Let’s say the wife has a bridge party with her gal pals going on downstairs. In most houses, there would be no choice but to leave the scene. Here, there’s an attractive option just upstairs: a game room with access to the upper loggia (complete with its own outdoor kitchen and bar area), as well as a nearby home theater. Perfect for a guy’s night in to watch the game, slide in a DVD, and enjoy a few sodas while the ladies play cards below. The kids will appreciate it, too, as a respite from hanging with the parents or to entertain their friends without oppressive supervision.
PRODUCT SPECS
- HARDWOOD FLOORING. Certified sustainable hardwood flooring for the bulk of the upstairs common areas provides a rich, comfortable surface with an environmental sensitivity. Kahrs International. Circle no. 173.
- CLIMATE CONTROLS. Programmable touch-screen thermostats enable a higher level of climate control and energy savings. Honeywell. Circle no. 174.
- LIGHTING CONTROLS. A whole-house, wireless lighting control system, designed and outfitted by Lutron Electronics Co. (circle no. 175), is finished with designer paddle switches, wallplates, and receptacles that feature no visible fasteners. The wireless system allows remote control and easy customization.
- FIREPLACE SURROUND. An aggregate veneer flagstone graces the fireplace surround, offering a lightweight and environmental alternative to real stone. Owens Corning/Cultured Stone Products. Circle no. 176.
