Over the past eight years, creative couple Tarah and Drew MacAlmon—she works in project management and design, and he in animation and video production—have renovated three homes, always enjoying the hands-on process of reimagining a space. Recently, however, they decided to put their skills to the test by designing and building something from the ground up, though what it is isn’t easily defined.

The Lofthouse in Black Forest, Colorado, is a multipurpose venue that is part workspace, part guesthouse. “Part of the growing dream wasn’t just about the space itself, but how we could leverage our creative skills, entrepreneurial spirit, and complementary workflow to create a space that was beautiful and functional,” reveals Tarah.

Black Forest, an area of Colorado Springs, is known for its native ponderosa pines and rugged landscape. The MacAlmons had purchased a large property on the outskirts of town in early 2017 with a heavily wooded area on one side and open views of the mountains on the other. “The site was ideal for our young family and had the most fun existing home,” says Tarah. “With a couple of hills and many trees between the two sites, we opted to build The Lofthouse into the side of one of the hills.”

The building is essentially split into two parts—“The Loft” workspaces and multipurpose great room are on the upper floor, and “The House” guesthouse is on the lower floor. The most obvious entrance to the space is into The House, which is rented out to guests through Airbnb. The back of this level is tucked into the hill, offering privacy to the two guest rooms. Adjacent to the bedrooms is a full bathroom and separate laundry room.

The main living space is open-plan—with a fully equipped kitchen alongside dining and living areas—and effortlessly combines Scandinavian-inspired modernism with rustic details. “We chose to layer neutrals in organic, cozy textiles to make the room feel warm and inviting,” says Tarah.

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“The couch swing in the living area adds a bit of whimsy to the clean and airy space,” Tarah continues. “Of course, the most notable element of the common area is the use of windows and a glass sliding door to make guests feel like they are residing within nature, not separated from it.” The sliding glass door opens to a floating deck and outdoor living space.

To reach The Loft, guests follow a path to the back of the property and upstairs to a large deck. This leads to an expansive multipurpose space that is used by the couple and collaborators for everything from video shoots to floral workshops.

“The high vault ceilings and open concept of The Loft are meant to relay endless possibilities,” says Tarah. “The design and furnishings need to be simple enough to adapt to changing needs.” The space also features a simple kitchenette and bathroom, as well as private office spaces for the couple.

Creating a workplace separate from their own home—yet still on the same property—allows the couple to separate work and life without completely disconnecting the two. “The Loft allows me and Drew to tag team our workload, client meetings, and parenting responsibilities with an ease and mobility that wouldn’t happen for us if we were on opposite sides of town,” explains Tarah.

While The Loft is about the couple’s work life, The House fulfills the couple’s dream to create a warm and inviting space to showcase their city to friends and strangers alike. “Hospitality has always been important to us,” says Tarah. “It’s such a treat to walk into a place that has been prepared for you, and we wanted The House to feel like a thoughtful reprieve.”

Throughout, The Lofthouse celebrates refined, organic, and natural materials—think linens, leather, pine, and white oak that are inspired by Nordic design. Scott’s pine is used as the deck material, continuing this aesthetic to the exterior and allowing for a seamless transition from inside to out.

“The Scandaniavian design sensibility connected with us in a way that felt familiar and true,” says Tarah. “It was a bit of a departure from much of the Colorado rustic or modern farmhouses we were used to seeing, but going ultra clean and simple was a strategic choice to let the natural surroundings be the focal point. We chose large windows, minimal decor, light wood floors, and low-contrast accents because we felt strongly that the design should showcase the natural surroundings, not distract from it.”

The couple designed the entire home and had the plans approved by a draftsman and engineer. They then brought in professionals for the excavation and foundation, as well as the framing, siding, and roofing. The finishing details, including the electrical and much of the plumbing, were completed by the couple during weekends and evenings over the course of six months.

The total cost of the build would have been around $425,000, but as the couple did much of the labor and design work themselves, they ended up spending $275,000. The most expensive elements of the building were the defining windows and doors, as well as more pragmatic features, including the septic tank and plumbing—all of which, says Tarah, were “100% worth it.”

“We look back and laugh thinking about the crazy things we did,” says Tarah. “But we absolutely enjoyed the process of being resourceful and scrappy, making our own little dream become a reality. We didn’t have excessive amounts of money, and our time was already spoken for, but we continued to push ourselves far beyond our own limits and comforts, only to find that we really could do it. It was a juggle and a balancing act for a while, but I love the greater lesson we found in it.”

The Lofthouse is available to rent on Airbnb for $190 a night.

Related Reading: Budget Breakdown: A DIY Couple Turn an Aging Barn House Into a Dreamy Catskills Getaway for $55.6K

Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Drew + Tarah MacAlmon / @thelofthouseco

Structural Engineer: Mibar Engineering

Landscape Design: Drew + Tarah MacAlmon

Exterior Lighting Design: Kichler

Interior Design: Tarah MacAlmon

Sound Engineer: Drew MacAlmon

Cabinetry Design (White Oak Cabinets): Salt International

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A DIY Couple Build a Scandi-Inspired Guesthouse and Office for $275K