Namskaket is perfect for a wide lot

Perky dormers and shuttered windows add curb appeal to the Namskaket, a two-story home designed for a wide lot. Guest designer Rod Pfotenhauer of Toledo, Ohio, created this updated colonial-style plan.

Entering, you step into a lofty foyer. On the left, light streams down through multipaned windows in a high dormer to bathe the open stairway and the foyer in soft, natural light. A large formal living room is on the right, and if you go straight ahead, you'll find yourself in an even larger family room.

This will no doubt be the most popular room in the house. A fireplace is at one end and a fully-equipped kitchen is at the other. French doors swing open to access a wide patio. Utilities and a small powder room are behind the fireplace, convenient to both the family room and the garage.

Amenities in the kitchen include: an eating bar, a triple sink, dishwasher, range and oven, pantry, and a desk for dealing with the household accounts. This might be a good location for the family computer.

The master suite is also on the ground floor. It has two closets, and double vanity, and a separately enclosed toilet, tub and shower.

Ascending the staircase to the Namskaket's second floor, you'll notice a plant shelf in the dormer that brightens the stairs. Three more bedrooms are on the upper level, along with a large bathroom and a rambling storage closet. Two of the bedrooms have walk-in closets and one has a dormer -- a great location for a cozy window seat.