If you were fortunate enough to travel to Europe pre-pandemic, then you most likely observed (and took plenty of photos of) the homes in that country. Steeply sloping roofs, stone accents or all stone are just two characteristics of the European home design. The Whitaker D-3219 by Frank Snodgrass of Living Concepts embraces that European charm. The house has four bedrooms, three and a half baths with ten-foot ceilings on the first floor and nine foot on the second floor.
That’s Amore!
Here in the States, you might want to opt for stone rather than the brick as shown. Or you can go for that artisanal brick. That’s amore, right? Whatever you love is what you should choose. Wooden shutters and garage door, plus eco-friendly, long lasting (my suggestions) roofing materials will make this home, your home, striking. (Faux wood garage doors, steel constructed, may be the way to go- they look like wood but require less maintenance).
The two-car garage is on the left side of the home. After exiting your vehicle, you will walk through the door on the right side of the garage. A reach-in closet is right at hand, a perfect place to toss those work-day shoes. Or soccer cleats. If you lean more on the fastidious side, you can place them on a tray instead, meant to catch whatever debris might be lurking on the soles. (And you probably don’t want to drive my car, but this one? Oh yeah).
Your laundry room is across from this closet. In here, there is counterspace for you to wash, dry and fold clothes and take a towel to that adorable pooch who just got his bath in the utility sink (not shown, but there on final plans) after escaping the leash and finding the only puddle in your yard. Of course. Outside of the laundry room, there are lockers in the entryway against the left wall for your extra shoes, handbags, bookbags and other necessary items.
Next, you walk into the kitchen. The oven/stovetop is on your left and a large, rectangular kitchen island in the center anchors the room. Here you have room to prep for that chicken parmigiana or Spanish baked paella, all the while sipping your favorite vino or Greek bubbly. Pretty sure you can find space under the island for a wine fridge, too. The double sink is under the window, with the dishwasher on the right. Space for the fridge is on the opposite wall. Best of all? You have a sizeable walk-in pantry with a sliding door that is only feet away from your formal dining room.
Whether you dine in or out, there are occasions you will want to take advantage of formal dining for your annual festin aka feast. The room is open to the foyer and has a front window letting the sunshine drop in. Imagine a long oval dining table with chairs that reflect your personal style (they do not have to be all the same!) placed in the middle, with the table set using your best dinnerware and silverware. For special days or just because.
For less fussy eating, the breakfast room is open to the kitchen and to the family room, the latter having a fireplace. Both have doors leading to outside- the breakfast room to the patio and the family room to the screened porch. These outdoor “rooms” are an extension of your home. A rustic table and chairs will pull you to this space. Add a few side tables and extra chairs for the patio and porch because your family and friends will want to join you here. Just be sure to clear the furniture when you decide to mambo.
Back inside (because you can only mambo for so long), you will find a powder room in the foyer as well as a reach-in closet under the stairs. To the right, you will find the study. This generous space is roomy enough for a large desk, an office chair, and bookshelves for those reference books you are always on the hunt for. Working 9 to 5 at home, right? (Oh OK, DP is not European, and neither is the song, but you’ve got to admit she is awesome). And when you are ready to crash, the master suite is nearby, extending for most of the right side of the Whitaker plan.
Entrance into the master suite is from the family room or the screened porch. The sitting area looks out over your back yard; this delightful space could be where you curl up for your afternoon nap or your favorite read. Or both (my preference, for sure). The master bath has two separate sinks, a walk-in shower, a drop-in or shelf tub (but could be a garden tub instead, complete with lavender bath bomb and the usual accoutrements), and a privacy door for the toilet. You have access to both walk-in closets by way of the master bath. One is through the door between the sinks with the second one (the ginormous one) at the end closest to the wall it shares with the study.
Life is a Celebration!
Upstairs, a loft area adds to the openness of the home. The bonus room is right around the corner and has its own walk-in closet. You could hang your athletic apparel in here if you decide to add a Peleton or two, or you could use this corner to store all of those necessary attachments for your current gaming system (probably not Atari, though). Or even stage a celebration in here- now that’s an idea!
The bonus room is adjacent to a bathroom for one upstairs suite; the bath has a single sink and a step-in shower. The bedroom suite has a walk-in closet. There are two more bedroom suites upstairs. Both have generous walk-in closets and they share a bathroom with two sinks, storage for linens and have a shower/tub combination.
The Whitaker plan by Living Concepts is one packed with European charm and sensibility. Plenty of room to work, sleep and play- that’s amore!