Take a second. Look around your home. Do you know where your kitchen table is from? How about your coffee table? What country were they made in, and who crafted them? Enter Tesoros, one very different and very cool store in Indian Hills. This is one place where you will not find a table like your next door neighbor's. Every piece you find here has a unique story. Even the building itself, originally erected in the 1920s as a general store and sales office for Indian Hills vacation cottages, is full of historic character and Colorado charm.

When Steve and Jenni Sonnen quit their corporate jobs, they had a vision for a store that was different. They wanted to create a business that gave back to the people, both to the craftsmen who made the home furnishings that filled their store as well as their customers. Tesoros has a very sophisticated, upscale look, but beneath the surface you will find that Steve and Jenni's business philosophy has no resemblance to that of the big-box stores we are all familiar with. They are a family business, attracting “regulars” and helping all customers to feel at home. They personally know the craftsmen in the countries that they import from and treat them as friends, fairly and equitably. They are also very careful to pick suppliers that are environmentally responsible in the harvesting of the wood and raw materials used to create the pieces in their showroom. Jan Thompson, Steve's sister, is also an integral part of Tesoros today – assisting customers with her wide-ranging design skills.

Though located in Indian Hills, Tesoros has a far-reaching reputation. Customers travel from all over Colorado and beyond to shop in this unique atmosphere and to furnish their homes with handcrafted furniture and decor that will fit perfectly in their lives.

The pieces found at Tesoros unite the beauty of Colorado 's Spanish heritage and the ruggedness of its mountain history. Jenni says that the store has, “a kind of Spanish/Santa Fe feel”. They sell beautifully hand-hammered copper furniture and art, amazing wrought iron and marble pieces, handmade antiqued Talavera pottery, and hand woven Merino wool blankets. Furniture crafted from reclaimed wood and hand blown glass are just two of the things that bring Tesoros' exclusive marriage of old and new together.

In a time when everything is mass produced, Tesoros offers a fresh selection of stylish, unique, and quality pieces. You're sure to find something special for your home from the treasures that Steve and Jenni have hand-picked and arranged here.

The folks at Tesoros would be happy to share their stories with you. Stop by their store at 5490 Parmalee Gulch in Indian Hills from 10 AM-6 PM Tuesday through Saturday or 12 PM-5 PM on Sunday or give them a call at 303-697-8188.

This article originally appeared in Mountain Connection in the November 2005 edition.