Corbusier, noted Swiss architect and city planner, said the home should be the treasure chest of living. This Craftsman cottage by Living Concepts, Timberline C-2795, could be your treasure chest. It boasts of a deck, basement and a bonus room. The home has less than 3000 square feet but plenty of room for four bedroom suites, three full baths and a 2 car garage. The exterior, as shown, has cedar shakes and a metal roof, with a front door that says open- and step in!
Stepping In
Like the Primrose, the Timberline has a side garage and an open floor plan, the latter typical of craftsman homes. Yet, the Timberline is more of a no-fuss craftsman. Without whimsy, just a solid plan that is packed with extras. As you enter the house from the garage, you will find steps going down into the basement and also steps going up to the bonus room.
And Washing Up
The laundry room is on the main floor, on your left after the stairs going up. Bifold doors (ones that when opened, slide and fold at the same time) will give you access to this room where your washer and dryer are on stand-by. Cabinets above your appliances will hold all of those necessary washing supplies, from granulated bleach (no more accidental splashes!) to your laundry pods or liquid detergent. Nearby is the door to the master suite.
Relaxing
The Master Suite gives you access to the back deck, which nearly expands the width of the home. Inside, you have plenty of room for your bedroom suite, as well as a reading chair or chaise lounge in the bay window bump-out. A walk-in closet is on your right as you leave the sleeping area, and inside the master bath, there are two single sinks, a walk-in shower and a shelf or garden tub. A closet tucked in the corner gives you space to store your bath linens and paper products you need.
And Studying
Back in the foyer, you will discover the study, which faces the front of the house. Need to separate your school-age children when studying? Or working from home remotely? Then this is your room. It’s also the perfect place to drop your briefcase (people still use those, right?) before heading into the living room. A niche on your left can hold those Blenko bottles you want to display, or other treasures from your travels.
A Book in One Hand
A fireplace on the left, with bookcases on the far side, will help to make the living room your retreat, especially on cool spring or fall afternoons. Or take that book outside with you on the deck, where you have room to stretch your legs and enjoy the solitude you crave or the familiar chatter of friends and family who cannot wait for you to fire up the grill.
And a Blueberry Pie in the Other
Inside, the kitchen and dining rooms are open to the living room. The dining area faces the deck; sliding glass doors here (as well as from the living room) allow easy access to the deck. In the kitchen, the peninsula houses the double sink and also allows for seating. Space for the dishwasher is on the left, and walking counterclockwise, the refrigerator and stovetop/oven combination make this kitchen efficient. Oh, and counterspace? Yes, there is, so you can easily make those blueberry hand pies (oh, so yummy) and carry one outside.
Adding Natural Light
Returning to the foyer and facing the front of the house, a closet on the left can hold your jackets and hats, or even a vacuum cleaner. The second bedroom suite is nearby. The bath has a linen closet, shower/tub combination and a single sink. A generous reach-in closet extends the length of the back wall. The bedroom suite has a bump-out and faces the front of the home, allowing natural light to pour inside.
And Exploring the Basement
Going down into the basement, on your immediate right you will find a closet for storage. A linen closet is around the corner, too, right before you enter the third bedroom suite. The bath has a shower/tub combination and two single sinks. A walk-in closet and bedroom finish the left side of the Timberline plan. When you walk into the family room, you will understand why some family members may not want to emerge from the basement.
I’m Never Leaving…
Like the upstairs, the family room has a fireplace; this one has room for books on both sides, rather than a niche on one side. Luxurious beanbag chairs or a sectional sofa would encourage loafing here. A wet bar (which means it has a sink) and, perhaps a microwave on the counter, make going upstairs for a snack less likely. But still- there are those blueberry pies. The covered patio is out the sliding glass doors, protected except for blustery weather, giving you a place for that second grill and additional outdoor seating.
Because I Am Busy!
Behind the wet bar, you will find a utility/hobby room. Wait- a room just for my crafts? I’ll take it! You will find a single sink, counter space to finally construct that masterpiece that has been hiding in your dresser or garage (somewhere), and the room even has spaces designated for an additional washer and dryer-because everyone should learn how to wash, dry and fold, right? If the thought of someone else folding clothes makes you uncomfortable, then you could add more counter space.
More Storage
An optional suite on the right side of the basement has a walk-in closet, and there is another closet close by. You will also discover unfinished storage space on this side of the basement, perhaps for the overflow of your craft supplies (wood-working takes up a lot of space) or for your adult child’s belongings, the one who is between college/jobs/apartments.
And a Place to Play
Take the stairs up, and above the main floor, you will find the bonus room. This is a multipurpose room, limited only by budget and imagination. The bonus room could be your exercising space, a yoga retreat or even a place to play cards and board games. If a media room is more to your liking, theater seating and a large screen could be installed.
No Place Like Home
Your home should be your treasure chest, full of the people you love and designed to bring you a sense of belonging and comfort, as well as functional design. That’s what the Timberline can be for you, a plan full of the spaces you long for.
“Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam, be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home.” – John Howard Payne