Michaela Mahady, architect of our long popular Maple Forest series of homes, teamed up with Debra Kees to create this beautiful Craftsman style home. The simple, moderate-pitched gabled roof of the home, the attention to architectural details like horizontal bands of windows, decorative wooden brackets and wood trim, as well as the use of three distinctly different exterior textures (brick, stucco and cedar shingles) firmly tie this home to its Arts and Crafts past. Yet, with a nod towards the varying needs of the modern family, careful attention was given to architectural and building design, making this home one of our most versatile in terms of construction. It is easily built in sizes from as small as 2,397 square feet to as large as 2,880 square feet. And it is designed to be able to fit on a narrow suburban lot, yet is equally at home on rural acreage with plenty of elbow-room.

The Craftsman Style Bungalow is not new, yet it continues to be excellent form for modern family living. The simple front-gabled exterior of the home uses a classical architectural three-part model. The original home has and elegant, clean look, which begins with a base rising from brick, a main level of stucco and an upper level cap of wood sawn shingles. Exterior trim, trellis, and bracket details are hefty, sturdy and substantial to reflect both the history and present day craftsmanship of the residential master builder.

This home is designed to give you the option to build it in stages over time, as the family grows or the budget permits. As drawn, the plan comes fully detailed for the inclusion of a multi-function den, bedroom and full bath on the main level. However, if these spaces are not desired or not immediately needed, they can simply not be built. Similarly, there is also the obvious potential for converting this space into to a main level master suite. In either case the home will still hold its architectural integrity and retain its flow and feel.

In its most compact 3 bed 2.5 bath version, the house at 2,397 square feet contains the core of the architectural design: An open living room, dining room and large kitchen area, plus the laundry, powder room, and mudroom are on the main level. The three bedrooms, two full baths, plus a cozy common study/library area, are on the upper floor. The inclusion on the main level of a flexible use den area (213 square feet), and the bedroom/bath addition (270 square feet) bring the home up to its 4 bed 3.5 bath full size of 2,880 square feet.

The "L" shaped floor plan of the home serves several purposes. Its design opens each of the rooms to a view on several sides, and provides for abundant healthy, natural light and ample natural ventilation. Upon entry into the home, as well as from the from the living area, one can simultaneously enjoy views of the courtyard garden that frames the front entry, as well as the trellised brick terrace in the backyard. While inspired Arts and Crafts tradition, the home has a light, airy main level plan, and is tailored for casual contemporary lifestyles, and for togetherness. Living, dining, and kitchen areas are open to one another, in a single flowing space linked with a wood beamed ceiling and light coves. Most of the main level has high 9 foot plus ceilings, with areas of lowered ceiling soffits where a sense of intimacy is desirable. A large brick and tile fireplace anchors one end of this space, while the opposite end is defined by a beautifully detailed staircase. The base of the staircase folds into a cushioned built in bench facing the kitchen. It is a perfect spot to relax, do homework, or chat with the cook as a meal is prepared.

Above, the home has 3 bedrooms, all tucked up into the volume of the gabled roofline. Engineered scissor trusses were used, giving each room gently sloping ceilings that rise to about 9 feet. All open onto a large landing, with a built in study, which overlooks the terrace and yard below. Interior glass openings permit a play of light between rooms, and a gently arched ceiling down the center threads together the study and both bathrooms to create visual continuity through the center of the upper level. This house abounds in details such as built in window seats, cabinets, and simple, substantial millwork. Shelves are nestled into niches, and perch atop window and door openings throughout the home to give each corner in each room the traditional craftsmanship of Bungalows of the past.

The main plan, as drawn, is for the 4 bed, 3.5 version with a detached 3 car garage. Scissor trusses were also used on the garage, making the ceiling in the center bay very high. Detached garages are not only healthier, they also allow for an infinite variety of placement options. This is especially useful on narrow, sloped, rear-entry, or otherwise difficult lots. However, this plan also includes simplified floor plans and as well as exterior elevations for a possible semi-attached 2 car garage version. An unfinished basement is below the core of the home. It is wide open, and is the size and shape of the mudroom, kitchen and living room. The optional den and bedroom are designed for a crawlspace foundation. The home was originally designed and built on a flat lot, but as with most homes on basement or crawlspace foundations it can be easily adapted to a gently or even a moderately sloping site.