Traditional, Open Spaces, Function with Style

Traditional, Open Spaces, Function with Style

What is a traditional home? Hearing the word tradition may make you think of Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof. He sings about tradition, even as the landscape changes around him. So, tradition is comforting, like worn slippers on tired feet. Tradition in a home, however, encompasses so much more-classicism with beauty, function with style. HPP 19496 is a traditional home designed by Frank Snodgrass of Living Concepts House Plans. The brick design has four bedroom suites, with the option of choosing one to be a study. There is also a sunroom, a vaulted ceiling in the master suite and a bonus room on the second floor. The open floor plan allows more room for entertaining with your loved ones.

You might enter the home from the two car garage, where there is ample space for you to park your vehicles as well as for you to add a few work cabinets for storage and the DIY projects you need to complete. The laundry room is through the door on the right- you will find plenty of turn-around-room for you to wash, dry and fold clothes, as well as a utility sink to wash your hands or rinse the pollen off of your garden sloggers. Leaving the laundry room, you will find a closet on the right for jackets (and perhaps those boots you just washed off).

A few more steps, and the kitchen is on the left. The L shaped area has an island with room for seating and space for your cooktop. The refrigerator and oven are on either side of the walk-in pantry where you can store snacks for late night munching or supplies for the baking bonanza you have every holiday.  The kitchen window over the sink looks out over your yard.

The powder room is adjacent to the breakfast area; choosing the right table for your informal meals here will be a task that you enjoy. Light flows easily through the windows from this room into the sunroom, where you can imagine relaxing in wicker chairs, cold drink in hand. Plants that enjoy full or nearly full sunlight will thrive here. A door leads you outside to the patio. Stepping down, you enter an area that is ideal for entertaining. A gas grill (or ceramic one if you prefer), a few chairs for chatting placed close by, a dining table with candles and you have extended those open spaces into the outdoors. Add an outdoor pool with its own pool house and not only do you have the most desired backyard in the neighborhood, but you have also created your very own oasis.

Step back inside through sliding doors, and on your left is the great room, and on the right, the formal dining room. Both of these are open to the sunroom and kitchen area. The dining room has a bar that is open to the foyer, as well. The great room has a fireplace with shelves on either side for your classics and thrillers plus columns that increase the open feeling throughout the home. Walking from great room into the foyer, you turn left to enter the master bedroom suite.

A short hallway gives you privacy before you enter the door to the bedroom. Mixing dark furniture with light colored accessories in here will add to the traditional feel of the home. A large walk-in closet gives you plenty of room to store seasonal clothes on hangers, as well as those special outfits for once a year occasions. The master bath has his and her sinks with counter space for your leather toiletry bag or the lighted makeup mirror you cannot do without. Nearby is a garden tub, a closet for extra towels and a walk-in shower.

Going back into the foyer from the master bedroom suite, you enter the guest suite which could also be used as a study. As a guest suite, it has its own walk in closet and bath and would be just right for that family member who cannot manage stairs easily. As a study, the room is suitable for a handsome desk and chair, with file cabinets and end tables to hold your copy/fax machine.

Upstairs, you can look down into the great room; from the balcony and a few steps away, you enter into the bonus room. This is the ideal room for your exercise equipment, such as your Total Gym or free weights. If you have young children, a playroom with built in shelves to store their toys and games could be the answer. For a traditional family night, you might instead want to install a home theater, complete with large screen and reclining chairs.  Popcorn is optional. After the movie, you may want to retreat to your master suite downstairs, with guests remaining up.

The third and fourth bedroom suites both open up to the balcony. They share a bath with shower/tub combination, and there are two sinks (often called a Jack and Jill or split bath). There are two places to store extra bath towels and washcloths (because you always need extras, just in case). Both bedroom suites have walk in closets, while the third suite also has a reach-in closet.

The traditional home is a mainstay of America- whether you decide to decorate it inside with a smattering of different styles is your decision. The home will remain a classic one, yet comfortable like that tread-less slipper, this home by Living Concepts.