A DARLING DESIGN: GREAT ROOM LAYOUT ADDS APPEAL TO THIS HOUSE

JACKSON, Mo. -- Great rooms have come and gone in popularity through the years. Recently more builders have returned to this combined usage area.

White vinyl siding, a covered front porch and an attached two-car garage present clean, well-cut lines to this three bedroom ranch. The surprise, however, is the floor plan of this Jackson, Mo., Redbud subdivision home. One of the home's best features is the great room, which sits at the rear of the garage and just off the kitchen.

Open and airy with a vaulted ceiling and view of the rear of the property (including a neighbor's pond and the wild geese that frequent it), this room will get plenty of use. A small walk-in closet in one corner is perfect for storing games the family can enjoy together. Large expanses of wall space are available to display favorite portraits and treasured collections. The room also opens onto the rear patio and a short hall leads to the garage and laundry area.

As soon as the meals are finished, the natural progression will be toward the great room for a little rest and relaxation. Even the unlucky one stuck with kitchen duty can join in the conversation since nothing but wide, open space separates the two rooms.

Pergo flooring adds a country touch to the kitchen. The flooring continues into the dining room as well. It's hard to tell just who might decide to take up cooking. This kitchen with combined cooking island and wrap-around eating counter is great for the would-be chef to dream up new creations.

A floor to cabinet-top corner shelf completes the surround of the refrigerator. Just think of all the cookbooks, salt and pepper shakers or other collectibles that could be displayed. There's another unusual display spot in this kitchen. Electrical outlets at the top of the cabinets create a unique area for displaying lit items such as villages, unusual lamps or for installing small spotlights to highlight other treasures.

Paneling serves as the wall covering below the chair rail in the formal dining room. The built-in corner hutch is an added bonus. French doors open to the covered patio.

There are those people who can't bear to miss a favorite daytime soap or Monday Night football. If outdoor chores got in the way before, take heart.

A patio cable jack has been installed so the television can travel outside too.

Sometimes a place is needed for uninterrupted conversation, a quiet spot in which to read, or a place away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the household. The formal living room is ideal. The large bay window overlooks the front porch and surrounding neighborhood.

The easy-to-clean ceramic flooring of the front entry continues into the hall bath. A nearby linen closet with shelves will keep towels and other necessities within easy reach.

The master bath enjoys tile flooring as well. Wash away the stress of the day as jets produce mounds of bubbles in the master bathtub. The master bedroom has the added convenience of a large walk-in closet.

Two additional bedrooms complete the main level floor plan. A full basement is ready for the new owner to finish or continue to use for storage. A bath has been rough plumbed for future use.

Contact Coldwell Banker Hamilton Realty to see this $169,000 home today.