Classic Homeworks' FALL 2005 Newsletter (text only)

A Word from Rick

History. What a wonderful thing history is. History has a way of repeating itself I am told. It also holds within it’s core a wondrous wealth of information.
This became very apparent while traveling with my family in Europe this summer. We were pleasantly surprised when we arrived in Barcelona & Girona, Spain to learn that these cities have a history nearly 2000 years old. Imagine for a moment that you lived in a city that has a “documented” history so old.
What really amazed me was that I was used to thinking of history in a more primitive context, when I hike among the ruins of the Anazazi in Utah each May. But their civilization vanished after a mere 500 years, whereas in Spain and elsewhere it has thrived for 2000 years!
Makes me wonder what history will say about our life and times. Just how will this piece of history we call our own be viewed in say 500 or even 2000 years?
Makes me wonder. How about you?

...Speaking of history, we feel very fortunate to be celebrating our 20th Anniversary. We are also happy to welcome back Jim Wilkinson after a 5 year absence.

At your service,
Rick

Classic Homeworks Honored Second Year In A Row

For the second year in a row, the Colorado Awards for Remodeling Excellence (CARE) hosted by the Remodeler’s Council of Metro Denver, honored Classic Homeworks with five out of five possible awards for exceptional remodeling projects.
Classic Homeworks was recognized in the following five categories:
Second Place - Bathrooms $25,000-$50,000
Honorable Mention - Bathrooms Under $25,000
Honorable Mention - Sustainable Remodel
Honorable Mention - Kitchens $50,000 - $100,000
Honorable Mention - Additions
Thank you to the homeowners for opening your homes to us!

Trading A Long Driveway For Lush Landscaping

The driveway leading from the street to the old garage in back of Gary & Maureen Flanders' 1920’s Congress Park home used much of their small lot. Although a garage remodel and hardscaping project were not exactly what Classic Homeworks was known for, we couldn’t resist working with the Flanders who, a few years prior, had hired us to remodel their kitchen.
The couple wanted to transform their yard into a space perfect for entertaining family and friends in the warm months. They also preferred to park their cars in the garage. With a single lane driveway, someone always lost out. To meet both goals of a larger outdoor entertainment area and a two-car garage, a design was created by Harrison Phillips that included tearing out the old driveway and building a new garage.
The new garage boasts convenient alley access and a look that matches their 1920’s Craftsman Bungalow, right down to the recycled brick! The new design also increased storage and improved overall accessibility from the house. The old driveway was ripped out and replaced with a series of classic patios and luscious landscaping for lounging, entertaining, and gardening. The water fountain in the backyard is not just soothing, it blocks out any nearby street and alley noise. New, sturdy lattice-style fencing creates a sense of safety and privacy. Now, Gary and Maureen enjoy their backyard like never before!

Bonnie Brae Survives Embezzlement To Become One Of Denver’s Best

In the 1870s, the Kansas Pacific Railroad owned the lands that would become Bonnie Brae. Instead of developing the area, however, they sold it as farmland. When mortuary baron George Olinger decided to recreate a medieval Scottish village in 1923, he called upon past inspiration. Having grown up in north Denver, he knew a subdivision called Argyle Village, with winding streets such as Caithness Court and Dunkeld Place, traces of which can still be found just east of North High School.
To fulfill this design, Olinger hired Washington Park landscape architect S. R. DeBoer to lay out “Bonnie Brae,” borrowing the Gaelic term for “pleasant hill.” DeBoer highlighted the residential character of the neighborhood through small, irregularly shaped lots centered around a verdant Ellipse Park, confining unsightly filling stations and businesses to the 700 block of South University.
Business corruption delayed development. After Olinger sold off his land development unit in 1925, the new officers embezzled more than $5 million before declaring bankruptcy. Headline news soon detailed the scandal, and people went to prison.
The end of World War II brought a boom and the lands of Bonnie Brae were snapped up.
With America turning towards the suburbs, modern subdivisions like Bonnie Brae were all the rage, with single-family houses located on curvilinear roads in a park-like setting reinforced by automobiles and the culture of consumption.
Neighborhood histories by Historical Insights. Contact the company at 303-818-3263 for a fascinating trip through your home’s own history! www.historicalinsights.com

Volunteers Fix Up Home Of An Elderly Woman Raising Six Grandchildren

In a community service effort last spring, two Classic Homeworks employees, Colin Morrison and Terry Dugan, worked with many other skilled volunteers for National Rebuilding Together Day.
Working together in just one day, volunteers transformed the home of Juanita, a caring grandmother who is single-handedly raising her six grandchildren. Colin and Terry participated in putting up new exterior siding, repairing a deck, installing new windows and doors, and repairing a fence. Of the experience, Morrison said, “It was rewarding to see the community come together and in one day assist a family in need. It was great to be able to help Juanita and her family achieve some of their goals.”
Rebuilding Together is a community service branch of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). Thanks, guys!

Historical Research Company Brings The History Of Your Older Home To Life

Though old homes and mature neighborhoods bring an implicit value into our lives, only by knowing the past can we truly appreciate it.
As the only historical research company dedicated to reality, Historical Insights focuses on aspects of Denver history that most matter to homeowners. Founded by professional historian Dave Burrell, Historical Insights provides exhaustive histories of older Denver homes for home owners and realty professionals.
Of the company's services, Dave says, "We seek not simply to reveal facts about the past, but to illuminate people and life-events both great and small. As homes are a tangible record of culture, we hope that our studies will connect people to the past, and in so doing, strengthen ties to the homes, communities, and historical record to which we all implicitly belong."
Whether using it as a housewarming gift, anniversary present, or simply a gift to self, a written history celebrates this unique place called home. And if you're looking for historic tax credits, ideas for a sensitive historical remodel, or a realty tool to resell the house, resurrecting your home's history can be a good financial decision as well.
To learn how history can add value to your home, contact Dave Burrell at Historical Insights at 303-818-3263.
www.historicalinsights.com

Project Spotlight

Ron and Penny Gonnella, owners of this century-old West Highlands home, had lived with a 70’s-era kitchen remodel for the past decade. With plans to live in their home indefinitely, they wanted a true working kitchen with all the modern amenities. So we transformed their cramped, aging kitchen with new practical features and updated electrical and plumbing. By relocating the new sink, cook top and refrigerator, the kitchen functions more efficiently and offers much needed storage space. To best utilize this increased storage capacity, cider-finished cherry cabinets were installed and feature full height food pantries flanking the refrigerator on both sides. A tiled floor and decorative backsplash warm the room, making it a cozy place to sample wine from the new custom wine cabinet.

Employee Spotlight

We are pleased to announce that one of our favorite past employees is back among us. Like the prodigal son, we have waited patiently for Jim to learn from the school of “hard knocks” and come back full of fresh new ideas and a stronger than ever desire to serve. Welcome back Jim!
When Jim left 5 years ago he was one of our best Project Supervisors and now with his added depth of experience he will rejoin us as our Production Manager. Jim’s commitment to customer service and direct experience working for our clients in the field make him the ideal person for this job. Recently Jim said:

“We have found that all too often the personal service we all used to expect is now something we are surprised to receive. My goal is to ensure we never forget that old fashioned “classic” way of thinking and continue to make it our priority.”

Celebrating Our 20th Anniversary Serving Denver Homeowners

We are so fortunate to be celebrating our 20th Anniversary as the “Premier Remodeler of Denver’s Older Homes.”
This business was founded in an unofficial way back in July of 1985, the same summer I bought my first home and my first new truck. Yikes! Unemployed and deep in debt I decided to take the fate of my future into my own hands. For the next few years I was willing to do just about anything for just about anyone and borrowing as much money as anyone would lend me. We called ourselves Creative Carpenters & Associates. (Which is who we were.)
During that time I bought the first of what would be several old homes that were in such bad shape the neighbors would go out of their way to thank me for riding their block of this eyesore. These homes gave me a wonderful opportunity to learn about the intricacies of old home remodeling on my own time and with my own money. I loved it!
In my continued search for derelict old homes I stumbled upon 281 S. Pearl St. in 1990. This home still had a pile of coal in the back yard and had become a place for squatters. Learning the property was zoned for business I determined this would be the home of CC&A Construction Co. (We incorporated in 1991.)
After a complete renovation I moved in only to move 2 years later into my current home. The business however, stayed and we have become a fixture in the neighborhood ever since.
In 2003 we rolled out our new name, Classic Homeworks, continuing the “Personal Service with Excellence & Integrity” that has been our mission statement from day one.
Thank you for your part in our continued success!

Back to Newsletters