Economical Ravenden has Craftsman charm

Craftsman-style windows, porch supports, and decorative gable ends lend their timeless appeal to the Ravenden. This small ranch-style home offers a combination of openness, economy and contemporary features that both empty nesters and young families will find appealing.

Shake-textured shingles fill the triangular gable fronts, while also adding visual appeal to the framed-out bases of the tapered porch supports. Both are Craftsman elements, as is the covered porch. It's easy to imagine an old-fashioned wooden porch swing hanging from the ceiling on the right end, or a couple of cushioned wicker chairs set out along the front.

Family gathering spaces fill the left side; bedrooms and bathrooms are on the right. Muted light filters into the foyer through a sidelight and three slender glass panes near the top of the entry door. The longish foyer leads past the coat closet and into the large open gathering space at the rear, where the living room, dining room and kitchen flow together.

Natural light spills into the entire space through two wide window sets. The dining room's glass doors slide open, offering easy access to a partially covered patio. If the environment is buggy, the patio could be screened in. A raised eating bar bounds a kitchen with counters on three sides and cupboards on two.

Standing at the kitchen sink, you can still appreciate the ever-changing seasonal landscape outside. The door across the room opens into a utility room with a link to the Ravenden's two-car garage. This garage is brighter than most, due to a row of multipaned windows that span its front.

Owners' suite amenities include a roomy walk-in closet, and a two-section bathroom with a double vanity.