Eye-catching Mazaruni is spacious and bright

Small, eye-catching windows -- a shuttered Palladian and a half-round -- peek out from under the gables of the Mazaruni, a rustic two-story country cottage by guest designer Steve Duarte of Bordentown, New Jersey. Dormers ad to the visual appeal. Inside, these windows combine with high ceilings and a lavish use of multipaned glass to give the 1,605-square-foot home a surprising sense of spaciousness.

Dining room and living room are open to the peaked second floor ceiling where dormers illuminate the staircase and a window seat with soft, natural light. The half-round window adds to the natural illumination in a kitchen with generous counter space. A wide fireplace in the living room provides warmth in winter and can be built with a hearth that stretches from one wall to the other, if desired.

On the upper level, a railed walkway leads to a small loft brightened by the Palladian window. On the lower level, the bridge defines the boundary between the dining room and living room. It overlooks both.

The large room at the rear of the second story could be outfitted as a studio, exercise room, guest bedroom or hobby room -- whatever the family needs. It has two closets and long, low spaces along both sides, under the slanting eaves, that can also be used for storage.

Bedrooms are at the rear of the Mazaruni, away from the street. The modest owners' suite, on the left, has a private bathroom with a combination tub and shower. Two additional bedrooms share an identical bathroom.