Rocky Mountain Reno:
Rustic in the Rockies

The Bachelorette favorites Ryan and Trista Sutter are taking their love of renovation to Colorado's log cabins. In this project they help soon-to-be parents find and and renovate their very own slice of the Colorado Mountains. Check out the finished renovation.

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May 28, 2015

By: David L. Haynes

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Photo By: ADAM LARKEY

Downstairs Lounge Area, AFTER

Ryan and Trista Sutter helped a young couple renovate this cabin in Minturn, Colorado -- a small community between the ski towns of Vail and Beaver Creek. Ryan and Trista's clients, David and Rachel, were in search of a home located in the Vail Valley that had a rustic feel and took advantage of having the Colorado mountains right in their backyard.

Living and Dining Room, AFTER

The renovated downstairs made use of an open floor plan that now includes this combined dining area and livng room with exposed wood beams, wood-burning stove and plenty of windows.

Downstairs Flex Room, AFTER

The clients were looking for a house with at least two bedrooms and two baths. Their budget was $375,000.

Kitchen, AFTER

For the renovation, the clients' desire was to strike a balance between mountain-rustic and modern.

Kitchen, AFTER

Trista's design plan took inspiration from the outdoor surroundings, deliberately bringing colors and themes of the natural surroundings indoors. A muted but rich blue was key in the color palette and reflective of the clear blue Colorado skies.

Upstairs Bath, AFTER

Textures incorporated into the overall design included natural wood, grass and stone.

New Nursery, AFTER

An upstairs bedroom was converted into this nursery, a welcome addition since David and Rachel were expecting a new baby.

North Side Exterior, BEFORE

Of the three houses that Ryan and Trista showed the clients, this one in Minturn was deemed the "ugly duckling" -- with rundown exterior, lots of junk in the yard and an interior that brought the term 'frat house' to mind. The location, however, offered convenience as well as surroundings with some amazing views.

Downstairs Flex Room, BEFORE

The clients budget was $375,000. For this cabin they were able to negotiate a purchase price of $325,000, leaving $50,000 for improvements. Ryan estimated that the $50,000 spent on renovation could well add around $100,000 equity to the house.

Downstairs Flex Room, AFTER

Once all the reconfiguring was done, the downstairs had ample space to include this multipurpose flex room adjacent to the living room and entryway.

Downstairs Flex Room, AFTER

The flex room has double glass doors that open onto the backyard and provide an impressive outdoor view.

Downstairs Flex Room, Detail

BEFORE

The home's original front entry had been boarded up and a separate side door was being used as the primary entrance.

AFTER

With the original front entryway restored, a portion of wall and old wood bannisters were removed and the stairs were given this modern, open treatment to help unify the downstairs spaces.

Kitchen, BEFORE

Little in the existing kitchen was deemed worthy of saving. These dated appliances, cabinets and countertops would be replaced, the tile flooring converted to hardwood and the drop ceiling removed.

Kitchen, AFTER

The redesign includes sleek, modern cabinetry, blue tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances.

Kitchen, AFTER

The kitchen is now opened up and reconfigured into an enlarged and more efficient galley-style layout.

Kitchen, BEFORE

Kitchen, AFTER

Other new additions include a new kitchen island, stainless range hood, twin pendant lights and recessed accent lighting. The old drop ceiling has been replaced with natural wood planks.

Kitchen, AFTER

The new island features a top that's stain and scorch resistant, and a butcher block extension.

Mudroom, AFTER

Just off of the kitchen is a sizable mudroom with double glass doors for plenty of natural light.

Mudroom, AFTER

Living Room, BEFORE

Living Room, AFTER

Living Room, AFTER, Detail

Dining Room, AFTER

Lounge Seating Area, AFTER

Upstairs Bedroom, BEFORE

Prior to the renovation, the upstairs bedrooms were strictly no-frills and "lived in."

Upstairs Bedroom, AFTER

The renovated master bedroom has vaulted ceilings, exposed wood beams and natural wood doors. As new homeowner Rachel says, it now has the feel of a room in a boutique mountain resort.

Upstairs Bedroom, AFTER

Upstairs Bedroom, BEFORE

Upstairs Bedroom, Converted to Nursery

New Nursery, AFTER

Upstairs Bath, BEFORE

The upstairs bath was dated and worn. It did, however, come with a vintage clawfoot tub that would be reconditioned and repurposed.

Upstairs Bath, AFTER

Gone is the duck-print wallpaper, and this upstairs bath has been completely transformed with new glass shower and ornate tile floors. The claw-foot tub was restored with tub filler and relocated beneath the window to take advantage of the view and natural light.

Rocky Mountain Reno:Rustic in the Rockies

Shop This Look

Downstairs Lounge Area, AFTER

Living and Dining Room, AFTER

Downstairs Flex Room, AFTER

Kitchen, AFTER

Kitchen, AFTER

Upstairs Bath, AFTER

New Nursery, AFTER

North Side Exterior, BEFORE

Downstairs Flex Room, BEFORE

Downstairs Flex Room, AFTER

Downstairs Flex Room, AFTER

Downstairs Flex Room, AFTER

Downstairs Flex Room, Detail

BEFORE

AFTER

Kitchen, BEFORE

Kitchen, AFTER

Kitchen, AFTER

Kitchen, BEFORE

Kitchen, AFTER

Kitchen, AFTER

Mudroom, AFTER

Mudroom, AFTER

Living Room, BEFORE

Living Room, AFTER

Living Room, AFTER

Living Room, AFTER, Detail

Dining Room, AFTER

Lounge Seating Area, AFTER

Upstairs Bedroom, BEFORE

Upstairs Bedroom, AFTER

Upstairs Bedroom, AFTER

Upstairs Bedroom, BEFORE

Upstairs Bedroom, Converted to Nursery

New Nursery, AFTER

New Nursery, AFTER

Upstairs Bath, BEFORE

Upstairs Bath, AFTER

Upstairs Bath, AFTER

Upstairs Bath, AFTER

Guest Bathroom, BEFORE

Guest Bathroom, BEFORE

Guest Bathroom, AFTER

Guest Bathroom, AFTER

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