Ardella could house two linked families

The Ardella is a uniquely versatile and multi-faceted home. Technically, it's a single-story ranch-style plan, but the custom brickwork that covers the front façade gives it a much more traditional appearance. What's more, it could be viewed as either a five-bedroom home with excellent separation of space, or a three-bedroom home with a linked mother-in-law unit behind.

Raised brick detailing highlights both the chimney and the bold column that supports a gently arched entry porch. Inside, the bedroom wing is straight ahead. An arched opening on the left feeds into the vaulted living room, where a gas fireplace graces the exterior wall. A wide passageway at the rear flows into the dining room.

That opening also runs past a raised pass-through counter that fronts the kitchen sink. The counter then segues into an eating bar that bounds part of the dining room. A large skylight brightens the kitchen, which has counters on three sides. Laundry appliances and a roomy pantry are mere steps away. The utility room offers direct access to a covered patio, which can also be reached through the dining room's double doors.

In the bedroom wing, a vaulted ceiling expands the owners' suite. It boasts a his-and-hers walk-in closet, a private sitting area, and a bathroom with a dual vanity. Two more nearby bedrooms share another bathroom.

A covered walkway links the main house to the guest cottage and three-car garage. The Ardella's guest cottage has its own covered porch. One door there leads into the garage, and another opens into the cottage's great room. An eating nook and kitchen are at the rear of this open space, while a bathroom and two bedrooms are off to the left. The larger bedroom has a walk-in closet.