Colonial saltbox with modern amenities

From the street, the Westport puts the viewer in mind of a Colonial era saltbox-style home. It has traditional clapboard siding and a totally symmetrical front facade. But those angled window bays on both sides of the front door are of more recent vintage.

The interior is even more modern. On the main floor, ceilings are nine feet high, and the entire rear expanse is devoted to informal family living space. A family room is at one end, a nook in the center, and a fully-equipped kitchen at the opposite end. Placement of dining room and living room follows tradition, with the two rooms flanking the entry.

Counters wrap around four sides of the kitchen. There's space enough here for two or three cooks to combine efforts without bumping elbows. A pantry provides additional food storage and an eating bar defines the boundary between kitchen and nook.

If the home is built over a basement, the stairway entrance is in the nook. Sliders on the opposite side of the room open onto a wide deck. And on those bone chilling days when nobody wants to go outside, you can cozy up to the masonry fireplace in the family room.

Utilities are nearby, in a laundry room that's also accessible from the two-car garage. Soiled laundry dropped down a chute on the second floor lands in a basket on the counter.

Bedrooms and a deep bonus room are upstairs. The Westport's master suite is spacious and luxurious, outfitted with a huge walk-in closet, spa tub, dual vanity, oversized shower and a sitting area.