My Houzz: Colorado Fixer-Upper Is Reclaimed and Renovated
A couple renovate every inch of their new house to create their modern-rustic dream home
Alexandra Crafton
February 25, 2017
Houzz Contributor: Specializing in interior photography and lifestyle journalism, Alexandra loves getting to know the people and stories behind the houses she shoots.
Houzz Contributor: Specializing in interior photography and lifestyle journalism,... More
When Leslie and Mark Kane of Evergreen, Colorado, first saw their new home west of Denver, they immediately fell in love with the gorgeous view from the deck. The rest of the 1980s-vintage house wasn’t as impressive. “Everything in the house had to be torn out. Every inch of existing tile, flooring, some walls, cabinets, toilets, bathtubs … you name it, we took it out,” Leslie says. “We joke that the fireplace is the only piece left from the original house, and it’s really no exaggeration.” The renovation, including the basement, took almost two years to finish, with the impending birth of the couple’s daughter, Easley, in June 2016, becoming their deadline.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Leslie Kane, a former designer; her husband, Mark, a project manager for a building contractor; their daughter, Easley; and their dog, Daisy
Location: Evergreen, Colorado
Size: 1,750 square feet (163 square meters); three bedrooms, three bathrooms
Who lives here: Leslie Kane, a former designer; her husband, Mark, a project manager for a building contractor; their daughter, Easley; and their dog, Daisy
Location: Evergreen, Colorado
Size: 1,750 square feet (163 square meters); three bedrooms, three bathrooms
After the Kanes sold their Denver condo, they stayed with Leslie’s parents until their new house was livable. “Mark would typically go up to the house Wednesday night after work, work until 2 a.m., do the same Thursday and Friday,” says Leslie, who would join Mark during the weekend to help where she could. “Mark would come back down on Sunday evening, and that was our life for almost a year. We wouldn’t recommend doing it the way we did if you can afford to do otherwise, but looking back, it was quite the adventure that brought us so much closer.”
Even though the Kanes kept costs lower by doing most of the renovation and decorating work themselves, they invested $20,000 on their kitchen, hiring contractors for things like installing the light fixtures, hardwood floors, countertops and cabinets.
“It was worth every penny to us, as it’s the focal point of the home, and because of cost savings on cabinets, we were able to splurge on things like the unique copper sink and concrete countertops,” Leslie says.
“It was worth every penny to us, as it’s the focal point of the home, and because of cost savings on cabinets, we were able to splurge on things like the unique copper sink and concrete countertops,” Leslie says.
BEFORE: When the Kanes came across this house, the photos weren’t very enticing, but the price tag was low enough to get them to stop by. When they saw the home in person, they were intrigued.
“We both thought the interior had great bones,” Leslie says. “We were looking for a fixer-upper anyway, knowing we’d never be happy with someone else’s remodel, and this home gave us the option of more freedom because of its price point.”
“We both thought the interior had great bones,” Leslie says. “We were looking for a fixer-upper anyway, knowing we’d never be happy with someone else’s remodel, and this home gave us the option of more freedom because of its price point.”
AFTER: Dishes and other kitchen pieces sit on wooden shelves the Kanes made themselves.
The Kanes love the contrast of the concrete countertops with the white quartz on the island, and they fell in love with the copper sink from Signature Hardware.
“We typically purchase vintage pieces for furniture for both their uniqueness as well as cost. We believe that good design does not have to cost a fortune, and there are plenty of new things being created and thrown out every day, so why not try to use what’s already out there?” Leslie says. “This is another reason we use a lot of reclaimed wood. We love the weathered, rustic look, and also that it’s being recycled to create something new.”
The shelving is made from reclaimed barn wood, as is the hutch, which was purchased from Arhaus.
“We typically purchase vintage pieces for furniture for both their uniqueness as well as cost. We believe that good design does not have to cost a fortune, and there are plenty of new things being created and thrown out every day, so why not try to use what’s already out there?” Leslie says. “This is another reason we use a lot of reclaimed wood. We love the weathered, rustic look, and also that it’s being recycled to create something new.”
The shelving is made from reclaimed barn wood, as is the hutch, which was purchased from Arhaus.
Mark built the kitchen island from scratch with reclaimed wood Leslie found at an architectural salvage place in Denver. The DIY kitchen island was designed to provide additional storage. One of the shelves has special meaning to the Kanes because it was fashioned out of an antique apple crate that was Mark’s grandfather’s.
Mark placed a wine cooler on one side of the island. One of the couple’s hobbies is to collect wine and wine bottles, some of which can be seen in the chandelier in the background.
A microwave and a dog eating station are incorporated in the island next to the wine cooler.
When planning their kitchen remodel, the Kanes accumulated plenty of advice, such as to splurge on tile and countertops and to save on cabinets. They used CliqStudios.
They also recommend going with engineered floors. “We went with real hardwood floors, but they’re pine, so we had them hand-scraped to hide the imperfections since pine is a soft wood. And at the end of the day, we think we could have saved money had we gone with engineered, and they probably would have held up better,” Leslie says.
Cabinets: CliqStudios
Houzz guides to choosing flooring
When planning their kitchen remodel, the Kanes accumulated plenty of advice, such as to splurge on tile and countertops and to save on cabinets. They used CliqStudios.
They also recommend going with engineered floors. “We went with real hardwood floors, but they’re pine, so we had them hand-scraped to hide the imperfections since pine is a soft wood. And at the end of the day, we think we could have saved money had we gone with engineered, and they probably would have held up better,” Leslie says.
Cabinets: CliqStudios
Houzz guides to choosing flooring
The family spends the most time in their family room and kitchen. They love the open layout and and many windows.
The chandelier from Arhaus originally had clear wine bottles, but the couple swapped the originals for bottles of their favorite wines. Mark built the dining room table using the bottom of an old railway cart.
“We love this view, which captures the floor-to-almost-ceiling windows that showcase the view that sold us on this place,” Leslie says.
“We love this view, which captures the floor-to-almost-ceiling windows that showcase the view that sold us on this place,” Leslie says.
A wall used to separate the kitchen and living room. Mark and Leslie took it down as soon as they knew it wasn’t load-bearing.
The photo of the Golden Gate Bridge on the hallway wall has special meaning to the Kanes. The couple took the photo in San Francisco after they got engaged.
The pendant light above the stairs is a 1940s antique given by Mark’s mother to Leslie for her 30th birthday.
What to know before tearing down a wall
The photo of the Golden Gate Bridge on the hallway wall has special meaning to the Kanes. The couple took the photo in San Francisco after they got engaged.
The pendant light above the stairs is a 1940s antique given by Mark’s mother to Leslie for her 30th birthday.
What to know before tearing down a wall
The whitewashed antler chandelier they found on Etsy is one of the Kanes’ favorite pieces. “[It] gives the room a rustic mountain lodge feel with modern flair,” Leslie says. “It’s handmade with faux antlers, which made it more affordable.”
BEFORE: The wood-burning fireplace is the only remaining piece of the original interior. The moss rock is native to the area and adds an authentic mountain cottage feature to the space.
AFTER: Leslie and Mark describe their overall design style as modern rustic, with the modern pieces being more industrial and the rustic being farmhouse but not Shabby Chic. This design style is showcased throughout the home but is especially apparent in the kitchen, dining and living rooms.
“Everything was carefully chosen by us, and a lot of it is reclaimed or an antique that has special meaning to us,” Leslie says. “Now that we have our daughter, it’s cool to think that one day we can tell her about our journey and how we built this house to start our family.”
“Everything was carefully chosen by us, and a lot of it is reclaimed or an antique that has special meaning to us,” Leslie says. “Now that we have our daughter, it’s cool to think that one day we can tell her about our journey and how we built this house to start our family.”
The Kanes’ Dutch door from Home Depot is a conversation piece. They like to open the top of the front door to let the mountain breeze cool down the house in the summer and to watch the dog sunbathe on the porch.
The media stand is another of Mark’s DIY projects. Leslie told him her idea, he drew the design, and it came to life. Mark commissioned a contact of his to weld the steel and then added the reclaimed wood himself to create a rustic yet industrial piece that also functions as firewood storage.
The media stand is another of Mark’s DIY projects. Leslie told him her idea, he drew the design, and it came to life. Mark commissioned a contact of his to weld the steel and then added the reclaimed wood himself to create a rustic yet industrial piece that also functions as firewood storage.
Leslie’s and Mark’s personalities imbue their home. “If it were solely up to Mark, we would probably live in total bohemian style, but that can feel a little too chaotic,” Leslie says. Her influence can be seen in clean, neutral hues, such as white and gray, that make the space look big and bright but that also allow for more creativity and bursts of color in accents like chairs, pillows and art.
“Both of us love wood to warm up the design,” Leslie says. “There isn’t a room in the house that doesn’t have a unique wood accent piece, whether that’s an accent wall or a piece of unique furniture.”
In this passageway, “the accent wall and flooring are beetle-kill pine; however, the floors have been stained and hand-hewn, which gives them a rustic, weathered look,” she says. “Because pine is a relatively soft wood, we did that so that imperfections along the way will blend in.”
The railing is made from reclaimed barn wood Leslie found through a person on Craigslist who has an entire warehouse of salvaged wood. The spindles are copper pipes.
In this passageway, “the accent wall and flooring are beetle-kill pine; however, the floors have been stained and hand-hewn, which gives them a rustic, weathered look,” she says. “Because pine is a relatively soft wood, we did that so that imperfections along the way will blend in.”
The railing is made from reclaimed barn wood Leslie found through a person on Craigslist who has an entire warehouse of salvaged wood. The spindles are copper pipes.
BEFORE: Originally, Mark and Leslie wanted to do an extension to expand the master bedroom and add an en suite bathroom. They also wanted to change the house from electric baseboard heat to forced air. Both ideas “were quickly squashed due to cost,” Leslie says, “as neither were things Mark could do himself, while everything else he could.”
AFTER: Mark collected pallets for the wooden accent wall shown here.
The couple enjoy supporting other artists, and they were happy to buy the bedside rope lamps from an Etsy shop called Hangout Lighting.
They spent $3,000 to $5,000 per bathroom, doing most of the work themselves and splurging on high-quality finishes.
They hired a plumber to help with the new en suite master bathroom, nicknamed the “mini spa.” It used to be the linen closet and a closet in another bedroom.
Mark created the vanity from a vintage mini bar the Kanes found at an antiques shop. He removed the top of the bar, added a quartz counter and installed the driftwood sink they purchased from Signature Hardware. The river rock shower floor and the herringbone marble shower walls were purchased from Home Depot.
They hired a plumber to help with the new en suite master bathroom, nicknamed the “mini spa.” It used to be the linen closet and a closet in another bedroom.
Mark created the vanity from a vintage mini bar the Kanes found at an antiques shop. He removed the top of the bar, added a quartz counter and installed the driftwood sink they purchased from Signature Hardware. The river rock shower floor and the herringbone marble shower walls were purchased from Home Depot.
All the bathrooms feature radiant floor heat. This guest bath sports pretty blue penny tile.
The reclaimed wood mirror and the light fixture are both from Etsy shops. “We love Ind Lights on Etsy, where this particular light is from,” Leslie says. “We actually have the same light in all three bathrooms, which is very unlike us to use something more than once, so that’s saying a lot.”
The copper faucet is a special feature as well and was purchased from Signature Hardware.
The reclaimed wood mirror and the light fixture are both from Etsy shops. “We love Ind Lights on Etsy, where this particular light is from,” Leslie says. “We actually have the same light in all three bathrooms, which is very unlike us to use something more than once, so that’s saying a lot.”
The copper faucet is a special feature as well and was purchased from Signature Hardware.
“We love this bathroom, sometimes even more than the ‘mini spa’ in our room,” Leslie says. “It’s bright and elegant yet simple. We took a chance on this gray oversized Kohler tub from Home Depot, and [I] am so glad we did.”
Mark used fencing found on the property as the wood accent. The framing serves a dual purpose since the top portion hides the venting from the hood in the kitchen, which is on the other side of the wall.
Mark used fencing found on the property as the wood accent. The framing serves a dual purpose since the top portion hides the venting from the hood in the kitchen, which is on the other side of the wall.
Easley’s changing table was made from a media stand from Cost Plus World Market. The Kanes had the stand in their Denver condo but had no need for it in their new home. It has lots of storage and a stainless steel top for easy cleaning. “It’s perfect,” Leslie says.
“We love the reclaimed wood ladder that houses Easley’s blankets in her nursery as well as the tree decal that seems to be blowing in the wind,” she adds. “We didn’t know we were having a girl until she arrived, so the gender-neutral Land of Nod bedding made for a perfect solution for this midcentury-style Babyletto crib.”
“We love the reclaimed wood ladder that houses Easley’s blankets in her nursery as well as the tree decal that seems to be blowing in the wind,” she adds. “We didn’t know we were having a girl until she arrived, so the gender-neutral Land of Nod bedding made for a perfect solution for this midcentury-style Babyletto crib.”
Leslie found this hutch at a local antiques shop for $100. It serves as a bookshelf and toy cupboard.
Mark created the chevron wooden wall in Easley’s nursery with fencing given away for free on Craigslist. “While the cost of this project was virtually nothing, it did take Mark two full days to cut, sand, seal and nail it up. I recall him saying to me as he was nailing the last few pieces, ‘I hope you looooove this wall.’ I do,” Leslie says with a smile.
Mark created the chevron wooden wall in Easley’s nursery with fencing given away for free on Craigslist. “While the cost of this project was virtually nothing, it did take Mark two full days to cut, sand, seal and nail it up. I recall him saying to me as he was nailing the last few pieces, ‘I hope you looooove this wall.’ I do,” Leslie says with a smile.
BEFORE: The original basement, a 650-square-foot space, felt dark and dated. It offered a lesson about remodeling costs.
The Kanes suggest budgeting at least 10 percent over what you estimate your renovation will cost, to cover unexpected expenses. Because of their goal to finish the home by the time Easley arrived, Leslie and Mark ended up hiring out more than they originally thought they would to finish the basement, totaling about $18,000.
The Kanes suggest budgeting at least 10 percent over what you estimate your renovation will cost, to cover unexpected expenses. Because of their goal to finish the home by the time Easley arrived, Leslie and Mark ended up hiring out more than they originally thought they would to finish the basement, totaling about $18,000.
AFTER: Because the house has electric heat, the Kanes installed a gas fireplace in the basement last year to save on heating costs in the winter. “We think [the fireplace] looks great and matches the modern-rustic style throughout the rest of the house,” Leslie says.
Rather than add drywall and to keep the ceilings as high as possible and upkeep minimal, the couple acid-washed the concrete foundation floors and painted the ceiling joists white to keep the basement light and open.
In hindsight, they say, they would have splurged on professional painters upstairs, as they did for the basement. They see a big difference between the two spaces.
Rather than add drywall and to keep the ceilings as high as possible and upkeep minimal, the couple acid-washed the concrete foundation floors and painted the ceiling joists white to keep the basement light and open.
In hindsight, they say, they would have splurged on professional painters upstairs, as they did for the basement. They see a big difference between the two spaces.
The basement holds bookshelves and Mark’s drums and guitars. “We hope to keep this as an artsy area,” Leslie says, explaining that they also plan to have a space for her to craft and for Easley to play, as well as a projector for movie nights.
BEFORE: The couple decided to move farther west from Denver to get away from the crowds and to be closer to the outdoors and mountains of Colorado.
They struggled in the beginning to find a home that met their standards of type of house, location and price. “When we thought all hope was lost, Mark stumbled upon a foreclosure that had recently been purchased by Housing and Urban Development,” Leslie says. “We immediately fell in love with the gorgeous view from the deck.”
They struggled in the beginning to find a home that met their standards of type of house, location and price. “When we thought all hope was lost, Mark stumbled upon a foreclosure that had recently been purchased by Housing and Urban Development,” Leslie says. “We immediately fell in love with the gorgeous view from the deck.”
AFTER: “Overall, it cost us around $110,000 to renovate the entire 1,750 square feet of this home, but that’s including some heating features and practical items not necessarily part of the original budget or design,” Leslie says.
“Another $30,000 was spent on the exterior, repainting, sanding and staining the deck and on redoing the driveway and a huge hiccup with our retaining wall, which came tumbling down during a storm the first year we had the house,” she says. “There are always unexpected costs, and this one didn’t even have to do with the renovation itself.”
“Another $30,000 was spent on the exterior, repainting, sanding and staining the deck and on redoing the driveway and a huge hiccup with our retaining wall, which came tumbling down during a storm the first year we had the house,” she says. “There are always unexpected costs, and this one didn’t even have to do with the renovation itself.”
Leslie formerly worked for the boutique design firm Zeal Denver. She currently stays at home with Easley.
“I love that I can be cooking in the kitchen while Mark and Easley lounge on the couch or play with the dog,” Leslie says. “We feel like being together as a family in the ‘family areas’ is more important to us than having a big master bedroom that we wouldn’t use anyway.
“Our home has definitely been adapted to promote family [and] community, which is most important to us,” she says. “Almost any given piece of furniture, trinket or artwork has either been created by us, purchased secondhand or gifted to us. We love that, while possessions are certainly not the most important thing, almost all of them have a story.”
See more photos of this project
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
“I love that I can be cooking in the kitchen while Mark and Easley lounge on the couch or play with the dog,” Leslie says. “We feel like being together as a family in the ‘family areas’ is more important to us than having a big master bedroom that we wouldn’t use anyway.
“Our home has definitely been adapted to promote family [and] community, which is most important to us,” she says. “Almost any given piece of furniture, trinket or artwork has either been created by us, purchased secondhand or gifted to us. We love that, while possessions are certainly not the most important thing, almost all of them have a story.”
See more photos of this project
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
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Nice baby room
This home is so warm, light and lovely. It is adorable what you have done to make it yours & I love blue & white so, the kitchen is my favorite. The wine bottle chandler is unique & the home feels like it holds your family spirit. I love your little dog, I have one too.
Thank you for sharing!