Smart, stylish design

For whatever reason, some new home designs punch well above their price point, while others — quite disappointingly — punch well below.

The New Haven — Discovery Homes’ new 2,268-sq.-ft., two-storey show home at 305 Granite Grove in Prairie Pointe — is one design that resides firmly in the former category, says David Van Benthem, sales associate with the Moore Group.

“This is a home that offers great value from start to finish,” he says. “It feels like a home that’s more expensive than it is. You’re getting a well-designed, beautifully finished home for just over $850,000.”

In fact, the home looks and feels like it should come with a heftier price tag.

The New Haven’s smart, stylish design starts the instant you step inside, says Van Benthem.

“Essentially, this home effortlessly blends comfortable living with modern elegance, and that begins in the foyer. The foyer itself is huge with room for a sitting area. There’s also a mud room right up front to the left of the foyer. It’s a small thing, but it’s a feature that families love.”

As it turns out, the New Haven’s practical side asserts itself even more as you make your way toward the main living area.

“As much as our design team wanted the home to be a showpiece, they also wanted it to be practical,” says Van Benthem. “With that in mind, they placed a large bedroom and full bath to the left of the hallway that leads to the main living area. There’s also a convenient side entrance as well.”

The next stop is the main living area, which comes into full focus as you step into it from the wide, free-flowing hallway that connects it to the foyer.

“There’s a reason why the sightline into the room is so good — tempered glass panels on the staircase that have a wider footprint create a clearer view into the great room. At the same time, it adds a real touch of elegance,” says Van Benthem.

Stepping into the main living area, you can’t help but marvel at how seamlessly Discovery’s design team managed to weave style into what is a very functional floor plan.

There’s an immediate sense of space, light and warmth, which comes from a well-organized floor plan, a wealth of large, well-placed windows and just the right balance between modern and traditional finishes.

One of those traditional finishes stands out the moment you enter the naturally bright, ultra-navigable area, says Van Benthem.

“The laminate plank flooring is a brand-new product that looks like it came straight out of a magazine with its texture and natural medium-brown highlights. It’s the perfect colour, adding warmth to an area that’s filled with natural light from all the glass that fills the rear wall.”

Because the home is sized at nearly 2,300 sq. ft., there’s also no shortage of space. That translates into spaces that offer a near-perfect synergy of functionality and style.

“Entertainers will love the kitchen/dining area,” Van Benthem says. “The kitchen is a dream with beautiful white-gloss cabinetry, a large quartz island with waterfall sides and a backsplash and quartz countertops that match the island. Of note is the fact the sink is off to the side to make the island more functional. A spice kitchen at the rear of the kitchen adds even more functionality.”

Then, there’s the mesmerizing dining area.

“It’s surrounded by windows and has a patio door on the side wall that leads out to a huge, covered deck that’s perfect for barbecuing and nature watching,” Van Benthem says.

Finally, there’s the jaw-dropping great room.

“An 18-foot ceiling, floor-to-ceiling windows and a gorgeous entertainment unit with a linear-electric fireplace give it a wow factor that’s capped off by the glass-lined staircase,” Van Benthem says. “It caps the main living area off perfectly.”

Upstairs, the stylish staircase is bordered by a huge loft on one side and a catwalk on the other that leads to an elevated balcony — and the primary bedroom.

“It’s a private retreat with a patio door that leads out to the balcony, plus a huge walk-in closet and luxurious ensuite with a freestanding soaker tub, elegant, tiled walk-in shower and vanity with double sinks,” Van Benthem says. “There’s also a walk-in closet in each kids’ bedroom.”

He adds that the New Haven is a complete, family-friendly home.

“Every detail of this home has been carefully thought out, making for an exceptional, value-packed family home.”

lewys@mymts.net