SOUTH POINT -- Downsizing was a fun exercise for Rick and D'ann Bertrand. They left their larger home behind and built their dream house just a few doors away.
"We built to downsize," said D'ann Bertrand.
Their idea for the style of home came from winter vacations they shared.
"We use to go skiing every year, and we loved the open floor plans of the chalets where we stayed," she said.
Rick Bertrand was quick to agree.
"We liked the loft bedroom overlooking the living area," he said, adding that he did most of the finishing work on the house. "We hired an Amish crew to frame it up, get it under roof and then come back to do the dry walling. With the help of family and friends we finished it up."
Once the house was built, D'ann stepped in and followed through choosing colors, cabinetry and hardware.
"Rick picked the cabinet color, and I did the rest," she said.
The end result is a lovely open space in shades of taupe and charcoal.
The only variance from the color scheme is the downstairs bathroom that is done up in a festive violet. Since Rick was a native of Louisiana, D'ann brought a bit of his history into the chalet by using a jazz theme in the bathroom. She had the toilet seat airbrushed with a piano motif to match the wallpaper border along the ceiling.
The Bertrands also tastefully integrated a few antiques in with the contemporary setting.
"We didn't bring much with us from the other house," she said.
The antique bed and chest that dominate the guest room/office are family heirlooms they wanted to include in their new domicile. Her mother's vintage luggage stacked under a chest not only adds to the ambiance of the room but offers storage in the small house.
As they shopped for their new home, D'ann kept in mind the need for storage as well as the color scheme. For example, her good planning is evidenced by the purchase of a blanket chest to use as a coffee table. Everything has a purpose. By taking a minimalist attitude. they have added to the roominess of the house.
"When we moved here we just brought our clothes and a few things of our parents," she said. "The rest is new and planned."
Though the area is small, the color scheme, cathedral ceiling and window walls give the appearance of a larger space. From the downstairs to the loft master suite one can look out over the valley and enjoy nature.
"I always wanted to lay in bed and look out the windows," Rick Bertrand said. "It can be snowing to beat the band and we are all cozy watching it."
Nature comes not only in the panoramic views but they also enjoy watching the deer wander into the yard.
The Bertrands have mapped their retreat well and continue to fine tune their abode. They have enjoyed their foray into the homebuilding world, and Rick maintains they have gained some confidence in the process.
"If you can build a house together you can do anything, and we would do it again," he said.
Fortunately for the Bertrands, they don't have to. Their own dream chalet is now a reality.
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