#TransformationTuesday is a day set aside to admire jaw-dropping transformations. On this day, you might see a few photos on Facebook from your friends’ pasts, including braces and awkward school photo poses. For our purposes, we celebrate #TransformationTuesday by taking a look at local interior design companies who have managed to do the impossible by transforming spaces in our neighborhoods.
We are in awe of this transformation of a Donath Lake retreat home made possible by HighCraft Builders in Fort Collins. The clean, bright and airy kitchen looks absolutely nothing like the sad photos from its dark past.
The purpose of this project was to transform a single father’s dark and dated three-bedroom, two-bathroom weekend lake house into a safe and comfortable full-time home for his three daughters. The house is located near million dollar properties and has a private beach on Donath Lake, but it had major structural issues prior to the renovation. Enter the heroes at HighCraft Builders to help save the day!
The team at HighCraft Builders had a list of objectives to complete at the onset of this significant renovation. They were to complete the whole house remodel on a tight schedule and budget, but make it look and feel high-end. (We think this is one of the best combinations, for obvious reasons!)
To follow this tight budget, the designers intended to repurpose as much of the original flooring and existing materials as possible. The team wanted to reinforce the foundation and square the original house, built in 1890, and the additions, built in 1927 and 1961, that were cobbled together. They also aimed to preserve a 100-year-old tree on the property. Overall, the client wanted a more inviting, comfortable and well-maintained indoor and outdoor living space, with an updated and more open kitchen.
HighCraft identified two challenges while examining the property and the client’s requests towards the beginning of the process. The first was the structural safety of the home, and the second was the tight budget and schedule outlined for the builders.
The Challenge of Structural Safety
The original farmhouse was built on a dry stack stone foundation in 1890. Room additions were built in 1927 and 1961. Parts of the original foundation were crumbling, the home was infested with mice, and there wasn’t a square room in the house. Lead-based paint and asbestos needed to be safely removed. The floors weren’t level and the cobbled plumbing and electrical systems were a nightmare.
But that didn’t stop HighCraft! They found a solution. To improve structural stability, the foundation was reinforced with concrete piers, and joists were sistered to level the floor. Hazardous materials were removed in compliance with EPA requirements. New HVAC ductwork, venting, air sealing, insulation, plumbing and electrical were installed to bring everything up to code.
The Challenge of a Tight Budget and Schedule
This premier lakefront property called for a million dollar home, but the owner had roughly one-quarter of that budget to spend on the whole house remodel he desired. In addition to the tight budget, he was on a tight schedule. His oldest daughter was a senior in high school and he wanted to host her graduation party at the newly remodeled house in early May. As if that weren’t enough of a challenge, the spring weather was extremely harsh during the remodel, threatening to derail the compressed production schedule.
To save money on the renovation, plumbing, lumber, doors, windows, sinks, toilets and other existing materials in good condition were salvaged and reused throughout the project. Lower price-point materials were used throughout the entire project to keep costs down, but the interior designer was careful to select quality materials and finishes that looked and performed like high-end options. Also, high-impact, high-traffic “common rooms” where the family gathered frequently were prioritized and given more budget dollars than more private spaces such as bathrooms, bedrooms and the mud room.
To maintain the tight construction schedule, the remodeling team worked long hours and weekends to accomplish the Herculean tasks outlined in the project scope. The remodeled home was ready in time for the graduation party!
Not only was the project complete on time and within the client’s budget, we think the end result is breathtaking. Check out the before-and-after photos of this drab and dark home turned bright and beautiful.
Founded in 1998, HighCraft Builders is an established Fort Collins design-build company that provides exceptional interior and exterior remodeling and offers in-house architectural and interior design. HighCraft also builds additions, outdoor rooms and custom new construction, and is experienced at navigating the permitting, zoning and historic review processes across Northern Colorado. HighCraft is also a trusted contractor for large-scale repairs needed to make homes beautiful, functional, safe and sound.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF: High Craft Builders
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