En Suites on Every Floor
Instead of a second-floor study, this cottage features two primary en suites: one upstairs that allows parents of young children to be near the kids’ rooms; while grandparents or guests can be comfortable on the main level.
Perfect for a Powder
Right inside the entryway, the powder room features a classic combo of navy and gold.
Vanity, fixtures: Signature Hardware
Open Sightline
The same open kitchen/dining/living area works well for parents who want to keep an eye on young kids while cooking. This white kitchen gets a modern farmhouse feel from industrial-style metal pendants and barstools. Low-maintenance finishes cut down on cleaning: Quartz countertops repel messes, and stainless-steel appliances are fingerprint-resistant.
Lighting: Generation Lighting, from Chloe Winston Lighting Design; Sink, faucet: Elkay; Cabinetry: Mantra; Range Hood: Panasonic; Appliances: GE Profile, via Aitoro Appliance; Countertop: Caesarstone; Backsplash: Tile America
Spacious Sink
This farmhouse-style apron sink with its pull-down faucet is “big enough to bathe a child or dog in,” Sandy says with a laugh.
Sink, faucet: Elkay
Finer Details
The marble-look backsplash tile is made from easy-care recycled glass with a matte finish. Dual-function receptacles offer a National Electrical Code® (NEC®) compliant AFCI/GFCI protection in residential kitchens and laundry areas. And sleek, smart dimmer switches offer customized lighting control via smartphone using a free app.
Backsplash: Tile America; AFCI/GFCI receptacle, Decora Smart WiFi Dimmers: Leviton
Room for a Few Friends
In the dining area, a generous table can host game night, as well as a pizza party. Plenty of elbow room around the perimeter means there’s always space for one more.
Lighting: Generation Lighting, from Chloe Winston Lighting Design; Sink, faucet: Elkay; Cabinetry: Mantra; Range Hood: Panasonic; Appliances: GE Profile, via Aitoro Appliance; Countertop: Caesarstone; Backsplash: Tile America
Part of the Action
A wall of built-in cabinets and a quartz countertop create a dual-station homework/office space beyond the dining area.
Cabinetry: Mantra; Countertop: Caesarstone
Clean and Classic
Hard-wearing vinyl plank flooring has a casual, light gray finish that brightens the rooms. The gas fireplace’s modern surround is made of slate. Black-rimmed patio doors repeat the windows’ muntins.
Flooring: Vinyl flooring in Slate by Permshield; Windows, patio doors: Marvin
Scenic Screened Porch
A screened-in back porch overlooks the woods just off the living room, with the Five Mile River winding through it. Surrounded by nature, it’s an idyllic spot for morning coffee or afternoon tea.
Porch flooring and ceiling: Aeratis
Light and Lovely Laundry
A combination laundry/mudroom is conveniently located between the garage and main floor living space, perfect for dropping muddy shoes and clothes.
Appliances: GE Profile, from Aitoro Appliance; Cabinetry: Mantra
A Place for Guests to Rest
The first-floor bedroom-and-bath suite was designed for accessibility and comfort, perfect for grandparents or older guests.
The spacious private bath doesn’t skimp on amenities, including a generous curbless shower, deep soaking tub, dual vanities, and LED mirrors with Bluetooth.
Vanity, tub, fixtures, mirrors: Signature Hardware; Ventilation: Panasonic; Tile: Tile America
Peaceful Parents’ Retreat
A second bedroom-and-bath suite upstairs lets parents unwind—but they’re just a few steps away if their children need them. Vaulted ceilings add welcome airiness in this bedroom—and everywhere else the roof framing allows. A walk-in closet lined with built-ins keeps the sleeping area serene and uncluttered. Sun tunnel skylights flood the interior space with natural daylight.
Ceiling fan: Monte Carlo, from Chloe Winston Lighting Design; Sun tunnel skylights: VELUX
Personal Space
In the en suite bath, two separate vanities on either side of the oval soaking tub allow couples to spread out in their personal space. The medicine cabinets have adjustable LED lighting, in-door magnifying mirrors, and built-in wireless speakers that can stream a playlist from a smartphone. Inside the shower’s frameless glass enclosure, a rainhead and an adjustable handheld wand offer all the water power that’s needed. Black porcelain hex tile underfoot coordinates with the room’s sleek porcelain herringbone floor.
Vanity, tub, fixtures, mirrors: Signature Hardware; Ventilation: Panasonic; Tile: Tile America
Creative Kids’ Spaces
A soft-as-a-cloud beanbag chair and an animal-shaped ottoman coordinate with the accent wall’s sky-themed wallpaper in the nursery. A spacious closet (not shown) holds plenty of baby supplies, as does a linen closet just outside the door. Furnished in a fun space theme for a grade-schooler, the back bedroom has casement windows with prefinished pine trim ready to be painted a kid-friendly color.
Nursery: Mural: Peel & Stick Cloud Wall Mural by Mong Décor, via Etsy; Décor/Accessories: Cloud Pillow and Cloud Shelf from Crate & Barrel; Cloud Mobile by Fox & Alice, via Etsy.com; Swing by Swing Away Creations, via Etsy.com
Kid’s Room: Bedding: by Crate & Barrel; Décor/Accessories: Rocket hamper from Pottery Barn. Rocket Wall-Mounted Night Light from Etsy.com. Space Explorers Wanted Posters, Free Downloads from mars.nasa.gov
Sunny Shared Bath
Across the hall from the parents’ suite, two children’s bedrooms are separated by a shared full bath in between them. The shared bath has no windows, but you’d never know it: A large skylight ushers in abundant natural light. The vanity top is scratch-resistant black granite. On the floor, large square porcelain tiles with a bold star pattern add a bit of whimsy. “It’s a lot of fun for a kids’ bath, but it’s not babyish,” Sandy says. “It will grow with them.”
Vanity, fixtures: Signature Hardware; Skylight: VELUX; Ventilation: Panasonic; Tile: Tile America
Room to Relax
A code-compliant egress window well and guest bath allow for an additional bedroom or living space in the basement. Here, Effren opted to turn the area into a yoga and exercise room. The terraced step design window well is filled with plants for a soothing view.
Egress window well: The BILCO Company; Vanity, fixtures, mirrors: Signature Hardware