Pecky Cypress paneling and wooden beams are featured in many of

Everyone needs a place to catch their breath, slow down and relax. When that place is home, that's the best of all possible worlds. The house at 815 Jurie in Cape Girardeau provides such a retreat.

This house is a classic brick story and a half executive home in a well-established neighborhood just off Cape Rock Drive.

One of the joys of this home is its back yard and screened-in porch, perfect for sitting outdoors on an autumn day. A brick wall at the rear boundary of the yard gives a wonderful backdrop for colorful fall mums, or spring perennials. The back yard is large and level and features a large patio for outdoor dining and entertainment.

This home has plenty of parking space in addition to the two-car carport, which could easily be enclosed as a garage. A pegboard wall in a small room off the carport is the perfect place for storing yard tools or a riding lawnmower.

A covered porch with fluted columns gives this home an elegant entrance, and motion-sensor lights give added security.

Elegant entry

The entrance foyer has a very authentic-looking white brick linoleum. Beautiful floral wallpaper has been selected for the walls and mimics the same pattern as that used in the living room drapes. A large coat closet in the foyer is a very practical feature. Pecky Cypress paneling is found on walls in much of the house, including the living room. Plush green carpeting grounds the room well, and its nicest feature is a brick natural gas fireplace with a white mantle. Two sets of double windows are at both the front and rear of the room to offer plenty of natural light.

The formal dining room is located in a bay window area. An entire wall of the dining room has been cleverly designed for storage with custom cabinetry that allows for display of favorite china and glassware.

The nearby kitchen includes a built-in buffet in rich walnut and plenty of pantry space. A red brick-look linoleum gives the kitchen a warm feel, and the kitchen is well-equipped with a double oven with a rotisserie in one of them. A side-by side refrigerator, built-in range with above microwave, dishwasher and a double sink make the kitchen an easy-to-use work space. The eat-in dining area is situated in the home's second bay window area, offering sunny views all around. Three rich wooden beams across a white ceiling give the room solidity.

Those wooden beams are also found in the home's family room, which has an entrance to the patio, windows along the rear of the room with custom shutters, and a classic brick wood-burning fireplace with a gas starter.

One of the nice design features of this home is that laundry chutes are conveniently located to ease the laundry process. A large, main-level laundry room with white cabinetry and a large porcelain sink with a high faucet increases the ease of doing laundry. A sewing or hobby area is also located in the laundry room, with a pegboard wall for storing household tools.

The master bedroom has many design features that are seen primarily in newer homes. One of them is his/her closets, and a well-designed master bath with two full-length mirrors. The bathroom also features a large vanity, and a tub with stainless steel safety rails. Another half bath is located just off the hallway.

The other two bedrooms are upstairs at the end of a beautifully crafted staircase. The upstairs bedrooms are both sunny and well-designed with a Jack-and-Jill bathroom situated between them. The bedrooms both have plenty of closet space and good natural light through large windows. The bathroom features a ceramic tile step-in shower. The upstairs also includes plenty of unfinished space that can be used for storage or for expansion.

This home also includes a finished basement with a large family and game room. Another brick gas log fireplace with walnut mantle is the centerpiece of the room. Rich, wood-paneled walls give the room woodsy warmth. A wet bar with a nice serving area makes the room a great place for entertaining.

The downstairs area also features plenty of unfinished space and a bathroom that is partially finished.

traddle@semissourian.com