Renew • Colorado's Remodeling Magazine

Remodeling an entire home may seem ambitious and expensive in the current real estate market. With mortgage rates still hovering near record lows and a tax credit of up to $8,000 available to first-time homebuyers, it might seem like the right time to walk away from the fixer-upper and buy something new. But before getting swept up in the buy-now bustle, consider a few of the reasons why the older home might hold rewarding potential.

For Rex Heibi, those reasons were obvious. His fishing cabin west of Lyons rested along side the St. Vrain River in a beautiful canyon setting full of pines and potential. He envisioned the property as the perfect place to enjoy the outdoors, entertain friends and raise a family in the ambient bliss of nature. The cabin was built in 1987 and was only 1,120 square feet. In 2006 Heibi launched remodeling and expansion plans. During the renovation Rex married his girlfriend, Heather, who shared his vision and also worked diligently on what would be their new home of more than 3,300 square feet.

Terra Verde Architects of Boulder was selected to oversee the design and construction, which would later draw accolades from the remodeling industry. The project was honored in the Colorado Awards for Remodeling Excellence in the Whole House category.

Charlotte Grojean, who was one of the three principal architects at Terra Verde, worked on the project. Grojean, who has since launched her own firm, Wildgrass Architecture in Boulder, said the project posed some specific challenges. “This site was particularly difficult due to many physical restraints,” she explains. “But Rex and Heather were exceptional clients for this project. Their steadfast commitment and willingness to consider alternative options as obstacles arose was met with genuine enthusiasm.”

Several obstacles did arise. The property was divided by the river and the cabin was near the flood zone. The bridge over the river needed to be rebuilt to mitigate for flooding, the septic field had to be on the same narrow piece of land as the house and there was a steep rocky cliff next to the cabin.

Boulder County also has stringent planning requirements to protect wildlife and water quality in sensitive ecological areas. “There were 13 major objections and many minor roadblocks to be navigated,” says Mark Queripel, founder and principal of Terra Verde Architects. “But over time and with a little creativity, we were able to overcome all the county’s concerns and still achieve the owners’ desires.”

At the initial meetings with the Heibi’s, the architects asked questions to help focus their planning. Like most projects, Queripel says they asked about architectural design preferences, the homeowners’ lifestyle and goals, budget parameters, the function of each space and if the possibility existed that rooms might be changed in the future to serve a different need?

With some direction, plans were drawn up and the real work began. At Terra Verde, one of the principals oversees the project from start to finish, but all principals provide input on major issues.

“Usually we try to come up with a minimum of two to three concepts,” says Queripel. “We show them to the clients and based on their feedback we may combine some aspects of the plans or completely redo the drawings if the first ones don’t work.”

For the Heibi’s and most other clients who want to tackle an entire house remodel, Terra Verde believes it is important to start with the kitchen. The kitchen is the heart of the house. For the Heibi’s they wanted their living space to be an engaging atmosphere where they could entertain guests and raise a family.

To accommodate this lifestyle, Terra Verde wanted the kitchen to open up into the great room. They decided to add on a second story to the cabin and build the great room into the granite cliff to avoid the flood zone.

Although the original fishing cabin was, as Grojean describes it – small, dark and uninspiring, there was still a desire for the newly renovated home to maintain some of the same rustic qualities. The finished product was more than an award-winning project – it was a family-friendly home built to meet the needs of people who appreciate nature.

Posted on 03 September 2009

Sometimes it’s tough to take a finite amount of space, increase its usefulness and not make it feel cramped.

David Ades of Classic House & Garden took on that challenge in a Denver-area home and created a his and hers master bath designed to keep a recently retired couple happy for years to come. A bathroom remodel always ranks near the top of the Cost vs. Value report issued by Remodeling Magazine. For Ades, the space was improved in several ways, which definitely added value to the current owners.

“The homeowners wanted a warm, luxurious feel for this master bath, but they also needed to maximize storage, while maintaining an open uncluttered look,” Ades said. With no option to expand the square footage, Ades worked with the homeowners to put a game plan together that would be more functional, brighter and warmer.

His and hers sinks were set in quartz countertops and placed atop a quarter-sawn oak vanity. In order to create more storage for both people, the vanity was flanked by open-shelved wall cabinets that have two drawers at the base.

Void of any window in the room, Ades was able to accomplish two goals above the sinks. He installed a wide “awning window” to bring in natural light. On each side of the
window, hinged double mirrors were added so they could be folded and pushed to the side when not in use. The new window also rewarded the homeowners with a view to the southwest that includes Red Rocks Park and Pikes Peak once the leaves fall from the foliage.

Earth tones used for the floor and shower tiles give the space a sense of warmth. Adding to that warmth is a heating element under the floor tiles that is controlled by its own thermostat.

To keep things quieter, insulation and two layers of drywall were used between the master bath and the bedroom.

Ades said a half-wall for the shower allows light to enter while providing some privacy and separation from the vanity area. “The custom “Euro-style” shower features German antique glass, a primary faucet mounted on a wall bar, a second handheld faucet and two decorative niches,” he added.

Ades said he worked closely with the Littleton homeowners in order to meet several needs in their small area. After he finished the project, he discovered that the exact floor plan was used in other neighborhoods throughout Denver, and he believes that his upgrade plans might be applicable for other homes in the area.

After photo by Philip Wegener

Posted on 07 March 2009

As more people make the decision to stay in their homes rather than trying to jump into the ailing new housing market, exterior improvements are rising to the top for consideration. And if the decision is made to stay in one’s home for more than five years, the siding should be updated, and insulation should be added.

Such was the case of the home near Franktown shown in this Before and After feature.

The old pine siding on the home had been weather damaged and pocked by woodpeckers, making the home look dated, said Tom Higgins of Superior Products. In addition, the decking and rail system was in bad shape, creating safety concerns for the homeowners.

Superior Products replaced the siding with textured fiber cement over insulation, Higgins said. The company also custom matched paint to the roof, stone work and landscape. The decking was repaired in order to meet local codes and it was improved with composite decking materials.

The siding project not only brings more curb appeal to the property, but it also helps seal the house against the winter winds and low temperatures that will soon visit the Front Range. “This is the time to add insulation,” Higgins points out, adding that 90 percent of his customers add insulation when they upgrade to fiber cement siding. With heating bills reaching all-time highs, insulation is a must for every home.

Higgins said that Remodeling Magazine listed new siding as the number one return on investment when remodeling a home. “It’s tied to property valuation,” he said. Many homebuyers also list the siding or exterior walls as one of the most important items when they are shopping because it helps create curb appeal. Whether we like it or not, it’s human nature to judge a book by its cover.

Every exterior project has a few dos and don’ts, Higgins said. For example, he suggests never skimping when it comes to paint and caulking. Like caulking, quality paint (he uses Sherwin-Williams) will be pliable. Because all Colorado residences experience freeze/thaw, extreme temperature fluctuations and intense ultraviolet rays, flexibility is important. “If you have good paint and bad caulk, one will move and the other won’t,” Higgins said.

Another suggestion is to choose the appropriate siding for your home and neighborhood. As a rough barometer, Higgins said homes at a lower price point often look fine with vinyl siding, whereas pricier homes look better with cement fiber.

Finally, make sure to hire a contractor who is sensitive to the needs of the family and pets during a project, as well as the property, which should be kept orderly throughout construction. Also, make certain the contractor understands how important it is that homeowners have choices when it comes to exterior repairs. From soffets and paints to the insulation and decorative final touches, everyone needs choices.

Posted on 11 November 2008

What happens when a homeowner with a sense of adventure meshes with a remodeling firm that regularly turns adventure into reality?

You get a flashy, fun and functional basement.

Finished Basement Company proved once again that it has the expertise to win over the hearts of homeowners as well as judges who choose award-winning projects in the Denver area. Finished Basement Company owner Patrick Condon said a Centennial homeowner’s somewhat unusual request for a safari-themed basement led everyone on a bit of an adventure. “It was a fun project,” Condon notes. “And the clients were wonderful. They were a lot of fun.”
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Posted on 14 May 2008