More Finished Pics

This slate shower shows off Josh's design talents, as well as the extreme care we took with the details of the house.

We opened up the stairs to allow access straight to the kitchen via a slate hallway.

Final pics

Here are some pics of the finished exterior and kitchen.

New paint, windows, roof and gutters made a huge difference to the outside of the house.

In the kitchen pics the slate backsplash hasn't been grouted yet, though we've now finished it.

4 Weeks before finishing

These pictures represent progress from around June 12th.

Listing Description for 1461 Cook St.

Totally renovated, and “green” house.

Standard features include all new electric, plumbing, heating and air conditioning, new cherry cabinets in kitchen and upstairs bathroom vanities with maple cabinets in basement wetbar, 3cm granite slab counter tops throughout, new bamboo floors in kitchen and wet bar, new paint inside and out, new architectural style roof, new metallic bronze gutters, slate floors and showers in bathrooms with a slate backsplash in kitchen, brushed nickel lights and fixtures, new carpet in basement, refinished floors, brand new new low-e windows, new fans in kitchen and upstairs hallway, new landscaping, crown molding throughout, new water heater, stainless appliance package featuring an LG french door refrigerator, range with hood, dishwasher, under the counter microwave, and even a brand new (white) Frigidaire Affinity washer and dryer set.

Layout includes 3 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, with a master suite with a large walk-in closet; all bedrooms are on the top floor, as are the washer and dryer. Also includes an office, wet bar, storage room, workout room, and theater room in addition to the living room, dining room and kitchen. Tons of functional living space with a large backyard, and a two car garage with workshop.

Green features include all energy star appliances with washer that uses 67% less water, energy saver water heater, the most efficient furnace made (96.1% efficient with a D/C motor that runs 80% cheaper), an A/C unit that is two steps better than energy star, low-e windows, which reduce heat loss by 45% over double pane windows, non-toxic paint inside and out, sustainably harvested bamboo floors, energy star lighting throughout (except 4 lights), carpet made of recycled soda bottles, non-toxic finish for floors, non-toxic stone sealer, and some toxic drywall mud, cleaners, and adhesives. All package waste was recycled, and all yard waste was composted. Will subsidize solar panels upon closing for those interested.

The new flagstone path from the front to the left side of the house. The flagstone was salvaged from the backyard. It was buried by overgrown grass.

New Amerimax low-e windows that save 45% on energy costs

The walls have been mudded and sanded several times to get a smooth flat finish instead of the bumpy outdated texture.

The "atrium bathroom" has undergone quite a renovation. First, it was even a bathroom to begin with; it'll be the second one upstairs. We added 8" of headroom while making the floor more structurally sound. This bathroom will house the washer and dryer, also, making it easily accessible from the bedrooms.

The basement has all new electrical wiring, new windows, moved a wall to create a larger room for a home theatre, and installed recessed lighting.

Project #1: Cook St house update

Josh and his crew have been really busy. Working lots of hours and with lots of sub-contractors. We have had some major electrical work done but there are still some minor things to do. Here are some pictures of some of the work being completed:


New fencing = more privacy


Removal of old woodwork. This may be controversial for some but the masses seem to think old school isn't cool.


More woodwork removal


Interior paint colors; neutrals with just a hint of color.

Project #1: Cook St House DEMO

We have already made some significant changes. Here are several photos of just a smidgen of the work thats been done at the Cook St house.

This is the entry to the living room from the hallway coming from the front door. It had been closed off with drywall and a small doorway.

















This is the same entry way looking into the hallway from the living room. We removed the closed off entryway as well as open up some windows that previously had stained-glass in them. In the background you can see Ed working on opening the other entry into the den. By doing so, we have created such an open feeling that previously left the space feeling super-segmented.






This will be the new wine cellar. It was just a storage area before.


















This is an original fireplace in the basement. We are going to cover it with stone to give it an updated look, cover the walls with drywall (obviously), and replace those windows. This may become the exercise room but could also be used for an additional bedroom, sitting room, or rec room.

Project #1: Cook St House

We began demo on our new project on February 16th. We are very excited about this house because it has a lot of potential to go from dysfunctional to functional and sytlish. It is a large home with about 3000 sq. ft including the basement. There are lots of bedrooms but some are being converted to bathroom/closet space. In the end, we expect to create a 3 bedroom, 4 bathroom house.

Our plans for the house include:

• Energy Star windows


• Refinish original hardwood flooring


• Bamboo flooring in other areas without original hardwoods


• Create a master suite with a jacuzzi tub, fancy shower, and a large closet


• Add bathroom to top floor deemed the "atrium bathroom"


• Low flush toilets throughout


• Energy star lighting and fans


• Open up entries to main floor rooms


• A stunning kitchen with cinnamon colored Cherry cabinetry, Stainless steel Energy Star appliances including a hood over the oven, and installed trash/recycling center.


• Updated bathrooms


• Industrial-style wet bar in basement


• Theatre-ready room in basement


• Work-out room in basement


• Wine cellar


• Energy Star washer and dryer


• New 95% efficient furnace, air conditioner, and water heater


• Landscaped yard - front and back


• New roof on detached garage and motion sensored lighting.

We've got lots to do but the transformation will be amazing. We expect to complete this project in roughly 3 months. Keep checking back for updates and pictures. If you know anyone looking for a house in Denver...send them a link to this blog so they can check it out.

What to Expect in a Green Housing Project

Minimally, one can expect to find zero-VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) paint (and stain if applicable), energy star appliances when available (dryers and ovens are not available in energy star models), a water efficient washing machine, a dryer, and a refrigerator (most houses do not come with any of these appliances). If flooring is in good shape, whether hardwoods, tile, or linoleum, it will not be replaced in order to avoid unnecessary waste. If new floors are necessary, we will use bamboo or cork in main areas, as these can be grown sustainably, non-toxic carpet in bedrooms, and tile in bathrooms and kitchens, giving priority to recycled tiles, and using less toxic or non-toxic adhesives when available. Fully functioning furnaces and water heaters will most likely not be replaced with new energy star models, unless the budget allows for these additional costs, in which case the functioning models will be donated to Habitat for Humanity or another non-profit. We will also use a grey water recycling unit when we can in order to reduce household water usage by as much as 30%. We will always use energy efficient windows to insure low heating costs. In the case of a scrap or new build we will use green kits and do our best to implement passive solar heating and solar power as well. As for greenery, we will not unnecessarily destroy any greenery, and hope to promote clean air by planting trees at houses renewed during the planting season.

Strategy

Green Housing will realize its mission through purchasing distressed properties and remodeling them with sustainable, recycled, non-toxic materials, while using energy efficient and water efficient appliances. Renewed properties will be sold to private owners, giving preference to families, women, and ethnic minorities, at a price below the appraised market value in order to provide a high quality, healthy, and efficient home to families that may not be able to otherwise afford them. Thus we hope to reduce energy, water and other natural resource usage, as well construction waste, and to give families more freedom by loosening banks’ grip over people’s lives.

Mission Statement and Philosophy

Green Housing LLC is a Christian-based company created in order to provide ecologically sound and affordable housing to Denver residents. This stems from the two biblical principles of compassion and stewardship. We believe that God created us to bless the created order and especially to love other humans within that order. By creating homes that use fewer resources to create, use less resources in the process of being lived in, cost less to the buyer, and are aesthetically pleasing, we believe that we will be contributing to God’s desire for goodness in the world.