The House on Sweetgrass

This 1,890 square foot modified post and beam straw bale home is the only structure located on a secluded cul-de-sac. Privacy is assured by 2.24 acres of forested and consolidated land adjacent to a green belt on the north and approximately 6 acres of consolidated land to the south. A written deed of trust between the neighbor to the south prevents any further development. The agreement is automatically transferred to future owners.

Even though the house is secluded from the road, the entrance to the driveway is on the main road to and from downtown Crestone. It is one of the first cul-de-sacs to be plowed when it snows.

This house is fully sustainable. It has both solar and public electricity hook-up via a switch in the utility room. Because it is straw bale construction all the water and plumbing are underground, instead of in the wall as with a conventional home, and will not freeze! You can switch to solar, turn the radiant floor all the way down and walk away.

Specifics

Beginning with a custom-made cedar bench in the entryway and a solid-wood 44-panel double door, this home features beautiful detail throughout. The home’s interior features include environmentally friendly paint and cotton insulation. The 2 bedroom floor plan includes a separate office and sleeping (or meditation) loft in addition to a Great Room with vaulted tongue-and-groove pine ceilings.

The kitchen is outfitted with solid hickory wood cabinetry plus professional-quality propane stove with center griddle, refrigerator and dishwasher. A pantry and utility room with washer and dryer is located off the hall.

Kitchen

Two person bay window attached to master bedroom	Looking east from the front lawn
Looking west from the same spot on the front lawn	Front entrance of the house

The master bedroom features a custom built bay window large enough for two people to sit in and a private exterior entrance and generous storage/closet space.

Radiant in-floor propane heat, plus generous use of glass, for passive solar gain, add to the warmth and lightness of this special home. A Great Room wood stove with tiled hearth and back wall supplement the heat. All but two small windows have custom-made quilted energy efficient shades.

Poured concrete floors in the living and dining area feature a subtle ‘yin-yang' pattern carved into them.

A vaulted tongue and groove pine ceiling adds to the openness in the main living area. A built-in floor-to-ceiling bookcase is in the nearby hall.

The second bedroom is light and airy with a brick floor. A spacious sleeping or meditation loft is above the hall office. The supports for the loft are made from natural juniper trunks.

While there is only one bathroom it is designed for privacy. A shower stall and soaking tub with beautiful tile work occupy the left area of the room; the vanity and commode area is to the right. Plans were made, but never executed, for a second bathroom adjoining the master bedroom, should one be desired.

Nestled alongside the Sangre de Cristo mountains, at the base of four 14,000' peaks in addition to being a wonderful home to live in year-round, it would also be a wonderful vacation retreat from the stress of city life. There are four easily accessible trailheads less than 10 minutes from the driveway. Three trailheads take you into the mountain and trees, the fourth will take you to the north side of the Great Sand Dunes National Park.

Crestone Creek and the community park/playground are less than 1/10 mile away.

Rental Income

Spiritual groups hold retreats in Crestone throughout the year. Due to the convenient location of this house it is possible to rent it short-term to visiting practitioners of the many disciplines—it would also be an ideal place for a teacher to stay in and from which to give practices. During the winter, when there are fewer retreats, we have successfully leased the house for a four month period (December to March).

There are reliable property managers in Crestone who will watch over the house for you should you desire.

Location: 233 Sweetgrass Overlook, one mile from the main entrance of the Baca Grande Property Development. It is the only house on the cul-de-sac. Asking Price: $219,000

You may contact the owners, Steve and Donna, at 503.375.2163 or steve@steveanchell.com to speak about the home or
contact their real estate agent: Jillian Klarl Century 21 Valley Realty
P. O. Box 10 Crestone • Colorado • 81131
719.256.2444 Voice 719.256.4445 Fax

A House Full of Blessing (link)

312 Palomino Way $775,000 The Lama House, designed in stunning Tibetan architecture and completed 3/04, is an elegantly furnished, three-story Aerblock home of approx. 3,160 s.f., on approx. 2.09 acres, bordering a greenbelt and Wildlife Preserve. Located on a quiet street and enjoying dramatic views of both valley and mountains, it has 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, a large living room with fireplace, spacious dining room, well appointed kitchen, viewing decks, entry foyer, and a large meditation room with adjacent office on 3rd floor. Includes Japanese and Tibetan antiques, travertine tile, wool carpets, sculptured stair railing, and state of the art heating system. Hookups for high speed Internet, stereo equipment and three televisions. A separate one-car garage includes additional storage space. Beautifully landscaped grounds with walkways, aspen, rock garden, and a grass lawn with sprinkler system.