We live in one of the most beautiful regions in the lower 48 states—Southwest Colorado. The mountains, the lakes, and the changing seasons invite you to slow down and breathe a little deeper. You may love where you live, but still feel disconnected from your home. Perhaps you have considered remodeling, yet the question remains: where would you even begin?
Renovating can feel like a never-ending series of decisions. Layout, finishes, lighting, and furniture — all the small details no one warns you about until you are standing in a dusty room trying to choose a paint color while juggling the demands of everyday life. It can feel overwhelming, especially when the home is not your primary residence or when you live far away. That is exactly why this Electra Lake project was such an honor to be a part of.
This was not just a refresh. We replanned, renovated, and refurnished the entire home. The goal was simple: to create a warm, cottage-style lake cabin that feels welcoming the moment you walk in, while making the process easy for a busy mother-and-daughter duo living hundreds of miles away who had no interest in managing a remodel or shopping for furnishings themselves.
When I first stepped into the home, I immediately saw its potential. The setting was breathtaking, and the structure itself had great bones, but the layout and finishes were working against it. The home had not been updated in over 30 years. The finishes felt tired, and the flow did not support how people actually live, gather, and relax today. A 1990s addition created a large, awkward room at the back of the house with a dated bathroom that did not function as a comfortable or cohesive part of the home. The kitchen was another major pain point. It was a small, closed-off galley kitchen that felt cramped and disconnected, completely mismatched to the scale of the lake views and the homeowners' intended use of the space.
If any of this sounds familiar, it is because many Durango-area mountain homes share the same issue. They have charm, history, and incredible locations, but their layouts are often stuck in a different era. For this project, we focused on transforming the kitchen, dining, and living areas into one connected great space. We wanted it to feel cohesive and inviting, allowing the lake to be part of the experience without forcing everything to face a single direction.
The furnishings were carefully placed to take advantage of the large front windows and sweeping lake views, while also creating a strong interior focal point to ground the space. We added a new stone fireplace on the wall parallel to the windows, and that single design decision changed everything. It allowed for three distinct seating moments in the living area, all oriented toward the fireplace, with some seating also enjoying direct views of the lake. The space suddenly felt intentional, warm, and balanced.
Across from the living room, the dining area was positioned to face the windows. Whether playing cards, sharing a meal, or enjoying a morning cup of coffee, the space feels deeply connected to the beauty of the outside world. The biggest transformation, however, came from the new floor plan. To open up the kitchen and create room for a large island, we rethought the surrounding rooms entirely. The powder room, pantry, and bathroom locations were relocated and reworked, allowing the kitchen to finally breathe.
The new kitchen island became a true gathering spot with generous seating and ample surface area. It also functions as a buffet station when the homeowners are hosting. The kitchen sits just behind the dining area and remains fully open, allowing people to move easily between prepping, serving, and sitting down together. This was never about making the kitchen bigger in size. It was about making it useful. A kitchen should support real life, not complicate it.
The clients wanted a cottage-inspired aesthetic that still felt appropriate for a mountain lake home. We leaned into warmth, texture, and a collected look that feels comfortable rather than pretentious.
New wood doors and trim were installed throughout the home. The doors were stained a rich, dark tone to bring depth and contrast, while the trim and walls were painted a warm white. We used Benjamin Moore’s Swiss Coffee, a color that creates softness without feeling yellow or overly bright.
For the furnishings, we layered plaids and florals and grounded the palette with rust tones and sage greens. The décor carries a subtle cottage flair tailored to the home and setting so it feels elevated and timeless rather than trendy.
Open-plan living works best when there are clear visual anchors, and in this home, we created three that work together seamlessly: a stone fireplace with a roughhewn mantel as the living room anchor, a statement kitchen island as the functional anchor, and a custom French country dining table with seating for ten as the entertaining anchor.
Each anchor gives the eye a place to land and supports how the homeowners actually use the space. To tie everything together, we used two chandeliers in the great room, one over the dining table and one over the living area, and repeated the same rug style in both spaces to create cohesion without walls. We also added a tall cabinet in the kitchen that functions as a coffee bar and accessory hub, a small but impactful detail that makes daily life easier and the home feel ready for guests.
One of my favorite details in the home is a feature we weren't sure if we'd be able to achieve given the structural limitations. We converted a closet in the loft into a cozy seating area that overlooks the living and dining space and looks out toward the floor-to-ceiling windows facing the lake. It is the kind of spot that instantly makes a home feel personal, a place for morning coffee, a quiet phone call, or curling up with a book.
This project was designed for a busy mother and adult daughter who wanted the freedom to step back. We began with a walkthrough and design kickoff where they shared their inspiration and the feeling they wanted for the home. From there, I took the lead. First came the floor plan design, because when the layout is right, everything else becomes easier. Then we selected finishes, including tile, paint, and stain colors, flooring, plumbing, and electrical fixtures. Finally, we designed and sourced all furnishings and décor.
Everything was presented in a complete design package with selections already made. The clients were able to give feedback and request edits, but they did not have to make hundreds of piecemeal decisions week after week. This approach reduces decision fatigue by offering a clear vision and guiding refinement rather than chaos.
Turnkey design also means shielding clients from unnecessary stress. We worked closely with local Durango remodeler Chris Meyer of CMS Construction, collaborating daily to solve problems quickly without pulling the homeowners into the weeds. At one point, we discovered a structural post hidden inside an original wall. Rather than allowing it to become a disruption, we integrated it into a tall storage cabinet, preserving the structure and making it feel intentional.
By the end of the project, the home had a completely new energy. The seating supports conversation and comfort. The fireplace adds warmth and purpose. The kitchen invites gathering, and the dining table makes hosting feel effortless. The clients visited the site twice, once mid-construction and once after construction was complete, before furnishings were installed.
Then came the moment everyone looks forward to: the "big reveal". Walking into a fully furnished, styled home — done. No running around town. No stress.
A renovation does not have to steal your weekends or take over your mind. With the right plan and the right team, it can be organized, calm, and even exciting.