Entertaining By Design

Sometime in the past few years, the trend watchers told us that people were turning away from nightclubs and bars. Instead, folks were inviting a few friends over for a casual dinner, or staying home with a stack of new releases from the local moviedome. Cocooning.

When the weather allows, the backyard patio provides a refreshing alternative to everyday gathering spots. The furniture and planters from Bemis look good and will withstand the elements for years, as will the handsome brick from Western Brick. On the concrete patio, H&C Concrete Stain from Sherwin-Williams creates a high-end lookÑat an affordable priceÑthat resembles a masonry walkway. Three sets of French doors from Weather Shield lead inside.

Trend or not, today's new homes are certainly starting to reflect people's desires for comfortable, accommodating spaces--rooms for visiting with friends, hosting a homemade, gourmet pizza party, or nestling in on a Friday night with a bowl of chips and a favorite novel.

These entertaining spaces come in many forms--from impressive halls to cozy family rooms to backyard decks and patios. What they have in common is the ability to make all sorts of affairs, from the simple to the elaborate, as easy and convenient as possible for the host.

Last year, HomeStyles, the nation's leading provider of pre-designed blueprints for new homes, and builder Sharon Breed, of Hamilton Breed Homes, built a showcase home outside of Houston. The design of the home, a best-seller for years, features formal, informal and outdoor areas for entertainingÑno doubt a vital aspect of its great appeal.

With its relatively modest square footage, the one-story home still manages to include different spaces for different kinds of entertaining.

At the entry, tall, elegant doors made of decorated glass and topped by a half-round window usher guests inside to the formal living areas. Here, a pretty dining room and living room flow into each other, creating a pretty area for elegant gatherings. The open design of this formal space also allows guests to move easily from hors d'oeuvres in the living room to dinner in the dining room.

While only a few steps separate the dining room from the kitchen, the formal areas maintain a quiet air, distinct from the home's more casual areas.

In the formal living room, a seating arrangement from Estate House Furniture creates an ideal spot for visiting before dinner. Depending on the occasion, the Lutron lighting controls can adjust the recessed lighting from Juno for maximum effect and ambience. The French doors from Weather Shield lead to the patioÑperfect for an after-dinner drink.

At the rear, the design uses the bulk of the home's square footage where it's needed mostÑin the family room. This easygoing, busy area merges with the kitchen and breakfast nook, creating a relatively large, informal area perfect for laid-back get-togethers with friends and family.

Along the far wall, a corner fireplace serves as a wholesome anchor, while the cabinets hold a home entertainment center--the doors can be opened to watch a movie, and shut when conversation or other activities top the agenda.

Also in the family room, a stereo built into an adjacent wall includes a radio, a cd player and an intercom system that can be heard in every room in the home through built-in speakers.

Both the living room and the family room open to a good-sized patio in back. This convenient layout makes summer barbecues simple, while it also allows guests to step outside for fresh air and stargazing.

When you choose the plans for your new home, consider your entertaining needs. Do you like to host multi-course dinners, rowdy pasta parties or barefoot barbecues? Maybe you like all three. In any case, make sure your new home accommodates your preference.