Compact Connelly feels roomy inside

A recessed front porch shelters visitors to the Connelly, a compact single-level home with a surprising sense of spaciousness. Its built-in bench and arbor provide an attractive privacy screen for the front patio.

Empty nesters and families with small children will find this home well-suited to their needs, as will singles who want both a home office and a guest bedroom. The plan could easily be adapted for wheelchair accessibility.

A wide foyer opens into a richly and creatively windowed vaulted living room. In the window bay that expands the room, three tall panes of glass are crowned by three clerestory windows, the top edges of which taper to a peak in the central pane. The upper line of these windows echoes the gable shape created by the vaulted ceiling.

This roomy gathering space is easily large enough to accommodate a couple couches and easy chairs, plus numerous friends and family members. Tucked into the inner corner of the living room is a wood-burning fireplace, next to a cabinet designed to house a big-screen TV.

Nothing more than a long eating bar divides the kitchen and dining room, which are totally open to the living room. Windows brighten the dining room on two sides, while a garden window creates a beauty spot in front of the sink.

Kitchen storage and counter space are both in generous supply. Laundry appliances are nearby in a pass-through utility room that connects to a garage with a large, separately enclosed storage area.

Bedrooms cluster together in the Connelly. Master suite amenities include a private bathroom with oversized shower, and direct access to the rear deck.