Mike Schroetlin comes from a family of builders: His father, grandfather and uncles all worked in construction in Loveland and the surrounding areas, creating a family legacy of craftsmanship along the Front Range. Schroetlin built his first custom home 25 years ago, and even though it’s hard work, he never tires of the job. That’s because every project presents a unique floor plan filled with challenges and payoffs.

“It’s rewarding to stand back at the end and say, ‘Hey, we built that,’” he says. “What I like is that every project is different. We don’t build the same house over and over.”

One of Schroetlin’s recent projects put his skills to the test, with expansive living spaces, a double back deck and a European style that he, project manager Aaron Landgren and superintendent Jay Quattlebaum refer to as “Belgian modern farmhouse.” They brought the clients’ vision to life with the help of Doug Schoonover of SCH2 Architects and KT Marshall Of KT Marshall Design.

The 7,300-square-foot ranch sits on Chapman Reservoir in southeast Loveland, a stunning spot loved by anglers, paddleboarders and the lucky homeowners who get to spend their days taking in the picturesque views. The clients purchased the lot and came to Schroetlin with a Pinterest board full of inspiration. Along with large windows and decks that would capture the reservoir’s beauty, the empty nesters wanted ample space to host get-togethers with their two adult children and grandchildren. The first talk was of downsizing, but that ended up not being the case.

“This happens a lot, where the client starts planning, and it stretches out, and by the time we’re done, it’s not downsized, but they have exactly what they want,” Schroetlin says.

Natural light, natural materials

It’s obvious from the exterior how much thought went into the home’s overall design. Every inch of the brick and stone façade, steep roof pitches and exposed beams evokes the feeling of a rustic cottage with the grandeur of a sprawling estate. One particularly unique element is the 15-foot-long breezeway that connects the home to the garage with see-through walls.

“That really adds to the stateliness of the house,” Schroetlin says. “It’s glass on both sides, so it’s fully visible throughout.”

Natural light was an important part of the design since the homeowners wanted to bring the outside in and enjoy their surroundings from all angles. Another way Schroetlin accomplished that was by bringing in a 10-foot-tall glass front door, which faces north to allow gentle, indirect light in without it getting too hot. On the back side of the house, large windows and doors open up to the reservoir, but not without hefty roof and deck overhangs to block the harsh southern sun.

Just off of the breezeway is a mudroom equipped with a dog wash, apron sink, coat hooks, lockers and laundry units surrounded by cabinets in a pewter green color—plus a Dutch door that detaches halfway down to keep the dog inside. But what really stands out is the neutral floor tile in a herringbone pattern and the large stone archway that leads to the great room.

“We wrapped that in stone to give it the interior feel of an old, reclaimed house,” Landgren says. “It really goes back to that Belgian farmhouse look.”

The intricate stone details are mirrored in the great room, where matching floor-to-ceiling stonework lines the wall behind the fireplace. Above it, knotty alder beams crisscross along the ceiling, adding depth and dimension with a darker stain.

Those beams are carried into the kitchen as well as the formal dining room, an area that incorporates vaulted ceilings and large windows to frame the views of the reservoir. The spacious kitchen features white oak cabinets, a range hood wrapped with white oak and a lit-up glass cabinet designed to showcase fine china dishware. Crisp white countertops, a large stone island and a shiny tile backsplash tie it all together, along with modern brass finishes that add a little warmth.

“The faucet is unlacquered brass, so it will patina as they use it to give them more of that rustic, European farmhouse feel,” Landgren says.

Schroetlin added a breakfast nook next to the kitchen and built a butler’s pantry around the corner, creating a space for the homeowners to store smaller appliances and pantry items.

“It’s basically an extension of the kitchen,” he says. “A lot of pantries in the past, and still, are just open shelving, whereas butler’s pantries can have the same type of cabinets as the kitchen, the same types of counters, a sink and appliances. It’s kind of hidden, and you can put things in there that you don’t necessarily want people to see.”

Secluded spaces

The main floor also houses one of two offices, which happens to be one of Landgren’s favorite rooms. It has a fireplace with tan stone and wood surrounding it, plus built-in shelves and cabinets on the opposite wall.

“I love her office, with the wood strips around the fireplace and the same stained wood in the ceiling,” he says, emphasizing the craftsmanship that goes into creating a cozy space with custom woodwork.

The primary suite also features a coffered wood ceiling as well as large windows and a door to the upper back deck, an outdoor area with a solid surface rather than Trex decking material, Schroetlin says. Another door opens up to a coffee station, and on either side of it are the couple’s separate bathrooms—a darker, more masculine retreat for him, and a lighter, more feminine escape for her.

Each bathroom has its own shower, toilet, vanity and closet with a distinct style that complements the rest of the house. The masculine bathroom features dark honeycomb floor tile and larger shower tile, and the vanity has mitered quartz countertops with a six-inch face to give it a heavier look. The feminine bathroom also includes a vanity with a six-inch face, but the stone has a warmer tone to bring out the decorative floor tile, which is accented by a white freestanding tub and a shower with narrow, two-toned tile.

The duality of the master suite creates a relaxing area where the couple can get ready for the day and unwind at night without encroaching on each other’s space. They can also share a cup of coffee on the back deck in the morning before heading to the kitchen for breakfast.

Their walk-out basement can be accessed by two staircases: one off the upper deck and the other beneath a chandelier in the foyer. Downstairs, the couple has an entire rec room to themselves. They share it with their kids and grandkids when they visit, but they can also snuggle up together in front of their 60-inch fireplace and 10-foot projector screen.

Underneath the stairs is another special request from the homeowners: A little hideaway for the grandkids to play in, complete with their very own doorbell. The stairs themselves are decorated with a carpet runner, something Landgren says is trendy on the East Coast to warm up an area and add more detail.

For the adults, a wet bar and kitchenette complete the basement, along with another bedroom, two bathrooms (one with a steam shower and speaker system) and an office designed for the husband. Just outside the large glass doors, there’s a built-in barbecue and smoker with a U-shaped, counter-height area to protect them from the elements.

The outdoor space is one of Schroetlin’s favorite parts of the lakeside property. He’s immensely proud of the project and credits his core team—Quattlebaum and Landgren—as well as their subcontractors and suppliers.

“It’s an awesome house, and it’s a beautiful area,” he says. “I love the setting and just driving by it. I like to look at it and say, ‘We built that house. I’m pretty proud of that.’ And now we are fortunate to be building a custom home for another great client next door.”

Photography by Boxwood Photos: