Hartford – Cottage Perfection
“ You don’t just wake up and become the butterfly, growth is a process.” – Rupi Kaur
Welcome Home. This is Hartford. Frank Snodgrass of Living Concepts House Plans has created this roomy but charming, comfortable cottage-style home for you. For starters, Hartford has 6300 sq. feet and five bedrooms, four full and two half bathrooms. Let’s talk about the exterior first.
Driving up to this home you’ll notice that it looks as stately as it is warm and welcoming. With a three-car garage, the convertible you’d like can be possible. The lovely landscaping and flowering shrubbery that lines the driveway will entice all your friends and family to come and stay a while.
Hartford – Front Porch and Foyer
Welcome Home starts on the front porch. This is a classic feature of cottage-style homes. However, there is Craftsman influence in the columns and natural materials used here. Yes, sitting on this porch will be lovely, even if it’s raining. So, get the comfortable chairs and table you’d like and enjoy this space. The foyer is a blank canvas. No matter what your flooring is, an area rug would be ideal here. Perhaps a small round table in the middle for a faux-floral display and wall art completes your look. I like that the stairwell is tucked to the left of the foyer. Situated as it is, this is classically non-intrusive and elegant.
Hartford – Study, Kitchen and Family Room
Next to the stairs is a large study. You’ll find floor-to-ceiling built-in bookshelves lining two walls for charm and trinkets, or for a book lover’s dreamy reading space.
A door from the study leads right into the large kitchen. The kitchen has plenty of counter space for Sunday meal prep, bake cookies for the school week ahead, and a fancy coffee/espresso machine if you’d prefer.
The Family dining room is along the back side of the kitchen. It is a vast space and you won’t have any issues if you want a table with extensions to seat ten to twelve people. A sideboard along one wall is also possible. From here, a door leads out to your screen porch.
Hartford – Mudroom, Laundry and ‘Pluses”
A pocket door can separate your mudroom from the kitchen. This isn’t just a large mudroom that transitions from the garage to the house; it’s a functional space with ‘more’. This mudroom has two closets, a powder room, bench seating for putting on shoes, and a pantry for your ‘kitchen’ extras.
Another door from the mudroom leads to your dream laundry room. This large space has two walls of counter space. Make sure you maximize this and put drawers and smart storage options here. Even an island for folding clothes centers this room.
Hartford – Gathering Room and Lanai
Your large kitchen and family dining room open to a large, wide gathering room ready for the holidays, parties, cozy movie nights, and good times filled with laughter. Centering this space is the fireplace, ready to roar on cool nights to warm hearts, and hands and become a focal point for winter picnics when it’s too chilly outdoors. Whether your style is formal or cozy chic, this space can handle it all. I’m in the cozy-chic vibe, and having several soft easy chairs and a long sectional couch with chaise spaces at each end is my ideal.
A long, covered lanai, behind the gathering room is ready for the perfect cool-weather indoor/outdoor party. Since this space is covered, you can grill, dine, read, and sit with friends no matter the weather. A long dining table, pots of whatever makes you happy, and a telescope for watching late-night stars are perfect additions for outdoor entertainment and new memory-making days and nights.
Hartford – Mega Owners Suite
Do you dream of a bedroom that feels like you are in a luxury hotel? Well, all that is possible here. The owner’s suite is more than enough and all you want to create is waiting. There is a door from the suite out to the covered lanai so your early morning coffee can be enjoyed peacefully.
The master bath is a spa in the making. The deep soaking tub is ready to be filled with bubbles. You have two separate sink vanities, one sink has long counters, space for make-up application, and plenty of cabinets and drawer space. Your commode is in a space of its own for privacy. Step down into a glass shower for a warm, steamy, happy way to begin or end your day.
Hartford – Upstairs
This upstairs is where your kids or guests find their respite. Each of the three suites is spacious for more than just sleeping. One of the suites is extra-large and where your wants come to life. From a craft/creative space to an exercise, movie, rec room – dream away. This large room has access to a walk-in closet and a full bathroom. Outside in the hall here, is a linen or game closet.
Don’t worry about storage space. This house it is in such supply that your kids can spend hours crawling around, building tents, tunnels, and finding great hiding spaces. Or, all your holiday décor, ‘stuff’ you can’t seem to part with, and seasonal clothes (because you can cedar line some walls) can live here.
A balcony overlooks your gathering room and is open to the foyer.
Suites two and three share a ‘jack and jill’ style bathroom. What’s great about this is that having a double vanity means no angling for personal space. Each suite has a walk-in closet too. Do you want a cozy chair to sit in? Does a wall of shelves hit the ‘want’ list? It’s all possible here.
Hartford – Multi-Generational Lower Level
If your family needs to include aging parents or relatives, don’t worry. Your lower level is ideal for privacy, outdoor light, and easy mobility.
This gorgeous area is more than enough for everything. Again, storage abounds here. A suite with a walk-in closet and full bath has door access to a covered, lower terrace that runs the length of the house. An exercise room is ready to keep your body strong as well as a powder room attached. Add a sauna for more body wellness. The rec room/main area has a full kitchen and space for a dining table, pool table, or library.
A beautiful fireplace anchors the rec room space. A long wall of shelves, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, or wood countertops with under-storage can make a statement here.
The exterior rear view of this home is stunning. It is welcoming, it wants family and friends to visit. This home is exquisite and just waiting for you. The Living Concepts Team is ready to bring this plan to reality. Hartford. Yours.
Welcome Home.