We’re excited to share photos of David and Sherry’s new four-bedroom, four-bath custom home in Red Feather Lakes!
PROJECT RECAP AND FAMILY BACKSTORY
More than a decade ago, David and Sherry tragically lost their young son, Oliver, to an undiagnosed heart condition. That unexpected loss shaped their need to create a haven that allowed the couple and their boys—Zachary, Jack and Henry—to gather with their large extended family and enjoy each other’s company away from the outside world.
For years, David and Sherry had been searching for the right piece of land in Northern Colorado to build that special retreat for their family. When they found a ranch for sale near Red Feather Lakes where David had hunted as a boy, the couple jumped at the opportunity to own a piece of his childhood—and better yet, to share it with their sons.
The couple had a clear vision from the very beginning. They wanted a private mountain home that encouraged family time together, deepening their connection to each other, the surrounding landscape, and their shared history.
David and Sherry’s design must-haves included:
- Open-concept kitchen, dining room and living room area for family hangouts
- Central fireplace to serve as the hub of their gathering space
- Full wall of windows to capture their incredible views
- Wrap-around deck and lower patio to maximize outdoor living space
- Four modest, yet comfortable, bedrooms and bathrooms
- Primary bedroom suite on the home’s top level, and guest quarters on the lower level, to ensure privacy
- Combination bunk room and rec room for epic sleepovers
The family’s 800-acre property was undeniably beautiful, but it was also remote, inaccessible and unimproved, presenting a unique set of challenges for any builder.
Drawing on extensive experience working in complex mountain environments, the HighCraft team began by carefully cutting in a gently graded road. From there, precision blasting through bedrock made way for the well, septic system, and foundation of what would become their four-bedroom, four-bath custom home.
For more background on the project’s planning and construction process, be sure to check out earlier posts in this series:
Part 1 — Meet the Family
Part 2 — Prepping the Site
Part 3 — Design Must-Haves
Part 4 — Architect Q&A
Part 5 — Project Manager Q&A
Part 6 — Interior Designer Q&A
THE FINISHED FAMILY RETREAT
EXTERIOR
For the home’s design inspiration, David and Sherry chose the “modern mine” style frequently seen throughout Colorado’s mountain towns.
“Modern mine is a reinterpretation of the structures found at iconic mining claims of the Old West,” says Jill Sanchez, HighCraft’s design manager. “Think tall mineshafts, industrial metal details, timber framing, and other rustic finishes that symbolize the rough-hewn history of Colorado, but with a clean, modern aesthetic.”
On the home’s exterior, a three-story tower wrapped in corrugated steel offers a contemporary interpretation of an 1800s mining headhouse once used to draw ore from the hillside.
(Before) To ensure the home’s vast wall of windows had structural integrity, we installed a three-story steel moment frame for lateral resistance to strong winds and heavy snow loads. (After) The sturdy prow’s abundant windows capture incredible views of the surrounding landscape, while a wrap-around deck and lower patio encourage indoor-outdoor living.
FRONT ENTRY
Barn lights, a beamed tongue-and-groove ceiling, and a natural stone accent wall draw attention to the modern front door with its vibrant Douglas fir panels.
Inside the home, the front foyer makes a big impression with its hickory coat niche and bench, framed within a sleek wall of hidden storage.
Custom steel panels conceal tap-open drawers and cabinets. Douglas fir rafters, and the knotty alder tongue-and-groove ceiling, create a warm reception.
Off the foyer is a guest bathroom with floating vanity and an eye-catching teak branch mirror. Matte porcelain field tiles enhance the black pebble accent tile used for the flooring. Blown-glass pendants add a glowing sculptural element to the space.
The solid stone countertop has an integrated sink with a rugged, chiseled edge for texture. Part of a powder-coated steel I-beam is used for the backsplash.
The tongue-and-groove ceiling carries through from the front entry for design continuity. The black pebble floor tile extends across the shower pan,
and up one wall for a striking accent.
MAIN LIVING AREA
Past the foyer, the floor plan opens into the main living area where a two-story fireplace serves as the central hub of the large gathering space.
Thick timbers, natural stone, and heavy steel beams extend from the home’s exterior into the interior spaces.
To the left is the dining room with seating for eight.
Modern finishes, such as sleek plumbing and light fixtures, balance the rustic elements of the home.
In the kitchen, the quartz countertop, with its waterfall edge and pronounced veining, offers rich texture and visual interest.
Wood posts set within steel I-beams anchor one end of the large island.
Industrial rivets on the burnished steel range hood lend character and depth to the modern mine design.
Hickory cabinets with shaker doors and slab drawers are stained a rich onyx. Five glass pendant lights hang dramatically from the rafters high above the island.
Past the kitchen, in the mudroom, a bold geometric tile floor from SOHO Studio introduces a playful pop of color and pattern.
Concrete-colored countertops bring an industrial edge and durable functionality to the space, while the textured gloss brickset backsplash adds depth, reflection, and subtle movement against the crisp, white cabinetry.
In the glass-filled prow of the home, the vaulted great room enjoys panoramic views and immediate access to the wrap-around deck.
The wall of windows floods the open-concept home with natural light.
The two-story fireplace, with its 42-inch natural gas insert, serves as an undeniable focal point.
“I love the mix of stone and metal panels wrapping all four sides,” Jill says of the fireplace. “It really anchors the family gathering spaces.”
The same natural stone used for the fireplace was also installed on the home’s exterior, and the burnished metal panels applied to the fireplace were also installed in the front entry—all for design consistency.
On the far side of the home, open-riser stairs in white oak with locally fabricated metal railings lead to the loft and primary suite above.
TOWER LOFT
Custom metal railing panels were crafted as a topographic map of the actual lake where David spent time hunting and fishing as a boy.
The panels remind David of a place with special memories he can now share with his own family. Generous windows frame the mountain views he has treasured since his youth.
The use of live-edge siding, milled from rough-sawn pine and stained an aged gray, is another exterior design element carried into the home’s interior. This deliberate finish choice mimics the look of wood weathered over time.
Built-in shelves showcase family heirlooms and mementos. Steel barn doors with exposed track hardware reinforce the modern mine style.
The same live-edge siding creates a warm mountain-lodge feel in the primary suite.
PRIMARY SUITE
The primary bedroom, bathroom and walk-in closet occupy the top floor of the tower for added privacy.
In the primary bathroom, vaulted ceilings with sturdy beams, and a fascinating modern light fixture that imitates a tumbleweed, contribute to the home’s overall aesthetic.
Rich, moody finishes and warm, toe-kick lighting create an inviting spa-like retreat.
Black granite countertops in a leathered finish with a chiseled edge, and large format tiles in the shower, also serve to elevate the bathroom design.
A 45-inch by 70-inch LED mirror illuminates the space.
LOWER LEVEL
Function was carefully considered throughout the design, with features that fully support how the family plans to use their home. Gathering spaces were prioritized to encourage time together.
The combination six-bed bunk room and rec room was designed for sleepovers and extended family stays.
The accent walls are tongue-and-groove knotty alder, and the railings and ladders are custom fabricated steel. Each cozy bunk includes an adjustable reading light, and a wall cubby with charging station.
The gaming area at the base of the stairs makes this space a favorite hangout.
Under the stairs, a delightful reading nook is the perfect place for kids or guests who like to curl up with a good book.
Directly behind the gaming area is a comfy couch for lounging or watching movies.
Beyond the couch is yet another seating area to play cards, do a jigsaw puzzle, have a snack, or simply enjoy the view.
A short set of stairs leads from the bunk room to two additional guest bedrooms and bathrooms.
At the top of the landing is a bright and inviting guest bath.
The bold, deeply veined quartz countertop is a fun nod to Colorado’s mining days.
A light and creamy porcelain tile flooring balances the heavier black walnut stain of the cabinetry.
Textured ceramic tiles create an appealing tactile pattern in the shower.
This welcoming guest suite includes a restful sitting area …
… as well as the convenience of an ensuite bathroom.
The other guest bedroom conveys western charm and relaxed comfort.
Barnwood-look ceramic tiles in the second guest bathroom tie into the home’s modern mine design.
A double concrete trough sink with two wall-mount faucets is both beautiful and practical.
The honed quartz countertop’s chiseled edge is a small detail that adds loads of rustic character to the space.
BUILDING CONNECTION
“Our ranch is a place where everyone can just be — [and do] whatever they need to feel replenished,” Sherry says.
“This is the way we live,” she adds. “Everybody is connected.”
With family at the center of it all, HighCraft’s team found this project especially meaningful.
“Sherry and David’s dedication to family, and connection to the land, is inspiring,” Jill says. “It’s been rewarding to design and build a home where they can get away, spend time with each other and the outdoors, and create lasting memories together.”
From the entire team at HighCraft, we want to thank our wonderful clients — David, Sherry, Zachary, Jack and Henry — for generously sharing their home-building experience in this blog series.
If you want to see their new home in print, it’s also featured in the May 2026 issue of NOCO Style magazine.
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Whether you’re ready to develop plans for a custom home, or want to reimagine the space you have with a remodel, HighCraft’s experienced design-build team can navigate every detail of the planning and construction process for projects of any size. Contact HighCraft with questions or to schedule a free consultation.
