This historic building, once the home of a hydroelectric plant, is now the home of interior designer Tric Shaw of Lange Shaw Designs, Inc., Chef Brian Oremond from Tommyknockers Brewery, their two active little girls and two dogs. While the previous owners did use the building as a residence, Tric had a unique vision for a home that would be both a designer show place and practical, kid- and pet-friendly home. She wanted to incorporate a warm, contemporary feeling while maintaining a sense of the building’s original purpose. While gutting the building, removing old drywall revealed beautiful historic concrete walls. These walls, and the original double hanging garage doors, were the inspiration for much of the home’s design.

Former Hydroelectric Plant

Stream on Property

Radiant Heat Under Floor

Radiant Heat Installed

Kids on Concrete

In order to make the home practical and cozy, Brian and Tric chose a radiant heating system for the flooring. The family loves being able to put their feet right on the bare floor on a cold winter’s morning! After the radiant heat coils were installed over the existing concrete floors, K & J poured gypsum over top, then Table Mountain Creative Concrete applied a texture trowel overlay using Miracote’s MPC. While the texture is subtle, it adds depth and movement to the floor while adding slip resistance – a safety feature which allows the children and dogs to run without slipping.

Dining Room Concrete Floor

Stained Concrete Hallway

Overlay with Texture Trowel

Leather Floor

Concrete Floor with Radiant Heat

Because the floor was completed in sections, and to add design elements evocative of the water running under the building, two bands were saw cut into the floor. These “streams” transitioned the color of the acid stain (which can vary when applied to different batches of concrete) while also suggesting a delineation between the kitchen and the living room without creating any physical barrier. Ironically, actual stream water was used in the completion of the floor as the home had no interior running water at the time of the project.

To achieve the rich color, we stained the entire floor with black acid stain of varying strength, and we achieved a mottled effect by using floor sweep. Even the “streams” were stained with black acid, highly diluted with water from the creek to achieve a complimentary color. After sealing the floor, we waxed it with Day Star Ultra High-Speed Floor Coating with a matte finish.

Best Floor for Kids

Inviting Floors

Concrete Hallway with Stain

Living Room Floor

Concrete Floor Transition

The family couldn’t be happier with the result. When entertaining, the big, open floor plan allows easy movement between the kitchen, dining area, and living room, and transforms easily to a playground for two active little girls under three. The large open kitchen (designed by Bev Adams of Interior Intuitions) with its freestanding island, is perfect for entertaining and has been featured on Colorado Homes & Lifestyles web magazine. Tric loves the way her children are able to ride their bikes and walkabouts throughout the house, as their mountain location does not allow the children to ride outside. On snow-bound days, the children are as active as ever!

Tric notes that the house is easily handicapped accessible, allowing wheel chairs to move freely without barriers or carpeting. With two large dogs, she says clean-up is easy and the mottled design and color scheme hides a lot of the dog hair and footprints between cleaning. (Note: these photos are of the house on an average activity-filled day and did not need “preparation” to look this good!) She is confident no hardwood floor would stand up to the traffic and play of this active family. Tric’s favorite thing about the floors? Guests ask her all the time “Is this floor made of leather?”