Kitchen is at the heart of smaller home

The Manning is small two-bedroom home, ideal for empty nesters, singles, or as a starter home. The family room is much larger than you'd expect to find in a home this size, and there's a dining room and living room as well.

A large kitchen is at its core. Standing at the kitchen sink, you can gaze through sliding glass doors into the partially covered patio, or participate in whatever's happening in the family room. Put a few stools on the other side of the counter and you've got a conversation bar where family members or guests can sit to chat with whoever is working in the kitchen.

This kitchen is designed for efficiency. Stove and oven are built into a long counter with plenty of work space. The refrigerator and the sink are only a few steps away. A large pantry adds to the storage space.

Utilities are close by, tucked in a space that connects the family room to the patio. If you've got a dog, this comes in handy as a dry-off area for muddy paws and fur, and is equally convenient for backyard gardeners.

The boundary between dining room and living room is delineated by waist-high walls, capped with open beams that mark the edges of the passageway. Both rooms are brightened by large windows, as is the family room where the fireplace is flanked by glass.

Sliders in the Manning's master suite open onto the patio. The master bathroom boasts a large linen closet and dual vanity while the other bedroom has private access to the front bathroom.