A Place of Dreams

The magnificent facade will draw looks of admiration from visitors and passersby. The grand Ironmax Legacy entry doors from Wayne-Dalton usher guests inside. Beautiful windows from Weather Shield, and stucco arches by C-Cure add dazzling touches of style. The varied roofline by Georgia-Pacific will withstand years of exposure to harsh elements.

Depending on the family, the time of day and even the time of life, a house can serve as home base for anything from kids' sleepovers and birthday parties, to elegant formal affairs for friends and colleagues, to simple rest and relaxation.

A retired couple might want a home with an extra room or two to host visiting grandchildren.

An elegant arch between the dining room and the entry maintains a distinct, but open feel in the home's formal area. Stunning chandeliers from the Hunter Fan Company shed a warm glow over the beautiful furniture and accessories from All Good Things. Imperial Wallcoverings and Renaissance by Dutch Boy paint adorn the walls.

A family with young children needs a bedroom close to the master suite to serve as a nursery, while a family with older children probably wants a little more privacy-and distance-between the bedrooms.

Many people today also want a quiet spot to set up a home office, conduct business and maybe even visit with clients.

Because families demand different things out of a home, a good home plan should be flexible. The floor plan must meet the different requirements of all the families who choose to build it. Over the years, a well-designed home will also continue to meet the evolving needs of the people who live there.

Settle down at the neat planning center to figure out the week's menus. The Wellborn cabinets provide plenty of storage space, while the durable Wilsonart countertop adds a splash of color. The Marvel grotto underneath preserves that fine wine collection.

Early last year, HomeStyles, the nation's leading provider of blueprints for new homes, and builder Sharon Breed of Hamilton Breed Homes chose just such a plan to build outside of Houston. In January, they showcased the home in conjunction with The Builders' Show, the annual convention of the National Association of Home Builders.

"It's a real nice plan because it works for different kinds of families," Breed said.

Outside, the stunning facade impresses neighbors and visitors, she said.

A Majestic fireplace surrounded by cultured stone from Stone Products anchors the family room at the rear of the home. A tile floor from Ceramic Tile International stands up to spills and heavy traffic, while sunlight pours in through the Weather Shield windows. For extra privacy, close the wood blinds from Hunter Douglas.

To meet the community's building ordinances, Breed worked with Jim Zirkel of Home Design Services, the Florida firm that designed the plan, to replace most of the stucco

exterior with brick. Breed opted for light-colored brick instead of red, to preserve the home's dazzling presentation.

Two regal columns, a sunny half-round window and a graceful arch frame the double-door entry that ushers guests inside.

Here, the entrance unfolds into the formal living and dining rooms. When weather permits, swing open the beautiful French doors to the breezy patio to let guests mingle outside.

The ornate ceiling designs that crown both rooms will wow first-time visitors.

In the kitchen, an island workstation with Wellborn cabinets and a Wilsonart counter lets helping hands join in meal preparation. The cook will love the oversized sink by American Standard and the top-notch Whirlpool appliances.

"I decided to leave [the ceilings] alone, and let them speak for themselves," Judy Ray, the interior designer, said about the impact the ceilings have on the rooms.

A tile floor links the living and dining rooms to the home's casual areas. Ray called the floor the heart of the home.

"Every house starts with something, whether it's a piece of furniture or a piece of artwork . . .," Ray said. "This one starts with the floor."

Ray arranged the tile in 45-degree angles to downplay the corners and give the home a fluid feel. The floor is also durable and easy to maintain.

Gorgeous wallcoverings by Imperial and decorative trim from Marley Mouldings lend a bit of grandeur to the master bath. Dual vanities by American Standard cut down on morning traffic, while the Wellborn cabinets provide plenty of storage space for hand towels and toiletries.

At the rear of the home, "the family wing . . . exudes the feeling of barefoot elegance which makes this design a top-seller," Zirkel said.

An island workstation in the kitchen lets helping hands join in, while a counter opens to the adjacent breakfast nook.

A built-in desk nearby serves as a hub of activity. This is the perfect spot to plan menus, grab a phone call or pay the bills. On busy nights, kids can work on homework here while parents help out from the kitchen. Tucked into the corner, a built-in grotto stores fine wines at the ideal temperature.

When family clamor rattles nerves, the master suite serves as the perfect retreat. A sitting area opens to the patio through lovely French doors from Weather Shield. A decorative border from Imperial Wallcoverings adds a splash of color to the walls, which sport Renaissance by Dutch Boy paint. The natural wood furniture from Sauder Woodworking completes the elegant picture.

The master suite at the other end of the home awaits weary souls, while two secondary bedrooms and another room can be adapted to meet a family's specific needs. How about a home office, a guest bedroom or a nursery? Take your pick!

Different families have different dreams, and those dreams change over the years. This versatile home features plenty of amenities that fulfill all of them.

Home Design - Jim Zirkel of Home Design Services, Longwood, Florida.
Builder - Sharon Breed of Hamilton Breed Homes, Fulshear, Texas.
Interior Design - Judy Ray of All Good Things, Katy, Texas.