A late 1970s traditional ranch home in Bow Mar gets a contemporary upgrade. The clients enlisted the help of KGA’s Paul Mahony to realize the home’s potential as a casual yet upscale contemporary family home.
Project Details
- LOCATION: Bow Mar, CO
- PROJECT TYPE: Whole House Remodel
- BUILDER: Harko Construction
- INTERIOR DESIGN: Kaleidoscope Design
- SIZE: 4,943 SF
Reimagining Ranch Home Possibilities
A home built in 1979 with few renovations is going to have features that reflect the era, and this home was no different. Sunken rooms, a closed kitchen, and many shades of brown were some of the more dominant features that needed a refresh.
When the clients purchased the home in 2021, they were drawn to the neighborhood’s expansive lots and close-knit feel. They loved the home’s ranch plan and its promise of relaxed single-level living, but the outdated late-70s layout and circulation didn’t serve their young and growing family.
Mahony meticulously worked within the parameters of the home’s existing layout, adding an additional 758 square feet to the contemporary ranch home plan. Space was reallocated to maximize shared living spaces as well as the more private bedroom wing of the home. “The bones of the home were solid, but it needed a refresh to reflect the client’s more modern lifestyle and design priorities.”
Casual and Refined Single-Level Living
The highly sought-after and established Bow Mar neighborhood likes its single-level homes and wants to keep them that way. To work around the neighborhood’s low height restriction, Mahony kept the existing roof height and created interior volume by opening the spaces outward instead of upward. “One of the more rewarding aspects of projects like this is working with an existing design and making the most of what you have.”
Walls came down around the dining and living rooms and a hallway was removed to make way for a more open and inviting great room layout. He also added a second family room in the kitchen’s old location at the front of the home. The new space offers the family more much-needed space to gather and for their children to play and watch TV. Glass doors offer privacy and visibility so parents can keep a watchful eye on kids’ activities.
In keeping with the open concept design, Mahony moved the kitchen to the rear of the home so it opens to the living and dining spaces. A large bi-fold window opens to the outdoor kitchen, offering a convenient pass-through and indoor-outdoor access.
A kitchen addition increased the overall square footage, creating space for a back kitchen that’s becoming more popular for homeowners because it provides another space for prep and storage. The additional room allowed for a larger center island that can be used for both meal preparation and informal barstool dining.
365 Outdoor Living
Outdoor living was also a priority, and the large lot offered plenty of room for adults and children to relax and play. In the backyard, a multipurpose outdoor living space accommodates a small family or a crowd, complete with a covered patio, kitchen, and lounge area with a custom fireplace.
In the front of the home, a high contrast palette of creamy white and black gives the exterior’s board and batten and brick siding a refreshed and contemporary look. Wood-stained garage doors and matching wood shutters add a warmer touch and keep things cozy. Several large trees were removed from the front of the home to remove visual obstructions. A charming new courtyard entry in their place can also serve as a smaller outdoor space. Doors along the new family room open to a large motor court in front of the garage that doubles as a kids’ basketball court.
Ranch Style R&R
In the bedroom wing, comfort, space, and privacy fueled the updated spaces. The primary suite received an upgrade in flow and features. An ensuite bath replaced a den, laundry room and secondary bath in the existing design. The laundry room and bath moved to an improved location across the hallway.
A smaller bedroom suite was created at the front of the home to provide guests with additional comfort and privacy. Mahony relocated the full bath so it’s situated between both secondary bedrooms that were kept and enlarged.
Roots and Wings
The Bow Mar contemporary ranch remodel provides space and flexibility to adapt to the client’s needs for years to come. If you’re interested in learning more about the KGA team and our design process, please complete the contact form below or give us a call at 303-442-5882.
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