“ Switzerland reminds me of the kid at high school who’s great at sports, has perfect hair, the best girlfriend, and the teachers all love him. He’s just too perfect”. – Rick Steves
Vacation Every Day
There is a reason this home is called Lucerne (F-4264). Lucerne ( a city in Switzerland), is a wonderful place to be and this is a great, perfect house plan. Frank Snodgrass of Living Concepts Home Plans has created almost 4300 sq feet, 4 bedrooms, 4 full bathrooms, and loads of cottage charm that dare you to ask yourself why wouldn’t you want to live here?
Lucerne is a cottage-style plan, meaning it has a covered front porch, picturesque details, inviting comforts, and ideals of our love affair with storybook charm. Typical of cottage style, natural materials of wood beams, stone, brick, and cedar shake are the most common building materials. Now, as if this doesn’t sound enticing enough, a major highlight of this plan is the beautiful, exposed, walk-out lower level. Come on, let me show you around this ‘trip’ of a house.
Back to the Basement – The Lucerne
Picture perfect curb appeal
Bienvenue – Welcome. This home insists you come and stay awhile. It oozes charm at a first glance. The wide arch of the covered front porch, the steep-pitched roof of shake, the wide overhang above the garage doors, and certainly the wide arch window on the side, make you want to see more right? Two eyebrow windows and all the birds that might nest in the cupola atop the garage, are watching for you to make this home.
Back to the Basement – The Lucerne
Front Porch – and then down we go…..
Venez vous asseoir – come and sit. Your front porch, with the storybook flair of an arched wooden front door, begs you inside. However, your deep front porch also begs you to sit in a rocking chair. It asks for hurricane vases with candles on a small table, and a basket for throw blankets when the days and nights are chilly, so you will come and sit awhile before going inside.
Back to the Basement – The Lucerne
Les meilleures surprises ne sont pas toujours ‘evident – The best surprises aren’t always obvious.
There are several entrances to this multi-use, enviable lower-level. From the lower covered terrace, a door opens into a large rec room. A large wall of windows looks in and out of the rec room, so, light into the space, as Mother Nature will allow, is possible. From the main level of the home, U-shaped stairs will lead you here.
Your rec room has a fireplace that will feel extra cozy under a ceiling highlighted by wood beams. Facing the rec room is a u-shaped wet bar with stools and a cozy nook for bench seating between the stairs and wet bar.
While the rec room is ideal for club meetings, hanging out and streaming favorite shows, there’s actually a large media room down here too. We’ll get to that soon.
From the rec room, there are two suites. One is in the back left corner of the house. With visitors and kids coming to stay, this suite’s full bath, walk-in closet and location make it private and comfortable. The other suite, with a full bath and walk-in closet, is in the back right corner of this level. The bath for suite 3 is also accessible from the rec room.
The media room, which you can deck out with a really big screen, those super-comfy recliners (that can put you to sleep) and space for a snack counter and a popcorn machine will make you want for nothing more. This space is in the front right corner.
Now, lets weave our way back toward the stairs and take in your main level. Please notice, walking from the rec room, opposite the wet bar is a wine cellar for all your favorite reds and whites.
Just to the left, before you head up the stairs is a door to a huge storage/mechanical space.
Back to the Basement – The Lucerne
Nourriture amusante et familiale – Food, fun, and family
At the top of your stairs, more beauty and comfort await. Take a left into your kitchen with a separate pantry. A large island with a built-in cooktop is a great space for eating, chatting, meal prep, and more. Your kitchen also includes a dining room at the back left corner of the space. The dining room and kitchen are defined by a wood ceiling beam between them.
Another long wood beam separates the wide opening from your kitchen to the family room. The family room is spacious and can handle the wood-beamed ‘coffered style’ ceiling. Remember, wood beams are quintessential in cottage style, adding warmth, charm, and visual interest. A fireplace in here elevates your room from just being a pretty room, to a room with ambiance and ‘glow’ when the weather is chilly and damp. Walk out to your upper covered lanai through double glass doors. A wall of windows, including the double glass doors, will bring the outdoors in. Let’s go out and admire this lanai.
Another fireplace? Yes! See, I told you this Lucerne is a perfect plan. The lanai, being covered will keep you protected from rain or sun. Light a fire in October for comfortable, easy s’more eating. Sit back and snuggle into this area. A dining table for 6-8, a few chairs facing the fireplace and a corner grill might be exactly what you want here. I know I’d enjoy having fondue here.
Back to the Basement – The Lucerne
Your Garage and front corner Necessities
From the top of the stairs and to the right, a door leads to your two-car garage, a closet for shoes and jackets as well as another bathroom. Once in the garage, there is a closet for tools or lawn supplies. Remember that large arched window on the front/side of this garage? Well, there is also a long planter that, once filled with low-growing flowers and greenery, this space will look beautiful from the inside and out.
Back to the Basement – The Lucerne
Gallery hall, Work or Rest, and back to Welcome
A gallery hallway spans from the stairway from the lower level to your master suite and laundry area on the far right side of the house. Pass the foyer on the way to your master suite. Striking oil paintings or soft watercolors will hang just right with all the foyer wall space. Maybe a nice bench or secretary desk with floral arrangement and mirror is more your style.
On the left side of the foyer, before you get to the gallery, is a study/guest suite. If you want an office on this level, instead of one of the suites in the lower-level, here it is. If you need a bedroom for guests or a child, this is convenient too. Maybe it is both and you set up a futon style sleeper and a desk? Make it work for you.
Just past your foyer and on the right is your laundry room. I think it is so smart to place this close to the master suite. For kids or guests, there is entry to the laundry from the gallery hall or the master suite. So smart. Now there’s no reason to be lazy about doing and folding laundry, it’s so convenient to your closet. At the end of the gallery, your daily rest awaits. As bonjour greets your day and bonne nuit at the close, you’ll be glad to be right here.
Notice again, the charm of a wood-beamed ceiling. Perhaps a four-poster bed looks best here, draped in soft-hued bed linens. Head toward your spa-like master bath and you pass two walk-in closets. You can’t say there isn’t space for your clothes, shoes, and more here.
As if it can’t get any better….
A really special feature in this master space is the addition of a private screened porch. I would put a hot tub here, some plants and 2 chairs and small table for morning or evening drinks. Beautiful.
If this were my home, the piece de resistance (showpiece, jewel) would be this master bathroom. Separate sink vanities, a soaking tub, a glassed-in shower, and a commode in a private space, allow you to be as luxe or calm as you wish. Add a heated floor system under beautiful tiles, hang a stunning chandelier, install a warming rack for the softest cotton towels you can find, and spa-like it is.
Back to the Basement – The Lucerne
Oui’
This is Lucerne and it is waiting for you to say Oui’ – yes. It’s a perfect plan for down time alone or entertaining friends and family for celebrations. Frank Snodgrass got this one oh, so right. Reach out to Living Concepts to discuss this plan.
Make this your own. Welcome Home.