Before and Afters
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Houzz Tour: Fresh White Update Makes a Bright Family Home
A Colorado couple move next door and lighten things up to create an inviting modern-day home that honors its past
When their beloved nonagenarian next-door neighbor decided to sell her house and downsize, this Boulder, Colorado, couple jumped at the chance to buy her home. In addition to fond memories of spending time in the house with the neighbor, the husband and wife loved the home’s leafy setting, the walk-out basement and a floor plan that included four bedrooms and a lower-level family room — all perfect for their three young children.
The pair were also smitten by the home’s vintage architecture and interior, virtually untouched since their neighbor purchased it in the 1960s. The couple knew they wanted to modernize the house yet not lose its charm. To help with this balancing act, they worked with interior designer Kate Van Sluyter, who lightened up the house inside and out without losing sight of elements the new owners loved.
The pair were also smitten by the home’s vintage architecture and interior, virtually untouched since their neighbor purchased it in the 1960s. The couple knew they wanted to modernize the house yet not lose its charm. To help with this balancing act, they worked with interior designer Kate Van Sluyter, who lightened up the house inside and out without losing sight of elements the new owners loved.
After: Newly painted siding and a new garage door and entry update the home without losing the original appeal. Black-framed windows also add a modern spin, as does a spiffed-up front landscape. “We kept the original red brick trim because that was something the new owners loved,” Van Sluyter says. “For contrast, we went with a cool blue tone for the front door.”
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Before: The foyer was once a front porch, enclosed by the previous owner to create a greenhouse room for her many houseplants.
After: Van Sluyter and the builder raised the roof in the foyer and added a skylight to flood the space and adjacent living room with sunlight. White walls and pale gray ceramic tile flooring also brighten the room. The white oak built-in bench and drawers help organize the children’s outdoor gear and backpacks, as do the hooks for hanging coats.
“The half wall separates the entry from the living room and visually hides the clutter when you’re sitting in the living room,” Van Sluyter says.
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“The half wall separates the entry from the living room and visually hides the clutter when you’re sitting in the living room,” Van Sluyter says.
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Before: The interior, while warm and charming, was also dated and dark, as seen in this view of the living room near the front entry.
After: White walls and light-toned engineered oak flooring help to visually open up the living room, while the new half wall separates it from the entry.
A comfy sofa, Danish-modern-style armchairs and a cowhide ottoman create an inviting seating area with midcentury references. “The owners said they wanted a ‘modern grandma’ look for the interiors,” Van Sluyter says. “In other words, keep the era and the feeling of the house, but update it with modern materials.”
A comfy sofa, Danish-modern-style armchairs and a cowhide ottoman create an inviting seating area with midcentury references. “The owners said they wanted a ‘modern grandma’ look for the interiors,” Van Sluyter says. “In other words, keep the era and the feeling of the house, but update it with modern materials.”
Before: The living room fireplace was already a focal point, but wood paneling diminished its appeal.
After: The fireplace still commands focus in the room. Removing the mantel gave it a cleaner look. The wood paneling was replaced with a simple white wall, which sets off fiber art by Lauren Williams. The area rug colors echo those found in the art and furniture. “There was some discussion about painting the fireplace brick white,” Van Sluyter says, “but in the end, it didn’t feel right, and keeping it in its original state was a nod to the previous owner.”
A circular mirror above the living room console reflects the space and bounces light around the room.
Before: A wood-paneled wall with a serving window separated the kitchen from the dining room. Draperies and a chandelier gave the setting a formal look.
After: A different view of the dining room shows the sun-filled transformation, complete with a modern light fixture and a table that expands to accommodate friends and family. The wall between the kitchen and dining room was removed to create an open space.
For artwork, the homeowners hung drapery wires across one wall and use clips to display their children’s creations.
For artwork, the homeowners hung drapery wires across one wall and use clips to display their children’s creations.
Before: The original kitchen had enough room for a table under the double windows, but it felt cramped because of the dark cabinetry and the wall separating it from the dining room. The staircase to the left leads down to the lower-level family room and bedrooms, and the door goes to the garage.
After: By removing the wall between the dining room, Van Sluyter was able to expand and open up the kitchen space, which was taken down to the studs. New Shaker-style cabinetry and white quartzite countertops brighten the room, while cabinetry panels for the refrigerator and dishwasher eliminate visual clutter.
To make sure the new kitchen had enough cabinet space, Van Sluyter walked next door to the homeowners’ old house and took inventory of everything in their kitchen. Drawers under the window and a tall pantry cabinet to the left provide extra storage places in addition to traditional upper and lower cabinets.
To the left, a new dark metal railing updates the staircase.
To make sure the new kitchen had enough cabinet space, Van Sluyter walked next door to the homeowners’ old house and took inventory of everything in their kitchen. Drawers under the window and a tall pantry cabinet to the left provide extra storage places in addition to traditional upper and lower cabinets.
To the left, a new dark metal railing updates the staircase.
Van Sluyter designed the island in a soft forest green to break up the expanse of white cabinetry. The island is a multitasker, with storage drawers, an oven and a microwave, in addition to the seating.
Rattan bar stools lend a natural touch to the kitchen, while glass globes provide unobtrusive lighting for the island. The sliding doors lead to a deck above the backyard.
A mix of brass and matte black hardware and details add interest in the kitchen. The designer squeezed in efficient storage everywhere, placing a narrow pullout for cutting boards to the left of the sink and a pullout for spices between the dishwasher and cooktop. The gas range is flush with the countertop, creating a sleek look. “For the backsplash, we used traditional white subway tile,” Van Sluyter says, “but we had it installed vertically, going with our theme of a modern twist on nostalgia.”
Before: The lower-level family room, which opens to the backyard, was dim, with wood paneling, worn carpeting and fluorescent lighting.
After: White walls and new engineered wood flooring lightened the room, while the original red brick fireplace remained intact as one of the home’s appealing architectural features. A big-screen TV, a child- and pet-friendly sectional and a cowhide ottoman make the space a favorite family hangout.
Upstairs, the master suite was reconfigured to add space to the bathroom and create a walk-in closet. Carpeting softens the setting. The sliding glass doors lead to a deck above the backyard.
Simple furnishings with a midcentury aesthetic were chosen for the master bedroom. The floral duvet echoes the greenery of the home’s yard, adding a calming, biophilic touch to the room.
Before: The original master bathroom featured a Ming green tub and toilet and an old-fashioned roller blind.
After: Reconfiguring the master suite allowed for a slightly larger bathroom that includes a walk-in shower. Marble-look flooring gives the space polish, while the scalloped wall tiles are a sly homage to the scalloped edge of the old roller blind.
Though they had the space, the owners decided they didn’t need a second sink for the vanity, opting instead for the linen cabinet on the right. A mix of black and brass hardware and lighting add depth to what is otherwise an all-white room.
For the walk-in shower, the designer specified two niches — one for soaps and shampoo and one as a footrest for leg shaving.
Before: The lower-level bathroom felt a bit claustrophobic, with shuttered windows and, to the right, a windowless shower stall.
After: Removing the shutters and the separate shower stall opened up the bathroom. New cabinetry, plumbing fixtures and tile updated the look. Round bulb lighting, hexagonal floor tiles and green glass subway tile for the walls reiterate the interior’s old-meets-new aesthetic, while a niche and a bench in the shower are practical touches.
Before: An upper-level bathroom had a country oak look that had run its course.
After: Renewed with white oak cabinetry, black-and-white floor tiles and matte black fixtures, the bathroom is now used by the children.
Making use of their generously sized backyard, the owners built a chicken coop designed to reflect the architecture of the newly remodeled home.
The family dog, Blue, awaits visitors from his perch on the entry bench. Among the people who have stopped by the remodeled home is the previous owner, who approves of the new look.
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House at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple, their three young children and their dog
Location: Boulder, Colorado
Size: 2,600 square feet (242 square meters); four bedrooms, three bathrooms
Designer: Kate Van Sluyter of Kimball Modern Design + Interiors
Builder: Boulder Valley Builders
Before: Except for regular maintenance, the exterior of the house hadn’t changed much since it was built in 1966, in a modern ranch style that was popular for the neighborhood.