The two ladies who live in this University Hills area home love to entertain, but their great room was small, and the kitchen was outdated. The solution? Build a 400 SF addition to accommodate all their friends and guests.

To really open the existing house to the addition meant getting rid of 35 LF of bearing wall. No magic wands were involved, although we achieved our goal with some magical material - engineered lumber. The "hero" of this project was a triple member girder truss whose bottom chord was TimberStrand engineered lumber, much stronger than conventional.

The coffered ceiling above the kitchen area was given a skip trowel finish for interest, and the island below of DuPont Zodiaq measures 11' 6". I used to joke with Jules, telling her she could land aircraft on it. The perimeter cabinets are a natural maple with cherry crown molding, and the island cabinets are cherry. There is a blind corner cabinet which features an Italian manufactured device that allows full use and access to that cabinet.

The appliance package was very reasonable, about $8000, and included a wine 'fridge. Builders Appliance Center used to have a photo of this kitchen in their showroom as an example of a reasonably priced package. This project also won a CARE (Colorado Award for Remodeling Excellence) Award, and of that I am very proud.