844 Scotch Elm Dr, Loveland, CO 80538

$389,000

Click here to view the 3D interactive Matterport walkthrough for 844 Scotch Elm Dr, Loveland, CO 80538

Privacy and updates abound in this well-cared for, move-in ready home! From the sunroom, adding 240 sq ft of bonus space to the square footage, step through french doors to a deck overlooking an expansive privacy-fenced backyard with mature trees, shed, and generous patio area below for entertaining.

Inside, enjoy your privacy in an enormous master suite on its own level. The kitchen features a brand new stainless steel french door refrigerator, stainless steel gas range, on-trend arabesque tile backsplash, freshly painted grey and white cabinets, new black range hood, and durable new laminate flooring that stretches throughout the main-level and much of the home.

Updated paint and accents throughout include new high top trim, new railing, freshly painted white doors and brick fireplace, several new light fixtures, upgraded hardware and cordless white blinds in the sunroom. Paved parking area for an RV or Boat. No HOA!

Click here for more pictures of the home, 3D tour and to request a private showing!

8108 Buck Ridge Lane, Loveland, CO 80538

$550,000

Click here to view the 3D interactive Matterport walkthrough for 8108 Buck Ridge Lane, Loveland, CO 80538

With foothills views from every angle and surrounded by pastures, this quiet retreat on almost an acre is the definition of tranquility. All main living areas face toward Devil's Backbone, making the most of the views, with sliding glass doors to deck and sunroom for a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor living spaces.

Just listed at $550,000 this 3 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom home on a beautiful, private 36,590 square foot lot is a must see! Click here for the full MLS listing and to request a showing on 8108 Buck Ridge Lane, Loveland!

The open concept main-level features gleaming hardwood floors throughout living and dining areas, and a recently upgraded kitchen with granite countertops, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and recently painted cabinets.

Both bathrooms feature designer finishes including granite countertops in upstairs bath and vessel sink and tiled shower downstairs.

Click here for more pictures of the inside of the home, 3D tour and to request a showing!

Click here to view the Matterport 3D tour for 11456 Iola St!

Outdoor living spaces abound on this large, landscaped lot. The craftsman-style exterior invites guests to enter with a covered front porch and to stay a while with an oversized patio offering ample room for dining and relaxing in its fenced backyard. Inside the move-in ready home, a distinguished 3-sided peninsula fireplace is all that separates the airy vaulted living room from the walk-out dining area on this open main-level. An ample kitchen with espresso cabinets offers plenty of storage and counter space and easy access for indoor and outdoor entertaining. The bright loft overlooking the living room offers a versatile bonus space as a third room upstairs. Vaulted ceilings continue in the spacious master suite with walk-in closet and brand new tile in master bath. A two car garage and an unfinished basement provide all of the storage space you could ask for. New roof and exterior paint as of 2018.

Click here to view the complete MLS details for this listing and request a showing!

For many Colorado home buyers, the dream of owning a rustic, horse property is inseparable from the dream of home ownership. Whether you have horses or just want a little bit more space and privacy, one of these acreage properties may be your Colorado dream home!

37181 Soaring Eagle Cir, Severance, CO 80550

This INCREDIBLE custom luxury ranch estate home boast 5.5 fenced acres in Soaring Eagle Ranch!

26619 County Road 76, Eaton, CO 80615

Spectacular VIEWS & privacy with this CUSTOM HOME on 12+acres!

720 Glenn Ridge Dr, Fort Collins, CO 80524

Stunning home on huge private lot backing to farm land! 

6965 Clearwater Dr, Loveland, CO 80538

Exquisite estate with lake access at Waterfront at Boyd Lake!

3505 Vale View Ln, Mead, CO 80542

Absolutely stunning Colorado style custom home on 3.69 acres!

2425 S County Road 15, Berthoud, CO 80513

Rare opportunity to own beautiful tree lined acreage in secluded setting with no HOA!

13512 Otter Rd, Loveland, CO 80538

Majestic views come with this contemporary mountain home. 

637 Hernia Hill Trl, Bellvue, CO 80512

Gorgeous exposed timber frame interior creates spaciousness that is eclipsed only by the expansive 360 views.

5605 E County Road 60, Wellington, CO 80549

16.4 acres with unobstructed mountain views in Wellington!

9743 Yellowstone Rd, Longmont, CO 80504

Views and Location! Beautiful estate on coveted Yellowstone Rd with 4+ acres.

Click here to view all currently available acreage listings zoned for horses in Northern Colorado!

The Home Staging Expert® curriculum encourages keeping some walls empty to allow the eye to rest and to let the main focal points of the room do the talking. Perhaps it's just because I spend so much time looking at screens during the day, but my eyes could definitely use some rest! Although we're not preparing our home for sale, I have applied that concept here, allowing our new exposed beams to be the star of the show and keeping the remainder of the decor simple so there is nothing competing with their status as the focal point of the space.  I had originally planned to bring in some Colorado landscape photographs to hang on the walls but decided to protect the simplicity and minimalism of this space instead. Having small children means that the majority of our home is chaotic and over-stuffed with toys, art projects, and unmatched socks so being able to escape to a clean, orderly space during office hours is the only way this work from home arrangement is successful!

Once we finally made the decision, designing the space was the easy part. I've wanted to incorporate beams into one of our home renovation projects for a while now. We've added little glimpses of rustic chic throughout our home with stacked stone and reclaimed wood vanities in some of our more major remodels, but until now we hadn't found the right place to bring beams into the picture. 

I'm not typically a fan of basements, so when we started talking about moving our home offices to the basement, I wasn't thrilled with the idea. For one thing, we had our basement set up as a playroom for our kids at the time, so the task of transforming the kid-friendly space into a respectable office where work could happen seemed daunting. I was also pretty concerned that the basement would feel dark and that spending so much time in a "dungeon" would wear on us and diminish productivity. On the other hand, we needed a larger space, and a space that is separate from the main-living areas of the home where the kids are prone to distract us and interrupt in the middle of phone calls with clients. A change was necessary, so we decided that the early months of the year was the time to take it on before the real estate market really heats up this Spring and Summer.

I knew we needed to lighten up the space considerably to banish the cavernous basement feel. With white walls being back on trend in the design world and feeling so fresh right now it was a no-brainer to go with a clean white wall and ceiling color to liven up the space. The furniture was almost all items we already owned that needed to just move locations from other areas of the home and, since it is all in a rustic style and pretty dark in color, I wanted to find a way to tie it all together so there wasn't such a stark contrast between the room itself and everything inside it.

The solution? Beautiful, rustic exposed beams. 

Now that the beams are in, it feels like they should have been there all along. The ceiling in the basement has an irregular profile featuring an approximately 8-foot wide indentation where the heights increases. While this isn't what I would have chosen had I designed the original finish, it turns out that this ceiling height transition was the perfect void to fill with some beautiful wooden beams to add visual interest and give the basement that rustic character which helps it feel connected to the rest of our home. Rather than looking like we found a solution for an awkward problem, this ceiling appears to have been designed with these beams in mind!

The clean white backdrop of freshly painted walls and ceiling gave me the freedom to go with a more complex wood pattern than I would likely have selected in a busier space. The rough-hewn texture of these beams is enhanced by a multi-layer stain process, achieving an end result that is both rugged and elegant at once. That perfect pairing of beautiful refined details with some elements that are a bit more raw is what appeals the most in spectacular mountain ski homes in the Colorado Rockies, and beams were the perfect way to bring that juxtaposition into our home office. 

Obviously we weren't working with structural beams in this project, and with real solid wood beams being so prohibitively heavy, I followed the lead of many home builders in our area who are bringing in high-quality faux beams from AZ Faux Beams to achieve a rustic look without the impossible task of mounting thousand-pound solid wood beams on drywall. The first time I learned that a custom home builder had used faux beams in a beautiful room that I was admiring I was taken aback by the idea of a faux product. Since then, however, I've seen it over and over and have come to realize that faux beams are far more prevalent than structural, real-wood beams when it comes to exposed beams that we're seeing in beautiful, rustic interior designs. 

The lighter weight of the faux beams makes them so much more versatile and accessible than real wood beams, without sacrificing anything on the look. If I hadn't told you, you wouldn't have guessed that these were anything other than true, reclaimed wood beams salvaged from a barn somewhere. In a nutshell, the process of making the beams starts with creating a mould of actual wood beams so that the lighter weight versions are formed with the same grain and character traits of that wood. Then they are stained with the same process as staining regular wood, so the finish is so realistic it can deceive even the most discerning eye.

The outer surface is also very hard, feeling just like a polyurethaned wood surface. I was concerned that the product would be soft and styrofoam-like making it less durable than wood. If you're considering bringing beams into your home renovation project, I'd encourage you to order some samples from AZ Faux Beams so you can see them up close and touch the surface. They really are an impressive and surprisingly realistic product. The beams you see here in our project are the Old Tuscan beams in the Mocha stain color, which is very complementary with the Jacobean stain we have on our hardwood floors on the main-level. 

I always turn to our local Ace Hardware in Windsor when we have a project in need of paint. I really enjoy the unique selections they have there, as well as the knowledgable staff that can always seem to solve any paint-related problem and match any paint color, helping me prolong my facade that I'm an organized person who keeps track of that kind of thing. Without them, who knows how many mismatched shades of white we'd have throughout our house- which would drive me crazy! One of my biggest pet peeves about remodels that are done in phases is that lack of cohesiveness from room to room, where you can tell one project ended and the next one resumed later on. Luckily these guys have my back and this isn't a problem!

I also need to thank my friends at Shade Brother's Painting and Dan of 20-for-20 Handyman for help with the execution, because no matter how much I love to DIY, I always end up with too much on my plate and really appreciate the extra hands! I've used these guys on many projects now, so if you're looking for a reliable painter or handyman, I can assure you these have been thoroughly-vetted and do a great job!

By the way, here's what the room looked like before...

It made a great playroom, but that era has come to an end! Besides, the kids get the whole house, so it's only fair that the adults should get a dedicated workspace away from the chaos! We're excited for the improved functionality of our new layout and getting officially moved into our new home office!

Our master bathroom remodel is finally completed and it feels surreal! This project honestly turned out even better than I had pictured when we first embarked on the design process with the goals of bringing the master bathroom up-to-date, creating continuity with the rest of the home, and making the space feel as large as possible. I drew my inspiration from the modern, rustic elements found in other areas of our home like natural stacked stone and reclaimed barn woods while keeping the color palette clean and neutral so the design will continue to feel fresh for years to come.

In 1999, when the home was built, master bathrooms tended to be much smaller than they are now, with oversized built-in tubs leaving room for comparatively tiny showers. Now 20 years later, many homeowners and contractors are updating these smaller bathrooms by eliminating the tub altogether and using that space for beautiful, custom showers. While I understand that temptation, as a Realtor I've known too many home buyers who would not purchase a home without a 5-piece master bath to even consider this option from a resale perspective. Further, regardless of my lack of ability to enjoy a good soak on a daily basis, having the option to do so is a luxury I'm not giving up either.

Even though we were knocking down walls for this remodel, the bathroom didn't have a lot of square footage to grow into without eliminating the master closet or sacrificing space from the master bedroom, neither of which we wanted to do.  Instead, we focused on using the existing bathroom space as efficiently as possible by eliminating the oversized, built-in jacuzzi and an unnecessary wall in favor of a frameless shower and more elegant and space-conscious freestanding tub. This increased the visual square footage of the room and allowed us to expand the shower considerably from its former size. 

I've always dreamed of a freestanding tub so actually shopping for one felt a bit like shopping for an engagement ring- almost too good to be true! While Hydrosystems makes a number of beautiful bathtubs, its relatively compact size and clean lines made the Alamo Freestanding Bathtub a perfect fit for both the area and aesthetic. Installed at an angle, this understated tub is both classic and contemporary and the perfect statement piece in our master bathroom. If you're not familiar with Hydrosystems, one of the things that makes this company truly unique is the fact that it makes every tub custom to order, so you have 20 colors to choose from, not to mention luxurious upgrades like Chromatherapy and Hydroblanket systems. We chose to add the Thermal Air System which is explained best in their own words: "Thousands of tiny heated bubbles engulf your body in a therapeutic massage from the top of your neck to the soles of your feet. Thermal Air will exceed your expectations by producing a full sensory experience that soothes the body and makes it more receptive to the massage.The air movement -- from strategically placed, barely visible air jets -- activates the immune system and increases blood circulation. The combination of heat and air movement, along with the water, creates an unparalleled therapeutic effect while relieving sore muscles, joint paint and inflammation." Yes please! How could I resist?

Of all the oil-rubbed bronze finishes on the market, I'm head over heals for Pfister Faucets' Tuscan Bronze. The body of the faucets are a brushed black, with antiqued copper accenting on each decorative bevel that gives the faucets and hardware a sophisticated look. Standing tall beside the bathtub, the Tisbury Freestanding Tub Filler contrasts with and complements the tub perfectly, while the custom shower components, towel racks, and sink faucets which I mixed and matched from a few different Pfister lines are the perfect finishing touches to add depth to the completed renovation. All of the hardware and faucets for this remodel were from Pfister and, once again, I couldn't be happier with the way they pulled everything together! 

To the right of the tub, our lovely custom vanity with open shelving made by Tharp Cabinets here in Northern Colorado is everything I asked for. The truffle stain is a rustic gray with a distressed finish that pairs beautifully with the chiseled edge granite, modern vessel sinks, and tuscan bronze faucets that top it off. The distressing of the cabinet and raw edge of the stone feel so rustic I could almost pretend we've moved into a mountain home near Beaver Creek. This chiseled edge countertop is a signature edge profile of Castorena Granite and Quartz in Fort Collins and truthfully, the pictures don't do it justice because it is stunning in real life! 

Two parallel rectangular sinks made of gleaming porcelain are the perfect companions to the freestanding tub. Tying together the bright white and clean lines with their own distinct profile, these vessel sinks from MR Direct are updated and classic all at once. Their broad size and narrow depth made them fun to incorporate into the design, and I especially enjoyed the opportunity to be creative with the faucets in a bit of an unexpected, off-centered placement. Best of all, the sinks are very functional with the slope of the inner bowl breaking the water's fall more gently than similar vessels with flat bottoms that end up splashing when in use. Even when the faucet is running at full blast, not a drop of water splashes outside the sink. 

Set above the countertop, is a mirror that I actually purchased about 6 years ago and wanted to incorporate into the design. There is something weirdly gratifying about being able to tear down walls and rebuild a space from the ground up, but still find a place for an older piece that we brought with us from our last house when we lived in Timnath Ranch. Things don't have to be new to be beautiful! I often incorporate used, distressed or antique pieces when I design a space, so while this mirror doesn't have as extensive of a history, it feels like a part of our history having come with us from our first house and it is very much in character for me. I particularly love the gold beaded design on the inside of the frame which complements the copper highlights on the faucets and inspired my search for the perfect two-tone light fixture which I tracked down at the Light Center in Fort Collins. While I am still officially off the brass bandwagon, occasional glimpses of the contrasting metal can be very complementary in the right design, and helped the light fixture to feel unique, trendy and timeless all at once. 

Gray walls have a magical way of making a space feel larger and more refined, and were a no brainer for the new bathroom given our overall goals for the remodel. Alternating two rows of matte gray field tile with a 2-foot band in a linear mosaic in the same tone made for a subtle and sophisticated backdrop for the dark bronze hardware and bright white tub. Perfectly matching the paint color with the wall tiles made for fewer visual interruptions which gives the room an uncluttered, spacious feeling and gave me the freedom to design something a bit unexpected for the shower niche.

On the floors we wanted a wood-look tile in a hue featuring a strong grain pattern and variation in the wood like you'd find in reclaimed barn wood. We did all tile work in a random pattern, rather than selecting a more traditional off-set or grid pattern, which made for a more organic look overall, especially on the floor tile which were installed like you'd lay wood planks. The gray pebble mosaic for the shower floor is freckled with occasional brown stones, tying the wall and floor tiles together, and is smooth enough to feel comfortable underfoot, but varied enough to have some texture. Thank you to Hannah at Sutherlands Lumber and Design Gallery in Fort Collins for your collaboration on the tile for this project!

One of the finishing touches for this remodel was to update the golden oak trim to white, as we have throughout the rest of the house, and updating from the glass block window to a framed window in an obscured glass from Pella. There are a lot of options for more attractive obscured glass these days, so the glass block style isn't necessary for privacy on bathroom windows. We've upgraded most of the windows throughout our house to Pella Windows from the 20 year old original windows it had when we bought it. We really like Pella for energy efficiency, in addition to the sleek, updated look of the windows, we have noticed that the temperature is more comfortable inside our house and our cooling costs in the summer were lower since we've had them installed. 

Ever looking for space-saving storage solutions, we installed two recessed niches from Fox Hollow Furnishings, one on the wall across from the vanity and the other in the water closet. These pre-built, painted wood niches were very easy to install and the framed design was cohesive with the look of the finished remodel and the white trim throughout the rest of the home.

And now for the before and after comparison to show how far we've come...

5423 Clarence Dr, Windsor

4 BD 3 BA  3,092 SqFt  | Offered at $449,000

This upgraded craftsman-style home truly is “better-than-new”! Sparkling stainless steel appliances and gleaming quartz countertops contrast against espresso cabinetry and smokey hardwood floors in the modern, eat-in kitchen.

Hardwood throughout the main-level living space, upgraded iron balusters, custom blinds, and vaulted ceilings in the large master suite are just a few of the features that make this home feel custom!

Conveniences like upstairs laundry, two separate closets in the master suite, central A/C, and epoxy floor in 3 car tandem garage make this home perfect for the modern lifestyle.

You get a huge head start over a new build with this landscaped corner lot! The lawn with sprinkler system is already installed featuring stone edgers, two large concrete patios for additional entertaining space, and eight trees planted in the backyard. The unfinished daylight basement with plenty of natural light provides lots of storage and potential for additional space in the future.

Must see! Click here for more details: 5423 Clarence Dr, Windsor

Call (970)682-2453 to schedule your private showing!

We love living in Highland Hills. If you've driven by, you might not realize that Highland Hills is actually a Fort Collins neighborhood, not Windsor, although it is outside of Fort Collins city limits.

Ben and I knew we wanted to live in Highland Hills even before we were really on the market for a new home. We love the large acre lots, custom-built homes, mature trees, and how much quieter Highland Hills is in comparison to the hustle and bustle of our old neighborhood in Timnath, while still zoning into some of the highest ranked schools in Poudre School District, and without compromising the convenience of a SE Fort Collins address right off the highway and only minutes to Downtown Windsor. When we first bought our Highland Hills home we used to sit on the back deck and listen to the birds and marvel at how peaceful it is here!

We watched real estate listings in Highland Hills for over two years, touring every home that hit the market and fit into our price range during that time. Back then, we were only seeing a few homes hit the market each year, and we would have been shocked to have had as many options as are currently listed!

If you're interested in buying a home in Highland Hills, it would be my pleasure to talk with you more about what we love about this beautiful neighborhood and show you any of these listings. Give me a call at 970-682-2453 to schedule your private Highland Hills home tour!

Highland Hills currently has 5 homes for sale, as well as one that is "coming soon" which promises to be priced in the upper range:

7746 Park Ridge Cir, Fort Collins

$1,295,000

8245 Scenic Ridge Ct, Fort Collins

$1,295,000

5730 Ridgeway Dr, Fort Collins

$1,250,000

8025 Scenic Ridge Dr, Fort Collins

$919,000

8019 Park Hill Dr, Fort Collins

$700,000

Click here for an up-to-date Highland Hills property list and to subscribe to notifications of new listings in Highland Hills (click "save this search").

Give me a call at 970-682-2453 to schedule showings! 

Just listed in Fort Collins at $390,000: 3814 Rock Creek Dr Unit C

Upgrades abound in this spacious Morningside Village townhome! On the main-level, an open living room with fireplace and adjoining study flows into an upgraded kitchen for seamless entertaining. The espresso cabinetry and matching engineered hardwood floors contrast beautifully with sparkling granite countertops, upgraded backsplash, and stainless steel appliances in this modern, eat-in kitchen. Large island with stylish open shelving and pantry offer added kitchen storage!

Upstairs, you’ll find a true master suite with soaking tub, shower, modern tile, double sinks, and large walk-in closet. The modern floor plan features convenient upstairs laundry, with washer and dryer included! All bedrooms feature their own ensuite bathroom including the 3rd bedroom in the fully finished basement off of the huge rec room!

Outdoor living spaces include TWO covered patios as well as one partially covered deck in the private, fenced back yard. Quiet neighborhood with pool and amenities, walking distance to Fossil Ridge High School, and convenient to restaurants, shopping and i25!  

Buyer may pick new carpet for the main and upper-level with full price offer!

Call (970)682-2453 for a private showing!

Click here for full listing details: 3814 Rock Creek Dr Unit C, Fort Collins

It's actually happening.

Our master bathroom remodel is officially underway and, even though it's just at the beginning stages, we're ready for it to be finished! That's how it always is, I guess, and the demo stage is the worst part- dust, debris, noise, and the ensuing upheaval of our preschoolers' schedules. We certainly don't take on these projects because we enjoy the process, but rather because the end result is worth the chaos!

Oh, how it will be worth it....

Although we have a pretty small bathroom to work with, we really wanted to expand the shower from the previous design without giving up a tub. Often in homes this age with similarly small master bathrooms, I'll see renovations done where they eliminate the bathtub and go all-in on the shower which I don't like for resale or function. I may not have the time to soak in a tub every day, but when I do it's an experience that I look forward to! Further, as a Realtor, I've worked with many home buyers who wouldn't buy a house without a tub in the master bath, so aside from my own personal preferences, a five piece master bathroom is a must.  I've always wanted a freestanding tub, but most often these are designed to be the centerpiece of a bathroom and can be quite massive. We just don't have space for that! I was excited to find that the Alamo from Hydro Systems which is plenty large enough for a good soak, but at under 5 feet in total length, is quite space conscious for a freestanding tub. With the confined space we have to work with and its position directly in the line of sight from the door, this tub will still be a statement piece!

I love the look of a classic white bathtub. There are some lovely options out there for really rustic bathtub designs in a variety of colors, and Hydro Systems offers some really nice grey ones that look like they're made of cement or chiseled from stone. Don't get me wrong, they are beautiful, but it's easy to end up with too many dark finishes when designing a rustic space. In a tiny master bath like ours, it would feel like a cave! A classic white tub will brighten the space and add contrast against the darker shades of the wood-look floor tile, rustic grey wall tile, and pebble stone shower floor which I was so excited to find at Sutherlands in Fort Collins after having spent countless hours perusing tile stores.

Can you picture this vanity design from Tharp Cabinets in that lovely rustic truffle stain with heavy distressed finish? It's hard to do from a sketch, and I'm pretty sure my husband has no idea what we're getting, but trust me, it's going to be beautiful! I had an idea of what I wanted for the overall look going into the planning and design phase of the remodel, but this cabinet was the first thing I actually committed to. I think I visited every design center and cabinet retailer in the Northern Colorado area, but once I stumbled into Tharp cabinets I was sold. Made in Colorado, amazing quality, and cheaper than literally every other company on the planet? Yes please, I'll take it!

Next, picture the vanity topped with a sparkling slab of blue dunes granite from Castorena's with a raw edge and two of these crisp white, modern vessel sinks from MR Direct. Yes, granite in a bathroom, you guys. I know everyone is on a quartz kick right now and granite is more porous so it requires annual maintenance. It's just my personal preference, but to me quartz is like man-made diamonds.... it's just not for me. I want stone that is natural and earthy and honestly, the process of sealing it is no big deal! When I do it to my kitchen countertops it takes about the same amount of effort as cleaning them after preparing a meal. 

My husband really wanted to do under-mount sinks. Under-mounts are big right now and I think as Realtors we both get used to seeing what the builders put into new homes and start to convince ourselves that this is what we want too, but I love the more custom look of these porcelain vessels. When men hear the words "vessel sink" I am pretty sure they picture a salad bowl perched under a faucet, so I really had to show him these sinks in order to win this one. Vessels can still be very modern and sleek as this lovely minimalist vessel sink demonstrates perfectly. The category of sinks gets a bad rap from the clear or colored glass sinks you might be picturing from when they first entered the interior design scene and are out of fashion now, but there are many more options in the category! I love the symmetry of two rectangular vessels next to each other, and can't wait to see them installed in our new bathroom! 

All of the bathroom accessories, faucets and shower trim are from Pfister Faucets of which we have several elsewhere in our home and are obsessed with. The finish is called Tuscan bronze and coordinates perfectly with the rest of the hardware in the house. Thinking through and obsessing over every finish and detail is one of the perks (or curses depending on how you look at it) of updating an older home. Once you start paying attention to each piece of hardware in the home it's hard to stop! No hook or knob is too small to be handpicked for your space. There is something about the contrast that is achieved with a nice dark finish that really makes a space feel more custom, and while tuscan bronze can be used in a variety of design styles like the more contemporary style you see in the photo above, I think the dark finish is the perfect finishing touch for a rustic space. 

Did you know that brass is making a come-back? Of course, they're calling it gold or champagne now and the styles are very different from the brass that we're still ripping out of older homes, so it's not exactly the same but it still feels a bit too soon for this metal to be back on the scene. I'd note that what is big in the interior design world doesn't always play well in the real estate world, so my official recommendation as a Realtor is to avoid diving too deeply into this trend just yet. Unless of course, you love it and plan to stay in your house forever. In that case do whatever makes you happy! If there's a chance you might sell within the next five years, you may want to stick with something a little less trendy and cutting edge that your home buyers will be more likely to understand. The possibility of moving is neither in or out of the cards for us right now, but we can't help but think about it in our line of work. All of that to say, I couldn't fully buck the trend and wanted to add a hint of gold in a way that wouldn't be offensive to the next guy in line should we decide to make a move in the future. This two-tone light fixture from the Light Center in Fort Collins ties together the dark bronze and gold accents perfectly, and I love the way the arch of the arm lends more visual interest than a more expected square or linear design would. 

One of the goals for the remodel is to add in some space conscious storage for bathroom essentials that end up cluttering up the counters. There are a lot of options out there for shelving, but it was love at first sight when I came across the clean design of this recessed wall niche from Fox Hollow Furnishings. We have two of them ready to go in, one across from the vanity and the other one above the tub. Our contractor may have been more excited than I was when he saw them, believe it or not. Based on his reaction, he must have thought I was going to make him build something like this from scratch because the ease of installation has him over the moon. 

I'll post some progress updates in the upcoming weeks as well as a lot of photos of the final product. Track me down on instagram @joannagyrath for more frequent updates!