2003 Idea House: Harrod's Creek

Kitchen Contrasts
 

Two half walls open the kitchen to the family room. The area mixes interesting materials--stained cherry cabinets, vanilla slate flooring, and gold granite countertops with flecks of olive green and brown. The island, with a convenient second sink, is topped with a mesquite butcher block.

The vaulted ceiling features an unusual detail. Painted a russet red with stenciled accents, this unexpected treatment creates visual interest in the neutral color scheme.

Functional Spaces

From the family room, you step into a hallway, with vanilla slate floors, that connects the back entrance to the secondary bedrooms. A porte-cochère acts as a breezeway, providing transition from the garage. It opens to a mudroom with built-in shelving, perfect for dropping off backpacks and hanging up jackets.

Beyond the mudroom is a convenient planning center with a built-in desk and cabinets; a handy corkboard keeps up with invitations and family activities. This area is designed to accommodate the family computer.

Also off the back hall is a stylish and functional laundry room. Its sink has a wall-mounted faucet; the backsplash is made up of festive glass tiles. Cabinetry, with beaded-board fronts, surrounds three walls.

Convenient Work Station: The wall above the desk in the versatile laundry room contains two handy ideas--a wooden dowel, perfect for holding spools of ribbon, and a chalkboard-painted niche for jotting down notes and to-do lists. The comfortable countertop height allows this room to double as an area for crafts projects.

Unexpected Bonus

Between the kitchen and living room is a wet bar and wine room. Both areas are lined with cherry cabinetry and shelving. A unique stone floor, which consists of small rocks in varying shades of brown and gray, makes a visit to the wine room even more special. The stones look as if someone gathered them from a riverbed and put them directly on the floor. Because this material is costly, save it for a small room such as this one.

Not-So-Formal Areas

The plan takes a creative approach to the idea of formal living and dining rooms. They are combined into one generous, enjoyable space.

For the living room, two comfortable sofas, covered in a washed linen print, set the color scheme of green and gold with touches of red. A beautiful iron-and-glass console table visually separates the areas. Two deep red ottomans serve as a coffee table and provide additional seating. On each side of the fireplace, niches contain oversize mirrors and plants, instead of the expected built-ins.

Master Retreat

Past the living room, you transition through a hallway and step down to the master bedroom. Its location makes it a private sanctuary. The adjacent porch, with its great view, provides another area of retreat. A slipcovered love seat and chair in faux suede and a skirted table give the room a soft feel. Touches of sage green enhance the creamy palette.

The bath continues the serene mood. Cut-stone tile covers the floor, and limestone accents the countertops. Hexagonal tiles, in variegated natural hues, act as a border for the tub surround, wrap around the shower, and adorn the sinks' backsplash.

Suited to Teenage Girls

Off the family room are two bedrooms that share a bath. Each has its own walk-in closet and vanity area. One is vintage chic in style, filled with ivory faux-finished furniture distressed to look old. A four-poster bed with a floral-and-green check duvet cover stands in front of the window.

Teenager's Bedroom

"Eclectic" best describes the other bedroom, which is dominated by shades of purple. Instead of a headboard, lightweight fabric covers the entire wall behind the bed. It's tied on to drawer pulls that are attached right below the ceiling.