A splash of color

Decorative touches give this simple house its personality

By Tammy Raddle ~ Southeast Missourian

Some houses are built to be nondescript and plain, others are designed to catch the eye of every passerby. The house at 1504 Amblewood has a simple-looking exterior but is bursting with personality inside.

Outside, the house is well-kept. It's a brick and vinyl, one and a half-story structure that has an attached two-car garage. The yard is neat, level, and comes with a good mixture of shrubs, perennials and mature trees. White pillars support the covered porch. Brass lanterns flank each side of the white entrance door with green sidelights that match the shutters.

Step into color

With a step inside, this house bursts into color. Even in rooms where there is no natural light, color gives the illusion of natural light.

To the left of the foyer is the family room, which has old-fashioned wide-planked hardwood floors that give this house an immediate arts and crafts-period feel. The walls are painted in a sunny yellow, with large double cottage-style windows overlooking the front yard. Antique green shutters playfully offer privacy.

The dining room also has hardwood floors, but the walls have been painted a midnight blue with a sponge effect to create texture. A rear window overlooks the back yard and in-ground pool.

The kitchen has simple walnut cabinets, but the floor is painted concrete that soon will be covered with hardwood or tile. The kitchen has a standard double sink in stainless steel and side-by side refrigerator with indoor drink and ice dispenser.

There have also been many updates to this house. The most interesting is a sunroom designed by Cape Girardeau architect John Boardman. The sunroom has a vaulted ceiling and wood-paneled walls, giving it a rustic feel. Solid wood beams across the lofty ceiling give a feeling of stability. A nearby bathroom has been roughed in. A total of 11 windows around the perimeter of the room allow for sunlight, regardless of the season. A door exits to the backyard pool area.

The house also features a family room with a brick fireplace and wood-burning insert. Terra cotta-colored walls give the room warmth and character.

This house has two and a half baths and four bedrooms. Three of the four bedrooms are fairly large, and have been decorated with colorful walls.

The master bedroom has walls of contrasting, but coordinating color. The master bath is simple but attractive.

Downstairs is a partially-finished basement. The floor is painted concrete, but looks as if it were tile. A large unfinished section accommodates both a laundry and storage area.

traddle@semissourian.com