A farmhouse porch adds a dash of country flavor to the Toucan, a 11/2-story contemporary ranch-style home designed for a family with older or grown children. The owners' suite is downstairs, so adults can meet all their needs without ever climbing stairs. This leaves the upper rooms for children, grandchildren or other guests.
Not that there's anything inferior about the second-floor bedrooms. Far from it. Both have skylights, vaulted ceilings and walk-in closets, one of them quite large. A walk-in linen closet is tucked into an alcove in the hallway, and the skylit compartmentalized bathroom has twin vanities.Descending the stairs into the high-ceilinged vaulted entry, you can enjoy the view through a dormer window above the front door. A plant shelf on top of a closet next to the woodbox provides a space to display art objects or hanging plants. Basement access is directly under the main stairs.
On the main level, vaulted ceilings give an open, spacious feeling to the already large family living and entertainment areas. The tiled-hearth, see-through fireplace provides a cheerful focal point in both the dining and living room. Sliding glass doors brighten the dining room and allow easy access to a small deck.
Windows cover most of the bayed back wall of the kitchen, creating a bright, inviting work area for informal gathering. Counter space is augmented by a central work island, and a walk-in pantry adds to the ample storage capacity. A small bathroom is between the kitchen and the family room, convenient to all of the family living areas.
The isolated family room allows teens to shut the doors, crank up the volume on their favorite tunes and enjoy themselves without causing pain to their parents. Utilities, a deep sink, counters, cabinets and a fold-down ironing board are hidden behind pocket doors in the family room.
The master suite is buffered from the sound by its walk-in closet and a private bathroom with twin vanities. Another notable feature is the luxurious skylit, oversize shower. For a study plan of the Toucan (332-300), send $7.50, or for a collection of our plan books, send $20 to Landmark Designs, P.O. Box 2307, Eugene, OR 97402. (Be sure to specify plan name and number when ordering.)