Here to stay

Couple remodel with the long term in mind

Betsy Lehndorff, Rocky Mountain News

Saturday, February 24, 2007

Ten chairs in bright hues ring the dining table at the Shwayder home. One is for Ken; another is for Nancy, Ken's wife.

Five are reserved for daughter Mindy, son Danny, daughter-in-law Stacey and grandchildren Matt and Hannah.

And the remaining three? Well, it's wise to save space for friends, and who knows when another grandchild will be born.

Such is the circle of life at the Shwayders' ranch house in southeast Denver. Ken, 66, and Nancy, 62, hope to enjoy their home for the rest of their lives; they recently completed a remodel - adding 700 square feet to the 1,900-square-foot home. To ensure they can live there for years to come, the project added conveniences for aging-in-place - as well as luxurious décor.

"In 2004, we could have moved into the home Nancy's parents had owned," Ken says. "But it was a tri-level with a lot of steps. Or we could sell it, and make improvements to this house."

The fact that their home was already a single story, with no steps, made the choice clear, Nancy says. "We love the location, we love our neighbors and we've lived here for 35 years."

The two Denver natives bought the home in 1971.

"It was terrific. It was very well kept," says Ken, a retired Realtor and former radio host.

They bought the home in 1968 for $45,000; it seemed a perfect residence for their growing family. But once their children moved on, the couple began to cast a more critical eye over their surroundings.

"I never cared to have company, because I didn't feel the house was functional," says Nancy, who works for her son, a mortgage broker. "We had done the kitchen once, but the linoleum was orange and the wallpaper was orange."

And the home's floor plan was congested.

"If we had more than eight people over, we'd put a card table next to the dining table, and cover everything with a big piece of plywood," Nancy says.

For help, Ken contacted Pat Bollinger Simpson, principal of Bollinger Design Group.

"I told her that we wanted to do the remodel on a certain budget, and she laughed at me and then took charge," Ken says.

"We didn't have a clue what it would cost," Nancy says. "Every single room in the house was impacted."

For starters, Pat and senior designer Lynn Hegstrom redrew the floor plan. They suggested the kitchen be moved from the back of the house to the front where it would overlook the street. The little-used living room would become a generous dining area, and the master suite would be turned into a guest room.

The two designers added a new master suite with a spacious bathroom to the back of the house. This area includes space for a stackable washer and dryer and a walk-in closet for Nancy.

"I was determined to have as much closet as Ken," Nancy says.

"But you don't," replies her husband of 42 years. "Mine's bigger."

Planning began in September 2004. When construction started April 25, 2005, the Shwayders moved out. By Oct. 14, the job was finished.

Improvements begin at the front door, where leaded-glass windows sparkle in red doors. In the foyer, a contemporary, half-round console cabinet serves as a graceful focal point. On top is a crystal orb that belonged to Nancy's parents; on the vinyl-covered wall above it are Asian rubbings that belonged to Ken's parents.

The dining and kitchen area are immediately visible through a wide opening. Colorful chairs surround a round dining table built by Walnut Street Woodworks of Denver.

"I thought 10 chairs the same color was going to be boring," Pat says. "When you cover them in five colors - from terra cotta to orange to pale yellow - everybody talks about them."

The kitchen is arranged as a galley at the back of the dining room, with the sink set in front of a window overlooking the street. The rest of the space is wheelchair accessible and contains conveniences like pull-out storage drawers, a side-by-side freezer refrigerator and easy on/off faucets. A pantry behind the galley stores staples, dishes and small appliances that would otherwise clutter granite countertops.

A family room has gone upscale and is equipped with leather chairs, a contemporary fireplace and a wall unit that frames a large, plasma-screen TV. Built into the unit are illuminated cabinets that bring order to a lifetime of mementos. Ken's mom collected elephant figurines; both Ken and Nancy have collected honors and other souvenirs as avid golfers.

Between two recliners, Pat placed a three-tiered table that keeps life's necessities handy. Pill containers, books, reading glasses and other items are within reach on the table top; when guests are expected, these items can be swept onto a lower shelf.

A new hallway serves as a family photo gallery. To the left are images of children and grandchildren; to the right, extended family members and ancestors.

At the end of the hall, the couple's new, 700-square-foot master suite appears. The bedroom is multipurpose. Along one wall, Nancy can help with her son's mortgage business by working at a built-in desk. A nearby corner is furnished with two red-leather chairs perfect for conversations or reading.

"At our age, we deserve red leather chairs," Nancy says.

The king-size bed is fully adjustable and faces a large-screen TV on a wall-mounted swivel, while a door opens out onto a sunny patio and putting green.

The master bathroom is full of polished, rainforest-brown marble counters and gleaming fixtures. A jetted tub is surrounded by shaded windows and backs up to a glassed-in shower with bench. Water closets contain comfort-height toilets, and one of them offers wheelchair privacy.

"It turned out to be a wonderful project," Pat says. "It lives well. It supports Ken and Nancy's life, and it's very pretty when you walk in the front door. It's not your typical grandma house."

"This is not your grandma's house," Ken affirms. "This is our house."

Adds Nancy, "This was a young married couple's house that never became sophisticated. I don't consider myself sophisticated - I've never grown up, but the house has."

Details

• What: ranch home

• Where: southeast Denver

• Purchase price: $45,000 (1971)

• Size: 1,900 square feet plus 700- square-foot addition.

• Cost: All Ken would say was "ka-ching," when asked what specific pieces cost.

• Designer: Pat Bollinger Simpson and Lynn Hegstrom, Bollinger Design Group

• Contractor: Jim Gisness and Scott Asdell

Keys to the transformation

By making the Shwayder home livable for life, Pat Bollinger Simpson, principal of Bollinger Design Group, transformed a modest Denver ranch home into a popular destination for three generations of a family and their friends. Here are some of the steps she took:

• Space planning

Rearranging the floor plan made the house more accessible. Pat also moved the washer and dryer from a room off the garage to a closet near the master suite, where it is easier to reach.

• Color

Instead of white walls and neutral furnishings, Pat applied rich colors throughout the house, on walls, upholstery and floors, making spaces feel warmer.

• Multifunctional furnishings

Pat and the Shwayders selected cabinets and tables with built-in storage to reduce clutter.

• Mood

Pat designed attractive, well-built surroundings so that they would lift spirits, provide a sense of security and make family and friends feel comfortable.

• Light

She placed the master-suite addition at the back of the home so natural light would flow into the bedroom.

Recessed ceiling cans, spotlights and table lamps highlight the décor and make reading or work easy.

lehndorffb@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-2792