2010 VESTA Designer Home Showcase

Welford Cottage

This home lies in the heart of Germantown but could just as easily be found amongst the rolling hills of the romantic English countryside. The character of this home is immediately recognized upon entering the stucco walls and stone floor entry to reveal the combination dining room and library. Combining these two spaces is a clever element that allows homeowners to enjoy an intimate dining experience or expand the table to allow large gatherings of family and friends all while enjoying the warm glow of the fireplace alcove.

Many other aspects of this home are expressive of rich English traditions. The Study, with its paneled walls and the floor to ceiling windows in the bay, recall Old World charm and elegance. The paneled bookcases conceal a hidden door leading to a secret room. One can imagine this secret room filled with family heirlooms or perhaps a gun or art collection.

The house is designed to accommodate modern family needs, while also evoking a variety of feelings by providing spaces of varying sizes with unique characteristics. While the dining and the study are warm and cozy, the taller beamed ceilings in the Family room are filled with natural light making this an open and expansive space for family gatherings. The many rooms and their furnishings within can all be arranged and easily rearranged to accommodate a variety of needs and lifestyles.

Living in the South gives us the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and with the over sized shaded rear porch families will eagerly gather to entertain. The fireplace found in the outdoor living space, which is one of three throughout the home, can extend living to the outdoors almost year round. Outdoor cooking is also a breeze with the conveniently located outdoor kitchen and grill.

The master suite overlooks the rear garden and with thoughtful placement of the master bath and dressing area, one can come and go privately while enjoying all the beauty of the outdoors. This home accommodates additional family needs such as the first floor guest suite with plenty of privacy and an office alcove convenient to the kitchen yet still able to hide potential clutter. Second floor bedrooms, each with private baths and walk in closets are separated by a large common gathering room. The second floor space can also easily expand for families that need additional bedrooms, a music room, a home office or even a home movie theater.

This home meets and exceeds all expectations while delivering surprises around every corner. After touring this home you will be left with a sense of awe and only one question, "When can I move in"?