A Denver Vacation Home Turned Dreamy Second Home | The Carnett Project Pt. 1
When our team first walked into what’s now known as The Carnett Project, the goal was clear: transform this Denver-area property into a stunning, high-end Airbnb. Fast-forward six months, and the end result? Well, let’s just say the homeowners fell so in love with the finished space that they decided not to rent it out at all.
This bright, airy home in the south Denver suburbs is now their second home — and after you take a tour through Part 1 of the reveal, you’ll understand why.
From the kitchen to the dining and living spaces, every detail of this renovation was designed to balance function with warmth, and simplicity with style. Let’s take a peek behind the scenes at the intentional upgrades that turned a solid but dated home into a fresh, family-friendly retreat full of neutral palettes, organic elements, and elevated design.
Take a tour of The Carnett Project’s kitchen, dining, and indoor-outdoor living spaces, all designed by Denver Interior Design Studio, Basil & Tate.
The Kitchen: a Bright Refresh Without Changing the Footprint
Believe it or not, this kitchen makeover didn’t require any major layout changes. The bones were already strong — including some gorgeous high-end appliances — so our job was to bring the space up to date with refreshed finishes and functionality.
One of the biggest changes? Lowering the old bar-height counter to one seamless surface. This instantly modernized the flow and opened up the sightlines. We also swapped out dated pendants for beautiful semi-flush brass light fixtures that add just the right amount of warmth and glow.
Cabinetry got a full refresh too: darker paint on the lowers, a lighter color up top, and a whole lot of balance in between. This blend of tone keeps the kitchen feeling bright and welcoming, which was key for what was originally going to be an Airbnb — but now gets to serve as a getaway for our clients themselves.
The Eat-in Kitchen Nook: from Forgotten Desk to Favorite Feature
This little nook off the kitchen just might be our favorite moment in the whole house. What used to be a dated built-in desk setup is now one of the first things you see when walking into the space — and it shines.
We maximized function by installing deeper base cabinets and floating a beautiful soft white shelf above. Then, we ran the backsplash tile all the way to the ceiling for extra drama and dimension. And another pair of our favorite brass lights? You bet.
With a mix of neutral, earthy design finishes and strategic lighting, this corner is now a major focal point in the kitchen — proof that even small changes can have big impact.
The Formal Dining Room: a Feature Wall to Remember
Around the corner from the kitchen sits a formal dining room that deserved a bold, timeless statement. To create it, our team designed a custom board and batten wall treatment painted in ‘Porpoise’ by Sherwin-Williams — a rich, grounding tone that’s modern yet classic. It’s one of those paint colors we’ll be using again, for sure.
We paired the wall treatment with an oversized modern chandelier that elongates the room and mirrors the scale of the dining table below. These design choices helped the space feel more intentional and elegant, while still aligning with the home’s overall transitional design aesthetic.
Indoor—Outdoor Living Spaces: Old Meets New With a Custom Touch
One of the most exciting features of this home is the nano door system that blurs the line between inside and out. The living room flows right into the outdoor entertaining area, perfect for hosting family and friends or simply enjoying Colorado’s cool mountain air.
Inside, we kept the original fireplace facade but elevated the entire wall with custom built-ins on both sides. On one side, we installed open shelving with space below for ottomans that offer flexible seating or a place to kick up your feet.
On the other side, we designed a window bench with built-in drawers — the perfect storage solution for board games, throw blankets, or an impromptu nap.
A soft bench cushion, a few throw pillows, and a sleek wall sconce later… and it’s safe to say we’ve got a new favorite reading spot. (Dibs on the window seat!)
A Second Home to Savor
While The Carnett Project began as a short-term rental, it quickly became something much more personal. Through thoughtful design, smart updates, and a commitment to blending beauty and function, this Denver vacation home is now a cozy second residence our clients are proud to call their own.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of the reveal, where we’ll take you through the home office, bedroom and bathroom transformations, full of soft textures, calming tones, and the intentional, layered design our team is known for.
Planning Your Own Vacation Home or Second Home Renovation?
Whether you’re designing a weekend getaway or dreaming up a full-time Denver home renovation, we’d love to help bring your vision to life. Our team specializes in elevated, neutral interiors with warm, organic design and a strong sense of place.
As a trusted Denver interior designer, we work on homes throughout the greater metro area — in Colorado and beyond — to create spaces that feel beautifully lived-in, effortlessly styled, and always personal.
Ready to get started?
If you’re considering a home renovation, vacation home remodel, or need help designing your custom home, we’d love to bring your vision to life. Book a complimentary discovery call with us today, and let’s start designing your dream home!
Ready to elevate your home?
From Denver home renovations to creating custom new-build homes, the design team here at Basil & Tate is ready to help you bring goodness home. If you’re looking for an expert design eye to help with furnishing, remodeling or building from the ground up, let’s schedule a chat and see if our design team is the right fit for your home project.
Welcome to Basil & Tate— a full-service residential interior design studio serving Denver, Colorado & beyond, curating bespoke interiors that seamlessly blend comfort, nature and timeless design. We describe our design aesthetic as earthy, organic, and elevated. If you like a combination of classic and modern design, mixed with soft neutral colors and natural textures, you’re in the right place.
Whether you’re looking for an interior designer to save you time on your custom home renovation or to help bring your luxury new-build vision to life, the interior design experts at Basil & Tate will be with you every step of the way to deliver a turn-key, white-glove design experience.
Looking for interior design services within the Denver, Colorado area? Let's get in touch.
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