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By Angeline Grenz | Photos by Nic Rentfrow
Building a spec home is risky business. It requires the builder to put all their capital upfront. They also must choose a design scheme that potential buyers will gravitate toward. Some builders might feel like they need to design for the masses to lower the risk.
Unless you are a builder the caliber of Solace Custom Homes. They looked at the opportunity to build a spec home as their chance to show buyers the sophisticated design style Solace is capable of, with a quality buildout and striking contrasts that wow the moment you walk in the front door.
The home is in the coveted Heron Lakes subdivision in Berthoud on a lot that offers both west-facing views of the Twin Peaks and water scenery. The four-bedroom, six-bathroom, 5,186-square-foot ranch home with a finished walkout basement was the opportunity for Michael and Shavonn Janes, owners of Solace, to have a little fun with the design.
Hand-scraped white oak floors stretch through the main level, allowing the light from walls of windows to bounce around and keep the space bright and open. Dark charcoal and black accents stand in stark contrast and serve to highlight the home’s vaulted ceilings and uncluttered space.
The main living space features a black Venetian plaster fireplace that spans from floor to ceiling and was the room that Shavonn felt would be most polarizing in the house. “You were either going to like it or hate it,” she says. Fortunately for the Janeses, the buyers loved it so much that they were able to put the home under contract before it officially hit the market.
One of the most dramatic features of the home is the stone countertop in the kitchen that waterfalls to the floor on the island and wraps around the hood vent and up to the ceiling. The stone is a custom quartzite in charcoal with white veining called “Agatha leathered” that creates high contrast against the frosted white oak kitchen cabinets. The kitchen also features a spacious island with plenty of workspace, and there is a large pantry and mudroom located behind the kitchen.
Contemporary lighting, tile and other finishes are found throughout the home, including an 800-pound stone sink basin set in a wood vanity in the powder room that adds natural elements in a way that feels very modern. Herringbone-patterned light wood flooring in the office is paired with dark walls.
The primary suite also offers plenty of contemporary finishes that feel luxurious: heated tile flooring, a massive mirror behind a floating vanity and a black soaking tub. The dark and light aspects of the space are brought together by richly veined stone tile in natural browns and cream that runs from floor to ceiling near the tub and in the shower, adding warmth to what might otherwise be a stark room.
A glass handrail and custom black, wood-paneled wall that stretches between the floors leads to the walkout basement. A large great room with polished concrete floors and a second kitchen offer plenty of space for families to entertain, and the garage doors open up to the backyard and its impressive views.
The home’s thoughtful design, created in partnership with architect Jon Rentfrow of Rentfrow Design, and the striking interior by in-house designer Ashley Underwood with Rebel Designs, allowed the Janeses’ vision to take a home—from what could have been a banal design meant to appeal to everyone—to one high on drama and loaded with contemporary finishes that still offers a warm, inviting space.
This thoughtful design is indicative of the work done by Solace Custom Homes. Solace has two other lots in the TPC development and is busy building in Timnath, Red Feather Lakes, Frederick, Breckenridge and beyond.
“What sets our process apart,” says Michael, “is the amount of face-to-face interaction. We work directly with the client and ensure they are getting a high value and high quality for the price.”
Shavonn corroborates this, adding, “Spec or custom, we try to find alternatives to give our clients more bang for [their] buck,” such as the custom Venetian plaster, which adds beautiful texture and interest to walls with a cost savings over tile.
For the homeowners, Solace’s process also makes buying a custom home easier by allowing them to start with a solid floor plan that is anything but cookie-cutter and a design that feels distinctive, purposeful and never dull.
