Words and photos by: Scot Zimmerman
A family close to becoming empty nesters built a new home at the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon with the goal of being right-sized for the three of them, roomy enough for visiting married couples, and spacious enough to maintain holiday traditions.
Dan Stewart of Tri-City Construction, Inc., both built and designed the home around the family’s specific needs. Heidi Stewart, along with the homeowner, designed the interiors. The home is a study of space where it matters.
The open space plan allows for the intimate seating area defined by the sectional and area carpet in the living area. This area has a distinctive pitched ceiling with rafters and wood for warmth, and the lowered coffered kitchen ceiling gives definition to that area. Note the space between the living area sectional and the kitchen counters; I’ll get back to that in a bit.
This second view of the living area shows the stonework around the fireplace and highlights how the windows capture the views of the Wasatch at the mouth of the canyon. Through the glass window wall, a barreled ceiling offers protection to another patio seating area.
The protected patio serves as a casual den. Barnwood doors hide the television when those relaxing just want to appreciate the fire and the views.
The kitchen is designed to function, and for good reason. The homeowners have long hosted the family’s holiday parties, and the smallest guest count is for 40 at Thanksgiving. The double counters offer the workspace to prepare the many courses and specialty entrees for the meal where many hands can join in. There is also plenty of space to move around in if they choose to set a buffet line.
Remember the extra space between the living and kitchen areas? The homeowners have a dining table that seats twelve, and they add tables in the open areas for their guests.
The bedrooms are an area where there is enough space, but they’re not oversized. The master is on the main floor with the same great views shared by the living and dining areas. I liked Tri-Cities’ detailing of the ceiling and the wall by the headboard. The downstairs bedrooms are similarly large enough, but also not oversized.
The master bath is where the homeowners indulged themselves a bit with double vanities, plenty of storage, and a soaking tub, which I imagine feels just about perfect after preparing, serving, and cleaning up a dinner for 60.
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