Mid-Century Inspired Mountain Home with HighCraft Builders

By Becky Jensen

Husband and wife, Graham and Julie, waited a long time to build their forever home. More than 20 years, in fact.

“We’re both from the Mid-Atlantic,” says Julie, who grew up in Maryland while Graham hails from Virginia. After the couple were married, they moved around quite a bit and lived in different parts of the country.

“We always knew we wanted to move west,” she says.

Graham adds that he thinks Northern Colorado is a special place to live. “It’s a place to really put down roots, age in place and call our forever home.”

The couple was adamant about building a brand-new custom home on a raw piece of land in the foothills northwest of Loveland.

“Picture every home you’ve ever owned or lived in,” Graham says. “You’re dealing with a previous owner’s tastes and choices. You’re having to fix cobbled together DIY improvements and electrical or plumbing gremlins.”

Not so, he says, when you design and build a custom home where everything is new.

What the couple admires about older homes, however, are the simple, clean lines of mid-century modern design.

The mid-century modern movement became popular in the U.S. in the middle of the 20th century. Hallmarks of this design style include sleek lines, the fusion of indoor and outdoor spaces, muted natural tones with pops of vibrant color and the combination of natural and man-made materials in furniture and decor.

The couple is quick to note that their home is not a purist’s idea of mid-century modern, but the influence of the throwback style is undeniable.

“It’s different than the typical new Colorado home you see,” Graham says. “We like that. We wanted it to be different.”

HighCraft’s interior design manager, Jill Sanchez, fell in love with the custom home project.

“I love how the home is positioned on the land,” she says. “The views are incredible, and the exterior finishes are beautiful with the way they blend into the landscape.”

She also appreciates the nod to mid-century design. “The overall architectural style of the home, with its low slanting rooflines and cantilever deck, was definitely inspired by mid-century modern design. All of the cabinets have slab-front walnut doors for a mid-century feel, mixed with some glossy gray cabinets for a modern look. I love the interior finishes and how we blended some mid-century cozy feels with some modern finishes throughout with colors, materials and textures.”

Several of the bathroom tile selections have a mid-century modern vibe, using classic shades of orange from the time period. And true to the distinct retro style, HighCraft complemented the bold colors with some neutrals and earth tones for balance.

Jill gives an example: “In the master shower, we paired the vibrant orange with a more natural looking gray stone tile.”

When asked if she has any favorite finishes, Jill points to the large format floor tiles, walnut cabinets, quartz countertops and the tongue-and-groove ceiling.

“It’s just a gorgeous mix of warm earth tones balanced with cooler grays.”

The four-bed, four-bath home ticks all the boxes on Graham and Julie’s list of goals for their forever home. The floor plan includes a master suite on the main level with a walk-in shower, a chef’s kitchen with ample workspace for two cooks and a multi-purpose room with a home theater on the second floor.

“The first-floor master suite was a must-have,” Graham says. “Once you’ve had a home with one, you know how good that is.”

The private roof deck over the garage and the cantilever deck off the main level are favorite outdoor living spaces where Graham and Julie enjoy mountain views and Colorado’s beautiful weather. Inside, standout features include a double-sided fireplace between the dining room and great room, and floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding doors that flood the house with natural light.

The home also boasts many custom details, including built-in display niches, gorgeous lighting and a live-edge black walnut countertop and shelving.

“We love our new custom home,” Graham says. “We can’t believe we get to live surrounded by Colorado mountain views. Our home is well-made, with every nuance and detail attended to.”

“The entire staff and trade partners of HighCraft Builders were fantastic to collaborate with,” Julie adds. “We highly recommend HighCraft.”