Spruce Street
02/28/2014 04:17PM ● By Grant Johnson
Photo by Beth Provo-Hanlen
Meticulous planning maximized the interior and exterior
space for this eclectic home on a half-acre lot in downtown Steamboat Springs
where Butcher Knife Creek ambles through the property. Huge retaining walls had
to be built prior to starting home construction, as well as working around a
100-foot pine tree with an expansive root system. In the process, they even
left room for the Taj Mahal of backyard chicken coops.
In contrast to a typical compact and stacked downtown home, this home features a main level master suite that is separated from the public spaces. Doors from the master bedroom lead onto the back patio, and a 4x4-foot skylight hovers over the bed with the option of a remotely-operated blackout shade. Glass garage doors turn the car park into what might be mistaken for gallery space with lots of clean storage, a terrazzo dog bath and a granite work bench.
The home’s three-element siding includes reclaimed hardwood in random widths, cedar shingles and pool-troweled stucco with its rough, craftsman effect. An EPA-approved wood-burning fireplace has a stone hearth that extends outward with built-in hydronics for warm seating and built-in drawers for games and blanket storage. Upstairs, a large bunk room has a walk-in closet to put things out of the way and a play loft with a custom iron ladder.
The kitchen looks toward the back
patio where a waterfall tumbles into a small pool and curved metal staircases
gently transition from one patio level to the next.
Kitchen windows meet at the corner to make the space feel as expansive as
possible, while the enticing mix of traditional and modern elements includes a single-basin
farmer’s sink, a custom copper hood, a 48” dual-fuel stove, glass tile
backsplash and white cabinets bearing thick glass shelves. The walnut island
with its leathered granite countertop and copper prep sink makes an idyllic
spot to cook, socialize or simply watch the backyard birds.
Home & Landscape Design
Brian Hanlen, Brooks Design/Build
Builder
Jessen Construction, Inc.
Landscaping
Gecko Landscaping
Retaining Walls
Steamboat Excavation
Framing and Siding
JDG Construction
Structural Steel
Certified Welding and Fabrication
Steel Work
Cactofab
Interior Trim Work
Finishing Touch Carpentry
Wheel House Woodworks
Painting
Rainbow Painting
Hardwood Floors
McPherson Hardwoods