Our latest home improvement project.

When we decided to upgrade our door hardware, I was looking for pieces that made a stronger statement than a simple lever or handle to dress up the doors throughout our home. These Austin Levers from Kwikset fit the bill perfectly. Their solid construction, large designer faceplate and brushed Venetian Bronze finish add a feeling of luxury and style to our house and I'm very excited about the finished results!

Knowing that door handles are one of the most touched items in your homes and being so much more aware of germs in the era of Covid than we have been in the past, I was also looking for a handle that would be easy to disinfect and would hold up to frequent cleanings. The fact that Kwikset has made these levers with antimicrobial properties to actually fight bacteria growth on the surface is genius! The technology is called Microban and is defined as "a powerful added layer of antimicrobial protection that's built-in right into the finish of select Kwikset products. The active ingredient actually enables hardware to inhibit the growth of bacteria keeping door hardware cleaner, fresher and more protected than products with untreated surfaces." 

I love that.

I'm impressed by the quality of the kwikset products. It was amazing to feel the difference in weight between these new levers and the old handles I was removing. The Kwikset levers are heavy! I also really appreciate that they have a lifetime warranty, not only on the mechanical operation of the levers, but also the finish. Dark finishes sometimes scratch and show wear faster than other metal finishes, so I'm pleased that this won't be an issue and that Kwikset stands behind their products both functionally and cosmetically.

Because Kwikset's Venetian Bronze is one of the darkest finishes, almost black, I decided to pair the leversets with black hinges and doorstops from National Hardware, rather than taking a chance on mismatched bronzes. I am pleased with the results and actually think that the two finishes play perfectly with one another. 

A minor challenge I ran into with this project was with the paint on our doors and trim. Having been painted somewhat recently, a number of the old hinges and strike plates were actually glued in place by the paint and chipped off some of the surrounding paint when removed. Some also had paint pooled in the cutout, so that I had to do some chiseling and sanding in order for the new hinges to fit properly. I still have some ongoing paint touch ups to do around a few of the hinges. I am told that this is the kind of thing that "only Joanna would notice" but I can't help it, so I will be working on that in the days (weeks) to come.

Luckily I live right down the street from Ace Hardware in Windsor, so unexpected turns don't upend the whole project. I've mentioned how much I love the Benjamin Moore paint they carry, which I am using as we speak for all of those little touch ups. They also carry everything else you need for this project including Kwikset and National Hardware products. I'll share a shopping list of everything you need below.

If you're looking for an easy way to update and add style to your home by upgrading your door hardware, here's your checklist with links:

1. Kwikset leversets with Microban
2. National Hardware hinges and doorstops. The Hinges come 3 to a pack, so you just need to order as many sets as you have doors.
3. A quality drill. Especially if you have solid wood doors and trim, a good quality drill is a must. This one from DeWalt is a beast and made the process a breeze.
4. A HEPA Vacuum with a hose that can handle fine sanding dust like this one
5. Hand sanding tool like this one and fine grit sandpaper
6. Touch up paint. I recommend this paint if you don't already have a touch up kit, and Ace is great at color matching if need be! 
7. Quality paint brush specifically for trim. I recommend the Purdy Clearcut Glide Trim Paint Brush.
8. Paintable caulk specifically formulated for windows and doors 

I also recommend grabbing a towel before you get started. I found it helpful to stuff a towel under the door before removing the first hinge to avoid overstressing the remaining hinges. I didn't want the door to shift and possibly rip out the screws, so this was a helpful trick. Once I had that in place to support the door, I replaced one hinge at a time, installing the new one before moving on to the next one so there were no heavy doors to remove and put back on hinges. I did find that with solid wood doors, it was helpful to get some longer screws to ensure the door was well supported. If this applies to you, I'd suggest taking one of the screws that comes in the hinge packet with you to Ace to find one that is identical but with extra length. I ended up using 5 inch screws which may have been overkill, but I was having fun with my new drill!

The Kwikset Levers really are "Kwik" and easy to install. They come with all of the hardware needed and arrive coupled together so you can easily see how they fit together through the bore hole. 

Just slide in the striker, then line up the baseplates on either side of the door like a puzzle and fit them together snugly. Then, secure them in place with the provided screws. 

Once the faceplates are secured, the levers slide on easily and are secured in place with the provided tool. 

That's it! You will have some dust and possibly some wood chips to vacuum up and touch up paint to do, but otherwise it's a pretty easy process! 

If you're like me, now that you've spent this time up close and personal with your trim and doors, you probably noticed a hundred imperfections and will now be obsessively sanding and repainting for the next 5 weekends. Hopefully that's not the case, and you're able to step back and enjoy your beautiful upgraded home hardware!

Even if your home isn't perfect, door hardware is a great opportunity to add personality and make an impact with your design. Quality leversets also add value to potential buyers of your home, so they are a great home improvement to invest in whether you are planning to stay where you are or sell your home in the near future. 

Thank you for reading my blog and following along on my Instagram account. It has been fun sharing our home improvement projects as we update our Fort Collins home!

This bright and airy midtown ranch is move-in ready!

Up-to-date finishes include fresh modern paint colors, stainless steel kitchen appliances, wood-look flooring throughout the main-level, and updated white cabinets, doors and trim.

Click here to view the full MLS details, additional images, and request showings on 1925 Massachusetts St, Fort Collins

The thoughtful floor plan features a private master suite with walk-in closet, vaulted ceilings, and unique walk-out kitchen with it's own patio for grilling.

Backing to a greenbelt, this fully fenced backyard offers plentiful outdoor living space without sacrificing location!

Click here to view the full MLS details, additional images, and request showings on 1925 Massachusetts St, Fort Collins

We are very excited to have completed the renovation of our space conscious upstairs bathroom!

The goal of this remodel was to update the space in a contemporary rustic style while adding some really functional items that can stand up to every day use by our two kids. I wanted the design to complement our remodeled master bathroom that we completed last year while also maximizing the very small bathroom space we had to work with. I was able to accomplish this by bringing in the same wood-look floor tile and pebble mosaic and keeping the rest of the colors within a similar color palette, while still pulling in some different elements to make the space it's own.

I used Matte black hardware on this project and love the playfulness of the contrast from the light gray tile and crisp white freestanding bathtub. I mixed and matched shower trim, faucets and hardware from Pfister's Tenet, Rhen and Contempra collections for a really custom and modern result that serves our purposes perfectly in this tiny kids' bathroom. Mixing hardware pieces can be risky, but I've done this with items from Pfister Faucets before and find that their finishes are very consistent between lines which allows for some creativity when designing spaces, unlike most brands where you might have more constraints. I use the Pfister Faucets in all of my projects and find that the quality of the products can really hold up to heavy use, even with the dark finishes without chipping or requiring any maintenance. I used a black schluter instead of a bullnose tile on this project for a really fun contrast that helped tie all of the elements together. 

I've been wanting to incorporate herringbone tile into a design for a while now, and really love how the vertical accent stripe turned out behind the Summerlin Freestanding Bathtub from Hydrosystem. A classic white freestanding Hydrosystem tub is always the focal point of any bathroom that contains one, and this is no exception. The rectangular shape of the Summerlin tub was also the inspiration for the rectangular niche in the wall above the tub and the linear Infinity drain in front of it. 

Of course, the beauty the Summerlin Freestanding Bathtub adds to the space is sleek and stunning, but our favorite thing about the tub is actually the thermal air system. The thermal air system is hands-down the most relaxing, rejuvenating bath experience out there, and since my car accident has been a life saver at the end of the day when my back and neck have had enough. We have one in our master bathroom and our kids love it so much we had to bring one into this bathroom remodel as well. It makes for the most amazing bubble baths!

This is the first time I've used an Infinity drain in a project and I'm really excited about how it turned out. We found that when the kids used the tub in our master we'd end up with a lot of water on the floor, and with this being their bathroom and a tub-shower combo, we anticipated this being a daily challenge and wanted to mitigate it in advance. The subtle elegance of the tile-in linear drain was the perfect solution, adding functionality to the space without standing out against the floor tile. I'm really happy with how seamlessly it integrates into the space and how it helps keep water away from our new wooden bathroom vanity from Strasser Woodworks.

This furniture style vanity is from the Alki line by Strasser in their new Dusky oak finish which is the exact blend of rustic and modern that we were looking for. It is topped with their London grey quartz countertop and sleek undermount rectangular sink which arrived ready to install with pre-drilled holes for our Contempra faucet from Pfister. Additionally the matching medicine cabinet adds some hidden storage which was very necessary for this kids bathroom! While open shelving works in the master bathroom, we found that sometimes we really missed the ability to hide the less pretty items needed in a bathroom, so the medicine cabinet was a must-have for us on this remodel. Installing it so that the door swing cleared both the faucet and the pendant lights posed a slight challenge but in the end we are thrilled with the results!

On the walls we used a mold-inhibiting primer and high quality Benjamin Moore paint from Ace hardware in Windsor, our go-to for paint and hardware on our projects. This bathroom is tiny so we really wanted to keep colors light and airy overall to maximize the feeling of space. Less is more in a small bathroom, so designing in such a way as to keep things simple while allowing it to have some bolder custom elements was a balancing act. Ace is always great for advice on paint colors, solving problems and they can also order most things that they don't carry such as this toilet and matte black lever handle that matches the rest of the metals from Pfister Faucets. 

2020 has been a long year in so many ways, but all four of us sharing one bathroom during this construction project certainly hasn't made it any easier on us! We are very excited to have the space back to functioning condition and even more excited for the final results!

Happy Thanksgiving!

1700 Westview Rd, Fort Collins

Offered at $1,300,000

3 Beds, 4 Baths, 6,004 SqFt, 1.07 Acres

Nestled on more than an acre and bordered by farmland, this distinctive French Country Estate enjoys privacy, mountain views and a country lifestyle, within minutes to Old Town, Fort Collins. 

Call Gyrath Realty Group at 970-682-2453 or click here to schedule your private showing.

Click here for interactive Matterport 3D Tour of 1700 Westview Rd

The truly one of a kind custom kitchen features Aga cast iron cooker, JennAir induction Cooktop, one integrated Sub-Zero refrigerator, one integrated Amana refrigerator, Shaw farmhouse sink, chiseled granite, butler's pantry, and 4 story dumb-waiter.

The main level master features French doors to the patio and stunning remodeled bathroom.

Updates include main level addition, renovated bathrooms, custom hickory doors and built-in cabinetry, new and refinished cherry floors, granite cobblestone front porch and back patio! Preserved features from the original design include authentic Saltillo tiles on the main level, hand-painted accent tiles, and rustic beams and fireplace in the grand living room.

Over $450,000 invested since 2017 to restore this home to immaculate condition without losing it's old world charm!

1700 Westview Rd, Fort Collins

Luxury estate near Old Town, Fort Collins, Colorado

Offered at $1,300,000

Call or click here to schedule your private showing:

Ben & Joanna Gyrath

Gyrath Realty Group

970-682-2453

Click here for interactive Matterport 3D Tour of 1700 Westview Rd

Click here for full MLS listing details on 1700 Westview Rd

1886 Vista Plaza St, Severance

Just listed at $470,000

Call/text 970-682-2453 or click here to request a showing!

Like-new, Craftsman style home with impressive side-by-side 4 car attached garage!

Upgrades in the spacious chef's kitchen include built-in gas cooktop, full-size double wall ovens, wine glass rack and separate prep area. 

Sleek stainless steel and brushed nickel contrast beautifully against walnut cabinets with crown molding and granite slab countertops. 

On trend interior features include convenient upstairs laundry, wood-look flooring through open main-level, craftsman style moulding, french doors, undermount sinks. 

Large master suite includes a 5 piece bathroom with large soaking tub, walk-in shower and roomy master closet.

The fenced corner lot features an oversized patio with covered and uncovered areas for ample outdoor living.

Click here to view more pictures and details for 1886 Vista Plaza St, Severance

Call/text 970-682-2453 or click here to schedule a showing!

Listed by Ben and Joanna Gyrath

Broker-Owners of the Gyrath Realty Group

3015 Bryce Dr, Fort Collins, CO 80525

$480,000

View the Matterport 3D Tour!

Like-new home on premium lot backing to greenbelt in Rigden Farm! Impressive backyard features multiple outdoor living spaces, including a large stone paver patio with outdoor kitchen island station for your grill and a separate patio with a stone fire pit. 

Inside, the sleek modern kitchen features upgraded stainless steel appliances including french door refrigerator, granite countertops, upgraded sink and backsplash, and espresso cabinetry with pull out shelves. Designer finishes include handscraped engineered hickory wood floors throughout the main living areas, stacked stone fireplace and framed mirror in powder room. 

Spacious 5-piece master suite features tray ceilings, oversized glass shower, soaking tub, granite countertops, and large walk-in closet. Convenient laundry on the upper level features functional cabinetry built-ins. Energy efficient design with each level having their own central A/C and furnaces! Main-level humidifier. Listed at recently appraised value.

Click here to view full MLS details on 3015 Bryce Dr, Fort Collins

1600 Wapiti Cir Unit 52, Estes Park, CO 80517

Embrace the Estes Park lifestyle in this quiet golf course community with easy access to hiking, bike trails, Rocky Mountain National Park and downtown. Everything you need for main level living, including a main floor master and second bedroom or office with en suite bathroom. Enjoy views of the mountains, Lake Estes, and the 4th of July fireworks from the living room, master suite, and the large back deck. 

Walk-out lower level offers plenty of space for out of town guests with 2 generous bedrooms, full bath with soaking tub and separate shower, family room, and rec room. Beautifully appointed rustic upgrades including slate tile, hardwood floors throughout the main level, exposed beam, iron balusters, upgraded light fixtures, two fireplaces, and rustic iron mirror in the guest bath make this home feel custom! All kitchen appliances and the washer and dryer are included. Oversized 2 car garage and south facing driveway.  

Click here to view full MLS details on the listing at 1600 Wapiti Circle Unit 52 in Estes Park, Colorado 80517

8039 Castle Peak Ct, Fort Collins, CO 80528

$789,000

Click here to view the 3D Matterport Virtual Tour for 8039 Castle Peak Ct in Highland Hills, Fort Collins

Custom built, updated ranch home on almost an acre in Highland Hills!

 Backing to open space, this fully landscaped lot with mature trees, stone patio and water fountain is the definition of tranquility.

Click here to view full MLS detail and schedule a private showing with listing agents,  Ben and Joanna Gyrath of the Gyrath Realty Group. Or call 970-682-2453 for more information! 

High quality finishes include gorgeous granite countertops in kitchen and main level bathrooms, custom moulding, oil rubbed bronze hardware, and cherry wood flooring throughout the main living areas including formal living and dining rooms, spacious eat-in kitchen and family room. Custom cabinets and stainless steel appliances, including double wall ovens complete the chef's kitchen.

The spacious main level master features a 5 piece ensuite bathroom including a large soaking tub.

Finished basement equipped with kitchenette and theater room is perfect for entertaining or use as a mother-in-law suite. 

Click here to view full MLS detail and schedule a private showing with listing agents,  Ben and Joanna Gyrath of the Gyrath Realty Group. Or call 970-682-2453 for more information! 

1507 12th St, Greeley, CO 80631

Just listed at $250,000

Click here for Interactive 3D Matterport Virtual Tour!

Historic character with updates! This tastefully updated 4 bedroom bungalow features a beautiful contrast of new designer finishes with original 1930's charm.

Updated kitchen with stainless steel appliances and updated bath with designer vanity and mosaic tile make this home feel fresh, while original hardwood floors throughout the main-level, arched doorways, hand-trowelled wall texture and antique doorbell preserve a mid-century aesthetic.

Newer roof and doors throughout the home are among recent updates. The spacious backyard features a storage shed and privacy fence. No HOA and close to Glenmere Park and UNC! Check out the Matterport 3D tour!

Click here for more MLS details on 1507 12th St, Greeley and to request a private showing with the Gyrath Realty Group!

530 El Diente Ave, Severance, CO 80550

$425,000

Click here to view the 3D interactive Matterport Virtual Tour for 530 El Diente Ave, Severance, CO 80550

Better than new home with over $50,000 in upgrades! The work is done, just move in! On the main level, hardwood floors flow throughout the open living spaces. 

Upgraded stainless steel appliances including refrigerator and gas range, oversized island, under cabinet lighting and upgraded tile backsplash enhance this spacious kitchen. Oil rubbed bronze fixtures, custom window coverings throughout, and designer shiplap accent wall. 

Versatile finished basement adds a private office or 5th bedroom, rec room, and stunning custom bathroom with reclaimed wood shelves. 

The covered back patio is the perfect space for entertaining in this fully fenced and meticulously landscaped backyard with concrete curbing and locally sourced trees and shrubs. 

 Washer and dryer included. Central A/C. Great location on a quiet street just a couple of blocks to Overlook Park and Rangeview Elementary. 4 car attached garage with epoxy coated floor. 

Click here to view full MLS details, photos and request a private showing for 530 El Diente Ave, Severance, CO 80550