feel like hanging out in your best friend’s living room: a place where you are relaxed and comfortable, but wouldn’t leave your socks on the coffee table.
With high standards for the products we sell and the service we provide, it only makes sense to treat our team with the same respect. Including a living wage and full benefits. But that’s not all that makes Modern Bungalow a special place to be!
- We love what we do because we can stand behind what we sell.
- We believe every customer deserves the best experience we can possibly offer. From the first impression, through ordering, to delivery. We zealously guard their experience.
- We love the passion our team brings to caring for our customers.
- We love educating our customers on what is quality; how to spot quality craftsmanship and maintain its beauty for generations.
- We love the smiles that spread across our customer’s faces when they realize what we already know - That they have just become the proud owners of the finest pieces of furniture available.
- We love the small vendors and artists we get to work with as we share the desire to give people something special, unique and valuable.
We may love what we do and the amazing people who work for us, but don’t just take our word for it!
I purchased a beautiful tile from Modern Bungalow for a gift. The wonderful selection and the fast and very personal service made the experience extra special. It was definitely a five star experience. I would give Modern Bungalow ten stars if I could! - Susan L.
Amazing!!! The items that they sell are the greatest quality! We live in Ohio and need to shop online with them & the sales people took the time to both call and text with me directly to help answer questions on lighting and art work! They go above and beyond in both customer service and quality of what they sell. - Dawn M.
We purchased bedroom furniture and love it. The quality of their furniture is hard to find. Also, the woman that helped us in their showroom was amazing. I appreciated her kindness and professionalism, that too is hard to find. We will be back!!! - Pamela R.
We love our new table! We ordered a new Railroad Trestle Bridge table and we’re very pleased with the quality and craftsmanship—it turned out just as we hoped. The delivery was superb—the guys did a great job unloading and setting up the table. Modern Bungalow is an outstanding business. Matt and Diana are a pleasure to work with and highly recommended. - Joe S.
Modern Bungalow personnel are top notch when it comes to professional expertise and personal, individualized service. We have bought several pieces of lovely furniture from MB and have always been satisfied beyond our expectations. The products are top of the line and built to last a lifetime, so it is a wonderful investment. - RJ G.
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Getting to Know Modern Bungalow's Historical Building
In 1925, in the midst of Denver’s glory days of movie palaces, the Washington Park Theater at 1028 South Gaylord opened its doors to an eager crowd of 150 on the evening of August 12. Located in the strictly residential district of South Denver, the magnificently designed theater was built after Dick Dickson and Rick Ricketson (D&R) of Western Enterprises, who already operated more than a dozen theaters in Colorado, convinced Carl Adler to build the suburban theater. The glorious $8,000 brick building was designed by Charles Gates and built at a time where horses were used to help excavate the ground as men dug with shovels to create a masterpiece that would last well into future generations.
Washington Park Theater
The much-anticipated Washington Park Theater offered its patrons more than just a moving picture on a giant screen. With stiff competition, (the city of Denver once boasted 66 different theaters) the theater put on its own show to draw customers. The opening night program saw two Shetland ponies being given away as a promotion, a musical presentation and a Pathe comedy before the Paramount Pictures feature presentation of The Night Club featuring Raymond Griffith.
The theater boasted an orchestra pit to accompany silent films, a nursery for mothers that was soundproof and Party Loges on the second floor where patrons could “sit on a davenport under a lamp, have a smoke, and watch the show just like it was their living room.”
As patrons found other means of entertainment, including the in-home television set, The Washington Park Theater closed its doors in 1963 and sat vacant for nearly five years. In 1968, the building was purchased by Charles Ault, Jr. who happened to be the director of the Denver Player’s Guild. The theater was renamed the Guild Theater and operated successfully in this space for 14 years with live stage performances.
The Guild Theater
On June 1, 1982, ownership was transferred to Hovey-Billings Real Estate Company when Ault decided to sell the theater after deciding it was time to “do something else.” The space was gutted and redesigned for retail. A 9-foot wide solid glass arcade was constructed down the middle allowing the space to be divided up amongst three or four tenants. The building reopened on November 1, 1982 and was rebranded as the Shops at The Guild.
Shops at the Guild
In 2001 the space was once again sold and saw three restaurant concepts come and go before welcoming Modern Bungalow into its historic walls.
Just like its original tenant, the Washington Park Theater, which saw itself as an important part of the community, Modern Bungalow is excited to be a part of the history of South Gaylord for many years to come!
“You look at South Gaylord, you look at Wash Park, it’s like, ‘Yes, this goes here,' We had mapped out our customer base, everybody we’d delivered furniture to in the last three years. We put them on a map. We had a few outliers — Castle Pines, Boulder — but the core of our customer base is in central Denver, especially constituted around Wash Park.
We’re excited to move closer to our customer base. It’ll be a great community to be a part of, we’re looking forward to connecting with the other businesses on Gaylord and being part of that group.”
- Danielle Sandusky, Modern Bungalow
Grand Opening information
We are so excited to join the community of merchants on South Gaylord street. In order to honor the history of the building and its original grand opening in 1925, we are hosting 2 events:
VIP Jazz Age Party - An invitation-only celebration of the 1920s in style, music, architecture and craftsmanship. Heavy appetizers and champagne provided, suggested attire is speakeasy style. May 20th 6-8 PM
Community celebration- The day when we throw our doors open to the neighborhood and offer snacks, music, soft drinks and prize drawings. Not to give it away too soon, but we are honoring the original grand opening's prize of 2 Shetland ponies... ;) May 21st 10 AM to 5 PM
Graphics
(Follow linked image to download high resolution image)
1028 S. Gaylord Location Photos (Coming soon!)
Historic Images of 1028 S. Gaylord St.
History of 1028 S. Gaylord St. (PDF Format)
Owner Bio in PDF Format