When renovating an entire home, the team at Melton has a clear goal: create and execute a cohesive idea that works with the existing home. In the case of this modern revival, perched in the foothills of Boulder, the inspiration for that cohesive vision was twofold, combining the owner’s eclectic, refined taste with the beauty of the natural setting.
“Rather than compete with the landscape, we embraced it,” says Emily Stewart, Senior Lead Interior Designer, “Grounding the design in a calm, neutral palette and layering rich, organic textures to reflect the serenity of the surroundings.”
The team was able to reimagine this house from the ground up to truly embrace mountain living. The remodel opened the floor plan, expanding sight lines and bringing in more natural light. Warm wood beams, stone accents, and custom finishes pay homage to the surroundings, bringing warmth and character to the modernized spaces.
Seeing the finished product, it’s hard to believe there were any pivots or surprises, but that’s the case in every home once you start opening walls and moving utilities.
“Translating paper to actual construction doesn’t always jive,” says Craig Bird, the Project Manager, "So you have to make decisions on the fly, sometimes affecting the design.”
“A good team will be able to turn a surprise into an opportunity,” adds Alex Parulis, Architect.
That’s just what they did in the space connecting the kitchen and dining room. Ductwork stopped the team from fully bringing down the wall that separates the two, but they were able to create open, built-in shelves to display the owners’ treasured art and wrap the ducts in stone that then continued into the dining space. This created cohesion and a sense of openness, perfect for gathering and entertaining.
“The kitchen/dining room is one of my favorite spaces in the whole house, because there are so many materials that came together in very unexpected ways,” says Parulis. “Our client chose most of her own lighting, and it complemented what we had designed so perfectly that we thought of her as a member of the design team. Did you see that porcupine quill chandelier above the dining room table?!”
Parulis emphasized how expertly Stewart brought the kitchen to life, transforming what was once an awkward space to somewhere you would want to sit and hang out. They focused on stone, wood, glass, and steel and worked with McLean Forge & Welding to build the custom range hood. For that focal point, they decided to highlight some of the imperfections of the steel but still polished it beautifully, creating a gritty elegance in the space.
One of Stewart’s favorite details in the interior is another custom build: the floating vanity in the powder bath. They had it handcrafted by their team of carpenters in rustic hickory.
“The clean, linear form nods to a modern aesthetic, while the natural grain and tonal variation of the wood introduce a warm, organic texture,” says Stewart. “It created a nice balance of refined modernity and authentic mountain materiality.”
Upstairs, the reimagined primary suite features a new balcony that almost wasn’t. Initially, the plan was to bring more light into the space with a 10-foot window, but after the team installed it, the client saw the view and asked if a balcony would be possible. Parulis rose to the challenge, working with the structural engineer to create a suspended balcony with steel rods and resubmitting the building permit.
“In the end, it was completely worth it,” says Parulis. “It might be one of the best views of the whole house.”
Outside, they chose a more subdued exterior to complement the surrounding landscape and added a new wrap-around deck to create even more spaces for enjoying those views.
Altogether, the space is a retreat for the owner, especially the primary suite with its Juliet balcony, wall of windows, inset art lights, and storage-rich spa bath with wet room.
“Don't skimp on the upgrades that affect your daily joy and comfort,” she says. “It's a home after all.”
Throughout the process, nothing was a “no." Instead, it was a fun process to find a way to "yes.” She’s grateful for the creative solutions Melton found to deliver her dream home on budget and on time.