The Bosler House Denver: Exterior Restoration of a Historic Italianate Home and Garden

Last Updated on October 7, 2025 by lindseymahoney

This story has been years in the making, and I’m thrilled to finally share the Bosler House with you! To do this remarkable restoration justice, I’ve split it into two parts—this post focuses on the exterior restoration and garden design, while part two highlights the stunning interior transformation.

Table of Contents

• The Bosler House | History
• Meet Steve and Jan Davis | The Visionaries Behind the Restoration
• Bosler House Exterior Restoration
  • Phase 1: Structural Stability and Historic Detailing
  • Phase 2: A Tower Returns
  • Bosler House Exterior Paint Colors
• The Bosler House Garden | A Community Treasure
  • Garden Design Overview
• Final Thoughts on the Bosler House Restoration
• More Content You Will Love

*Check out the Bosler House interior renovation in Denver.

This project is extra special because it’s a collaboration between friends. Steve and Jan Davis, the homeowners, are the visionaries behind the Bosler House restoration. My talented friend Sarah Lechner of Sarah Renee Photography captured the beautiful after photos that truly bring this story to life.

What was once an eyesore on the hill has become the crown jewel of Denver’s Highlands neighborhood.

The Bosler House | History

Built in 1875 by Ambrose Bosler, this home was among the first in North Denver—just before Colorado achieved statehood. In the early 1900s, it became The Tilden School for Health, where Dr. John Tilden taught patients to care for themselves through hygiene and nutrition.

Over the decades, ownership changed hands many times. Sadly, a later owner’s unapproved renovations violated the Denver Landmark Commission’s preservation standards, leaving the roof open for six years.

When the city eventually foreclosed on the property, much of the interior had been destroyed.

What survived, however, was potential—and Steve and Jan saw it immediately.

Meet Steve and Jan Davis | The Visionaries Behind the Restoration

The Bosler House hit the market in 2017, and Steve—an experienced contractor—knew it was their next challenge. Jan, known for her English garden expertise, was equally excited to revive this piece of Denver’s history.

Their respect for architectural integrity shines through in every project they touch. Rather than tear down old homes to build modern units, they restore each one with care, preserving the soul of the neighborhood.

This Craftsman Bungalow is another one of their beautiful renovations. Instead of scraping the home and building a large multi-unit property to maximize profit, they popped the top (added a second story) and created a beautiful single-family home that fits the period when it was first built in the 1930s.

They are the type of couple everyone wants in their neighborhood. They are friendly, their home is the prettiest on the block and you can usually find them on their porch with a basket of Dollar Tree toys for kids to take and enjoy.

When Steve told me he was buying the Bosler House, I knew they were the PERFECT couple to bring this house on a hill back to life. The North Denver community now gets to enjoy the view of a beautiful historic home and an award-winning garden every day.

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Bosler House Exterior Restoration

Phase 1: Structural Stability and Historic Detailing

The first step was rebuilding the structure and restoring the original roofline.

Every exterior change required approval from the Denver Landmark Commission, ensuring the design matched the home’s historic character.

The wood trim and corbels were too damaged to save, so Steve and Jan had them custom-replicated, primed, and painted by hand.

They also found an iron railing from the same period—possibly part of the original cresting—and used it as inspiration for the reconstructed tower railing.

Jan scoured salvage shops for authentic 19th-century materials, giving the home its period-perfect details once again.

*Check out my Homes.com article to find out what you should know before buying a Historical Home.

Phase 2: A Tower Returns

A year later, the most exciting feature of the restoration began—the reconstruction of the missing tower. Steve spent hours on scaffolding, repainting trim and installing each decorative element.

New custom wood windows, detailed stone window sills, and a custom front door now make the exterior both historically accurate and beautifully inviting.

Bosler House Exterior Paint Colors

To select the perfect paint palette, Jan studied color schemes from the Italianate era of the late 1800s, examined remnants of old paint on the bricks, and consulted a color expert.

The result is a warm, timeless color combination that complements the home’s original red brick and ornate trim.

The exterior paint color is one of the few improvements that did not require approval from the Denver Landmark Commission.

And yes—Steve painted the entire three-story house himself!

The Bosler House Garden | A Community Treasure

One of the most breathtaking parts of this project is the front garden, designed entirely by Jan.

The Bosler House sits across from a park and playground, and its lush landscape creates a serene, storybook backdrop for everyone who passes by.

It’s an English-style garden that blends color, texture, and structure perfectly.

Garden Design Overview

The yard is divided into harmonious zones:

English Garden – Overflowing with blooms, this section is full of charm and romantic plantings.

Vegetable Garden – A beautifully designed, highly productive space that could feed the whole block.

Outdoor Dining Area – Steve built a pergola draped in clematis for shade and privacy, creating the perfect garden dining experience.

This space doesn’t just serve as their personal retreat—it’s a gift to the neighborhood, inviting everyone to enjoy the beauty of restored history and intentional design.

Final Thoughts on the Bosler House Restoration

The Bosler House exterior restoration stands as a testament to what’s possible when history meets passion.

Thanks to Steve and Jan Davis, a once-forgotten Denver landmark is now a living piece of architectural history surrounded by one of the most beautiful gardens in the Highlands.

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