Rising Residence
Redesign Brings Home into Harmony with Surroundings
Bob and Jane Rising sought out T.W. Beck Architects to enlarge and remodel their two-bedroom, one bath home of 1096 square feet. On the south edge of Estes Park’s Carriage Hills subdivision, their location affords great views of the Crags and the undeveloped land of Cheeley Camp. But the original design of their home did not make the most of these beautiful views. The architect’s redesign of the home created an open floor plan that feels even more spacious than the actual dimensions of the new interior – which grew by an impressive 59 percent to 1733 square feet.
A bedroom moved to the north side of the house to allow for a substantial enlargement of the family room. This new addition to the south adds 134 square feet to the family room. The south wall is mostly glass, including fixed windows that fill the peak of the cathedral ceiling. Another large window is installed on the west side and a sliding glass door leads to the large deck. The gorgeous views are now the focal point from the living room, dining room, family room and kitchen. A light shelf directs soft light upward, where the cathedral and existing ceilings adjoin in the new family room, creating a soothing ambiance after dark.
Kitchen View Now Same as Spectacular Living Room View
The kitchen, which was originally enclosed, is situated north of the original family room but is now open and much larger. The kitchen enjoys the same views as the new living room. The total makeover of the kitchen includes new appliances, the addition of a dishwasher, new cabinets, increased counter space and an island/bar. A small eating area was incorporated, no longer needed as the redesign allowed for the addition of a dining room.
Lay in Bed and See the Stars at Night
At the east end of the house, a master bedroom with walk-in closet and adjoining bath has been added. A window on the south wall brings the great views into the master bedroom. Bob Rising happily points out, they can lay in bed and see the stars at night. A vaulted ceiling gives a roomy feel to the master bedroom. The master bath includes a large shower with built-in bench. The shower and walls are tiled, featuring hand-painted tiles from the Canary Islands. The master suite is designed so that a window can eventually be replaced with a door for access to a future hot tub deck.
Exterior changes included redesigning the roof of the entry way to complement an existing gabled roofline. Board and batten siding was replaced with a dark-stained cedar and trim was painted green. The existing deck was re-floored with Trex decking, an eco-friendly composite made from recycled wood and plastic.
The Rising’s residence was gutted almost in its entirety. Only the original bathroom/laundry room combination remains the same. And the Risings saw their home transformed before their eyes, because they continued to live there while the remodeling work was done. They are delighted with the redesign and transformation. Not only does their home now invite in the spectacular views but it is now a compliment to its beautiful surroundings.
