Kate and AJ fell in love with their Fort Collins home when they bought it nearly a decade ago. They appreciated its transitional style, open floor plan and huge backyard. But as the needs of their family changed over the years, the house struggled to keep up. There simply wasn’t enough room.
“After COVID, AJ and I were working from home a lot more,” Kate says. This proved to be a challenge, since the house lacked a single study or office, let alone two. In a pinch, the couple converted the upstairs guest bedroom into an office for AJ, and Kate worked from a desk in the open loft area. “That was OK on weekdays when the kids were in school,” Kate explains. “But it wasn’t feasible when they were home for the summer.” With the house full of energy and activity, it was tough to find the quiet she needed to focus.
On top of the office dilemma, Kate and AJ’s only remaining guest room was located in the basement, where it served double duty as a workout space. The cramped room was dark and full of exercise equipment – not ideal for Kate’s parents, who visit from New Zealand and stay for several weeks at a time.
Kate and AJ had taken on home renovation projects in the past, but work and family life were just too busy. “We love our home and needed a company that we could entrust with it,” AJ says. “We needed a company that could take on all aspects of the project – design, construction, and project management.” The couple also required a team that ran a clean and worry-free job site where the family of four would need to live during construction.
Based on recommendations from friends, Kate and AJ called the team at HighCraft Builders to design and build a home addition to meet their growing needs. “HighCraft fit the bill perfectly,” AJ says.
“Our primary goal was to create a workspace for Kate,” he adds. As the couple discussed possible designs with HighCraft, they decided to reclaim unused attic space, pop the roof, and create a new living area over the garage.
No detail was too small for the design plan. When Kate and AJ asked for a finished storage room with enough space for their artificial Christmas tree, HighCraft listened. “That request made it into the architectural drawings!” Kate exclaims, impressed by HighCraft’s ability to deliver everything on their family’s wish list.
The resulting 707-s.f. addition over the garage includes Kate’s workspace, wet bar, lounge area, storage room with built-in shelving, and guest bedroom with private bath.
EXTERIOR BEFORE AND AFTER
Before we take you inside the home addition, we wanted to show you the exterior transformation.
(Before) Kate and AJ loved their home and wanted to utilize wasted attic space above the garage. (After) The new addition builds up, instead of out, preserving the original footprint and mature landscaping.
For continuity of design, we installed the same asphalt shingles and metal accent roofing to the addition.
We matched gable pitches and step-down rooflines, too. The addition is meant to look like it’s always been there, and never an afterthought.
We also matched exterior trim, paint color and siding, including board and batten – all critical to consistency and HOA approval.
INTERIOR GALLERY
From the original second floor of the home, Kate can now step down into the wet bar area of the addition and into her workspace beyond.
“We wanted the new addition to transition seamlessly with the existing home,” Kate says, pointing to the trim, wall color and engineered hardwood flooring used throughout.
“We also wanted to maximize light in the space,” Kate adds, pointing to the new windows, vaulted ceilings, and recessed can lights. She enjoys her dual-desk office in the bright addition. When it’s time for a break, she can grab a quick cup of tea from the wet bar and relax in the nearby lounge.
A door to the second floor can be closed when Kate’s on a business call, or if guests want more privacy.
At the wet bar, there’s an instant hot water tap and undercounter refrigerator for added convenience.
Finishes include a quartz slab countertop, 2-inch hex tiles for the accent wall, and knotty alder cabinets in a rich pecan stain.
The lounge offers cozy seating for watching a movie.
No surprise, the lounge area has become a favorite weekend hangout for teenage members of the family.
An unassuming door provides easy access to the finished storage area.
The guest suite (bedroom and bathroom) is located off the lounge, far from the hustle and bustle of the main floor of the home.
The bedroom feels warm and welcoming, with a 56-inch ceiling fan for added comfort.
The guest suite is perfect for Kate’s parents during their extended stays in the U.S. It also allowed Kate and AJ to convert the spare bedroom in the basement into a dedicated workout area.
A full-sized closet provides plenty of room for overnight guests to hang clothes and store suitcases. The en-suite bathroom offers privacy.
For design continuity, the vanity is made from the same knotty alder and pecan stain as the wet bar cabinetry.
Likewise, the bathroom countertop, shower bench, half-wall cap, and shower curb reflect the same quartz used in the wet bar.
Flat pebble tile, unique to the shower pan and wall niche, add texture and interest.
HOMEOWNER Q&A
You lived in your home during construction. What was that like?
“Other than the brown paper covering the floor up the stairs and on the landing, it was really easy to live there,” AJ says. “When the workday was over, you wouldn’t know the tradespeople had been there. They made a point of cleaning after every shift. Kate worked from home almost the entire time. Our project manager, Shawn, and all of the sub-contractors were incredibly respectful of our space, and we had complete trust in them.”
“They even built a dedicated set of stairs so that they could access the addition from outside the home for as long as possible,” Kate adds. “It really was a breeze. They worked on the south side of the house and in the driveway, while we had complete access to our home and the backyard to the north. It was easy to escape from the construction.”
Can you describe your experience working with the team at HighCraft?
“The HighCraft team was incredible,” AJ says. “Our initial point of contact was Christian. He was an excellent communicator, clearly laid out the process and was able to answer every question that we had.
Massey, our architect, was so easy to work with and super creative. In addition to presenting the design that we had asked for, he also developed a couple of completely different ideas for us to consider. Those concepts led us to define the space and develop the guest room layout.
During the HOA review process, the HOA needed some detailed visuals. Andrew was our draftsman, and he did not disappoint. He produced everything that the HOA asked for and we were able to secure an easy approval.
Our designer, Kelly, understood the assignment perfectly. She and Kate worked great together as a team to pick consistent finishes so that the new space transitioned perfectly. Kate was a bit particular about the wet bar backsplash and the bathroom flooring, and Kelly was committed to find exactly what we wanted.”
Kate adds, “Shawn, our project manager, was spectacular. There aren’t enough words to describe how incredible he was, but how about this … we finished WEEKS ahead of schedule. How many times do you hear that for a major construction project?”
Is it true you went on vacation during construction of your home addition?
“Yes, we went on a few vacations during construction, and Shawn would send pictures with the progress so that we would know exactly what was going on. We felt completely at ease with his management. It was a whole new experience from when we had managed our own [remodeling] projects before. Working with HighCraft was a complete breeze.”
What are your favorite things about the finished addition above the garage?
“Everything,” AJ says. “Kate has a dedicated workspace. We added a wet bar with a boiling water tap so she can pop over and make a cup of tea while on a phone call. The kids love to hang out in the lounge in the evenings and on weekends, and our guests get to fully retreat from the chaos of the main house in their private suite. Plus, the Christmas tree has its own space! We couldn’t be happier with how it turned out.”
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Whether you’re ready to start developing plans for your custom home, or want to reimagine the space you have with a remodel or new addition, HighCraft’s experienced design-build team can navigate every detail of the planning and construction process for projects of any size or budget. Contact HighCraft with questions or to schedule a free consultation.
