Changes to House Floor Plans

A simplified floor plan and the addition of rich architectural details turn a 2001 home into the jewel of its historical Boulder neighborhood. Vintage-look ceiling moldings and trim combine with dark walnut floors and a chocolate-and-white color scheme for a stylish, old-meets-new look. The new living room occupies space that was once two small rooms separated by French doors. On the face of the fireplace, moldings create a grid that nods to the paneling in the nearby entry hall.

The rebuilt stairs include paneled walls designed to disguise the door to the basement. By moving the powder room door from near the entry to the butler's pantry off the kitchen, the architect eased the flow from the entry to the dining area and provided wall space for the oversize 1820s French clock.

The dining room is a study in contrasts: light against dark and, modern against vintage. It includes contemporary dining room furniture, white wainscoting that repeats paneling on the stairway walls, and a coffered ceiling to suggest the elegance of another era. The vintage French clock marks the position of the original bathroom door.

Dark walnut cabinets and white marble subway tile visually tie the meant-to-be-seen butler's pantry to the adjacent dining room. The space makes a handy wet bar for entertaining.

The powder room remained in its original location, but its door was moved 180 degrees into the butler's pantry for privacy and for an unbroken flow of space between the entry and the dining room. The walls and ceilings are crafted in textured Venetian plaster.

A new fireplace, flanked by built-in bookshelves, creates a focal point in the family room. Molding and cabinet trim repeat motifs found throughout the main floor.

The kitchen was gutted and reorganized. Now a professional-grade range with ovens puts cooking in one spot, with the island sink and work area only steps away. Custom maple kitchen cabinets, painted white and topped with simple crown molding, bridge the style gap between modern and vintage. Contemporary pendants work with recessed ceiling canisters to give the space plenty of flexible lighting. Walnut kitchen islands, such as this one topped in marble, can join a professional-style range to improve the work triangle.

Built-in home office furniture turns a former dining niche into a sleek, space-saving desk area. A window offers natural light for everyday tasks such as copying recipes or writing grocery lists. The cabinets match those found in the rest of the kitchen for a seamless look.

Nestled under the original vaulted ceiling, the great-room dining space sports new walnut hardwood floors and window trim to match the rest of the home. The simplified floor plan provides a cleaner, more sophisticated look.

A reconfigured master bedroom makes space for a cozy seating nook with windows on three sides that allow the homeowners to enjoy cooling breezes and year-round sunny views. The door was moved to facilitate a better bedroom furniture arrangement, and walls that created an awkward vestibule entry were removed.

The master bathroom was updated with a vintage pedestal tub, warm walnut-stained built-ins and woodwork, and a soft blue color to infuse the space with a peaceful mood.

Attic conversions, such as this one, can be a home's major selling point. Complete with a bath, the lofty home office space resembles a contemporary A-frame cabin and includes French doors and a balcony with mountain views. The design team finished the attic remodeling with beefier columns and dark brown sisal flooring to muffle noise.