AtHome Luxury - Colorado Home & Garden Spring 2023

25

35

In luxury homes a house is not a home without an outdoor living space that rivals its interior space.

38

Living

Sonders Fort Collins offers the ultimate low-maintenance lifestyle

40

Home Upgrades That Enhance Livability

Tips to upgrade the plumbing and HVAC systems in your home.

42

Give Your Imagination ‘Room to Roam’ West Edge at Collier’s Hill blends lower-maintenance conveniences with high-end perks.

44

Floor Upgrades Add Luxury and Value to Local Homes

Hardwood and Luxury Vinyl Plank give your home a cohesive look that’s desired to update a main level.

From Stunning Views to Wine Cellars, See 6 Luxury Homes for Sale on the Front Range

By Brittany Anas, AH Luxury

Along Colorado’s front range, luxury homes come with stand-out amenities like pools, wine cellars fit for a master sommelier and even a private movie theater that has a secret entrance. But these special properties also boast something more that’s hard to put a price tag on: Front-row views of some of the state’s most iconic mountains and plenty of outdoor space to soak up Colorado’s sunshine.

Boulder County’s most expensive home sold in January — a $13 million, six-bedroom, six-bathroom home close to Pearl Street that has a heated patio, fire pit, outdoor kitchen, copper hot tub, cold plunge and more aweinducing amenities. The home was sold by real estate agency Slifer Smith & Frampton.

Still, there are plenty more luxury listings available throughout the Front Range. Here are six standouts.

This beautifully redesigned North Boulder home sits prominently in a small enclave of luxury homes in North Boulder. Curated finishes, a gorgeous and stately four-sided waterfall kitchen island, and a 2,000-bottle wine cellar make this home primed for entertaining. The floor-to-ceiling windows, soaring ceilings and muted tones offer a serene, contemporary interior space, and, outside the doors, homeowners will have access to trails, Wonderland Lake, shopping and restaurants.

3769 MOUNTAIN LAUREL PLACE, BOULDER

Size: 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 5,058 square feet

List price: 4,995,000

List date: Aug. 19, 2022

Listing agent: Jen Rutherford with WK Real Estate

711

TUNNEL 19 ROAD, GOLDEN

Size: 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3,912 square feet

List price: $3,150,000

List date: Oct. 21, 2022

Listing agent: Madison Cervo with the Bernardi Group

This secluded mountain property featured in “Log & Timber Home Living” is located on 70 acres.

711 Tunnel 19 Road in Golden. (Photo courtesy: The Bernardi Group).

(Photo courtesy: WK Real Estate).

(Photo courtesy: WK Real Estate).

(Photo courtesy: The Bernardi Group).

“The finishing details bring the wow factor to Tunnel 19 Road,” says Cervo. “Aspen leaf design features, raw-edged granite counters, and a mountain backsplash compliment the 360 degrees of mountain views. The amenities are deluxe, too: a two-sided fireplace, premium kitchen appliances, and multiple outdoor areas for entertaining. And, it is off-the-grid.”

801 CIRCLE DRIVE, BOULDER

Size: 5 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, 8,202 square feet

List price: $6,247,500

List date: Nov. 9, 2022

Listing agent: Karen Bernardi, owner broker of the Bernardi Group

an emphasis on environmental sustainability and passive solar principles, has undergone a wholehouse upgrade, remodel and expansion under the guidance of David Kahn Studio. With unobstructed views of the Front Range from every room on both levels, including iconic landmarks such as Pikes Peak, Flatirons, Haystack Mountain, and Longs Peak, this home is a true gem. The property also includes 20 Left Hand Water shares. Every aspect of the home has been thoughtfully renovated with attention to detail, featuring new roofing, siding, decking, walls, windows, flooring, lighting, cabinetry, plumbing, electrical, irrigation, and solar panels (owned). High-end appliances and exquisite finishes throughout.

335 LEE HILL DRIVE, BOULDER

Size: 4 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, 8,701 square feet

List Price: $15,000,000

List date: Jan. 4, 2023

Listing agent: John Hoeffler with WK Real Estate

Set on five acres, this luxury home is nestled against the foothills yet still within Boulder’s city limits. Nearly every room has panoramic views and the home comes with lots of high-end features, including four limestone fireplaces, custom millwork, a chef’s kitchen with double islands and a spalike bathroom. Plus, there are resortlike amenities, including a 60-foot lap pool, hot tub, al fresco kitchen, water features, terraced lawns, a fire pit and a three-car garage plus a six-car show garage that’s ideal for studio space, offices or artists.

This home screams luxury, Bernardi says. “It is perfect for entertaining, nestled at the base of Flagstaff Mountain with views of Boulder and the mountains. The kitchen supports this — it has been recently renovated and features Thermador appliances and top-quality finishes. The wall of windows in the primary suite opens to Flatiron views — what is more luxurious than having a direct link to the Flatirons? Another amazing feature is the home theater — it is accessed through a secret door.”

11780 GOLD HILL ROAD, BOULDER

Size: 5 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, 10,157 square feet

List price: $8,500,000

List date: March 6, 2023

Listing Agent: Candace Loving with Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate

Size: 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 4,875 square feet

List price: $7,200,000

List date: Dec. 21, 2022

Listing agent: Mara Yehl, with Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate

This stunning home, designed by architect Richard L. Crowther with

Crafted with the utmost attention to detail, this breathtaking home exudes a timeless ambiance through its exquisite timber frame construction. You’ll find “amazing architecture on Boulder County’s most private estate located on 144 acres,” Loving says. The remarkable woodwork is perfectly complemented by an abundance of natural light, which bathes the interior in a warm and inviting glow. With panoramic views of majestic mountains and twinkling stars visible from every angle, this remarkable property is an oasis of tranquility. Nestled just 30 minutes from Boulder, the home offers an ideal blend of serene rural living and urban convenience.

5952 OXFORD ROAD, LONGMONT

(Photo courtesy: WK Real Estate).

(Photo courtesy: WK Real Estate).

(Photo courtesy: The Bernardi Group).

(Photo courtesy: Slifer Smith & Frampton).

(Photo courtesy: Slifer Smith & Frampton).

At Home with David Scott

Realtor® Slifer Smith & Frampton Colorado Landmark

By Pam Moore, AH Luxury

For the past 17 years, Realtor David Scott has been helping people buy and sell homes throughout Boulder. While he says some would describe him as a workaholic, he doesn’t see himself that way. “I might work a lot but I like what I do. People say, ‘You need to relax.’ I say, ‘I’m relaxing when I work.’”

We caught up with David to find out why he’s so passionate about Boulder, what he loves about the Boulder lifestyle and more.

At Home: How did you get into real estate?

David Scott: I’d been working in the ski industry for years, and there was one business trip where I was flying from London to Boise. From there I had to fly out to San Francisco before I could come back home to Boulder. As I was flying over Boise, I thought, maybe it’s time to stop all this travel.

At the time my daughter was working as a real estate agent with Colorado Landmark so I gave her office a call. The broker said I was welcome to come aboard once I got my license and the rest is history.

AH: What do you love about helping people buy and sell homes?

DS: For me, it’s not about houses. It’s about helping people negotiate their way through the maze of questions and issues that can arise when you’re buying or selling a property.

For most people, a home is the most expensive and important purchase they’ll ever make. They need someone to listen to them and spend time with them to guide them through the process. I joke that I’m a psychologist and a psychiatrist as well as a Realtor. I see my job as being there to absorb all the stress for my clients.

People are saying the internet will replace Realtors, but I just don’t see that happening. Sure, a computer might be able to tell you how many dollars per square foot a property costs or how close it is to amenities but there’s no way an

algorithm can see the look on a buyer’s face when they walk into a home that feels right. An algorithm can’t account for the way the layout of a property, the views, or a southfacing bay window, for example, can make a client feel right at home.

AH: What are some of your favorite things to do in and around Boulder?

DS: As I mentioned, I really do love to work. Many of my clients end up becoming my friends. But in my spare time, you’ll find me skiing or enjoying the vibrant local dining scene. When the weather warms up, I enjoy biking on the paths north of my home in Gunbarrel.

AH: What are some of your favorite restaurants?

DS: For fine dining in downtown Boulder, I like Stella’s or Corrida. Of course, Boulder Cork is a standby if you’re looking for a nice steak dinner. For more casual dining, Carelli’s is great. And if I’m venturing beyond Boulder, there’s an excellent spot in Erie called Piripi’s, or I like Sugarbeet in Longmont.

AH: What trends do you see impacting the real estate market right now?

DS: I hear a lot of people saying, “Business is down.” I’d say business is marginally down in Boulder. If you compare the Boulder market today with where it was in 2018 and 2019, it’s very comparable. We recently had a wild couple of years. But over the past 50 years the Boulder market has been very stable. Sure, there might have been times when homes decreased a few percentage points, but the market never lost significant value.

To be clear, I’m talking about the city of Boulder, not Boulder County. That nuance makes a difference when you’re looking at numbers and statistics, and your Realtor should be able to understand those numbers and statistics and how they apply to your specific situation.

Sophisticated entertaining + stylish living.

Backs to Open Space, trails and wildlife galore

Stunning luxury mountain home

Sought-after Coal Creek Ranch home, backing to golf course

Perfect marriage of utmost luxury & natural beauty

“We had an excellent experience selling our home with the Bernardi Group. Working with the team was highly effective because they had an exper t at every step of the process The team was knowledgeable, helpful, and friendly.” Kevin and Stacy Cur tis

Are you considering selling or buying a home? Our team approach of exper ts efficiently helps you. Call us to learn more.

in touch: 303.402.6000

TheBernardiGroup.com

The Good Life

Your guide to music, museums, art and more

AH Luxury

There’s so much to savor along the Front Range. From magical musical experiences to mind-bending museum exhibitions, light up your cultural calendar with these treasured classics and newfound inspirations.

BOULDER BACH FESTIVAL

This longstanding brand’s newest series, Mystery Sonata, slated for the Dairy Arts Center, will focus on new music by living composers— music that will receive its world premiere performances in Boulder. The first two concerts feature Asian-American and Icelandic women composers.

“The music is intended to create a new sound ‘world,’ an environment where the audience can experience healing

and calm, and feel more connected to nature,” Artistic and Executive Director Mina Gajić says. “Some field recordings will interplay with live acoustic music, and images projected on the screen will help to transport the listener.”

Collaboration with musicians, dancers and poets, and the use of multimedia technology create intimate performances that stimulate visually and aurally, says Gajić. For a sneak preview, don’t miss Sonic Alchemy at The Dairy on April 8. The program explores Byzantine mysticism in the music of living composers, juxtaposed with fantasias by Mozart, featuring NYC-based cellist Coleman Itzkoff, Los Angeles violinist YuEun Kim and Balkan piano soloist Mina Gajić. > BoulderBachFestival.org.

LONGMONT MUSEUM

Front Range Rising brings a fresh infusion of local knowledge to this northern Colorado cultural space. The exhibition, which won the Colorado Historical Society Josephine Miles Award, explores the urban region stretching from Fort Collins to Colorado Springs.

No modern phenomenon, the essence of the Front Range started 14,000 years ago. The journey is rooted in the landscape, represented by a large relief map depicting how the mountains rise dramatically from the Colorado plains. Visitors can go back in time to experience what it might have been like to live in a brush shelter some 7,000 years ago. A trading fort, Cheyenne tipi and Native American societies are also part of the immersive experience.

Other time-traveling moments include glimpses into Colorado’s Gold Rush, the tragic Sand Creek Massacre, the original 1869 Burlington School, the train revolution, the Great Depression impact and Longmont’s predecessor,

Artistic and Executive Director Mina Gajić and Music Director Zachary Carrettin. (Photo courtesy of Boulder Bach Festival).

the Chicago-Colorado Colony.

Front Range Rising is made possible by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and from the support of the City of Longmont and other foundations and businesses in the community. Take a 360-degree tour before you visit the exhibition’s web page. > longmontcolorado.gov/ departments/departments-e-m/ museum

COLORADO CHAUTAUQUA

There’s always something entertaining happening at Boulder’s iconic Colorado Chautauqua, one of only 26 National Historic Landmarks in the state and one of the few remaining chautauquas in the United States.

Through April 16, experience Winterfest and Art in the Park, featuring beautifully decorated bears beloved by kids and adults. From close to 200 applicants, 15 artists were selected to transform fiberglass bear statues into magical works of art in a breathtaking venue at the base of the Flatirons.

Following Art in the Park, concerts fire up in the cozy

indoor Community House, followed by a summer of outdoor musical experiences in Chautauqua’s open-air auditorium known for its exceptional acoustics. > chautauqua.com

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

Little ones can cultivate a curiosity for culture at the alwaysinspiring Children’s Museum of Denver. This year the museum celebrates its 50th anniversary.

“We have been reflecting on this vibrant history while looking toward the future with a focus on extraordinary experiences that champion the wonder and joy of childhood,” says Associate Director of Marketing and Communications

Kimber Kuhl.

At the museum’s 9-acre Marsico Campus, there’s something for every child’s imagination. Whether young minds are challenged by stepping inside a 6-foot bubble, discovering the laws of motion, sculpting a clay masterpiece or powering a hot air balloon, there’s always something new to create, explore and discover. > mychildsmuseum.org.

TRUSTED FOR OVER 40 YEARS ACROSS DENVER & BOULDER

When you need plumbing, heating, cooling or electrical services in the Boulder and Denver regions, you can count on the 40+ years of expertise and great service you receive from Precision Plumbing.

Locally owned and operated for over 40 years

Precision Hugs – Helping the Local Community Precision is committed to donating $30,000 to local charities and good causes in 2023. It’s our way of showing our commitment to our local community, and support for those in greater need!

Children’s Museum of Denver. (Photo courtesy of Children’s Museum of Denver).

Liv e as good as h ealthy feels.

W e lcome t o Sonde rs F or t Collins, a new home comm unit y that ’s life -enl iveni ng and life -enri ching. Where life -long learn ing, heal th and welln ess , social connecti ons, and our share d appreciat ion for nature are fr ont and cente r.

Low-mainte nance, sin gle- le vel livi ng new homes fr om Bridge water Homes and Thrive Home B uilde rs.

New ho mes fr om the mid $600s | Mo d els now open Limited number o f watersid e cust om homesites fr o m the mid $500s

SO ND ERSFO R T CO LLINS COM

Br id gewat er Hom es

Thriv e Hom e Build ers

Reviving an Active Lifestyle with Knee Replacement Surgery

By Elise Oberliesen, AH Luxury

Living an active lifestyle is something Jon Kottke, and his wife Lenna, have always enjoyed. As the couple of 52 years started planning out their retirement, they certainly wanted to remain active. Deciding to retire is a tough decision for many people, and certainly true for Jon, the founder of Kottke and Brantz Attorneys at Law, in Boulder.

Kottke retired in 2022 while his colleagues continued running daily operations at the law firm. Eventually, Kottke realized how much he missed his kids and grandkids who live on the east coast. Yet traveling to visit them with his cranky ol’ knee meant more pain and fewer activities. Things like skiing on bluebird days and hiking up steep inclines on his favorite trails nestled in the Rocky Mountains.

Besides his successful career, Kottke’s identity was defined by his active lifestyle and love for the outdoors.

“I’ve always been active and I played football and baseball in high school. Activities have always been a part of my life.”

But thanks to an old sports injury from those earlier days as an athlete, knee pain sidelined his activities.

To ease the pain, he turned to Brian Blackwood, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at BoulderCentre for Orthopedics and Spine, in Boulder. Dr. Blackwood offered various treatment options, including steroid injections. The injections reduced pain temporarily, but eventually, the treatment stopped working altogether.

“The pain eventually got worse over the years and it began to impact my quality of life. Surgery was my last resort,” Kottke said.

After Dr. Blackwood ordered a series of x-rays, he discovered the cause of pain stemmed from bone-on-bone grinding, Kottke said. That’s when the topic of knee replacement surgery became real. Total knee replacement is often used to treat knee pain caused by arthritis. The procedure replaces bone with various metal components that recreate a fully functioning knee.

Kottke decided that surgery was likely the best way to relieve pain, help him remain active and improve his overall quality of life.

“Ultimately, in some respects having a new knee is better than trying to fix up the old knee,” he said.

Alas, the surgery was successful and he began physical therapy right away. Using an at-home ice machine was a lifesaver for him because it helped with pain management and post-op swelling. He had no idea how soon he’d feel like himself — without pain.

“It was just two weeks after surgery and it was a beautiful day. My wife wanted to go to Estes Park to see fall colors,” Kottke said. So off they went — hopped in the car and cruised up that

Local resident, Jon Kottke, tells his story.

(Photo courtesy: Jon Kottke).

Jon and his wife Lenna.

(Photo courtesy: Jon Kottke).

Boulder ’s Independent Real Estate Broker

ACTIVE LIVING

twisty road to Rocky Mountain National Park.

“I realized I didn’t need my cane. It was so amazing to me that I could be out in that beautiful scenery and fresh air and not have the pain I used to have.”

As he inhaled all that Mother Nature — and glanced at those golden Aspens, Kottke and Lenna decided to take a few steps on a nearby hiking trail. A few steps later, it quickly turned into a small hike of 45 minutes, he recalled.

“I felt a bit of tenderness, but that knee pain and bone-on-bone scraping had gone away. I felt my joint working without intense pain. It was lifechanging, not having pain.”

Now that he’s all mended, Kottke recently rekindled his love of skiing. He volunteers as an instructor with disabled skiers at Eldora Mountain. He and Lenna look forward to spending more time visiting their kids and grandkids. The pair plan to jet set off to international lands to explore new playgrounds.

HIKING TIPS

From Dr. Brian Blackwood, Fellowship-Trained Hip & Knee Replacement Specialist at BoulderCentre for Orthopedics & Spine

Coloradans certainly love the outdoors, and hiking is one of our favorite things to do, even after a hip or knee replacement. To fully adapt to the hiking culture, I recommend dynamic stretching before and after your hike to give you the greatest range of motion and to decrease soreness afterward. Dynamic stretches are done right before hitting the trailhead and will prepare your muscles for climbing up and down rocks and managing all the uneven surfaces that the trail will bring.

Dynamic Knee Lift: Stand on a flat surface alternating high knee lifts and gently hug each calf below the knee with both arms. Alternate for 1 minute.

Dynamic Squat: Stand on a flat surface and squat down like you are going to sit in a chair. Perform 10 to 20 repetitions.

Dynamic Quad Stretch: Stand holding your car door or a tree. Keep your feet hipwidth apart and lift your leg behind you while reaching back with your arm to lift your ankle toward you and stretch your thigh. Alternate 10 to 20 repetitions.

• If you are a beginner to hiking, practice distance walks on flatter trails before increasing your altitude or level of trail difficulty.

• Always prepare for the weather by wearing appropriate footwear and layers that can be shed or put on depending upon the need.

• Don’t forget to stay hydrated! Adults should plan on at least half a liter for every 1 hour of hiking.

• Enjoy all that beautiful Colorado has to offer.

Inside a Custom Green Dream Home

By Julie Kailus, AH Luxury

Photos courtesy Rodwin Architecture/ Skycastle Construction

There’s no better place than Boulder County to make a sustainable forever home come to life. To learn how these custom eco-abodes balance modern forms, big views and passive solar design, we caught up with one of the best in the business: Scott Rodwin, AIA, founder of Rodwin Architecture and its building arm, Skycastle Construction. These local dream home experts recently crafted the award-winning Hoefling House, a quintessential example of today’s green design and construction.

The homeowner asked for a clean, bold and original modern look with a site-specific design that met the highest levels of sustainability while not compromising aesthetics or functionality. It was a big ask, but the Rodwin/Skycastle team delivered, supplying all architectural, interior and construction services on this extraordinary LEED Platinumcertified home.

The 3,000-square-foot, passive-solar home captures the lot’s dramatic views, opening to a full vertical span of the Flatirons, the sky and several towering Ponderosa pines. “The big concept that drove the design was that this house was informed by nature. It started with passive solar design, orienting the majority of glass to the south and capturing sunlight when we want it (winter) and rejecting it when

(Photo: Benjamin Buren, Alive Studios).

we don’t (summer),” Rodwin says. “The home’s unusually large ‘hat’ is the most striking expression of that approach, alongside wraparound porches on the south and minimal windows to the north and west. We balanced that with taking in nature through the huge views.”

The home used board-form concrete inside and out, as well as Douglas fir and stucco for a distinctly Coloradocontemporary feel. The team tucked away 10 kilowatts of solar panels on the roof, a ground-source heat pump and boiler, and foam insulation. Other green aspects include Energy Star windows and appliances, LED lighting throughout and EPA WaterSense plumbing fixtures, all contributing to a near net-zero energy rating (HERS 15).

INDOOR/OUTDOOR LIVING, A FLOATING ROOF AND MORE

Inside Hoefling House, the ground floor features a sunny, simple open concept, creating an easy indoor/ outdoor lifestyle. A minimalist kitchen is centered around a giant leathered granite countertop island and breakfast bar, accented with a wine fridge and “urban cultivator” for fresh veggies.

Travertine tile, radiant-heated floors flow to broad sliding doors leading to an inviting white concrete patio. A builtin BBQ, integrated planters and gas fire pit, all made of board-formed concrete, create an outdoor room that blurs the separation between house and landscape. Keeping the green theme, the patio accesses a raised-bed veggie garden and fruit tree orchard.

Heading to the upper level, a twostory window frames a breathtaking floating staircase and highlights modern concrete walls. At the top a “live roof” is visible, and 14-foot

second-floor ceilings allow for expansive views of the Flatirons. “We added a band of clerestory windows around the upper floor to allow in lots of light and create a floating roof effect as the Douglas fir ceiling continues out to form broad eaves,” Rodwin says. “Our goal was to protect the home’s large windows from overheating by creating enormous cantilevered tapered wings.”

The upper floor, with a bedroom on each end, is centered around a spacious, airy family room made for music lovers. “We carefully tuned the acoustics to create an ideal environment for the audiophile father and daughter to make music,” says Rodwin. A pair of customdesigned laser-cut barn doors, inspired by the site’s towering trees, open to a guest bedroom centered on an 18thcentury Chinese day-bed. The bathrooms feature floor-toceiling hand-made glass mosaic tiles, with one designed specifically to evoke the feeling of bathing in a waterfall.

It’s no surprise that the homeowner describes his dream green home as nothing short of amazing. “They listened to what I asked for and created something beyond what I could have imagined,” he said in a testimonial. “They cared about every detail.”

In a tragic tribute, the home’s beloved construction site supervisor, Tim Hoefling, died unexpectedly just two weeks after finishing the project. The owner asked that the exceptional creation be named the Hoefling House in his honor.

(Photo: Benjamin Buren, Alive Studios).

(Photo: Ethan Herrold, Ethan Herrold Photography).

{tfda-eot fV/f31

THESE SELLERS & BUYERS IN NORTHERN COLORADO AND YOU CAN TOO!

Working in Harmony

After the Marshall fire consumed a priceless piano, a custom builder is playing along with a pianist to create a performance venue.

By Mark Samuelson

People build houses for themselves for primal purposes — for safety, for shelter, to lodge a family, or maybe to capture a pretty setting or mark an achievement. But for Shieko Uno, who lost her tri-level home to the Marshall fire, a house was always a place to put a piano.

One specific piano, that is — a 7-foot-4-inch concert grand made by L. Bösendorfer Klavierfabrik of Vienna. “The Bösendorfer,” Shieko says, “is a responsive instrument capable of conveying every emotional expression, solo or in collaboration with other musicians.” She bought it as a young woman with money she earned

teaching lessons, and later by working a variety of jobs for tech companies.

The Bösendorfer along with her house and possessions were consumed by the conflagration that raced through Louisville just before New Year’s Eve, 2021 — where

temperatures inside were so high that the instrument’s copper-alloy frame with a melting point at 1,984 degrees F, was destroyed.

Finding a place to house the piano had been Uno’s single focus when she house-hunted in 1994, around the time McStain Enterprises was building its Cornerstone area near Harper Lake. “I needed a long enough wall,” she recalls now, sitting beside a Yamaha grand that’s filling in while she waits in a rental on Davidson Mesa for her home to be rebuilt.

The passion for piano Shieko credits to her mother, who had been sent to Japan in the 1920s by her California family to learn native traditions — a custom among Japanese Americans. Years later when the young woman returned, World War II had broken out and the Roosevelt Administration was rounding up Nisei families and shipping them to internment camps — in her mother’s case to a high-security camp in Wyoming, nominally because she had been raised in Japan and had

Shieko Uno with builder John Kurowski in Louisville’s Cornerstone neighborhood, where Uno’s home was destroyed. (Photo: Mark Samuelson).

Rendering of Shieko Uno’s custom home design. (Rendering: Osmosis Architecture).

few connections to her country of birth.

A decade later, Shieko’s mom had settled south in Colorado and was requiring all of her kids to learn an instrument—in Shieko’s case, the violin as well as the piano. Shieko recalls that when she began playing at age six, she felt no real dedication. “Music was fun; I could play whatever without practicing.” Teachers noticed, and when college neared, one instructor told her parents that wherever she went, Shieko would have to major in piano.

She did that at CU Boulder, then went on for a master’s at Northwestern, and back to Boulder to work on a doctorate. Along the way, Shieko tried swimming in the very competitive waters of New York City to build a music career, but returned to Colorado where she taught school and worked a receptionist job at a tech company to support herself.

Despite a music resumé, employers liked her abilities, and soon Shieko had money for that concert grand, and a new house to hold it.

“Shieko is the rare individual that will make almost anything happen to pursue a passion,” says builder John Kurowski of Kurowski Custom Homes & Remodeling. In 2013, after Kurowski built a custom home for Shieko’s niece in southeast Denver, Shieko asked whether he would consider opening up the walls of her 1,800-foot tract home to fit in some string performers beside the piano and to seat a small audience, as well.

Kurowski, who is known along the Front Range for energy and environmental innovations that earned him countless awards including numbers as ‘Builder of the Year,’ agreed to the job.

Fast forward to December 2021, and Shieko and her niece were returning from Boulder when they saw a distant grassfire south of U.S. 36. “It couldn’t possibly jump the highway,” she recalls thinking. When the road home became a parking lot, she retreated to her niece’s to wait until officials allowed a return. Two days later, a policeman let the pair walk into Cornerstone on foot, only to find everything including the niece’s car gone.

Kurowski says he was wondering about Shieko and her house when Shieko called him and asked whether

he would consider rebuilding it.

“I always wished I had pushed the house out wider,” Shieko recalls now. “It is a do-over opportunity to correct my past mistakes in life.”

As with many other homes lost, the financial side of the rebuild is complicated. The majority of 1,084 dwellings consumed were underinsured after the big runup in prices that homes saw during Covid.

Just the Bösendorfer piano itself, which is now under order for replacement at the firm’s Austrian factory, retails at around $210,000.

“His compassion is amazing,” Shieko says about Kurowski, recalling how the conversation with the builder went.

“I told John that one thing I would love is a solarium — a place that would be your inner sanctum, a quiet place where you could meditate.”

But it would also host performances. “I want to welcome people in, so that they

can reconnect with their spiritual center,” she adds.

“I tried to talk her into rebuilding as a ranch instead of a tri-level,” Kurowski recalls, but says that creating the space for miniconcerts is the primary focus. With a ‘design-build-team’ process he describes as creating an experience like he would for his own family, Kurowski is working with Osmosis Architecture on drawings, while Shieko visits design showrooms.

Both Shieko and Kurowski say that some compromises will be necessary, but in line with his history with solar designs, the energy package is going to be a major leap forward from the original one.

“It’s going to be a true custom home,” Kurowski says. “And the fact that it will serve as a concert venue with a solarium is a very cool thing,”

“Whatever John tells me to do, that’s what I’ll do,” adds Shieko.

Builder John Kurowski is working with Shieko Uno to build a true custom home that will serve as a concert venue with a solarium. (Photo: Mark Samuelson).

Clearly Smart

Upgrade your home with Automated Window Treatments (with PowerView©)

By Linda Thorsen Bond, AH Luxury

With innovation in tech comes innovation in convenience and comfort. For many people, their home is the most comfortable place to be, and because of this, home automation is more important than ever. We’ve contacted local window covering experts, Windo VanGo, to get the latest Smart Automation available for your windows.

Andrew Redenbarger, president of Windo VanGo in Broomfield, talked about just how smart a window treatment can be.

“We’re proud to work with Hunter Douglas because they have done an amazing job listening to customers over the years to improve upon the motorized options for window treatments. The latest generation is PowerView© 3, providing

control via either your mobile device or remote. The PowerView Automation lets you set up your shades to do what you want when you want.

PowerView is available to be integrated with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKits. So, you can control the shades with your voice or your phone and schedule them to open and close at specific times of the day. It can be hardwired, or battery operated, rechargeable battery packs are also available.”

Redenbarger pointed out other innovative products that customize your home to your needs:

Looking for light-enhancing shades to let you enjoy the beauty of natural light? Silhouette shades can make any space more captivating. The adjustable S-shaped vanes will go between light-diffusing front and back sheer panels in more than 150 fabric and color choices.

(Photo courtesy: Window VanGo).

Hunter Douglas drapes are made for sound absorption to create a quieter, more relaxing room and reduce exterior noise. There are sophisticated fabrics that are perfect for layering — or on their own in exclusive designs by featured artists and more than 250 fabric and color choices.

Windo Van Go can also help you earn rebates and tax credits. Rebates start at $150 on qualified products that increase energy efficiency.

Select Duette® Honeycomb Shades — let you earn up to 30 percent of the purchase price back in the form of a tax credit, up to a maximum annual amount of $1,200. Duette Honeycomb Shades are designed to provide superior insulation for windows, helping to lower your monthly utility bills while reducing your energy use and helping create a more sustainable environment.

Redenbarger said that Windo VanGo can assist in identifying the correct documentation for the products that qualify for the tax credit. Then your tax professional can help you see how it applies to you.

Redenbarger added, “We’re excited to share that PowerView Automation (Gen 3) winner of a 2023 Mark of Excellence Award. Presented by the Smart Home Division of the Consumer Technology Association, PowerView Automation (Gen 3) was named Automated Shade Product of the Year.”

To make it easy to get your smart window solutions, Windo VanGo offers free home consultations. Redenbarger said, “Our salespeople are trained to come to your home and

figure out what would work best for you. They complete the measurements to ensure a good fit and show you all the different fabrics and products for your ideal solution. They help you figure out what suits your home and our installers ensure a nice fit to every window, giving the customer the look they wanted.”

Redenbarger recommends that you schedule your free athome consultation a week in advance. That way you can be as smart as the windows treatments.

The team at Windo VanGo in Broomfield. (Photo courtesy: Window VanGo).

Luxury with a View

Urban convenience with mountain views:

Superior’s Montmere at Autrey Shores continues to grow

By Andy Stonehouse, AH Luxury

Photos: Koelbel and Company

As affordability and access to housing in Boulder County become more of a challenge, a new luxury townhome community in Superior offers a solution – with some recent incentives added to help sweeten the deal.

Montmere at Autrey Shores, located immediately west of the Flatiron Crossing shopping development, is a 94-unit project featuring an infinite variety of floor plans and adaptable homes ranging from about 1,500 to 3,000 square feet. Better yet, prices for smaller units start at under

$800,000.

Built by Koelbel Communities, the project was awarded a prestigious MAME Award last fall by the Home Builders Association of Metro Denver, for Best Architecture of a Model Attached Home.

And with more of Montmere’s units finished or approaching completion this spring, the development is also incentivizing buyers with a credit of $25,000 toward financing and, on certain homes, an additional $25,000 is available toward options.

Dana Keller, Vice president of Sales and Marketing for the project, says Montmere’s ambitious construction pace has slowed a bit with ongoing post-pandemic issues related to

shortages in building supplies and construction crews, as well as the recent increases in interest and mortgage rates.

But with 12 units sold so far and a total of nine new homes sold or available for occupancy this spring, Montmere continues to offer a unique and luxurious opportunity for homeowners looking for a low-maintenance lifestyle. Some units also include elevators and can include three-car garages as added amenities.

“We currently have 24 reservations for future properties signaling the strong interest in the community; and those prospective buyers are staying engaged with us,” Keller says. “There’s also been an uptick in interest in 2023, and we’re looking forward to spring and summer being busy times.”

MULTIPLE FLOOR PLANS

Key to Montmere’s appeal is the flexibility of its seven floor

plans, which have all been designed to provide spaces that can be configured as offices, additional bed or bath space, art studios or whatever additional room buyers need.

The array of available luxury finishes also helps to provide some classy appeal, ranging from hardwood flooring to quartz countertops, as well as the included rooftop deck and even outdoor kitchen space, in some models. Working with Koelbel’s Design Center and other vendors, buyers are encouraged to personalize their new home as they desire.

“Right now, we have two homes that are ready for new owners to move in, one of which is already furnished – a 2,449-square foot unit priced at about $1.18 million, and a 2,575-square foot unit priced at $1.272 million, both on the waterfront,” she says. “The other three units that are completed feature a mixture of styles, one of which is priced at just over $799,000.”

AREA AMENITIES

In keeping with Boulder County’s lifestyle, Montmere is designed with activity in mind, from the 27 miles of nearby hiking trails and nearly 600 acres of green space. As Keller notes, the ongoing redevelopment and a proposed major facelift to the Flatiron Crossing shopping center means enhanced shopping and dining options, also just a short walk away. Koelbel and Company have also partnered with nearby Life Time Fitness to offer free memberships to Montmere residents.

“We initially anticipated Montmere would appeal to young professionals working in the area; to date buyers have fallen in a wider age-range than expected.” Keller says. “They have the cash or equity from their departure homes and are less impacted by interest rate changes. As the rates settle, I think we’ll again see more of the younger buyers.”

With that expanded age-range, Keller says there has been more interest in Montmere’s larger homes, many of which have or can be equipped with elevators. “With seven plans, there really is a plan for every family’.

> To schedule a tour, call Rob Hunsley at 303.300.8845, or for more information and photos, go online to koelbelco.com/montmere..

Remodeling Your Basement?

Here is everything you need to know to see a high return on investment

feel cold and damp in the winter and uncomfortably hot in the summer. Fix this problem and create a comfortable basement living space by installing new, energy-efficient windows. New windows not only help regulate room temperature, but they also offer improved security, reduce outside noise and give the space an updated, finished appearance.

BRIGHTEN UP THE ROOM WITH STRATEGIC LIGHTING AND NEUTRAL PAINT COLORS

By Bryan Baeumler HGTV Personality & Professional Contractor

(BPT) - So, you are remodeling your basement - smart move! According to Redfin’s real estate experts, a basement renovation is one of the top 10 ways to maximize your usable square footage and in turn, increase your home’s value.

Not sure where to start? I’ve got you covered. I have spent almost 20 years renovating basements from the ground up on DIY and home improvement television shows. Here are three triedand-true basement finishing projects that will help you create a purposeful, comfortable living space that your family can enjoy now and that will appeal to potential homebuyers down the road.

CREATE A SOLID FOUNDATION WITH A HIGH-QUALITY BASEMENT SUBFLOOR

First, a basement renovation is a major investment in your home, so

protect your investment by installing a quality subfloor. A subfloor from a trusted brand like DRICORE provides a barrier between the concrete floor and your finished floors. This barrier not only protects against the effects of moisture, like mold and mildew, but it also helps the basement floor stay warmer underneath your feet and cushions your steps. A DIY-friendly option, DRICORE® Subfloor has an intuitive tongue and groove design that makes installation quick and easy. You can finish a 500-square-foot basement in just half a day.

UPGRADE BASEMENT WINDOWS TO CREATE A MORE COMFORTABLE LIVING SPACE

If you have windows in your basement, no matter how large or how smalllucky you! They allow natural light to filter into an otherwise dark space, making the basement appear brighter and more inviting. But sometimes, a home’s original windows are ridden with gaps and cracks around the glass and frame, causing the room to

If you do not have basement windows that draw in natural light, there are still plenty of easy DIY projects that will help create a bright, inviting living space - whether for your benefit or to appeal to a future homebuyer. Illuminate your finished basement with all-over lighting, which is typically best achieved through recessed ceiling lights or budget-friendly track lighting. To create an ambience, go with Nordic-inspired floor lamps or wall sconces that highlight the family photos hung on the wall. Complete your basement renovation by painting the walls in a neutral paint color, like a soft off-white that reflects and absorbs the light in the room. To bring additional warmth into the finished space, go with an on-trend “greige” color (a mix of gray and beige) on the basement walls or ceiling.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Like any home improvement project, remodeling your basement can feel like a daunting task. But with the right foundation and a few DIY projects in your arsenal, you can easily transform your basement into a functional, comfortable living space. Not only will a finished basement optimize your home’s available square footage and in turn increase its value, but it could also make you think twice about selling ... it will be hard to say goodbye to the newly remodeled living space!

Renovate. Renew. Restore. A guide to home improvement financing

By Luanne Kadlub, AH Luxury

With expectations that the real estate market will remain more or less subdued, and with luxury homes mostly at historic lows, many homeowners now opt to give their homes fresh updates or add-ons in lieu of stepping into a turnkey home with all the amenities.

Ryan Chamberlain, Market President at FirsTier Bank in Broomfield, has his finger on the pulse of the region’s home-improvement market and helps customers find the right financial solutions to fit the scope of any size project. The Broomfield branch opened about two and a half years ago and joins those in Greeley and Castle Rock as the three FirsTier Banks in Colorado. Seven additional branches are in Nebraska and Wyoming.

Popular home-improvement projects that add value to your home might include updating or building new kitchens, master suites and bathrooms, finishing basements and outdoor living spaces. Mr. Chamberlain stated that home improvement projects are gaining in popularity. He suggested calling multiple banks to ensure you are getting the most competitive rate and term possible. In addition, he advised me to interview the bank. Ask probing questions to ensure you fully understand the process.

“What sets us apart from competitors is our customer service and follow-through,” he explained. “We complete a thorough evaluation of the home on an “As Is” and “As Completed” basis. When analyzing a credit request, we are looking at the borrower’s cash flow, credit score, equity in the project and the general contractor completing the remodel. This is all done to ensure the client and bank are protected”.

When it’s time to finance your home improvement project, homeowners have six options:

Cash-out refinance

A cash-out refinance is where your new loan is greater in value than what you owe on the old loan – allowing you to “cash out” the difference minus closing fees.

Home equity loan/home equity line of credit (HELOC)

A home equity loan and a home equity line of credit are

similar in that they both use your home as collateral and offer competitive interest rates. The key difference is a home equity loan offers a single lump sum at a fixed rate, whereas a HELOC offers a line of credit at a variable rate that you can then draw upon over time.

Personal loan

If you have a strong credit score and prefer a quick payout, a personal loan can be a great option for financing small to midsize home improvement projects. Personal loans are not backed by your home or another asset, making them unsecured loans.

Credit cards

Small, low-cost home-improvement projects, are sometimes best financed with credit cards. The caveat is that this option works best if you pay off the card every month. Extending payments will rack up high-interest fees and increase the cost of the project, sometimes exponentially.

Cash

Cash is king and by using cash reserves to pay for home improvement you avoid all those extra fees that come with interest rates, closing fees, etc. If you have cash reserves, this could be a viable option. If not, you’ll want to exercise patience and set up a savings plan to cover the cost.

Pushing the boundaries of indoor-outdoor living

Boulder Creek Neighborhoods Limited Edition homes bring lower-maintenance conveniences to Baseline

By Sarah Huber, AH Luxury

The lifestyle builder Boulder Creek Neighborhoods is pushing the boundaries of indoor-outdoor living with their latest Limited Edition lower-maintenance home designs, available exclusively for Baseline, a masterplanned community now under development at the junction of I-25 and Baseline Road in Broomfield. “Baseline is a different type of neighborhood – one uniquely focused on sustainable living and human flourishing – so we created a whole new

line of designs to fit the community and reflect the shared values of Baseline and Boulder Creek Neighborhoods,” explained Jason Sinkey, creative manager at Boulder Creek Neighborhoods.

Baseline will link city and nature with regional and pocket parks, a comprehensive trail system, more than 170 acres of open land, a K-12 school and a dining, business and retail district anchored by a pedestrian plaza. Even the Butterfly Pavilion, currently based in Westminster and the world’s only stand-alone accredited facility dedicated to invertebrates, will relocate to Baseline in the future.

Photos: Boulder Creek Neighborhoods

“Our architects were inspired by the nature-friendly Baseline vibe, where homeowners can step from nature to retail to home,” said Boulder Creek chief revenue officer Jessica Champlin. Boulder Creek’s Limited Edition collection showcases cutting-edge, dynamic designs that “flow seamlessly from the streetscape, reflect the priorities of the Baseline community and are grand and gracious from every angle,” said principal architect Mitch Traeger. He added, “The architecture becomes the jewelry on the street.”

Boulder Creek’s Limited Edition homes are striking from the front door to the top of the third story. The Iconic floor plan features a magnificent two-story porch entrance with an outdoor fireplace and a stunning bank of windows while the Dynamic plan includes three large outdoor spaces tucked onto the side of the home for an extra moment of privacy. In still another plan, the Magnetic, features outdoor porches on three levels to create plenty of room for a potted garden and outdoor dining. “Even if we share basic characteristics, we all live differently, so I was trying to make these designs as flexible as they can be,” Traeger said.

That flexibility flows through the design of each Boulder Creek Limited Edition home at Baseline. All floor plans feature

a standard three-car garage, perfect for a third vehicle, or perhaps beloved Colorado toys like mountain bikes, skis, kayaks, and camping gear. In addition to the garage, the main floor also features an additional space that can be used as a recreation room, extra bedroom, study or crafting studio.

On the main level, the heart of the home, a universal open space stretches from the front windows to the splendid kitchen in the rear. The entertainer’s kitchen option features Thermador appliances, including a built-in refrigerator, double oven and a second dishwasher, plus baking and prep stations and a butler’s pantry. The open-concept kitchens flow seamlessly into spacious dining areas and generous gathering areas.

The unique, modern stylings of the homes at Baseline showcase magnificent stairwells and tiled fireplaces, and natural light will play beautifully off the floors and highend finishes. Limited Edition floor plans may be further personalized with flex rooms on the main level as varied as a wine room, pocket office or floor-to-ceiling library. The top floor offers well-appointed master suites featuring Euro Showers, soaking tubs, and flexible loft or bedroom layouts that cater to all ages and stages of life.

True to Boulder Creek’s roots, the Limited Edition homes at Baseline are lower-maintenance, without sacrificing high style. “These homes don’t skimp on outdoor living with wellintegrated entertaining spaces as well as privatized areas for owners to relax at the end of the day,” said Champlin. “Discerning buyers will be thrilled at the contemporary designs combined with the entertaining spaces and newfound free time not spend on yard maintenance.”

Boulder Creek’s longstanding dedication to energy efficiency makes the Louisville-based builder an ideal fit for Baseline, where homes must adhere to vigorous sustainability guidelines. “This is the ultimate place to thrive in every sense of the word,” Champlin said.

Boulder Creek Neighborhoods Limited Edition homes at Baseline will range from 3,000 to 3,300 square feet and will launch for sale later this summer. To join the interest list, visit LiveBaseline.com.

“Baseline is a different type of neighborhood – one uniquely focused on sustainable living and human flourishing.”

Outdoor Living Inspiration

By Darian Armer, AH Luxury

Photos courtesy Budget Home Supply

In luxury homes a house is not a home without an outdoor living space that rivals its indoor living space.

“In that higher-end price range, you will start to see that the builder has already either built an outdoor kitchen and living area or the owner is improving the outdoor area to include an outdoor kitchen and living space,” says Vernetta Angelo of Budget Home Supply in Longmont. “California has been doing it for years and years and now in Colorado, we’re seeing it more and more. It’s bringing the outside in and the inside out.”

One great way to blur the line between indoor and outdoor living is with infinity or Nano doors. Options that are available at Budget Home Supply.

“Nano doors are very popular when you’re going in and out of your home, especially out to grill and then back inside or entertaining. A swinging patio door doesn’t cut it anymore. Being able to open it and let everyone walk in and out freely

is a real game changer,” says Angelo.

She says you can get tall doors so it looks like the whole wall is opening up or just a standard eight-foot door.

“You can change a space with eight-foot-doors with openings up to 20 feet. At 10 feet it feels like the room is completely opened up. Depending on the type of exposure the door is under you can choose from a collapsible door or frame-by-frame doors,” Angelo says.

Once outside, a living area and outdoor kitchen are a must for an ideal outdoor living space. Budget Home Supply carries Bull Products, providing the ability to purchase an all-in-one unit that includes a countertop, full unit with refrigerator, sink, cooler and grill. It’s plugand-play.

If you’re interested in designing and personalizing your outdoor kitchen, Budget Home Supply also has weather-resistant cabinets from brands like NatureKast. You can design an outdoor kitchen similar to designing an interior kitchen complete with warming drawers, grills, tabletop coolers and more.

“Once you’ve put that in, normally people put some sort of covering over it, whether a partial-covering like a pergola or full-covered porch or deck area. Some real high-end homes even have their outdoor living spaces glassed in so they can control the temperature,” says Angelo.

When it comes to patios and decks, Angelo says two of the most popular options are stamped concrete and composite decking.

“Composite decking has come a long way. There’s new technology now that offers temperature control for composite decking. When it first came out it could get really hot if you came out in bare feet. Not that they’ve built it with cooling elements in the material. There are a lot more colors now to go with any exterior color of a home,” said Angelo. “Concrete is normally used for one-level patios while composite decking is the best choice for multi-level decks. There’s not nearly as much maintenance as staining or sanding real wood. Composite decking will last 40-50 years with basic

maintenance.”

Angelo says Budget Home Supply stocks about 52 colors of composite decking for customers to choose from. Something she says you won’t find in big box stores.

A beautiful addition to decks is lighting and a big upgrade to the outdoor aesthetic.

“It’s kind of like you would find in a resort with each step having its own light. From afar it’s a beautiful look,” says Angelo. “Up-lighting is another big upgrade. Uplight some beautiful features on the exterior of your home. Lighting is now also being made with built-in Bluetooth Speakers.”

Don King of Don King Landscaping, says he sees people moving to xeriscape.

“They don’t want to spend all this money on stuff that needs a lot of water like grass. In certain municipalities like Greenwood Village, they’re not even letting people put in thirsty grass yards. People are getting sick of having to spend money on watering and municipalities are getting water-wise because of climate change and the amount of water all the western states are using.”

Xeriscaping uses native plants and grasses that require less water and are hardier in the given climate. It is colorful all year round, cuts down on the water bill and requires less maintenance.

King says drip irrigation and automatic feeders are growing in popularity for their ease of use. Some automatic feeders even include fertilizer so the plant is watered and fertilized, fortifying the soil around the plant with the organic fertilizer.

“When it comes to new home builds it’s not finished without a landscape,” says King.

Living Your Best Life

Sonders Fort Collins offers the ultimate low-Maintenance lifestyle

By Emma Castleberry, AH Luxury Photos courtesy: Sonders Fort Collins, Bridgewater Homes

Sonders Fort Collins is a place for active people – an intentionally broad category. From eager retirees with a wealth of passion projects and social motivation to a person who may never retire but simply wants a lowmaintenance lifestyle that allows them to pursue their favorite activities, the community is designed for active agers with no age limit – anyone at any age who wants more time for the meaningful things and less of the humdrum.

The community’s name comes from the word sonder, which refers to the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own. At Sonders Fort Collins, your neighbors are each living their best life, and the community is designed to support that on an individual and group level.

HOW SONDERS FORT COLLINS CREATES THE ULTIMATE LOW-MAINTENANCE LIFESTYLE

A home at Sonders is more than just walls and a roof – it’s an experience that allows you to live as good as healthy feels. Sonders does it all, from the simple supports like trash

and recycling collection to the more demanding elements of landscape maintenance, including weekly mowing, spring aeration and fertilization, and watering and irrigation. When you wake up to a white blanket of snow in the winter at Sonders, you can cozy up with a cup of coffee rather than strapping on your snow boots to go shovel. The chores are taken care of, so you and your loved ones can get out and experience, engage, and create meaning together.

AMENITIES THAT ADD RICHNESS TO YOUR SONDERS LIFESTYLE

A list of remarkable community amenities are under construction, providing something for every resident. The

campus-style Sonders Learning Center includes a main structure, resort-style pool, outdoor kitchen and lounge area and three studios dedicated to the body, arts, and ideas.

Natural amenities abound at Sonders: the community boasts acres of open space, miles of soft and hard surface trails, and easy access to regional trails, as well as a collection of unique, nature-immersive parks. At Serene Park, a naturally preserved area for access near Richards Lake, residents can listen to the rhythm of the water and even experience the water actively via non-motorized boats including canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards. Flourish Park doubles as a neighborhood gardening center, offering an opportunity for residents to ground and grow with individual garden plots, orchard areas, and four fragrance and sensory garden experiences. As we look forward to spring, the many natural spaces at Sonders will be rich with leafy green trees and pops of floral color.

SMART LUXURY: SUSTAINABLE HOMES THAT SUPPORT YOUR HEALTH

Bridgewater, a local, EnergyStar builder, now has three model homes open. Bridgewater is selling expansive, luxury homes in six ranch-style floor plans at Sonders, featuring large outdoor areas, beautiful finishes and plenty of space for entertaining. Each plan includes a three-car garage, with options to expand to a five-car garage. Starting in the mid $600s. Come tour the model homes to experience a luxury lifestyle at Sonders with all of your senses.

Thrive Home Builders is bringing three completely new

collections of healthy homes to Sonders Fort Collins. Their award-winning green building program meets the highest standards of LEED®, Indoor airPLUS, Zero Energy Ready Homes and Energy Star®. Thrive was also recognized as 2020’s EPA Indoor airPLUS Leader Award Winner. Thrive also offers an allelectric option for buyers through their carbon-neutral building approach, Thrive Carbon-Wise.

A model home in Thrive’s Harmony Courtyard Collection is now open for tours. This collection features modern, thoughtfully-designed single-level homes with large porches and spacious, comfortable interiors.

With these new homes, Sonders residents will benefit from superior air quality and the comfort of knowing their home is taking good care of them and the planet. Look for more information on these incredible living spaces in the coming months.

> Get in on the ground floor of low-maintenance living at Sonders Fort Collins. Visit sondersfortcollins.com.

Elevate your health and well-being with comprehensive care from our experts at BoulderCentre for Orthopedics & Spine

For over 50 years, our community of orthopedic surgeons has been serving the needs of Boulder and the entire Front Range. Our reputation as the region’s most preferred reflects our unwavering commitment to enhancing our patients’ level of care to get them back to the activities they are passionate about.

To schedule an appointment, please call 866.726.1966.

Home Upgrades That Enhance Livability

By Adam Goldstein, AH Luxury

The value of a home isn’t all about its exterior. An older home can still carry a competitive price tag, especially if owners are conscientious about updating all the systems that buyers don’t necessarily see from the curb. Sure, roofs and gutters and sidings make an impression, but it’s the plumbing and HVAC systems that really make a home livable.

We reached out to local HVAC and plumbing experts to see what upgrades pack the most punch in terms of boosting a homeowner’s equity.

The professionals at Longmont-based SAC Mechanical, which began in 1984 as a commercial HVAC provider have seen plenty in the way of upgrades and advancements when it comes to energy efficiency systems, smart temperature and climate control and the best ways to ensure that air quality in a home remains as pure as possible. Precision Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electric in Boulder have also seen plenty in the way of innovations since launching 40 years ago, including the advent of tankless water heaters, energyefficient faucets and other dynamics.

In 2023, a good place to start ramping up equity through your home’s HVAC system is at its control center. Programmable thermostats have come leaps and bounds in terms of ease of use and efficiency. Paired with a smartphone, the right smart thermostat can control all features of a home’s climate, air quality and humidity, features that can make a very real impact on the health, safety and happiness of residents.

According to the SAC Mechanical website, the right thermostat “doesn’t just control temperature. It has an impact on the air that you breathe, on moisture and mold growth, the amount of energy that you use and money that you spend, and most importantly, on you and your family’s health,”

according to the SAC Mechanical website. “Don’t ignore your heating and cooling system. Your HVAC system is a great big mechanical system, just like your automobile.”

SAM Mechanical specializes in smart thermostats manufactured by respected brands like Trane and Carrier, equipment that allows users to control the elements in the home from a smart device. A smart thermostat that controls a modern, energy-efficient HVAC system could be an investment – the average cost of a new system averages about $10,000. However, that upgrade could add thousands of dollars to the resale value of a home.

For example, installing a ductless split system, which allows precise control of temperature and humidity on a roomby-room basis, could boost the value of a home by up to 10 percent. What’s more, opting for extended media filters, electronic filters or ultraviolet filters to regulate the air purity in a home can make a measurable difference in the quality of life inside the home. In a state where forest fire season has become more and more predictable, such upgrades in an HVAC system can not only serve as a health boon for residents but can also be a strong selling point for a home.

Plumbing upgrades can pack a punch in terms of home equity, as well. They can also yield savings in terms of energy costs on an annual basis, according to experts with the Boulder-based Precision Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electric. Specifically, tankless hot water systems eliminate limits on the hot water in a home and cut down on space requirements as well.

According to Department of Energy estimates, a tankless system could save a home up to 30 percent in energy on an annual basis, compared to a traditional electric system. Precision specializes in customizing a tankless system to the specific size and metrics of a given property, and they’re dedicated to ensuring that it “meets your daily requirements.”

More than yearly savings in the monthly utility bill, a tankless system could pay off dividends in terms of home value. Combined with general upgrades to faucets, bathroom systems and other plumbing fixtures, a system sans a tank could boost the overall value of a home by up to five percent.

Give Your Imagination ‘Room to Roam’

West Edge at Collier’s Hill blends lower-maintenance conveniences with high-end perks

By Sarah Huber, AH Luxury

Photos: Boulder Creek Neighborhoods

With nearly half of the homes sold, West Edge at Colliers Hill in Erie by the lifestyle builder Boulder Creek Neighborhoods is a limited opportunity for those seeking a gorgeous, lower-maintenance home in a beloved master-planned community.

Presenting Boulder Creek’s intuitive easyHouse floor plans, the Peak series at West Edge includes all the eye candy on the luxury home buyer’s wish list. In the Antero model home, the crown of the easyHouse Peak series at West Edge, designer touches such as porcelain tiles, Carrara marble and maple cabinetry from Kitchen Craft

produce an optional entertainer’s kitchen that is not only a highly functional space for the home chef but also simply a stunning room from which to greet the day with a cup of tea or linger over a glass of wine in the evening. “Stop by our recently opened model home of the Antero at West Edge at Colliers Hill to see the personalization options and how this home can enable the life you dream about,” said community sales manager Rebecca Lucero. Boulder Creek chief revenue officer Jessica Champlin added, “Part of the beauty of this model home is that it gives your imagination room to roam the endless design possibilities, from custom paint details and unique lighting to metallic and wood finishes. Check out

the graphic custom wall in the entry for a fabulous, and attainable, first impression buyers can create in their own West Edge home.”

From the entertainer’s kitchen in the Peak series (which also offers a Marvel beverage center with ice maker and Thermador appliances, including two dishwashers, a 48-inch built in-fridge, a drawer microwave and a gas range) to the optional heated flooring in the bathroom for toasty feet on cold Colorado mornings, floor plans at West Edge meet home buyers where they are and empower them to live fully on their terms. “Our buyers are so sophisticated that we want to give them the opportunity to create a home they’re excited about,” Lucero said. In the Antero model, casual elegance

holds sway in the multifunctional study, three-to-five bedrooms and optional flex rooms, perfect for a dedicated fitness lair or crafting studio. The Antero spans 2,200 to 3,600 square feet and includes the neighborhood favorite, a three-car garage.

The model home’s optionally finished lower level encourages buyers to consider the possibilities of leisure and “lifefullness,” or what the builder calls a “life fully lived,”

Champlin said. Guests may gather around a wet bar, sink into cozy sectional seating or get their game on at the shuffleboard table.

Outdoors, an extended covered deck furthers the entertaining options, and homeowners may curate their fenced backyard with a fire pit and pergola overlooking the Front Range, vegetable and flower gardens or a grassy track for the dog to romp. Front yard landscaping will be maintained by the lifestyle association, with the standard Boulder Creek attention to detail and water-wise care. “Our oversized lots are a big draw in this community, providing privacy and the ability to do the things you love,” Lucero said.

To sweeten the deal, West Edge features the lower conveniences homeowners adore in a home by Boulder Creek Neighborhoods. Steps are kept to a minimum, with zero

steps around the home between daily living activities, and electrical outlets are raised to reduce bending. The bathrooms are spacious, and the laundry room is only a few paces from the primary suite. “Perfect for those looking to ‘right size’ or those who just don’t want to care for the huge house, these are forever homes in a great location,” Lucero said. “Homeowners will appreciate the snow removal and the ease of being able to travel,” she added.

The master-planned community of Colliers Hill offers all-season amenities to the West Edge homeowner.

Perks include miles of walking paths, open space, the Colliers Hill outdoor pool and the exclusive 6,500-squarefoot activity center.

> To learn more about West Edge at Colliers Hill, visit livebouldercreek.com/ campaigns/west-edge-colliers-hill.

Floor Upgrades Add Luxury and Value to Local Homes

By Shelley Widhalm, AH Luxury

With large open spaces trending in homes, homeowners are finding that hardwood and Luxury Vinyl Plank give them the cohesive look they desire to update the main level.

“People don’t want the breakup of spaces anymore,” said Kelley McDonald, owner of McDonald Carpet One, a Boulderbased seller of carpet, hardwood, laminate, Luxury Vinyl Plank and rugs. “They want the same type of flooring throughout the main floor.”

Replacing old or outdated flooring with hardwood or Luxury Vinyl Plank, which can have a wood or tile look, is a way to “add value and beauty to your home,” McDonald said.

One way to get that value is to remove carpeting from living areas and vinyl from the kitchen—the vinyl can be replaced with materials like porcelain tile, which also is used in shower surrounds and backsplashes, McDonald said.

“It’s going to make it look more modern and refreshed,” McDonald said. “Old carpet flooring tends to get dirty and damaged.”

Opting for hardwood over other flooring types adds value to the home because of its luxurious look and the many benefits it offers, McDonald said.

Hardwood has a return on investment of up to 70% when selling a home, according to the National Association of Realtors, while Luxury Vinyl Plank, more affordable than wood, is still new on the market, McDonald said.

“(Wood) will hold its value more than other things,” McDonald said.

At the time of sale, a home’s value will increase by 6% on average if the floors are solid hardwood, according to local realtors, said Abbey Van Horn, owner of Meyer Skidmore & Company, Quality Hardwood Floors in Longmont.

“They’re wanted because of their longevity of them. They last longer than carpet and vinyl,” Van Horn said. “They will outlive you and your home versus any other product.”

Hardwood can be refinished several times and is easier to clean than carpet, plus it’s a natural, sustainable product, Van Horn said.

“In Colorado, people love that,” Van Horn said.

(Photo: McDonald Carpet One)

Wood comes in many types, has several levels of hardness, and can have multiple stain colors, styles and patterns. It can have character in it or be a clean grade, depending on how the tree is cut. And it can be used as a border to set off spaces like a dining room from the rest of the main floor.

Hard surfaces like wood and Luxury Vinyl Plank also are more durable and last longer than carpet and other surfaces, especially in heavily trafficked areas, and do not need to be replaced as often. In dry climates like Colorado’s, Luxury Vinyl Plank can hold up better than wood, since it needs less moisture for upkeep.

“It looks as good as wood and is more forgiving,” McDonald said. “Wood is going to dent, and it needs to be sanded and finished.”

Luxury Vinyl Plank also is optimal for basement flooring, since it won’t mold, is easy to clean and is “virtually indestructible,” Van Horn said. The material is more cost-effective than ceramic tile, though tile is good for water-prone areas like bathrooms, laundry rooms and mud rooms, she said.

Pre-engineered finished floor products are another affordable alternative to wood—they consist of a thin veneer layer of hardwood on top of a plank and come in different colors and textures.

“It’s becoming more and more popular,” Van Horn said. “There is less wait time to move into your home with a pre-engineered finished product.”

Van Horn recommends starting from the ground up when doing a remodeling project, selecting the flooring first, followed by paint and cabinet colors.

“When picking out the color for hardwood floors keep in mind how you will live on the floors,” Van Horn said, recommending that with kids or pets avoid black or dark stains that can show things like pet hair. “If it’s a smaller space, go lighter to open up that room.”

Other ways to increase luxury on the main floor is to add a new fireplace façade or a custom runner to hardwood stairs, “a small but impactful project,” McDonald said.

“A custom area rug or stair runners on hard surfaces as opposed to replacing the floor can add color and style,” McDonald said. “Both are affordable, and you’re not tearing out anything. You’re just adding.”

(Photos: Meyer Skidmore & Co.)

(Photo: McDonald Carpet One).

Ask Yourself These Questions Before You Rebuild.

1. 2. 3.

4.

D o we want the s ame fl o or pl an? Will a 2-stor y or tri-level home still meet our needs?...or should we consider a ranch?

Should we be looking at age-in-place or universal design features to make our home better suited to remain for our lifetimes?

Do we have special interests or activities that call for a special room, or special built-ins, or smart home features?

Should we upgrade our energy & sustainability package? MUCH better energ y performance...and fire protection...are now possible.

Custom builder John Kurowski will walk your site and discuss your budget, even if you just intend to re-create the exact home you lost. With countless local and national awards, Kurowski Custom Homes is coveted for its Design/Build Team approach to working closely with his homeowners and h a s t h e re put at i on t o make the best of your possibilities. Please call John today: 303.972.8680

email John@Kurowski.com

Rendering of Louisville home that John Kurowski is rebuilding, similar to the original multilevel plan. A live music theater and sunroom are being added to fulfill the owner’s passion to host performances, along with better energy & sustainability features.