Vaulting expands Grand River at its core

King posts and struts highlight the Grand River's lofty vaulted entry porch. This lodge home is an up-to-date combination of traditional and contemporary design features. While it could be built as a retreat cottage, the home is also a good fit for a suburban neighborhood.

Natural light washes into the two-story foyer through sidelights and tall transoms above. The stairway that runs up one wall ascends to a balcony landing with a two-way overlook: a view of the foyer to the front, and the vaulted great room to the rear. Windows fill most of the great room's rear wall, and a wood stove nestles into the right-hand corner there.

Across the room, double doors open onto a partially covered patio, near where a gracefully curved eating bar bounds the kitchen. Counters and storage spaces are abundant. The central work island adds more of both, and the roomy walk-in pantry provides a major boost to storage capacity. A richly windowed dining room is across the hall, along with a powder room linked to a utility room. Storage closets line the walls in both.

The luxurious owners' suite fills out the ground floor's right wing. It boasts a huge walk-in closet, and a private bathroom with a spa tub. The shower and toilet can be closed off for privacy and steam containment.

Two more bedrooms and a good-sized bathroom are on the Grand River's second level, along with a wealth of storage. Tall windows brighten the large open two story foyer. Even more light spills into the bonus and exercise rooms on the left, which are over the garage. Windows there are located in each of the four gabled dormers, plus another on the left wall.