Little Scenes, Different Angles
Nora Jones speaks of her songs as being “little scenes, different angles.” Artists create little and big scenes all over the world- some may be visual works of art, written or musical pieces. Consider architecture as one of those scenes, with sharp angles that draw attention, mesmerizing oneself, or slopes that draw the eyes upward. Or both. This traditional home, Chesapeake C-2906 by Frank Snodgrass of Living Concepts, has those angles that catch the eye.
A Garage is for Thinking. And Storing.
The house plan has a two-car garage, with two stories and slightly less than 3000 square feet heated, making this home easy to maintain, while the angles/design on the inside of the home allow for maximum use of space. There are two full bathrooms, two half- baths, with outside space for entertaining and upstairs for recreation. The garage is a side one; once you have parked, you will find room on the right side for cabinets to store tools or a corner to stack those plastic tubs or storage bags with almost-but-not-quite-necessary items. Maybe from Amazon, which started in a garage.
There are two doors in the garage-one leads outside to the veranda, and the other, inside to the laundry room on the right (it has its own door, also). There is room here for your washer and dryer, a utility sink for those messy jobs, like pet washing that you do not want to carry inside the house proper, as well as counterspace to fold laundry. Something we all love doing, right? Cabinets above add storage for your detergents and additives. Oh, and the 20 second happy hand wash would be perfect here.
Good morning!
The morning room is an extension of the kitchen; the one in the Chesapeake plan has access to the screen porch, the grand room and into the kitchen. A well-placed sofa against the wall, some pillows and a throw rug would make this cozy corner your go-to place with that first cup of morning coffee or tea. The adjoining kitchen is nearly diamond-shaped (remember, I said the house has interesting angles?) and has a plethora of counter space, which makes room for all of your KitchenAid appliances.
Your major kitchen appliances line the walls of the kitchen with the double sink on the outside wall, window above letting in that sunshine. A large kitchen island allows for more informal seating while the walk-in pantry at the far end of the kitchen area allows you to store canned and packaged goods, and makes online shopping (or in-person) more efficient because you can see what you have and do not have. Like peanut butter and jelly. A door to the dining room is right beside the pantry.
Or Salads and Steaks
The formal dining room has windows on two sides and makes the perfect place for special occasions, such as gatherings over a meal for relatives and close friends. A round table for eight or even a more formal, rectangular dining table will enhance this experience. Once the meal is over, you might want to walk through the foyer and into the grand room (oh, and the powder room is on the way, on the left side before entering the grand room).
Nearby are three closets; one is immediately to your left as you near the powder room. Another is right around the corner, and the third closet is under the stairs leading upwards to bedroom suites and recreation areas. The fireplace is the focal point in the grand room. The hearth implores you start the fire, then sit back, relax and drop the worries you have had all day. His and her recliners? You bet! Warmer weather will pull you outside to the screened-in porch, where you will want to extend entertaining with strategically placed tables and chairs, and even outside to the veranda, which stretches from the back of the house and on to the master suite.
A Cuppa for Me
A padded window bench in the master suite’s lounge can offer storage as well as a place to snuggle up with your favorite book or magazine. The master suite extends from the lounge all the way to the front of the house. After walking through the bedroom, you enter the morning kitchen. A countertop for your Keurig or electric tea kettle, a sink for rinsing your mug or china, and a cabinet underneath to store supplies all make this area perfect for the early riser who needs that caffeine even before that trek to the kitchen.
Oh, I Wish I Were a Little Unicorn
Next is the master bath with the shelf tub (unicorn not provided), walk-in shower, plus his and her sinks with enough countertop space to spread out your daily lotions and bath must-haves. From the bath area, you step into the walk-in closet, plenty spacious for all of your clothes, as well as storage for smaller items in the closet peninsula. You exit the master suite through the morning kitchen to head upstairs.
Zen Den and More
Once up, you will walk into the loft area, and here, your choices for design are numerous. This could be an open office area, a playroom or even a “Zen den”- as a place to practice mindfulness (yoga mat needed). The second and third bedroom suites are up here, also. Both have their own bath; suite #2 has a shelf tub and single sink. It also has access to the recreation room (watch your step!) and to the second-floor deck. A walk-in closet is also provided. Bedroom suite #3 has a walk-in shower, single sink, and a reach-in closet, also with access to the deck.
The second story deck means the one below is covered, a perfect spot for outdoor furniture that will be protected from the elements and a grill or two, because who can resist cooking outside when the weather is amenable? Yes, please, cheese on that burger for me. Upstairs, you will have choices, too, as this can be your catch-the-rays spot or a place to cool off after exercising. The recreation room is almost 300 square feet of space for gaming, exercising, weight lifting-or it could even become your media room. Add a large screen television and a few chairs you can swivel to make the most of this space for late night TV watching.
The Chesapeake house plan by Living Concepts is a delight from any angle- a sloping roof outside with eye-catching details, and a well-planned interior that makes the most efficient use of the space offered.