Panoramic Perfection: Crafting a Luxury Home in Grand Junction

photos by Robin Bouricius

For those of us in Colorado, it’s not hard to understand the appeal of the state. Natural splendor is never too far away and stunning vistas are plentiful. The Front Range has been a draw for many, offering the benefits of urban living with reasonable access to mountain adventures. But those looking to immerse themselves even further in Colorado’s rugged charm often look farther west.

On the state’s western slope, in the outskirts of Grand Junction, Stone Cliff Views offers exactly this. The 5,000-square-foot custom-built luxury home is a hop and a skip from the iconic Colorado River, and the red rock cliffs of Colorado National Monument tower above. The location alone is enough to inspire awe, with expansive vistas and easy access to the often-overlooked national monument, but the home is a wonder unto itself.

Part of a new development in the area, Stone Cliff Views was meticulously crafted to incorporate the beauty of the surrounding area while maintaining the highest standards of modern luxury. The home wraps around an in-ground pool with an attached jacuzzi and a nearby gas-operated fire pit. Pass-through windows along the patio space allow for a seamless meshing of the home’s indoor and outdoor spaces.

A nine-car garage provides ample space for practical, everyday vehicles as well as off-road adventure toys, which are sure to be useful on the extensive network of 4x4 roads in the area. Beyond practical spaces for automobiles and ATVs, the home also includes areas designed for quiet elegance and leisure. A hallway library with a rolling ladder lends an element of refined sophistication.

It’s all designed to be the picture of modern luxury living, but the centerpiece of Stone Cliff Views is the kitchen.

“The client really loves modern farmhouses and I wanted to merge farmhouse with modern and traditional elements,” says Kyle Renstrom of Benchmark Construction, the team responsible for building the home.

Engineered hardwood floors lay the foundation for the open-concept kitchen, where a large island separates the dining area and living room space. A brilliant white quartz countertop on the island offers durability and easy cleaning, and helps to keep the space vibrant and filled with natural light. Elsewhere in the kitchen, black quartz countertops create a sense of juxtaposition while maintaining the robust features.

An operating marble backsplash separates the kitchen’s cooking area from the adjacent butler’s pantry, rising and lowering to either open the space further or manage mess while cooking. This element, says Kyle, was the most challenging part of the entire project, requiring coordination with multiple subcontractors to create something reliable and safe. “The operating backsplash between the kitchen and pantry created the perfect catering setup for large parties, allowing the client to either fully close off the pantry for a streamlined look or leave it open to provide visibility into the space,” he explains.

Below this incredibly unique feature is the 48-inch Dual-Fuel Range from Signature Kitchen Suite. The three ultra-high burners of the range are capable of outputting up to 23,000 BTUs, while the three ultra-low burners provide simmering temperatures as low as 100 degrees for the preparation of delicate sauces and sugary confections. A built-in wok grate can accommodate round-bottomed cookware, allowing for professional-quality stir-frying at home. Rounding out the features of the cooktop is an electric-operated chrome griddle that delivers even heating across its entire surface.

White luxury kitchen with a modern farmhouse vibe, SKS appliances, Parade of Homes featured.

The range sits atop dual ovens, also from Signature Kitchen Suite. The smaller 18-inch oven utilizes both steam and convection heating, ensuring food cooks quickly and evenly while maintaining the perfect texture. The neighboring 30-inch oven features a rear heating element and ProHeat convection technology that quickly and evenly heats food.

Signature Kitchen Suite’s 48-inch French door refrigerator provides the kitchen with 26 cubic feet of total storage space. The fridge’s convertible fridge/freezer drawers offer five preset temperature zones, ranging from full freeze to wine chilling. Of course, it wouldn’t be a modern appliance without app integration, allowing temperatures to be monitored and settings adjusted on the fly from a smartphone.

A Signature Kitchen Suite countertop microwave was installed in the kitchen’s cabinetry. The model has 2 cubic feet of capacity and a smart inverter that provides even cooking and defrosting. Smooth-touch glass controls give it a refined and modern look.

To be certain, they had enough cooking options for large family parties, the butler’s pantry contains an additional double wall oven with similar features to the dual ovens of the kitchen, though stacked vertically.

Signature Kitchen Suite dishwashers have been installed in both the kitchen and butler’s pantry, ensuring plenty of capacity even when both spaces are in use.

“I approached this project with entertaining in mind,” says Kyle. It’s easy to imagine dozens of people socializing in the resort-like space surrounded by gorgeous views.

“I wanted to honor the client's love of a modern farmhouse and also wanted the home to reflect the client's personal taste,” he says. “With some guidance from the client on likes and dislikes, I was able to move the design in a direction I knew reflected his taste.”

Stone Cliff Views is more than a home; it’s a celebration of Colorado’s natural beauty paired with thoughtful, modern design. Every element, from the open-concept kitchen to the seamless indoor-outdoor spaces, was created with both luxury and livability in mind. With sweeping vistas, professional-grade appliances and spaces made for entertaining, the home reflects the client’s vision while honoring the surrounding landscape, proving that the right design can elevate both lifestyle and experience.

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Benchmark is Western Colorado’s premier custom home builder, renowned for crafting exceptional residences that reflect both the landscape and the lifestyle of the Grand Junction area. With over 30 years of hands-on experience, the team has developed an intimate understanding of the region, its terrain, climate and architectural character. What sets Benchmark apart is a passion for the challenges of custom construction: every project is an opportunity to combine innovation, craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail, resulting in homes that are as unique as the families who live in them. kyle@benchmarkcmgj.com