When our clients found this home on the Long Pond Reservoir in Fort Collins, they saw past the dated 1990s interior of this home and envisioned a modern residence that fully embraced its tranquil waterfront setting. While the house possessed good bones, the interior remained a time capsule of three decades past. It was dated both in its aesthetic and its functional layout. Working with the interior design team at VFLA, this project proved that with a “fix up what we have” mentality, a home can be entirely reborn without losing its original soul.
The most dramatic change occurred on the main floor, where we reworked the floorplan to better serve the family’s daily life. By filling in an unnecessary secondary stairwell behind the kitchen, we reclaimed enough square footage to create a spacious, high functioning kitchen and a hidden butler’s pantry. This new layout is highlighted by a handcrafted plaster hood, which we flanked with two newly installed windows to bring targeted natural light into the workspace.
To maintain the home’s original character, we utilized a “white glove” approach to masonry and flooring. In the living area, we precisely infilled the existing stone fireplace wall to accommodate an up-to-date media cabinet. This level of detail extended to the original hardwood floors, which were given a second life, weaving new hardwood into the old before finalizing the entire surface with a modern, bright refinish.
Often, the most critical work in custom renovation happens behind the scenes. During the planning phase, our team identified radiant tubing that was recalled as part of a class action lawsuit due to leaking. We were able to pivot quickly, integrating a new forced air furnace and rerouting ductwork with minimal impact on the home’s architecture, ensuring the residence would be as efficient as it is beautiful.
The redesign continued into the private quarters, where we reimagined the primary bathroom as a seamless, open suite with a large soaker tub and an expansive walk-in shower. On the upper floor, we reconfigured a dated Jack and Jill bathroom into two distinct full baths for the homeowners’ children—a strategic move that ensured both a high return on investment and daily harmony for the family. Every utility space was similarly elevated; the laundry room was restructured to include an efficient L-shape drop zone, while the home office received a sophisticated refresh through color drenching for a contemporary feel.
Completed on budget and within just six months, this Fort Collins home renovation now stands as a testament to the power of thoughtful, collaborative renovation.