Houzz Tour: Pros Solve a Head-Scratching Layout in Boulder
A haphazardly planned and built 1905 Colorado home gets a major overhaul to gain more bedrooms, bathrooms and a chef's dream kitchen
When you can’t find a builder to agree to tackle your renovation, you know you have a difficult one on your hands. That was the case for these homeowners, who wanted to overhaul their 1905 house and its awkward, haphazardly tacked-on second floor.
The problem was that the second-floor addition sits on structural posts separate from the ground floor and its original double-width brick walls. Because the homeowners wanted to dig out a basement, they needed to find a builder willing to raise the two separate structures to carve out the space below. The task had many builders shying away.
The problem was that the second-floor addition sits on structural posts separate from the ground floor and its original double-width brick walls. Because the homeowners wanted to dig out a basement, they needed to find a builder willing to raise the two separate structures to carve out the space below. The task had many builders shying away.
AFTER: Without a builder, the homeowners took a four-month hiatus from the project and considered buying a new house. But finally they found a builder willing to take on the challenge. Gary Cotlar of Front Range Siding & Remodeling, along with architect Steven Perce of bldg.collective, gave the owners the full basement they wanted, with an additional bedroom for guests. They also created a more organized second-floor layout, while a rethink of the main floor made way for a new kitchen and better connection to the backyard. (Floor plans follow.)
Seen here from the rear after the renovation, a back extension creates more room for the kitchen and living room on the ground floor, as well as a new master bedroom and balcony upstairs.
An expanded backyard deck made from ash features a dining space for up to 12 people. Unfinished cold-rolled steel planters hold summer vegetables.
Accordion door: Euroline Steel Windows & Doors; deck material: Thermory
Seen here from the rear after the renovation, a back extension creates more room for the kitchen and living room on the ground floor, as well as a new master bedroom and balcony upstairs.
An expanded backyard deck made from ash features a dining space for up to 12 people. Unfinished cold-rolled steel planters hold summer vegetables.
Accordion door: Euroline Steel Windows & Doors; deck material: Thermory
The couple had lived in England and Barbados, and their design style runs a gamut of cultures and genres.
They found the wingback chair in a dumpster a few years ago and, smitten with its shape, had it refinished and reupholstered in a punchy floral. The other armchair was purchased from Arhaus years ago, and the midcentury modern wood-and-leather chair came from a friend’s store, as did the shaggy Moroccan rug.
A portrait of the husband painted by his mother sits on top of a Chinese chest on the right, while a red-matted charcoal drawing of the queen, done by a friend, hangs above a midcentury-style chest on the left.
Wall paint: Distant Gray No. OC-68, Benjamin Moore; sofa: Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams; coffee table: HW Home; Robert Orozco, Mad Man Furniture, (303) 842-8041; Chinese table: Indochine, Boulder; sconces: Chantique, Boulder
They found the wingback chair in a dumpster a few years ago and, smitten with its shape, had it refinished and reupholstered in a punchy floral. The other armchair was purchased from Arhaus years ago, and the midcentury modern wood-and-leather chair came from a friend’s store, as did the shaggy Moroccan rug.
A portrait of the husband painted by his mother sits on top of a Chinese chest on the right, while a red-matted charcoal drawing of the queen, done by a friend, hangs above a midcentury-style chest on the left.
Wall paint: Distant Gray No. OC-68, Benjamin Moore; sofa: Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams; coffee table: HW Home; Robert Orozco, Mad Man Furniture, (303) 842-8041; Chinese table: Indochine, Boulder; sconces: Chantique, Boulder
One of the homeowners is a professional chef, who had some special requests when it came to the layout and what utensils should be included. “This is a professional chef that only uses one kitchen knife, two pots, one pan and that’s about it,” Perce says.
Perce custom-designed two Carrara marble-topped islands that make up the prep, cooking and dining zones. The full kitchen sink, refrigerator and dishwasher are in the butler’s pantry, seen through the opening surrounded by built-in walnut cabinetry.
Beadboard on the ceiling provides traditional textural contrast to the sleeker elements.
Perce custom-designed two Carrara marble-topped islands that make up the prep, cooking and dining zones. The full kitchen sink, refrigerator and dishwasher are in the butler’s pantry, seen through the opening surrounded by built-in walnut cabinetry.
Beadboard on the ceiling provides traditional textural contrast to the sleeker elements.
The islands consist entirely of drawers, painted tangerine orange on top of automotive primer for a glossy effect.
Orange paint: Outrageous Orange No. 2013-10, Benjamin Moore; pendant fixtures over dining table: Tom Dixon; cabinet woodworker: Marc Hunter Woodworking
Orange paint: Outrageous Orange No. 2013-10, Benjamin Moore; pendant fixtures over dining table: Tom Dixon; cabinet woodworker: Marc Hunter Woodworking
One outlet, shown here to the left of the oven, was required to meet code. Perce designed it to be face-mounted to the cabinet front so he didn’t have to cut an outlet hole in the marble slab. Additional outlets are under the slab where the stools are.
Power to the People: Outlets Right Where You Want Them
Power to the People: Outlets Right Where You Want Them
Inside the butler’s pantry, a cut-out at the far end allows a view to the front door. The small quatrefoil light fixtures and black and white cement tile subtly nod to the couple’s U.K. roots.
Like the main kitchen, the butler’s pantry countertop is Carrera marble. The cabinets were designed by bldg.collective.
Cabinet woodworker: Marc Hunter Woodworking; light fixture: Circa Lighting; cement tile: Ann Saks
Like the main kitchen, the butler’s pantry countertop is Carrera marble. The cabinets were designed by bldg.collective.
Cabinet woodworker: Marc Hunter Woodworking; light fixture: Circa Lighting; cement tile: Ann Saks
A sitting room, which the homeowners call “the snug,” occupies the space of the former living room. A contrast to the bright, airy spaces elsewhere, this cozy, dark room evokes a stylish London library. Small and intimate, it’s a place for the couple to escape from the kids.
Two landscapes in the corner are of the coast of Devon, England, and were a gift from the wife’s father. The painting on the right side was done by an artist the couple saw working along the road where they got married in Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Wall and trim paint: Cloak Gray No. SW 6278, Sherwin-Williams; window shade fabric: Kravet; pendant light fixture: Bloom; elephant and bolster pillows: John Robshaw; pink square pillows: custom-made from Christopher Farr fabric
Two landscapes in the corner are of the coast of Devon, England, and were a gift from the wife’s father. The painting on the right side was done by an artist the couple saw working along the road where they got married in Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Wall and trim paint: Cloak Gray No. SW 6278, Sherwin-Williams; window shade fabric: Kravet; pendant light fixture: Bloom; elephant and bolster pillows: John Robshaw; pink square pillows: custom-made from Christopher Farr fabric
A micro-reed pattern embedded into the glass for the double-height windows provides light while offering privacy from neighbors.
The post supporting the landing is an antique porch post that a woodworker friend of the owners’ brought back from the Midwest; there’s another one near the front door. “Both posts have the original patina on them,” Perce says. “There was a conscious effort to make the house feel ‘not new.’ The owners really wanted elements of the house to reflect and feel historic. Using the old porch post to hold up the stair was a way to give the house a true handmade feel.”
Plain-sawn white oak planks with an oil finish cover the floors throughout the home.
Wood oil finish: Magic Oil 2K, Pallmann; wall paint: Distant Gray No. OC-68, Benjamin Moore
The post supporting the landing is an antique porch post that a woodworker friend of the owners’ brought back from the Midwest; there’s another one near the front door. “Both posts have the original patina on them,” Perce says. “There was a conscious effort to make the house feel ‘not new.’ The owners really wanted elements of the house to reflect and feel historic. Using the old porch post to hold up the stair was a way to give the house a true handmade feel.”
Plain-sawn white oak planks with an oil finish cover the floors throughout the home.
Wood oil finish: Magic Oil 2K, Pallmann; wall paint: Distant Gray No. OC-68, Benjamin Moore
While appearing to stylistically fit in with the original 1905 home, the interior doors are new. Their dark gray color pairs nicely with the abstract painting by Boulder friend and artist Kelly Degnan.
Door: TruStile; trim: Metrie; door paint color: Gravel Gray No. 2127-30, Benjamin Moore; wall paint: Distant Gray No. OC-68, Benjamin Moore; artwork: Kelly Degnan Studio; twig sconce: Circa Lighting
Door: TruStile; trim: Metrie; door paint color: Gravel Gray No. 2127-30, Benjamin Moore; wall paint: Distant Gray No. OC-68, Benjamin Moore; artwork: Kelly Degnan Studio; twig sconce: Circa Lighting
The new master bathroom sits in what once was wasted, nondescript space on the second floor. Carrara marble tops the counters and was custom-cut to create a herringbone pattern in the shower.
A Venetian glass chandelier provides a colorful focal point. Artwork from Barbados artists hang over a mirrored vanity. The homeowners upholstered a Mongolian fur cushion from West Elm onto a vanity bench bought on Craigslist.
Wall paint: Wickham Gray No. HC-171, Benjamin Moore; tub: Victoria + Albert; cabinet woodworker: Marc Hunter Woodworking; mirrored vanity: Frontgate
A Venetian glass chandelier provides a colorful focal point. Artwork from Barbados artists hang over a mirrored vanity. The homeowners upholstered a Mongolian fur cushion from West Elm onto a vanity bench bought on Craigslist.
Wall paint: Wickham Gray No. HC-171, Benjamin Moore; tub: Victoria + Albert; cabinet woodworker: Marc Hunter Woodworking; mirrored vanity: Frontgate
For the boys’ bathrooms, Perce designed red vanities with Silestone countertops.
Cabinet woodworker: Marc Hunter Woodworking
Cabinet woodworker: Marc Hunter Woodworking
The boys’ showers feature a custom gradient tile pattern design by Hakatai.
AFTER: The renovated second floor now has a master suite and two bedrooms complete with en suite bathrooms.
The new basement has a media area and a guest bedroom and bath.
Team
Architectural design: Steven Perce, bldg.collective, Boulder
Energy modeling: Chris Gray, bldg.collective, Boulder
Structural engineering: Dave Blair, DB Engineering, Boulder
Contractor: Gary Cotlar, Front Range Remodel, Boulder
More
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Team
Architectural design: Steven Perce, bldg.collective, Boulder
Energy modeling: Chris Gray, bldg.collective, Boulder
Structural engineering: Dave Blair, DB Engineering, Boulder
Contractor: Gary Cotlar, Front Range Remodel, Boulder
More
How to Dig Down for Extra Living Space
Browse more homes by style:
Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A chef and restaurant owner; his wife, a photographer; their 12-year-old twin boys; and their Chihuahua, Wolfy.
Location: Boulder, Colorado
Size: 3,900 square feet (362 square meters); four bedrooms, 3½ bathrooms
BEFORE: The original second-floor addition, added in the 1990s and seen here from the rear, featured the only full bathroom in the house. Located off the master bedroom, it had to be shared with the couple’s two boys.
Still stranger, at least a third of the second floor was an open space the homeowners didn’t know what to do with. They stuck a couch and TV there, and also used it for closet overflow. They didn’t have room to accommodate guests, and the layout of the first floor wasn’t conducive to entertaining.