Kitchen is at the heart of family home

Perky dormers and a country-style front porch give an engaging look to the Amsbury, a midsize family home with an interesting floor plan.

Reflecting its natural place at the heart of family life, the kitchen is at the core of this plan. Standing at the kitchen sink, you face into the great room and dining room. But the space isn't entirely open. Walled sections on both sides of the sink provide visual barriers, so you don't have to look at kitchen clutter while you dine.

Other amenities include a step-in pantry and a wide section of glassed-in shelves for displaying fine china and the like.

Sun room, dining room and great room are all vaulted and richly windowed. Skylights in the sun room and dining room add still more natural light while French doors swing wide to connect the two spaces. Atrium doors in the sun room open onto a small covered patio.

When skies turn dark and the air grows chilly, the large woodstove offers warmth (and color too, if you leave the doors open).

The front-facing den/office is another bright space. Most of the exterior wall is filled with glass, and more light washes down through the vaulted dormer overhead.

Features in the master suite include a large walk-in closet, a linen closet, and a two-section bathroom with double vanity.

Utilities and a handy powder room are just inside the Amsbury's front door, to the right of the vaulted entry. A display case for family mementos and objets d'art lines the entry hall.

Two bedrooms and a bathroom with window seat are upstairs.