“But soft, what light through yonder window breaks….” – Shakespeare
Based on that alone, I’m ready for this home. Frank Snodgrass of Living Concepts, has given us Coventry (E-3678), with over 4200 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 4 ½ baths, and plenty more space so we can fuel our European dreaming souls daily. With a charming balcony in front, you can be serenaded, admired, or just watch the sunrise with coffee in hand. Ciao. Hello.
This home is European in style as seen in the steeper slope of the roofline and little to no overhang. There are several windows, arched, that will let in soft light. The steps at the base of your covered front door entry will be just right for growing pots of rosemary. From the upper balcony, hang a wired container for flowers.
Now, let’s go in.
European Charm – Coventry
Foyer, Dining Room & Study
Your foyer feels wide open because there are two large openings, one to the dining room on the left, the other to the study on the right. If you don’t prefer to have the openings ‘bare’, you could install French-style glass doors. You will have privacy and space definition while still letting in light. Beyond the foyer is a staircase up to the second floor and down to the lower level. Just past the foyer to the right is a closet and a powder room. I think a cool poster of vintage French food art would be fun here.
The dining room has one long wall for a nice sideboard. A real treat to this space is the butler’s pantry that takes you from the dining room to the kitchen. This is where you can keep extra table linens, serving pieces, and even a tray of special liquors for after-dinner drinks. Since there isn’t much wall space in the kitchen, use the long wall for colorful floral French botanical art.
Across the foyer is a study. This room also has a long solid wall (it’s an outside wall). Facing your desk toward the foyer lets you glimpse whatever goes on outside the front window. From the study, there is a pass-through mini-bar area to the family room. Again, handy spot for stocking snacks and drinks while watching tv in the family room or the 3 pm afternoon slump ‘pick me up’ you need.
European Charm – Coventry
Kitchen & Family Room
The large family room is centered by a fireplace. On either side of this is space for shelves or benches to sit on with under storage. A sectional with a sofa table behind it would look nice from the kitchen view. A back wall in here is all windows that look to your open deck/lanai.
From the family room, walk into your large kitchen and eat-in area. There is so much counter space in the kitchen you won’t want for more. There’s even an island! Imagine waterfall-style marble on the island and down the long stretch of cabinetry that you see from the eating area. I think a beautiful bowl on a pedestal full of lemons, limes and oranges would be at home here.
European Charm – Coventry
Other necessary spaces –
From the eating area of the kitchen, you head to the laundry room, a ‘mud-room’ space, and out to your 3-car garage with storage. You can leave the entryway to this space open, but I’d consider a pocket door. There is a closet right when you come in from the garage but maybe you prefer bench/hangers/under storage situation. The garage has 3 separate bay doors so if you want your golf cart or convertible in its ‘safe place’, don’t worry, it’s here.
European Charm – Coventry
Out you Go
Back to the lanai/deck. From the eat-in kitchen space, there is a door to an alfresco dining space. A long table and chairs, grill, and baskets of herbs that hang off the decking rails would be great here. Maybe you build a pergola above this space, hang great lighting, and make dining outdoors more magical.
Time to go down to the exposed lower level.
European Charm – Coventry
Down you Go
From the staircase on the main floor, go on down. Your large rec room is here, as is a bathroom. There is no fireplace here, but you could add one maybe. If you don’t, then you have a mighty large, huge wall for the most intense large screen tv for watching/immersing yourself into, well, anything. Bet sports don’t feel the same. Bet you could watch Star Wars or any Captain Marvel series movie and be ‘right there’. Ladies – host a girl weekend and do a ‘Downton’ marathon or just watch the Downton movie with petit fours, scones, and clotted cream with berries and champagne.
At the base of the stairs is a door to the right. This is a large storage area that you could make it hobby space, another bedroom, a spa/sauna to fit whatever you want. Just beyond the storage area is another door to where your mechanical panels etc. are kept.
Walking out from the rec room to a covered lanai is a plus. Adding a hot tub here would be nice. If you want a private ‘you’ space, then an outdoor chaise chair with a little table and loads of potted plants/flowers/herbs here could be just what makes you happy.
Let’s go back in, go up to the second story and plan this space.
European Charm – Coventry
Up you Go
A study/loft welcomes you to your ‘sleeping’ central part of the house. Aside from the master suite, there are 3 other suites here. The loft space could be a study space with a long wall for a counter and printers/computers. From the loft area and to the back right corner is one suite. This has a walk-in closet as well as a private bath with single sink vanity. This room would make a teenager happy or visiting guests. Take a left at the top of the stairs to another suite – in the ‘middle of’ the upstairs. This large suite is in the front of the house, has a walk-in closet and access to a jack-n-jill (shared) bathroom.
Across from the ‘mid space’ suite, is the master suite. This large bedroom looks to the backyard. A long wall in here gives you plenty of space to put a large, cushy, welcoming bedroom set. Think light, bright, airy colors in Spring and Summer and switch to warmer, cozier fabrics in Fall and Winter. With two walk-in closets, there will be no angling for space by people or clothes/shoes/accessories. The master bath has a private space for the commode. Two separate vanities are ideal for those that leave a messy sink, and those that don’t. Or, those that don’t like to knock elbows when brushing teeth. A soaking tub and separate large shower complete this room that you can make as spa-like as you wish.
European Charm – Coventry
Say Yes
“To be or not to be, that is the question.’ And “All that glitters is not gold’ – says the most famous bard (Shakespeare). Let’s keep this simple, TO BE? Yes. Just hit the green button, next to the blueprints, ‘Add to cart’. As far as the glitter and gold thought, the bard is correct. The glitter is the plan of Coventry. The gold? Your stamp, your style, you make this a priceless home where many memories are made in the life you live and love here.
Make this your own. Welcome Home.