Family-friendly flair

Ideally, a new home’s design should be distinctive both outside and inside.

And while both qualities are important, it’s a home’s exterior that — for better or worse — sets the tone.

Get it right, and the home will catch the eye of prospective home buyers. That in turn usually prompts them to wander inside to see if its interior is as special as its exterior.

Signature Homes’ new spec home at 35 Chimney Swift Way in St. Adolphe’s Tourond Creek has been a hit on both fronts, says Cindi Burak, Signature’s sales manager.

“This home definitely has a lot of curb appeal,” she says. “The stone-clad front, with its high, pillared entrance, really catches your attention. It’s a very good-looking home.”

Not only is the 2,184-sq.-ft. two-storey home a handsome devil, but it’s also a delightfully distinct design.

Plotted with a large, active family in mind, spaces were placed in specific spots to maximize functionality, says Burak.

“While style is important — and this home has it — the layout was done differently,” she explains. “Our designers worked hard to make it as user-friendly as possible for families.”

Mission accomplished.

For starters, a good-sized bedroom was placed at the front of the home to the left of the generous foyer to provide families with a couple of options.

“Because it has a closet, it could be used either as a home office or a bedroom,” says Burak.

“If you’re using it as an office, it’s in a great spot at the front of the home. If you have clients over, you’re in your own private space away from everyone. Its placement also makes it a great bedroom for an in-law or teenager who wants a private space of their own.”

From there, the foyer transitions smoothly into a wide hallway that provides easy access to the home’s main living area.

As you step into it, your eye is immediately drawn to a commanding space to your left: a voluminous great room.

“It’s a gorgeous space with its double-high ceiling, floor-to-ceiling windows and a panelled, charcoal-grey floor-to-ceiling feature wall with a linear-electric fireplace that really stands out against the off-white walls and ceiling,” Burak says.

“The view down to the great room is awesome, and the glass panels on the staircase preserve the view and promote light flow.”

Next is the smart island kitchen, which includes several thoughtful design features.

“As much as it impresses with its long, elegant cabinets, quartz countertops, nine-foot island with quartz countertop and matching waterfall sides, it also comes with some very practical features, such as a walk-in pantry and mud/laundry room with garage access to the rear of the kitchen,” Burak says.

“There’s also no sink on the island, so it can serve as one big workspace.”

Then there’s an intriguing space placed behind the kitchen and spacious dining area.

“We call it a lounge, but it could also be called a flex space,” Burak says. “With a huge window on its rear wall letting in tons of natural light, it makes for a great sitting/lounge area, or even a home office, as it has a full bathroom next to it. A patio door on its left-hand wall leads out to a covered backyard deck. It’s a wonderful, versatile space.”

Take the fetching, four-foot-wide staircase upstairs, and you find a well-planned, family-friendly second floor teeming with functionality — bot to mention a welcome touch of “wow” factor, says Burak.

“The view down to the great room is amazing, as is all the light that comes upstairs from all the windows on the great room’s rear wall. The glass panelling really keeps sight lines open so there’s plenty of natural light and the great room view isn’t blocked.”

Meanwhile, the primary bedroom is cleverly separated from the kids’ bedrooms.

“A hallway was placed between the primary bedroom and kids’ bedrooms to naturally separate them,” Burak says. “Because the second floor offers 993 sq. ft. of livable space, both secondary bedrooms are a very good size, and are just steps away from a spacious, well-appointed four-piece bath.”

The home’s top floor is then completed by a huge, well-isolated primary bedroom.

“Two windows let in tons of natural light, there’s a big walk-in closet, and ensuite with tile floor, tiled walk-in shower and tiled soaker tub,” Burak says. “This home has the style and versatility families are looking for, just 10 minutes from the city in a quiet area on an oversized lot.”

lewys@mymts.net