Great room at center of charming Nueces

Gently curved arched openings span the front porch, creating a sense of grace and permanence in the Nueces. This single-level ranch-style home could be easily adapted for wheelchair accessibility. And its size -- slightly less than 2,100 square feet -- makes for ease of maintenance.

It doesn't have a formal living room, but it does have a large great room, completely open to the kitchen. The long, three-angled counter that defines the boundaries of kitchen and great room can serve as an eating bar. From the cook top, you can serve food directly to people perched on stools in the great room.

And that's just one of three locations for eating. There's a skylit sunroom along the rear wall, and an informal dining room that faces the street. This space, too, is bright. It's expanded by bay windows and has a built-in hutch.

Other kitchen features include a work island and a pantry. A three-sided fireplace is situated so that people can enjoy the warmth and color of the flames from both kitchen and great room.

The master suite has a walk-in closet and a downright luxurious bathroom suffused with soft, natural light that washes in through glass blocks over the tub, shower and the twin basins. The high-ceilinged room has a corner shower, linen storage and soaking tub.

Utilities are easy to get to from the kitchen, garage and secondary bedrooms. Storage closets line the hallway to these bedrooms, one of which could be used as a home office. And a handy powder room is just inside the Nueces' front door.