When does a house become a home? Well, when you claim it. Embrace it. Move in and add your personal touches. Pictures, paint colors, furniture. But first, you must choose the space. The Belize Plan: European Comfort may be the product you want. The European influence is evident in the architecture. Carrying that influence inside the home will be up to you.
The two-story home has 4254 square feet, four bedroom suites, four full baths with one powder room, and room to play-a recreation room, (our September focus), as well as a bonus room. The photo shows a combination of stone, brick and stucco. The three-car garage is on the left side. (This homeowner chose to make three single bays for the cars using an arch with gaslights above).
The Belize Plan: European Comfort
First Floor-Front to Back
First, from the loggia or front porch, you step into the foyer. To your right, the study, complete with fireplace, occupies the far-right corner of your home. Deciding whether to choose the classic, heavy furniture for your study or the contemporary and sleeker furniture is a decision you may ponder.
Then, straight ahead of the foyer, and again on the right, you come upon stairs going to the second floor. Walk a little further for a reach-in closet that might double as storage for extra shoes, umbrellas or linens. European comfort in luxury linens. Makes sense to me.
Next, the master suite completes the rest of the right side of the Belize plan. Upon entering, you have two walk-in closets on your right. Continue ahead, and the master bath greets you. There are two sinks, one on each side of the doorway. The toilet is enclosed in the far-left corner. (True European comfort means there are likely dual buttons, a water-saver, too). A soaking tub and walk-in shower complete the master bath.
Finally, back in the hall that runs parallel to the master suite, you enter the spacious sleeping area. A door on the left gives you access to the covered veranda.
The Belize Plan: European Comfort
First Floor-Front to Back
First, entering from the garage takes you into the office. L-shaped cabinets and a reach-in closet give you plenty of storage room, as well as a sizable area to swivel your chair around. To the left is the laundry. Next is the powder room, same side.
Then, a right turn will take you to the butler’s pantry first, and then the dining room. Whether you order your repast or bake it yourself, there is definitely room for European comfort food here. (A personal partiality for French pastries and hearty Italian pasta).
Next, looking towards the back of the home, the gathering room is open on two sides. A fireplace anchors the right wall. Shelves on either side here will give you the opportunity to add personal touches. And, like the master suite, it also has a door leading to the outside covered terrace.
The Belize Plan: European Comfort
First Floor-Front to Back
Finally, we arrive at the kitchen, the heart of the home. Where else does your crowd gather when you are sharing libations and apps? Ici, of course! We will begin with the breakfast room. It looks out onto the veranda and is open to the kitchen. There is room for a banquette and table.
A large island marks the center of the kitchen. It contains a double-sink and has a space for the dishwasher. Seating is also available at the island. There is still plenty of room for your large kitchen appliances along the L-shaped counters (left corner of the room). A bonus? A commodious walk-in pantry is right around the corner. European comfort translated here means 00 flour and those utensils needed for those fine meals.
The Belize Plan: European Comfort
Second Floor-Recreation and Bedroom Suites
First, let’s begin with the bonus room. It is located over the garage, so it is the perfect room to make noise. A countertop is at one end, as well as a reach-in closet. A game of shuffleboard, billiards or both could take place here and you would still have room to add chairs and side tables. Or perhaps, this is where you would watch your favorite NFL team. Either way, it is yours to personalize.
Another space for fun is the recreation room. A countertop in the corner with a sink gives you a place to refresh after an invigorating game of table tennis. The bonus room and recreation room both share a bathroom with a bedroom suite.
Both suites have walk-in closets. The baths differ, though. Suite #2, which is closest to the bonus room, has a sink, toilet and bathtub. Suite #3, which is by the recreation room, has a slightly larger walk-in closet, a linen closet and walk-in shower rather than a bathtub.
In the hall which runs left to right upstairs, you have access to the attic by way of pull-down stairs. Finally, the guest suite, which is found at the front of the Belize, has a generous reach-in closet. It also has its own bath with a sink, bathtub, toilet and linen closet.
The Belize Plan: European Comfort
Conclusion
What is your idea of European comfort? A home that speaks of European/French architecture? Then the Belize Plan may be the one you need. Bring your influence to the inside of the home to make it truly yours. Be sure to click on the green button that says add to cart found on the right side of this page. And enjoy!