Behind the design

“To me modern isn’t a style. It means the structure was built with modern techniques and materials to outperform in its environment. The style is contemporary, rustic, eclectic, industrial, traditional all wrapped in one.”

— The Builder/Designer

The basic concept

23 Black Hawk Dr. was designed for an active couple who didn't want to be tied down by maintenance. It was also designed around being able to have family & friends stay for extended periods without stepping on each other. Rather than having multiple bedrooms that collect dust, the extra space went into the master bedroom and great room. The two luxury suites with private covered patios on either side of the home are split by an open concept Kitchen/Dining/Living area. This allows for a very private feeling for you and your guests but encourages hanging out in the central great room and large northern covered patio. A half bath and laundry room by the front entry allows guests visiting in their RV’s comfortable all night access.

Functional Design using nature

All home designs should start with a compass, sadly they rarely do. Facing a home south is a time tested technique that was unfortunately lost when energy became cheap and when American homes were packed into tiny lots. Not only is the sun the best source of free heat in the winter, if the house is faced south, it’s also shaded in the summer. Sure you’ll save big on your energy bills, but it is the foundation for a truly comfortable home. Wouldn’t you want your house to be the nicest place to be in the dead of winter when you’re inside the most?

Expansion Possibilities

The builder/designer is a firm believer that building multiple smaller dwellings is a far superior design to building one massive dwelling. A small detached guest house encourages guests to stay not only because it's private, but also because you are more likely to want them to stay! When you don’t have guests, you now have a detached income generator instead of empty rooms in your house. Or just shut it down all together until your next guests arrive. There are endless flat building spots on the property if somebody wanted to expand.

The Kitchen

Every luxury home listing says chefs kitchen, this home actually has one. The open burner range is as close as it gets to restaurant cooking. The ventilation hood is actually strong enough to exhaust the high heat cooking fumes. Durable natural quartzite countertops that stand up to anything you can throw at them. Endless drawers with only the best hardware, large island with massive sink, hidden top end appliances and a full butlers pantry with tons of storage for all the canned goods from the garden. Massive windows all around makes it feel like you’re cooking outside.

**Natural Quartzite Stone**

Quartzite, not quartz. This is a natural stone that holds up to heat, unlike the popular synthetic quartz that is so popular. A honed finish gives it a clean subtle feel.

**Butlers Pantry**

Living so far from Costco and having such a productive garden requires food storage. It also gave us a chance to tuck the refrigerator in to keep the main kitchen as open and quite as possible. Lastly, we sound proofed the wall and added a thick pocket door so mom could make her coffee at 4am and not feel like she’s disturbing anyone.

**Extra Large Island & Sink**

A 43” sink is pretty darn handy. Remember what we said about being a chef’s kitchen?

**Custom Sequenced Walnut Cabinetry**

Meticulous attention to grain and color, this black walnut cabinetry flows through the entire kitchen seamlessly. Lowers are filled with large drawers using Blum soft close Legrabox hardware, best in the biz. Everything was built on site in the garage/workshop with materials that any cabinet builder would be thrilled to work with.

**Range & Ventilation**

The open burner range by Capital cooking is as close to restaurant cooking as it gets. Even heat from simmer up to forest fire temps. Maybe the best part is you can pull the entire top apart and throw it in the dishwasher. To handle all that, a custom Fantech hood with a remote fan in the attic has massive exhaust power without being crazy loud. Sucking all that air out of a tight house requires you to add air back in so that things like water heaters and wood stoves work properly. An integrated make up air built into the front of the walnut hood cover works flawlessly.

**Hidden Appliances**

Walnut panels hide the Monogram refrigerator/freezer and Bosch almost silent dishwasher. The lower freezer drawer can be used as a freezer or refrigerator for added flexibility.

**Built-in Upholstered Banquette**

Maybe the best seat in the house. Built in walnut base and a custom thick solid walnut table with custom steel pedestal base.

**There’s Soft Close & Then There’s Actual Soft Close**

There are 34 drawers in this kitchen all using the best hardware from the best brand in the world, Blum. The best of the best one could say. Not only do they close softly, they do it with a lot of weight and will last a lifetime. Open and close them a few times and you’ll get it. The interior of the drawers are made with stable water/scratch resistant materials and aluminum for great stability and durablity.

Living Room & Outdoor Dining

Massive 9’ Tall Doors & 16’ Celings

When you open the doors on both sides of the room you may as well be outside. On hot summer days, opening up the door to the north patio cools the house nicely. On a sunny winter day, the house will be in the high 70’s with no heat on. Open those southern doors and let the fresh crisp air in and you’ll start to understand a truly comfortable home.

Warm & Welcoming Living Room

The living room is centrally located between the two bedrooms, entryway and main covered patio. Warm materials like flax linen, distressed leather, wool and douglas fir create a space to relax. In the winter when the sun is filling the room and the wood stove is going, you may as well be sitting in your own private lodge.

Outdoor Dining & Patio

The north side patio is definitely the cool summer shady patio. Ceiling fans keep it breezy as you stare at the postcard view of “The Peaks”. Early spring and fall when the garden is still cranking, turn on the ceiling heater and eat a feast. This is the most used “room” in the house.

The Master Suite

The main bedroom & bathroom has a lot to offer. The generous sleeping room with 10’ ceilings has large triple pane glass on three walls taking advantage of all types of natural light and of course the massive views. A large sliding glass door opens to a private covered southern patio. The bathroom is flooded with southern sun because who wants a cold bathroom or extra condensation in the winter? Crack the corner windows to smell the lavender and take a soak or a steam shower if you prefer. High quality ceramics, natural stone, hardwoods and textiles create a genuine spa feel. The massive black walnut wardrobe fills the hallway into the small bonus room currently used as an office. Multiple radiant floor heat zones, a separate A/C unit and constant fresh air definitely makes you want to hide out. Don’t forget, each area is soundproofed from the rest of the house as well as between the the bathroom, office and sleeping room.

**All about comfort but style is nice too**

What could go into the design of a bedroom? East facing triple pane windows with blackout curtains in case you don’t like sunrises. North facing triple pane windows for cool summer air and mountain views. South facing sliding glass door for winter sun but a big enough overhang to block summer heat. Separate A/C and forced air zone and large fan. Separate radiant floor heat zone. Constant fresh filtered air circulation. Sound proofing between bathroom/office. Extra thick entry door for sound. Soften it up with luxurious flax linens, wool, leather, fur and warm wood and you’ve got a nice little sanctuary.

**Luxury Master Bath**

Sun filled, separate zone heated floors, steam shower, soaking tub, separate WC and custom vanity with ample room for two.

**Private Patio**

One of the many private patios around the home.

**Steam Shower**

Natural stone floor with high end ceramic walls and of course an epic view with tons of winter sun. Two large rain heads and two hand held wall heads. Check out the construction page if you want to see how it was water/vapor proofed.

**Large Walnut Wardrobe**

Sequenced black walnut, lots of drawers and hanger space and some hideaway cubbies up top. Handmade distressed leather pulls give a nice soft touch that won’t snag your cloths.

The Guest suite

10’ ceilings, windows all around and huge 12’ sliding doors makes it feel like you’re sleeping in the garden. The natural light in this room has to be felt to be understood. A generous bath will not leave your guests disappointed.

**Guest Bath**

Beautiful floor to ceiling honeycomb & large format tile. Large custom vanity and some of the best sunset showers you’ll ever take. The walls are soundproofed so your better half can sleep.

**A Calming Retreat**

Sometimes you’ll want to sleep in the guest room just because it’s so nice. Full walnut wardrobe carries through like the rest of the home. Full A/C and heated floor controls for this room.

**Private Patio & Garden**

There are no shortages of outdoor spaces that you can make your own…..this might just be the best one as you graze the garden with your morning cup.

The shop or garage or both

If you’re lucky enough to have a better half that lets you take up all the space with tools instead of cars, this is the dream shop. At nearly 1000sf, even with very large tools a full sized 1-ton pickup still fits easily. The large carport provides cover from the snow and sun which is where we prefer to park anyway. 12’ ceilings allow space for a very large 10’ x 18’ insulated commercial garage door on the north and a matching 10’ x 10’ door on the west. Opening up both doors in addition to the large south facing glass makes this truly a tinkerers dream space. For a person that loves tools, it has an absurd amount of dedicated circuits in 110 & 240v. Large wall mount mini-split provides A/C and quick forced air heat and of course the radiant floor heat has its own zone control. A 26’ long built in bench cabinet with hoards of high quality Blum drawers along with a full 8x8 wardrobe unit provides endless storage options for winter cloths or any less used items.