Chadbryne centers on kitchen, great room

Craftsman detailing beguiles passers-by into taking second looks at the contemporary, ranch-style Chadbryne. It's unusual to find a ranch-style home with a tapered column, hallmark Craftsman windows, and front-facing gables clad with shake-textured shingles.

The high-ceilinged front porch opens to a vaulted entry, as does the media room, or study, to the left of the entry. Double doors open into this expansive room. Secondary bedrooms and a bathroom are to the right. The front bedroom also has a vaulted ceiling.

Heading straight down the entry hall brings you to a bright and spacious great room where the living and dining areas flow together under a lofty vaulted ceiling. A no-fuss gas fireplace nestles into one rear corner. The entire area is visually open to the kitchen, which is bounded by a wrap-around eating and conversation bar. The kitchen ceiling is ten feet high.

Standing at the stove or sink, it's easy to converse with people in the great room, or gaze out the array of windows that span the rear. Sliding glass windows in the dining bay offer access to a partially covered patio, while providing cross ventilation when temperatures climb.

Laundry appliances are just around the corner, in a pass-through utility room that links to the three-car garage. Amenities include a deep sink, folding counter, built-in cabinets, and a pull-down ironing board.

The owners' suite, with a coffered ceiling, fills the rest of the left wing. Located well away from the Chadbryne's secondary bedrooms, and sound-buffered by its large walk-in closet, this space serves as a quiet adult retreat. Its private bathroom boasts a spa tub and dual vanity, plus a separately enclosed toilet and shower.