A little bit of country in the city

The real estate signs emerge at the corner of what looks like a park.

This is 1675 W. Independence in Jackson, a home that sits back off the road behind a large yard.

Sitting on 6.32 acres of land with a septic system, the location seems rural but is actually inside the city limits.

Even though the house itself is only 6 to 10 years old, there are a number of mature trees on the property. The owner said they included cherry, apple, pecan, walnut, oak and wild plum.

Much of the house and property is landscaped, including the entrance from the street.

Beside the house stretches a long gravel driveway and in front of the house, amid a variety of pebbles, are plumeria and flowers such as snapdragon, gladioloas, peonies and petunias. At the end of the walk, leading up to the front door are several semi-circular concrete steps, and on the top half of the front door there is a leaded-glass window.

There is a small tile foyer just inside the front door leading to the great room and kitchen area, all beneath a vaulted ceiling. There is a dining space in the living area as well as an eat-in kitchen. The kitchen and living area are partitioned by a bar.

Golden brown flooring, resembling hardwood, covers the kitchen. Appliances are white and include a side-by-side refrigerator, gas range, built-in microwave and dishwasher.

Plush beige carpet covers the great room floor and the walls are cream colored. On the right as you go in is a blond gas fireplace. Double doors open up to a deck that overlooks a swimming pool and a stone path leading to a fish pond.

This house demonstrates the "split bedroom concept," with the master bedroom on one side of the house and the rest of the bedrooms on the other side. There are four bedrooms in all, including one in the basement. All have neutral carpeting, ceiling fans and large picture windows.

On the main floor is a double garage and on the basement level are two separate garages, one of which is now being used as a shop.

Walking through the kitchen to the left is a hallway that leads to the basement steps. To the right in this hallway is a laundry area concealed by folding doors.

There is Berber carpeting in the hallway, on the steps and in the partially finished basement, except for the vinyl tile area just inside the door to the pool area.

Many of us can remember tree houses, most a bit crude, possibly consisting of some actual boards or maybe just some branches.

The structure in the pool area just behind the house is no ordinary tree house. It's a tree house with carpeting and air conditioning.