Tejon House

My husband and I are two "professional DIYers" who purchased a an up/down duplex in a converted Victorian in Denver in 2021. The upstairs was a dingy and dated 2nd story apartment we struggled to keep rented, and we knew when we purchased the home that the first project we were going to do was a complete gut and flip of the upstairs. It took 5 months for us to flip a space where no one wanted to spend time into a serene Airbnb/Mother-in-Law apartment. The space that used to be dated, drafty, and generally unlikeable is now completely modernized and has had some of its Victorian character restored.

The furnished unit is light and bright with a combination of Victorian-era character and modern comfort. We completed 100% of the work ourselves over nights and weekends, encountering some interesting (and a few rather scary) old DIY's from the house's 130 years of previous owners. Since we are a professional engineer and interior designer, we took great care to ensure that the house is now up to code, safe, and that everything works as beautifully as it looks. Along the way, I salvaged some antique furniture and hardware out of other historic homes in the Denver area, scoured flea markets and up-cycled furniture, and tried to create a space that respected the house's history. We've had rave reviews from friends, family, and Airbnb guests on how comfortable and cozy the space is post-renovation.

More details about the space and the home's history can be found on Airbnb or www.tejonhouse.com

The Space:
The unit has two bedrooms plus a spacious living room with a full size sofa bed that closes off to create a 3rd bedroom. A fully appointed eat-in kitchen, comfortable furnishings, and close proximity to Denver's best bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and event spaces complete your experience.

Entry:
What used to be a water-damaged and closeted entry to the apartment has been transformed into your first glimpse of what I call a design style of "Eclectic Modern Victorian". The old transom windows had been broken, then papered, then painted over. The ceiling was falling in from an old roof leak, and the floors were several layers of old laminate. Now, you can step into a space that welcomingly connects you to the front, side, and back of the house without feeling disjointed.

Living Room:
Situated at the front of the house, the serene living room features antique furniture and a private office space behind airy french doors. Need a 3rd bedroom? You're in luck. The vintage sofa folds out into a full-sized bed that is *gasp* actually comfortable and the space can be closed off to create a bedroom sure to invite a restful night's sleep.

Office:
This used to be a weird beige nook that still had laminate tile on one wall from when it had been a kitchenette at some point in the home's history. Antique french doors and airy furnishing created an office space that is both private and welcoming.

"White" Bedroom:
The main bedroom in Tejon House is a private sanctuary with no shortage of romantic details. The fancifully designed queen bed is appointed with a luxury pillow top mattress swathed in high-count Egyptian cotton linens. An antique vanity table is accompanied by a wicker chair from the same 1890's era as the house itself. A walk-in closet completes the space for those who want to unpack and stay a while. The current space is a far cry from the messy and cramped-feeling bedroom with peeling plaster and no storage.

"Black" Bedroom
The back bedroom in Tejon House is a dream of angles, shapes, and gothic details. The oversized daybed converts from a twin size to a king size and is appointed with linen duvets, ensuring the sleeping arrangements will accommodate both couples and young ones. Settling in under the eaves will make you feel you're living (or re-living) childhood fantasies. This room once felt like a drafty afterthought, but is now one of the coziest spaces in the house.

Kitchen:
The kitchen was possibly the worst space in the apartment pre-renovation. Its best features were zero counter space, mismatched (and falling apart) cabinets, and a layout that completely blocked the doorways on both sides of the kitchen. Now, if the kitchen is the heart of the home away from home, the updated space surely delivers. We took care to include all the modern details that matter, like a gas range, dishwasher, and comfortable seating. Beyond that, you'll most definitely feel like a Victorian Queen (or King) with the fanciful woodwork, butcher-block countertops, and vintage fixtures, not to mention the modern artwork.

Bath:
It used to be another drafty and unwelcoming space, with a rusted pea green bathtub. During the renovation the original bathtub was restored, antique brickwork was fully uncovered (fixing a bad DIY attempt at exposing it sometime pre-2022), and we attempted to make sure the rest of the bath honored these 130-year-old details. One of my favorite fixtures in the space is the salvaged brass shower fixtures rescued from another period home in central Denver.