This 1970s home still had its original siding! No amount of paint could improve the existing T1-11 wood composite siding. The old siding not only look bad but it would not withstand many more years of Colorado’s climate. It was time to replace all of this home’s siding! Colorado Siding Repair installed James Hardie fiber cement lap siding and HardieShingle® siding in Boothbay Blue with Arctic White trim. Those corbels were original to the home. We removed the existing paint and stained them to match the homeowner’s brand new garage door. The transformation is utterly jaw-dropping! With our help, this home went from drab and dreary 1970s split-level to a traditional, craftsman Colorado dream! What do you think about this Colorado home makeover?

Design Services Provided - Architect was asked to convert this 1950's Split Level Style home into a Traditional Style home with a 2-story height grand entry foyer. The new design includes modern amenities such as a large 'Open Plan' kitchen, a family room, a home office, an oversized garage, spacious bedrooms with large closets, a second floor laundry room and a private master bedroom suite for the owners that includes two walk-in closets and a grand master bathroom with a vaulted ceiling. The Architect presented the new design using Professional 3D Design Software. This approach allowed the Owners to clearly understand the proposed design and secondly, it was beneficial to the Contractors who prepared Preliminary Cost Estimates. The construction duration was nine months and the project was completed in September 2015. The client is thrilled with the end results! We established a wonderful working relationship and a lifetime friendship. I am truly thankful for this opportunity to design this home and work with this client!

The West Town GreenStar Retrofit is a historic landmarked two-flat in Ukranian Village that was converted to an efficient, healthy, and modern single-family home, while keeping interior and exterior historic character details. Special emphasis was put on indoor air quality and indoor-outdoor connections. The design focuses on non-toxic materials, good ventilation, low energy and water use, and the biophilic health advantages of light and views of nature. The kitchen, work, and family zones have views of the sun-filled south garden, an oasis in the urban environment containing native plants and fruit trees, rain garden, vegetable garden, chicken coop, apiary, and a patio. Outdoor connection and daylighting are also optimized through the skylight on the top level which spills light down the staircase. The energy strategy began with thorough retrofit insulation and air sealing, and included high performance windows and doors, solar thermal (hot water) and solar photovoltaic (electricity production) systems which support electric vehicle (EV) charging and high-efficiency smart lighting and appliances. HVAC is supplied by a combination of radiant heat, mini-split heat pumps, and a conditioning energy recovery ventilation system (CERV).

For these senior homeowners residing in this Great Falls, Virginia home they desired a first story master suite addition and a two-door garage separate from the main portion of their home in place of a two-car garage. The plan includes conversion of the prior two-door garage into a master bedroom and bathroom with closets. The floor was rebuilt to match the existing house level, eliminating center beam and post with structural beams, with the addition of a mudroom and two-door garage with a side entrance to back yard. The driveway, entrance and turn around access, required new underground drainages for run off and slope of driveway. With features such as wide doorway and entrances, a ramp upwards from garage floor to mudroom entrance and master bedroom, make this addition perfect for aging homeowners. A new HVAC unit for bedroom and bath were installed. The wood flooring creates a smooth transition to the existing part of the home. New windows allow more daylight to enter the seating area as well as expand the front view of their yard. Additional amenities include the curb less shower stall and wide hallways, double vanities, and heated floor. The seamless connection of the existing home with its new addition makes this project unique within the neighborhood.

The West Town GreenStar Retrofit is a historic landmarked two-flat in Ukranian Village that was converted to an efficient, healthy, and modern single-family home, while keeping interior and exterior historic character details. Special emphasis was put on indoor air quality and indoor-outdoor connections. The design focuses on non-toxic materials, good ventilation, low energy and water use, and the biophilic health advantages of light and views of nature. The kitchen, work, and family zones have views of the sun-filled south garden, an oasis in the urban environment containing native plants and fruit trees, rain garden, vegetable garden, chicken coop, apiary, and a patio. Outdoor connection and daylighting are also optimized through the skylight on the top level which spills light down the staircase. The energy strategy began with thorough retrofit insulation and air sealing, and included high performance windows and doors, solar thermal (hot water) and solar photovoltaic (electricity production) systems which support electric vehicle (EV) charging and high-efficiency smart lighting and appliances. HVAC is supplied by a combination of radiant heat, mini-split heat pumps, and a conditioning energy recovery ventilation system (CERV).

[Our Clients] We were so excited to help these new homeowners re-envision their split-level diamond in the rough. There was so much potential in those walls, and we couldn’t wait to delve in and start transforming spaces. Our primary goal was to re-imagine the main level of the home and create an open flow between the space. So, we started by converting the existing single car garage into their living room (complete with a new fireplace) and opening up the kitchen to the rest of the level. [Kitchen] The original kitchen had been on the small side and cut-off from the rest of the home, but after we removed the coat closet, this kitchen opened up beautifully. Our plan was to create an open and light filled kitchen with a design that translated well to the other spaces in this home, and a layout that offered plenty of space for multiple cooks. We utilized clean white cabinets around the perimeter of the kitchen and popped the island with a spunky shade of blue. To add a real element of fun, we jazzed it up with the colorful escher tile at the backsplash and brought in accents of brass in the hardware and light fixtures to tie it all together. Through out this home we brought in warm wood accents and the kitchen was no exception, with its custom floating shelves and graceful waterfall butcher block counter at the island. [Dining Room] The dining room had once been the home’s living room, but we had other plans in mind. With its dramatic vaulted ceiling and new custom steel railing, this room was just screaming for a dramatic light fixture and a large table to welcome one-and-all. [Living Room] We converted the original garage into a lovely little living room with a cozy fireplace. There is plenty of new storage in this space (that ties in with the kitchen finishes), but the real gem is the reading nook with two of the most comfortable armchairs you’ve ever sat in. [Master Suite] This home didn’t originally have a master suite, so we decided to convert one of the bedrooms and create a charming suite that you’d never want to leave. The master bathroom aesthetic quickly became all about the textures. With a sultry black hex on the floor and a dimensional geometric tile on the walls we set the stage for a calm space. The warm walnut vanity and touches of brass cozy up the space and relate with the feel of the rest of the home. We continued the warm wood touches into the master bedroom, but went for a rich accent wall that elevated the sophistication level and sets this space apart. [Hall Bathroom] The floor tile in this bathroom still makes our hearts skip a beat. We designed the rest of the space to be a clean and bright white, and really let the lovely blue of the floor tile pop. The walnut vanity cabinet (complete with hairpin legs) adds a lovely level of warmth to this bathroom, and the black and brass accents add the sophisticated touch we were looking for. [Office] We loved the original built-ins in this space, and knew they needed to always be a part of this house, but these 60-year-old beauties definitely needed a little help. We cleaned up the cabinets and brass hardware, switched out the formica counter for a new quartz top, and painted wall a cheery accent color to liven it up a bit. And voila! We have an office that is the envy of the neighborhood.

This 1970s home still had its original siding! No amount of paint could improve the existing T1-11 wood composite siding. The old siding not only look bad but it would not withstand many more years of Colorado’s climate. It was time to replace all of this home’s siding! Colorado Siding Repair installed James Hardie fiber cement lap siding and HardieShingle® siding in Boothbay Blue with Arctic White trim. Those corbels were original to the home. We removed the existing paint and stained them to match the homeowner’s brand new garage door. The transformation is utterly jaw-dropping! With our help, this home went from drab and dreary 1970s split-level to a traditional, craftsman Colorado dream! What do you think about this Colorado home makeover?

The modest exterior profile of this transitional and modern build belies a multi-level masterpiece complete with a full basement and subterranean courtyard. Designed by Brandon Architects, this dream home features durable Thermory wood cladding, split-face limestone, European white oak ceilings and flooring, and cast-in-place concrete. Right from the inviting entryway, these materials delicately carry over throughout the home’s interior and exterior. The 7,500-square-foot home sits on a 13,000-square-foot lot and boasts a three-car garage, five luxurious bedrooms, six full baths, and two half baths. Tall ceilings, skylights, and seamless indoor-outdoor spaces on both floors create an open, airy, and bright backdrop. Perfect for the neutral and textural style that interior designer Brooke Wagner envisioned for the project. Natural, bleached wood built-ins, shelving, and framing throughout create the homeowners’ desired consistency and transitional-modern design aesthetic.

Photos courtesy of Paul Madden Photography
Example of a mid-sized classic beige split-level brick house exterior design in Toronto with a hip roof and a shingle roof

For these senior homeowners residing in this Great Falls, Virginia home they desired a first story master suite addition and a two-door garage separate from the main portion of their home in place of a two-car garage. The plan includes conversion of the prior two-door garage into a master bedroom and bathroom with closets. The floor was rebuilt to match the existing house level, eliminating center beam and post with structural beams, with the addition of a mudroom and two-door garage with a side entrance to back yard. The driveway, entrance and turn around access, required new underground drainages for run off and slope of driveway. With features such as wide doorway and entrances, a ramp upwards from garage floor to mudroom entrance and master bedroom, make this addition perfect for aging homeowners. A new HVAC unit for bedroom and bath were installed. The wood flooring creates a smooth transition to the existing part of the home. New windows allow more daylight to enter the seating area as well as expand the front view of their yard. Additional amenities include the curb less shower stall and wide hallways, double vanities, and heated floor. The seamless connection of the existing home with its new addition makes this project unique within the neighborhood.

For these senior homeowners residing in this Great Falls, Virginia home they desired a first story master suite addition and a two-door garage separate from the main portion of their home in place of a two-car garage. The plan includes conversion of the prior two-door garage into a master bedroom and bathroom with closets. The floor was rebuilt to match the existing house level, eliminating center beam and post with structural beams, with the addition of a mudroom and two-door garage with a side entrance to back yard. The driveway, entrance and turn around access, required new underground drainages for run off and slope of driveway. With features such as wide doorway and entrances, a ramp upwards from garage floor to mudroom entrance and master bedroom, make this addition perfect for aging homeowners. A new HVAC unit for bedroom and bath were installed. The wood flooring creates a smooth transition to the existing part of the home. New windows allow more daylight to enter the seating area as well as expand the front view of their yard. Additional amenities include the curb less shower stall and wide hallways, double vanities, and heated floor. The seamless connection of the existing home with its new addition makes this project unique within the neighborhood.

This 1970s home still had its original siding! No amount of paint could improve the existing T1-11 wood composite siding. The old siding not only look bad but it would not withstand many more years of Colorado’s climate. It was time to replace all of this home’s siding! Colorado Siding Repair installed James Hardie fiber cement lap siding and HardieShingle® siding in Boothbay Blue with Arctic White trim. Those corbels were original to the home. We removed the existing paint and stained them to match the homeowner’s brand new garage door. The transformation is utterly jaw-dropping! With our help, this home went from drab and dreary 1970s split-level to a traditional, craftsman Colorado dream! What do you think about this Colorado home makeover?

Kirk Nelson
Mid-sized trendy gray split-level glass exterior home photo in Los Angeles

When your family grows, so should the house! What an amazing place to spend your childhood years at - imagining all the fun that has been had, and will continue to be had within these walls is making us happily nostalgic! The original garage structure on this beach front property served our client well for many years, however, a major renovation was required to create additional living spaces for the family and to accommodate all the happenings that go with family holidays by the beach. The garage was dismantled leaving just the bare concrete slab which was to be extended with new structural footings to support the new two storey structure.

The West Town GreenStar Retrofit is a historic landmarked two-flat in Ukranian Village that was converted to an efficient, healthy, and modern single-family home, while keeping interior and exterior historic character details. Special emphasis was put on indoor air quality and indoor-outdoor connections. The design focuses on non-toxic materials, good ventilation, low energy and water use, and the biophilic health advantages of light and views of nature. The kitchen, work, and family zones have views of the sun-filled south garden, an oasis in the urban environment containing native plants and fruit trees, rain garden, vegetable garden, chicken coop, apiary, and a patio. Outdoor connection and daylighting are also optimized through the skylight on the top level which spills light down the staircase. The energy strategy began with thorough retrofit insulation and air sealing, and included high performance windows and doors, solar thermal (hot water) and solar photovoltaic (electricity production) systems which support electric vehicle (EV) charging and high-efficiency smart lighting and appliances. HVAC is supplied by a combination of radiant heat, mini-split heat pumps, and a conditioning energy recovery ventilation system (CERV).

The West Town GreenStar Retrofit is a historic landmarked two-flat in Ukranian Village that was converted to an efficient, healthy, and modern single-family home, while keeping interior and exterior historic character details. Special emphasis was put on indoor air quality and indoor-outdoor connections. The design focuses on non-toxic materials, good ventilation, low energy and water use, and the biophilic health advantages of light and views of nature. The kitchen, work, and family zones have views of the sun-filled south garden, an oasis in the urban environment containing native plants and fruit trees, rain garden, vegetable garden, chicken coop, apiary, and a patio. Outdoor connection and daylighting are also optimized through the skylight on the top level which spills light down the staircase. The energy strategy began with thorough retrofit insulation and air sealing, and included high performance windows and doors, solar thermal (hot water) and solar photovoltaic (electricity production) systems which support electric vehicle (EV) charging and high-efficiency smart lighting and appliances. HVAC is supplied by a combination of radiant heat, mini-split heat pumps, and a conditioning energy recovery ventilation system (CERV).

For these senior homeowners residing in this Great Falls, Virginia home they desired a first story master suite addition and a two-door garage separate from the main portion of their home in place of a two-car garage. The plan includes conversion of the prior two-door garage into a master bedroom and bathroom with closets. The floor was rebuilt to match the existing house level, eliminating center beam and post with structural beams, with the addition of a mudroom and two-door garage with a side entrance to back yard. The driveway, entrance and turn around access, required new underground drainages for run off and slope of driveway. With features such as wide doorway and entrances, a ramp upwards from garage floor to mudroom entrance and master bedroom, make this addition perfect for aging homeowners. A new HVAC unit for bedroom and bath were installed. The wood flooring creates a smooth transition to the existing part of the home. New windows allow more daylight to enter the seating area as well as expand the front view of their yard. Additional amenities include the curb less shower stall and wide hallways, double vanities, and heated floor. The seamless connection of the existing home with its new addition makes this project unique within the neighborhood.

For these senior homeowners residing in this Great Falls, Virginia home they desired a first story master suite addition and a two-door garage separate from the main portion of their home in place of a two-car garage. The plan includes conversion of the prior two-door garage into a master bedroom and bathroom with closets. The floor was rebuilt to match the existing house level, eliminating center beam and post with structural beams, with the addition of a mudroom and two-door garage with a side entrance to back yard. The driveway, entrance and turn around access, required new underground drainages for run off and slope of driveway. With features such as wide doorway and entrances, a ramp upwards from garage floor to mudroom entrance and master bedroom, make this addition perfect for aging homeowners. A new HVAC unit for bedroom and bath were installed. The wood flooring creates a smooth transition to the existing part of the home. New windows allow more daylight to enter the seating area as well as expand the front view of their yard. Additional amenities include the curb less shower stall and wide hallways, double vanities, and heated floor. The seamless connection of the existing home with its new addition makes this project unique within the neighborhood.

For these senior homeowners residing in this Great Falls, Virginia home they desired a first story master suite addition and a two-door garage separate from the main portion of their home in place of a two-car garage. The plan includes conversion of the prior two-door garage into a master bedroom and bathroom with closets. The floor was rebuilt to match the existing house level, eliminating center beam and post with structural beams, with the addition of a mudroom and two-door garage with a side entrance to back yard. The driveway, entrance and turn around access, required new underground drainages for run off and slope of driveway. With features such as wide doorway and entrances, a ramp upwards from garage floor to mudroom entrance and master bedroom, make this addition perfect for aging homeowners. A new HVAC unit for bedroom and bath were installed. The wood flooring creates a smooth transition to the existing part of the home. New windows allow more daylight to enter the seating area as well as expand the front view of their yard. Additional amenities include the curb less shower stall and wide hallways, double vanities, and heated floor. The seamless connection of the existing home with its new addition makes this project unique within the neighborhood.