In late December of 2021, a devastating fire tore through Boulder County, Colorado, fueled by 100-mph winds and an unusually dry winter. Nearly 1,000 structures were lost, including the cherished home of Bill and Suzanne. After years of carefully restoring and preparing their house for retirement, they watched it vanish overnight, leaving them to face unimaginable loss and uncertainty.
For Viaggio Hardware, headquartered just down the road in Denver, the fire struck close to home. To support the community during this difficult time, we reached out to designers to help a family rebuild. That connection led to an important collaboration: through interior designer Alyssa Foster of Effortlyss, Viaggio was able to provide Bill and Suzanne with new door hardware for the modern home they would eventually rebuild.
The Day Everything Changed
On December 30, 2021, Suzanne recalls the winds whipping relentlessly through Boulder County. While Bill was out walking their dog, he noticed smoke on the horizon and rushed home. Within 30 minutes, the sheriff’s office had issued an evacuation order.
“We thought we’d be gone for just a few hours,” Suzanne later reflected. “We packed a few essentials for our pets and left, fully expecting to come back the same day.”
But when they returned the next morning, escorted only by the sight of fresh snow and National Guard blockades, they discovered their house was gone—obliterated by the fire. A home that was once a sanctuary of memories and hard work was now reduced to ashes.
Life in Limbo
The months that followed were filled with instability. Bill and Suzanne first lived in hotels, then found temporary housing in downtown Boulder before eventually purchasing a house in Lafayette. Yet the hardest part wasn’t just the logistics—it was the loss of place.
“Our hearts were tied to that land, to that home,” Suzanne said. “It wasn’t just a structure; it was where we belonged. We were desperate to start rebuilding.”
To cope with the emotional toll, Suzanne turned to therapy, supported by the generosity of Jewish Family Service of Boulder, Colorado, which offered fire victims free counseling. “Those sessions were a tremendous help,” she shared.
Rebuilding Against the Odds
There was never any doubt in their minds that they would rebuild their contemporary home. But the process was far from simple. Difficulties with contractors and financial setbacks made the journey long and exhausting. Still, Bill and Suzanne pressed forward, determined to create a new home that honored their resilience and reflected their vision for the future.
That’s where Alyssa Foster and Viaggio Hardware came in. Working with Alyssa, the couple chose Viaggio’s sleek black door hardware to complement their contemporary design. Their new home features 8-foot alder doors with a dark walnut stain, and the modern black doorknobs perfectly enhance their bold, elegant look.
“The black hardware fits beautifully with our vision,” Suzanne said. “They have a nice weight to them, and the quality feels superior to anything we’ve used before. I also realized just how important door hardware is—it’s not just functional, it’s an integral part of the room’s design.” The new, modern home’s black accents helped give it a sense of finality and completion.
A New Beginning
After three long years of temporary living and setbacks, Bill and Suzanne finally moved back into their rebuilt home. The relief was immeasurable.
“Every little detail is a thrill to me—the light, the space, the views, the wildlife,” Suzanne said. Their home backs onto Davidson Mesa, a place especially dear to them, where they now take nightly walks with their dog to watch the sunset over the mountains.
One of Suzanne’s favorite features of their new living space is the contemporary style staircase, with its open treads and black iron railings. “It ties in beautifully with our Viaggio door handles,” she shared. “Those small design elements bring me so much joy.”
What Home Means Now
For Bill and Suzanne, home is no longer just a structure. “A home is not just a house—it’s where the heart rests,” Suzanne explained. Their rebuilt home now tells a story of resilience, perseverance, and the strength that comes from community.
Though they can never regain the three years lost to displacement and struggle, they’ve found hope and gratitude in what they’ve built. “Our tragedies made us stronger,” Suzanne reflected. “We look forward to many more years in our wonderful new home.”
Thank you to Bill and Suzanne for sharing their home with us!
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