THE PAST MEETS THE FUTURE IN EXTRAORDINARY GRAND LAKE HOME:
STYLES AND INFLUENCES OF THREE DIFFERENT CENTURIES ARTFULLY BLENDED TOGETHER
By Joan Christensen / Photos by Carter Photographics

When most people decide to build a home, they jot down the features and elements that are most important and then consult an architect or a book of house plans.

That’s how one couple, designing their dream home on the shores of Grand Lake, got started. They individually scribbled down their ideas and design concepts on notepads and cocktail napkins with input from their three oldest children. They both had lots of ideas that reflected their individual styles and preferences. However, once they combined and compared their respective lists, it became apparent that their visions for a mountain home were poles apart.

Another couple might have started over. Or one partner could defer to the other and simply learn to live with their “undream” home. But this Grand Lake couple isn’t like most couples. They decided to take their passionately held perspectives and find a way to blend them together to create a home that is a stunning amalgam of their individual, and decidedly different, architectural and interior decorating styles.

This eye-catching and highly functional home is a remarkable combination of a French country farmhouse and a Midwesternstyle barn punctuated perfectly with a contemporary glass silo soaring three stories through the middle. In one of the most imaginatively designed homes in Grand County, this blend of three distinctively different styles comes together seamlessly to create an inviting home for a busy family of six.

Situated on Grand Lake’s north shore, the prime location and extraordinary architecture take full advantage of the lakeside views and recreational opportunities. The couple saw the lot eleven years ago and was immediately attracted to its waterfront location. They purchased it in a matter of days. However, construction was complicated and it took nearly five years from the initial purchase until they finally moved in – with many challenges along the way.

This couple was determined that their home would be unmistakably “theirs” so they provided all the creative notions and inspirations to Granby architect Alan Carter, and he made sure their vision could be translated into structural reality.

“Alan was amazing to work with,” says the owner. “We didn’t have any formal sketches and he let us play around with all of our ideas and then he found a way to make it all work.”

On arrival, eyes are immediately drawn to the traditional Midwest-style barn with its faithful rendition of the rough wood exterior and unmistakable shape – made even more authentic with reclaimed wood from eastern farms. Initially designed to serve as a two-car garage with an open loft above, it wasn’t long before the family discovered that whenever a car was started, the exhaust fumes spewed up into the loft, making it a less than ideal spot for a bedroom. So, a full ceiling was installed above the cars and voila! A gigantic bedroom and recreation space was created for the two oldest boys.

Dubbed the “Club House,” this is the kind of room that adolescent boys everywhere would envy. Two convertible futon beds provide sleeping space but after meeting that basic need, the function of the room is all about fun. Two soft-sided lounge chairs dominate the real estate in front of a humongous flat screen TV providing maximum viewing pleasure as well as accommodating a good-sized crowd, because the Club House has become a sought after hangout for both boys and their wide circle of friends. When passive TV entertainment has become passé, there’s the pinball machine, foosball table, and dart board for interactive entertainment.

For a change of company, scenery, or activity, the kids can troop down the spiral staircase from their third floor haven, pass through the smallish second floor Sunset Room that looks west over the lake with a small tabletop desk and the home’s only closet, and enter a different era – the section of the house that showcases the architecture, style, décor, and furnishings of an 18th century French country farmhouse.

The dramatic link between the boys 19th century barn to the 18th-century country-French family space, is a 21st century, threestory- high circular glass silo. This dramatic vertical zone features custom glass steps for the practically transparent spiral staircase crafted by Douglas Backstrom of Banner Glass. A charming antique German glass drafting table appears to hover in mid-air at the peak of the glass silo.

The Sunset Room also connects the main entrance from the garage to the second level of the glass atrium silo. Crossing the only piece of metal walkway within the glass silo is the entrance to the master suite – an open, airy loft space with vaulted ceilings, an ensuite master bath with a luxurious deep tub, a stunning three story glass wall with views of the lake and the Rocky Mountains, hardwood floors from reclaimed wood, and rock and wood walls.

Descending the glass steps outside the master suite leads to the true family spaces – a giant country kitchen with an old fashioned 19th century farmhouse replica stove that is fire-engine red. The stove serves as the focal point, both physically and visually, for the Basque-like cooking and dining area. An antique country-kitchen dining room table stretches along the back wall next to a large gas fireplace and every seat at the table has an unimpeded view of the lake and mountains through the lofty windows. A contemporary glass door refrigerator and an antique plate rack provide an appealing contrast and complete the look in this truly unique and inviting kitchen.

Creating cozy nooks both indoors and out is a passion for the owners. These mini-retreats are tucked into various corner spaces and unexpected niches throughout the house and yard. The intimately-scaled furnishings and oversized views seem guaranteed to sooth and inspire. A giant custom chaise lounge with extra wide armrests at the kitchen’s edge is adjacent to the three-story glass wall and provides a niche that is ideal for reading or contemplating the views. “This corner is heaven to me,” claims the content homeowner.

Beyond the spacious kitchen is another inviting nook in a transition space that isn’t exactly a room or a hall. Tucked under the seemingly floating glass staircase overhead are two soft chairs positioned side-by-side that face a painting of their home done by their next door neighbor, an accomplished artist. The delicate painting rests on an easel with views of Grand Lake as a backdrop.

Next is a family room with a large screen TV, furniture suitable for lounging, and a sliding glass door out to a patio. A small laundry room and a powder room with dramatic rock walls are tucked to one side.

The two younger children have staked out the bedrooms adjoining the family room. Decorating the bedroom for her only daughter was clearly a labor of love and reflects an affection for antiques with its 18th century furniture and vintage decorations. Their youngest son’s room is compact and efficient with a minimal amount of furniture and no fussiness. Wood beams and wooden doors give the room a solid and secure feeling while a southwest facing window provides afternoon light. A shared bathroom connects the two bedrooms with plenty of slate and glass.

Stepping into the backyard, a custom rock staircase, designed by Mike Atkins of Estes Park, leads down a steep slope to the lake’s edge where a small private cove provides a sheltered enclave for wading and picnics. Halfway down the staircase, a small terraced space has been created to provide a resting place for viewing sunsets. The mini patio has just enough space for a small table and two chairs.

The owners are quick to point out that “so much of this would not exist without Mike.” Atkins helped sculpt the route from the home at the top of the ridgeline down to the water’s edge – a hundred feet below. Atkins also handled all the interior rock work in the powder room.

At the bottom, a lengthy dock provides ample space for tying up kayaks, a power boat used for jet skiing, a classic wooden boat, and a sailboat. Adjacent to the dock, the boathouse provides indoor protection for the ski boat as well as a relaxing spot on rainy days with its casual furniture, vintage Coke machine, and a snack-stocked fridge.

The antique theme is carried into the home’s outdoor space. A genuine outhouse acquired during shopping expeditions in the Midwest now serves as a shed for garden implements. An aging water tank stands sentinel over the property, and an old windmill serves as reminder of how energy was powered a century ago. “We meshed it together little by little and sometimes I just had to trust my husband because I couldn’t see it.”

As much as they love their carefully crafted home, their affection for Grand Lake goes much deeper. “The community of kids here is unbelievable,” they claim. “Our kids are making life-long friends and moving here was the best decision for our children.”