By Kira Koldeway | Photos by CassiHise Photography

With sprawling views of Horseshoe Lake and the Rocky Mountain Front Range, it’s easy to see why these clients fell in love with their property in Loveland. The cool water soothes the soul, and the rugged peaks beckon them to their next adventure. From this vantage point, sunsets are breathtaking.

The original house, however, fell short in meeting the needs of its owners. With their busy lives, the couple craved a tranquil retreat where they could relax and rejuvenate after a hectic day. They envisioned a secluded, vacation-type getaway right in their own backyard.

They also sought a more functional space to entertain friends and family, along with a seamless connection between the indoor and outdoor living areas of their home. To fully transform the property, HighCraft Builders worked with longstanding partner, Detailed Landscape, another locally owned and operated Fort Collins company.

HighCraft remodeled the entire home and designed and built three additions to give the clients another 3,100 square feet of living space. The Detailed Landscape crew, true to their name, meticulously landscaped more than an acre of the property. The result is a spacious lakeside retreat, inside and out, with enticing new places to unwind around every corner.

At the top of the clients’ wish list was an open-air kitchen and lounge that immerses guests in a panoramic view of the lake and mountains. The kitchen and lounge fully occupy the main floor of the new 2,015-square-foot indoor-outdoor addition.

A double-sided stone fireplace extends from floor to ceiling to define the two distinct zones. Rough-sawn timber beams and a tongue-and-groove fir ceiling evoke the timeless charm of a lakeside cabin but on a much grander scale.

The open-air kitchen features cocktail and island seating, a sink and ice maker, beverage refrigerators and a fully vented and weather-resistant grilling station built into custom cabinetry. Generous bifold glass doors in the lounge area open the entire addition to the fresh air outdoors.

Just off the lounge, a wrap-around deck offers unobstructed views and easy access to the open-air kitchen during summer cookouts. Two outdoor seating areas on the upper deck include entrances to the newly remodeled master suite, living room and primary kitchen.

A third seating area, tucked around the corner on a separate paver-clad patio, can be accessed from a garage addition through a bay of sliding glass doors. The airy, light-filled garage houses a golf simulation room, offering more indoor-outdoor flexibility with another functional entertainment space.

In the lower-level remodel, the clients enjoy a wet bar, climate-controlled wine room, private bedroom suites, updated home theater and game room with a pool table. A new home gym—complete with equipment, cork flooring, a wall mirror and gorgeous views—makes workouts easy to prioritize.

For an improved indoor-outdoor flow, sliding glass doors open from the family room to yet another backyard patio. There, the clients can soak in the hot tub or warm up by the oversized firepit on chilly nights.

HighCraft and Detailed Landscape worked in total collaboration to bring the clients’ indoor-outdoor vision to life and ensure a cohesive, harmonious design. Interior and exterior finishes, materials and even shapes deliberately mirror one another. Custom stone planters installed by Detailed, for example, reflect the circular themes and curves found throughout the home’s remodel by HighCraft. The natural stone and timber details used outside were intentionally applied to the interior spaces, including the living room, master suite and central spiral staircase.

At the water’s edge, the private beach and impeccably landscaped lounge area elevate the property to resort status. With so many new indoor-outdoor living spaces to choose from, it might be hard to decide where to pull up a comfy chair and enjoy this inviting slice of paradise.  The fully remodeled and landscaped home exemplifies waterfront living at its finest, providing the perfect place for a Colorado staycation any day, any time.

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