Defying expectations

Designing an attached two-storey residence is never a straightforward task for a home builder.

That’s because they must deal with one key element that doesn’t arise when planning a single-detached home: lot size.

This is an important factor, as lot sizes have been shrinking due to the steady increase in property costs.

Whereas a two-storey attached home may have been built on a 30-foot-wide allotment a few years ago, sizes have now shrunk to as narrow as 22-24 feet.

As it turns out, the lot size of Hilton Homes’ new two-storey attached show home at 176 Duck Creek Rd. in Highland Pointe is 24 feet wide. Yet, the dwelling checks in at an impressive 1,551 sq. ft., considerably larger than most two-storey attached houses, which most often range in size from 1,350-1,400 sq. ft.

“We designed this home to fit somewhere in the middle in relation to our other homes,” says Spencer Curtis, Hilton Homes’ owner, who is intimately involved in the design of each abode the company designs and builds. “We have another attached model that’s about 1,400 sq. ft. Then there’s this model, and after this we have a 1,707-sq.-ft. single-detached home.”

Right from the outset, it’s evident much thought was put into the blueprints for the Wilkens.

Step into the foyer, and you immediately feel a great sense of space — just the opposite of what you might expect before venturing into such a home.

Not only is the foyer pleasingly roomy, so too is the Wilkens’ main living area. Talk about defying expectations in a big way, as the main living areas in many two-storey attached homes can feel quite narrow.

“We really worked hard to make it feel as spacious as possible,” Curtis says. “It has a nine-foot ceiling, which helps, and a glass-filled wall also makes the area feel bigger, letting in all kinds of natural light while looking out onto the wetlands behind the home.”

Another clever design detail also played a central role in giving the main area its free-flowing feel — the way the kitchen/dining area was laid out.

“Basically, we put the dining area in its own space next to the kitchen and added a window behind it to bring in more natural light,” Curtis says. “Doing that really increased the area’s functionality level.”

And how. With the dining area off to the side, the kitchen has more room to breathe. The aisle between the range and island is over four-feet wide, while there’s a four-foot aisle-way on the other side.

“While functionality is always a priority with us, we didn’t forget about style,” Curtis says. “The seven-foot island comes with a grey-granite countertop and is surrounded by taupe cabinets, a cool glass-tile backsplash and stainless-steel appliances that go beautifully with the grey countertops.”

Curtis says the adjacent great room has its own special appeal.

“A sliding patio door in the centre of the rear wall leads out to a raised balcony that overlooks the water. It’s another feature that sets this home apart from other attached two-storey homes.”

Wander upstairs via an extra-wide staircase (another pleasant surprise) and you find an efficiently laid-out upper level that designed to meet the needs of a young family.

Again, the extra 150 sq. ft. of space comes into play in a big way

“It allowed us to go a bit bigger with the landing at the top of the stairs and in the hallways,” says Curtis, adding that at 774 sq. ft., the home’s second floor is nearly the same size as the main level. “That adds comfort and makes the home more enjoyable to live in.”

Indeed, kids will take note of the comfortable, highly functional layout, as both secondary bedrooms are of very good size, with large windows.

Finally, there’s the primary bedroom, which essentially sums up the home with its imaginative, outside-the-box design.

“People love how it feels with its vaulted ceiling and a huge, angled window that matches the angled roofline,” Curtis says. “When you come in, you feel like you’re in a larger custom home. It also comes with a big walk-in closet with a window and a four-piece ensuite.”

The final surprise is — of all things — a walk-out lower level.

“You get not only an amazing water view, but about 515 sq. ft. of space to develop into a rec room, bedroom, bathroom and storage,” Curtis says. “If you develop the lower level, this home can offer a family a little over 2,000 sq. ft. of great livability, style and function.”

lewys@mymts.net