Taking the Plunge: Transforming a Forgotten Lap Pool Into a Dream Kitchen
- DJ Reetz
- Oct 15
- 4 min read
The importance of a knowledgeable designer during a major remodel can’t be overstated. Upending your life and home is daunting enough to begin with; creating a vision for what comes next and then executing that vision requires skill and experience.
When Roberta and Ira Gross planned a major remodel of their Highlands Ranch home, they knew they would need the assistance of a professional. A lap pool put in during a prior remodel by the home’s previous owner was going unused and creating a host of other potential issues with moisture and mold, and the Grosses knew they could transform it from a liability into a luxury. The area was dark and cramped, begging for a bright reimagining. The couple was referred to architect Doug Walter, a veteran home designer with over 45 years of experience and dozens of local and national awards for his work.
“Having a professional to tailor your space for your needs and desires and who can make recommendations you might not have considered is important,” says Roberta.
Doug got to work doing what he does, creating a comprehensive vision that would completely transform the Gross home. “This was 90% my concept,” says Doug. “We didn't go visit a kitchen showroom until it was all laid out and elevations drawn.”
It’s not an easy process, and the Grosses knew a massive transformation would take time. “It took about 4 months of design work before we were awarded a contract for construction,” says Doug. “Then during construction, I met with them weekly, and the contractor, to iron out challenges that inevitably arise.”
Doug cobbled together a timeless transitional look that would bring light and vibrancy into the space. The remodel expanded the living space, created dedicated dining and sitting rooms, and doubled the size of the kitchen. “The pool, by the way, is still there,” says Doug. “But it’s now a crawl space.”
PentalQuartz countertops and matching backsplashes throughout most of the kitchen amplify the brightness provided by a new skylight. The addition of a coffee bar (a must-have for Ira) utilizes a stunning clipped diamond marble mosaic backsplash. A combination of painted and hickory cabinets, as well as oakwood floors, was chosen to match the home’s existing aesthetic.
The Grosses decided on JennAir appliances after falling in love with their sleek and functional designs while touring showrooms, says Doug. The new kitchen incorporates not one but two range-top heating elements: a five-burner Eurostyle gas cooktop and a smaller induction cooktop, which was installed next to it. The gas range features LED burner indicators and is capable of putting out up to 20,000 BTUs, while the 15-inch induction cooktop features glass-touch electronic controls that give it a smooth and easy-to-clean surface.
Before
The gas range serves as the workhorse, while the induction cooktop offers a convenient warming spot or cooking area for smaller meals. Since the cooktop overlooks the living area rather than being pressed against a wall, a retractable downdraft range hood was installed behind it.
The 30-inch double wall oven, also from JennAir, features a 4.3-inch full-color LCD display, multimode convection system and internal temperature probe that allows users to monitor roasting temperatures without having to open the oven door. A 24-inch undercounter drawer design microwave features a stealth flush install, giving it a sleek, out-of-the-way look. Multi-stage programming means heating cycles can utilize up to four power levels as needed, and a sensor reheat feature automatically detects humidity released by food during heating.
The 48-inch side-by-side refrigerator offers nearly 30 cubic feet of storage, with a dramatic obsidian interior and multi-point cinematic lighting. A precision temperature management system ensures food is kept at the ideal temperature for preservation while avoiding noisy start and stop cycles.
Of course, the kitchen wouldn’t be complete without a dishwasher, and the Grosses stayed with JennAir for that. The model offers a rapid wash cycle, hidden-touch controls and emotive feedback for an intuitive user interface.
After
Thanks to Doug’s expertise, the space is unrecognizable from its former incarnation. “It’s better than we expected. There is plenty of space for all the dishes, pots and pans and small appliances,” says Roberta. “I enjoy having both gas and induction cooktops.”
It was a challenging and time-consuming process, but Doug says he is proud of his work. The Grosses can now make use of the formerly underutilized space, hosting family get-togethers for kids and grandkids, which number 16 when gathered altogether.
“There were a few hiccups in the construction, but once I pointed them out to the contractor, he made them right. As the clients are older, I made suggestions for ‘future proofing’ the home to make it safer for aging in place, and they added those work items to the contract,” Doug explains. “As the project drew to a close, the client's budget was stretched thin, so they told the contractor they would do their own 'construction clean', including doing the windows inside and out. It turns out that Ira, in his youth, worked for his father and uncle doing just that in New York City, 20 and 30 stories above the street. This window washing job for him was a piece of cake!”
From treading water with an unused pool to swimming in space and style,
the Grosses’ remodel is a story of reinvention, proving that the deepest design challenges often lead to the most extraordinary transformations.
Since 1979, Doug Walter’s firm has earned national and local recognition, receiving over 160 awards for remodeling and reimagining older homes to suit modern lifestyles, designing additions that seamlessly complement a home’s unique character and creating singular custom residences. Doug’s work has also been honored for enthusiastic engagement in professional organizations and a significant body of pro bono work for charitable causes. Trained in Architecture and Historic Preservation at the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University and the University of Colorado, Doug moved to the West in 1973 after marrying a Denverite, gaining early experience with Larimer Square Associates and the National Park Service before founding his own firm. Now celebrating his 46th year in practice, he continues to specialize almost exclusively in residential remodeling, with recent accolades including NKBA national awards in 2022 and 2023 for Small Contemporary and Specialty Kitchen designs. www.dougwalterarchitects.com
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