There's nothing else like this in Northern Colorado: 1700 sf vintage farmhouse, 2-acre yard, 40-acre private lake, 2400 sf insulated outbuildings for year-round entertainment. We named our beautiful property Amor Vida. It stands for "Love Life". We felt that in today's busyness, a place where you can slow down in a comfy spot that feels miles away but isn't, would be a wonderful thing. Plus, Amor Vida sounds romantic - doesn't it? Nestled around the bend of a hidden dirt road, our 1910 vintage lakeside cottage in A Unique Little Town (Ault) is like taking a time machine down a country road to a bygone era. Our cozy, sustainable farmhouse feels like you have just been handed the keys to the family's house that Grandma and Grandpa once called home. In fact, it was the homestead of a well-known local family once upon a time.
See more photos: @amorvidaault
We've kept the beautiful details that make 100+ year old homes so special. The nostalgia upon entering the front door will instantly settle your nervous system and put you in "vacation/staycation" mode. Family-friendly vintage pieces create a feeling of history, and give the home warmth. There's enjoyment for everyone here, from nature lovers to binge watchers.
The first room off the entry is what we call the game room. Enjoy the REAL wood burning stove, record player, puzzles, cards and board games. In the summer, the view out the enormous picture window is a tranquil corn field. In the winter months, once the corn has been harvested, sheep are brought to graze on the remnants; and you can watch a sheepdog work its herd. The living room and dining room are connected, making entertaining a breeze. We've hosted bridal showers, ladies teas, and weddings with raving reviews. There's a big screen TV and Starlink internet, plenty of bandwidth for multiple devices. From the sliding glass door, there is a small stone patio with stairs leading to the side yard. The view is of old-growth lilacs and a grand cottonwood tree that is visited by Bald eagles in the Fall.
Wake up to the sunrise in the four-poster, plush king-size bed on the main floor. Or sleep in, because there are black out curtains for every window. Amazingly, the closet is one of the gems in the house. It has the original Victorian era wall paper and a hidden compartment to the basement.
Across the hall is the main floor bath with a tub/shower combination, stocked with plush towels, Native hair & body products, bath salts, eye-makeup remover packets and black cosmetic bath cloths.
Around the corner is the bright and charming kitchen. PLEASE NOTE: There isn’t a dishwasher. But we’ve provided everything else. Every nook and cranny is accounted for with built-ins; and we've stocked them full of necessities to make meal prep a joy: cookware, utensils, crock pot, toaster, Keurig, drip coffee pot, tea kettle, ice maker, service trays, vintage china & Corelle, place mats, table cloths, and cloth napkins. You're sure to love the cozy breakfast nook, too. With its 2 plaid armchairs and antique tilt-top tea table, you can be a part of what's going on in the kitchen, without being IN the kitchen. It's a wonderful conversation spot. Make sure to check out the built-in desk.
Off the kitchen is the blue mud room with “Grandma” aprons. They are definitely for your use! PLEASE take a selfie and share it with us!
It’s easy to miss the 2nd floor! The door is wonderfully hidden, you may think it's a kitchen pantry, but no, it is the door to the fabulous staircase leading to two bedrooms and a full bath. The bedroom to the left has a beautiful antique queen size bed with views of the lake and the grand cottonwood tree. The closet in this bedroom is a child’s hide and go seek dream come true, with closets inside of closets. Across the hall, the second bedroom has 2 charming twin beds, appointed with vintage quilts and views to the West of the mountain range. The inviting 2nd floor ¾ bath (shower, no tub) has its original light fixtures, mirrors, built-ins, and another gem of a closet.
Due to the age of the home, there are minimal 3-prong outlets. For this reason, we have surge protector power strips throughout.
Out the door of the blue mudroom and down the stairs is the garage with attached laundry room. Talk about a trip down memory lane, the laundry room even has Grandma Steele’s original wood burning cook stove.
The Outdoors: Between the laundry and the kitchen is the “courtyard” leading to a wonderful outdoor entertainment area: a propane grill, 2 wrought iron patio tables with seating for 12, and a fire pit with plenty of firewood. From here you can enjoy the view of the expansive private 2-acre yard and 40-acre lake, Clark Lake Reservoir. There is a Pawley's Island hammock right next to the lake perfect for napping, relaxing, and book reading. On the South side of the yard, there is a vintage swing that squeaks to high-heaven. But it’s fun, nonetheless.
We have 2 connected outbuildings with a combined square footage of 2400 sf. Ping pong, corn hole, giant dice, and bad mitten are available for hours of indoor/outdoor fun. These can easily be relocated and the buildings used for gatherings of up to 60 people. Gatherings require additional arrangements.
Amor Vida is a pet friendly property. We have a wonderful long-term tenant in the neighboring house with a friendly little dog named Buddy who loves to greet all the guests. Canadian geese, ducks, pelicans, blue heron and a dozen different bird species all frequent the lake. Being somewhat rural, it is not uncommon to hear an occasional shot gun.
Nearby: Northern Colorado (NoCo) is known for its breweries and restaurants, magical downtowns, and proximity to mountain activities. Ault’s downtown is just a 5-minute drive. There you’ll find antiques, a fabulous hair salon, restaurants, a bar, and coffee shops. 5-minutes in the other direction will take you to the Eaton Country Club with McCarty’s restaurant and bar; well known for their homemade pies. Another 5-minutes to the town of Eaton is the local grocery store, restaurants, our favorite ice cream shop and nail salon. Grub Hub and Door Dash also deliver. 20 minutes will get you to Greeley, Windsor, and Severance. Fort Collins is a 30-minute drive.
We have a heart for hospitality. Please let us know if you have any special requests.