Redefining the cabin in the woods

 Like any Colorado girl who loves the outdoors, I once dreamt of owning a little cabin in the woods, secluded in the shade of pines, mountain views from every window and a roaring fireplace in the living room where I could cuddle up with a quilt, a book and a dog. A golden retriever. Named Wallace.

Yes, you could say I had an active imagination.

But what I never imagined was for my cabin dream to seem so uninspired, to be so totally eclipsed by the creativity and craftsmanship on display at this week's featured home, an upscale yet cozy retreat in Star Ranch listed by Jim Waltman of RE/MAX Properties for $1.3 million.

"The location is so secluded and private," says Waltman of the 4.2-acre lot at the foot of Cheyenne Mountain, which echoes with bird song and wind - and nothing else. Constructed in 2007, the home was among the first to be built in the new Star Ranch gated development and is the first to arrive on the resale market. "There's nothing else like this available," he insists.

And I agree. The exterior's stacked-stone and low-maintenance timber siding don't announce their presence in the haughty manner of many $1 million homes, but the home is instead inset and feels like a part of its natural environment.  

Those feelings of casual grace continue as you pass through an 8-foot knotty alder door into the home's great room, which glows with custom, 5-inch-wide distressed wood floors. Windows line the far wall, the ceiling peaks overhead at a wooden beam, and a custom stone fireplace serves as the room's focal point. Though the fireplace is gas, its flames dance and jump in the most realistic fashion, and I can easily insert the quilt, the book and the dog of my dreams into the cozy space.

The impression of comfort amidst luxury is deliberate, says the seller, who explains that they were "trying to keep it more on the rustic side ... It's elegant, yet relaxed mountain living."

After all, at this retreat in the woods, who needs to be formal and stuffy? No one would miss formality's absence from this floor plan, whose main attraction has to be the combined kitchen and dining area.

For the cook, the gourmet kitchen offers a six-burner Viking range (with a nearby pot filler, my favorite kitchen accessory), a Sub-Zero fridge, two ovens, a copper farmhouse sink and a walk-in pantry. A mahogany-topped island offers work space and breakfast-bar seating for four. From an island stool, you can enjoy a view of Cheyenne Mountain through the window over the sink that the seller calls, "ever-changing. It's a beautiful place to be."

Normally, I'd label an attached eating area a "nook," but in this spacious retreat, the word hardly does this sun-filled 15-by-15-foot area justice. Near the large dining table and charming branch-like chandelier, you can walk-out onto the back deck, which completes the excellent flow of the floor plan through the kitchen and dining area, directing guests into the great outdoors.

Once a guest finds this outdoor escape - which features a stamped concrete floor, wrought-iron railings and sweeping views -  they may never want to leave. Thanks to an outdoor fireplace in one corner and a timber roof overhead, they may never have to, no matter the weather.

"It is one of my favorite places," admits the seller. "Just about every morning, I'm out here having coffee, my private time. The birds out here, there are so many varieties that it's like a sanctuary."

Birds are only the beginning, however, as bears, deer, turkey and fox are regular visitors, too. "It's always entertaining," she adds.

The deck can also be accessed from the master suite, where another peaked, beamed ceiling reinforces a cabin-like theme, but the attached five-piece bath is anything but rustic. Separate vanities flank an oval soaking tub, and separate walk-in closets allow space for any size of wardrobe. The only feature that could be shared, if desired, is the large walk-in shower, which offers custom tile work, a bench and natural light pouring through glass tiles.

Rounding out the main level is a bedroom with a dedicated bath that would function well as either a guest suite or a home office, while more living space can be found down a curving staircase in the partially finished, walk-out basement. A wet bar with a fridge and dishwasher services a family room with a stone fireplace, and a walk-out leads to another concrete patio, this one surrounded by walls and pillars of stacked stone.

Tuck away the kids in either of two bedrooms on this lower level, one measuring 15-by-12-feet and one a 17-by-16-foot suite with a dedicated bath. And you'll find plenty of partially finished and unfinished space for storage, an exercise room or future expansion.

According to Waltman, however, the beauty of this home cannot be found only in details like the hand-troweled walls, the upgraded light and plumbing fixtures, or any of the many natural materials integrated into the design.

"It's just extremely well done because it was (built by) Nichols & Comito (LLC)," Waltman says. "Even all the things you don't see, like the insulation and such, you know are well done and high-quality. You don't see it, but that quality makes a difference."

He points to the mid-floor sound-control system, Energy Star insulation, electrostatic air filter, instant hot water heater and Pella windows as a few examples of this invisible attention to detail.

The seller also lays a lot of the credit for the home's beauty at the feet of Nichols & Comito, although the sellers had significant input.

"Just about everything we kicked up one more notch. There are lots of upgrades," she says. "The layout of this house for us, it couldn't be better, and the quality is beyond compare."

Despite the inarguable quality, throughout my tour of the 4,674-square-foot home, I never once felt overwhelmed with luxury or overpowered by pretention. It's not the sort of home that one uses to keep up with the Joneses or show off your wealth.

Instead, this Colorado girl felt only the privacy, sanctuary and comfort that I always imagined my dream log cabin in the woods would provide. Only now, thanks to ideas inspired by Nichols and Comito and these sellers, I'm curling up in front of a fireplace on a covered patio with a view, glass of wine in hand.

With the golden retriever, of course.

For a private showing of this home at 581 Hidden Cottage Grove, call Jim Waltman of RE/MAX Properties at 719-540-6461.