Elegant extravagance

There are certain homes that have a regal quality about them, and the house at 1626 Whitener is just such a place.

This house sits atop a hill next door to one of Cape Girardeau's most historic homes. It's within walking distance of Franklin Elementary School. It is blessed with mature trees that give it a sense of privacy even though it's in the middle of town.

This classic brick home, with its front entrance columns, has four bedrooms, three 1/2 baths, an oversized two-car garage, walk-out basement and more than 4,200 square feet of living space. But even more importantly, it has class.

Even the home's exterior is something special, with a historic wine cellar that used to be part of the Thilenius House.

The front entrance has an elegant elliptical window above it along with two sidelights. The foyer, and much of the home's interior, features hardwood floors. An oak and white staircase draws the eyes upward to the second story.

This home has been impeccably decorated, with every wallcovering and custom drapery chosen to highlight the home's classic architecture. The formal living room features a brass chandelier, gas-log fireplace with marble facing and white mantle and two large floor-to ceiling windows on either side of the fireplace. Antique white walls, sconce lighting on either side of the fireplace, and inset lighting that spotlights the fireplace, give the room a dramatic effect. White crown molding is an added touch of elegance found in most of the rooms of this home.

The formal dining room also has the shining hardwood floors and tasteful, embossed wallpaper. Another large brass chandelier hangs from a ceiling medallion, jewel-like in its beauty.

The kitchen has modular style cabinets in a soft gray. A double stainless steel sink sits below a double window with an oversized ledge. This gourmet kitchen also includes a Whirlpool stainless steel gas range with a microwave built in above it. A dine-in area sits next to double windows that overlook the terrace outside the kitchen area. The kitchen is decorated in hues of royal blue and white.

The family room features sage green walls, a gas-log fireplace with a Southwestern flair and French doors that open to the terrace.

Also on the main floor is a bathroom with a water-saving toilet and step-in shower done in royal blue and white ceramic tile.

Upstairs are the three primary bedrooms, and a foyer large enough to serve as a sitting area. Each bedroom has gray plush carpeting. Each of the rooms is large enough to accommodate antique furniture, with generous windows for lots of natural light and plenty of closet space.

The master bedroom suite is large, with two large windows and a stylish gas-log fireplace and custom draperies over the windows. The master bathroom has a two-person mauve decorator whirlpool tub with six jets and elegant brass hardware. A large walk-in closet is also nearby.

Another upstairs bathroom features white tile-look flooring, soft gray cabinetry, a double sink vanity, a tub/ shower combination and generous linen closet.

This home also has a finished basement with a family room, laundry room, exit to the two-car garage and a door to the home's backyard. An unusual feature of this home is a dumb-waiter that enables the homeowner to unload groceries in the downstairs garage and move them easily to the upstairs kitchen. Laundry chutes from the bedrooms also allow soiled laundry to go directly to the laundry room. The home also features a security system and in-ground sprinkler system.

traddle@semissourian.com