NO matter whether you're a first-time home buyer, a medium-sized family looking for a home to move up into or a retired couple in downsizing mode: A mid-sized bungalow is a highly-sought-after commodity. With Winnipeg's housing market at its competitive zenith, the design must offer buyers equal parts value, utility and, of course, style.
"You just can't build a standard three-bedroom bungalow anymore," says Phil Mosher, sales representative for Broadview Homes, part of the Qualico group of companies. "At 1,468 square feet, 95 Higham Bay isn't huge. Vaulted ceilings throughout help achieve a more expansive feel, and an open-concept floor plan provides an unobstructed, even flow througout the home. It also allows light to stream in from virtually every angle through all kinds of big windows. I think the design appeals to a variety of tastes and needs, as this design has proven to be very popular."
As appealing as the open-concept design is, these days, it isn't a novel feature. What is different about 95 Higham Bay, however, is the colour scheme and flooring choice. While many modern homes have their walls coated in off-white, beige or muted brown tones, 95 Higham's interior is a blue/grey hue, a little darker than a robin's egg. The colour promotes a calming environment
"The paint colour actually goes well with the oak trim on the stairs and entertainment unit. It's not a colour that you would initially think of, but it works very well," Mosher says. "People have also told us they also ike the contrast that the white trim around doorways and baseboards provides to the (dark brown) oak."
Just as the colour scheme is different, so is the flooring choice. Rather than hardwood floors, the foyer, living room, hallway, kitchen and great room are floored in attractive brown/grey cork.
"Our designers picked cork for two reasons -- it's a less expensive alternative to hardwood, and the colour combination offers an understated warmth," he says. "It's also durable and easy to clean."
The kitchen/great room area reflects the character of the home in its entirety -- it's compact, yet not claustrophobic. There, you can whip up a meal at the island food preparation/seating area, and, if necessary, take a seat to consume your culinary concoction if the kids are hogging the kitchen table. Meanwhile, chestnut brown cabinetry provides ample storage space and combines with the cork flooring to add an extra touch of class. A partial wall between the kitchen and living room at once allows for placement of decorations and allows natural light to filter in.
Phil Mosher, sales representative for Broadview Homes, says buyers have moved beyond wanting a simple three-bedroom bungalow and are now demanding more features and more convience for their money.
While it would have been easy to have the kitchen flow seamlessly into the great room, Mosher says a four-foot-high bookshelf/storage unit topped with oak trim provides just the right amount of separation.
"It allows you room for a defined dinette area with some storage/display area as a bonus," he says. "Plus, it provides enough separation to give you the feeling that you're going from one room to another. Big windows in the great room let in lots of natural light, while the gas fireplace with brown ceramic surround, built-in entertainment area (again with oak shelving) provide the right mix of style and function."
Everything, from the master bedroom to two other main-floor bedrooms, is easily accessed thanks to a wide hallway that opens out onto the foyer. All three bedrooms are mid-sized. Grey short-twist nylon carpet, white bifold three-panel closet doors and the aforementioned white door and baseboard trim complement the blue-grey paint nicely. Utlility, not extravagance, is the theme here.
"We went with his/her closets in the master bedroom rather than a walk-in closet, and the ensuite is compact -- there's no tub, just a shower enclosure," says Mosher. "That's because the main bathroom, with tub, is just around the corner from the master bedroom, and close by the other two bedrooms. The space saved there went where most people want it -- in the kitchen/great room area."
Perhaps the most pleasant surprise about 95 Higham is its fully developed lower level. With its massive rec room, oversized fourth bedroom with double bifold closet and four-piece bathroom, it is as spacious as the main level. It might serve as a separate living area for older teens wanting their own space, or be a place for the hubby to go watch sports with the boys while the wife visits with friends upstairs.
"Again, the open floor plan offers plenty of versatility -- you can do whatever you want in the rec room," says Mosher, adding that steel-beam construction opened up the area by eliminating a number of intrusive teleposts. "The colour scheme and flooring (short-twist grey carpet) are the same as upstairs, as well. There's also extra storage areas and a separate mechanical/laundry room. If desired, the home can be designed so you can put the laundry room upstairs in one of the bedrooms, providing easy access for empty nesters as they get older. In a nutshell, I think it's a home that offers great value for the dollar."
lewys@mts.net
Designer: Broadview Homes
Size: 1,468 sq. ft., basement fully developed
Lot: 40' x 115'
Base Price: $156,000
Show Home Price: $ 304,310 (incl. lot and GST)
Lots Available: Call Phil Mosher
Contact: Phil Mosher, 333-5759 (Cell); 946-2249 (Pager)
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