ENTERTAINING comes easily in THE HARRISON
For people who enjoy hosting regular get-togethers with friends and family, the floor plan plays an important role.
Between clear sight lines, generously sized and enjoyable spaces, and a design that welcomes a natural flow between them, the Harrison model hits the mark.
This 1,414-square-foot duplex with a front-attached garage by Excel Homes is presented as a show home in the new northwest Calgary community of Carrington by Genstar Development Co.
The community is on a 36-hectare stretch of land bound by Centre Street and 144th Avenue N.W. Plans for its third phase include a portion of a planned major activity area along the Centre Street corridor, which will see an assortment of businesses including places to shop and eat, creating an estimated 7,000 full-time jobs.
While conversations with guests can happen throughout the main floor, a place to sit and relax tops the list. The great room in the Harrison meets those needs. Its focal point is a stylish rectangular fireplace, which pulls out slightly from the rest of the side wall.
But even more important for some, it’s bright. The great room sits along a rear-facing wall with a substantial window that pulls in views of the backyard and a pleasing level of natural light.
As a standard, windows in the home are triple-pane.
The great room works with the U-shaped kitchen and adjacent dining area, connecting to these spaces through an open-concept design.
It’s easy to imagine the kitchen as a gathering place. The counter facing the dining area has a large extended eating bar that comfort- ably seats three. This way, people can snack and chat while the host puts the final touches on dinner. This end of the counter also has a sink.
The kitchen is decked out in high-calibre specifications. It has Energy Star stainless steel appliances, including an over-the-range microwave and a light-toned subway tile backsplash that contrasts nicely with the maple cabinetry. There’s a kitchen pantry that provides plenty of storage, too.
Whether it’s for welcoming guests or everyday use, the size of the foyer can determine how comfortable people are when they come through the front door. The Harrison’s is spacious, making it easy for several people to enter the home together and remove jackets and boots without feeling cramped.
There’s also a hallway that pulls the front door away from the more private ends of the home, restricting views of these spaces.
The second floor has three bedrooms, with a master along the front and two equally sized secondary bedrooms side by side along the back.
The master bedroom is 11 feet by 13 feet five inches and links to both a walk-in closet and ensuite. In the ensuite, there’s a vanity with a large amount of counter space, a full-width mirror, and a tub and shower unit.
Just outside the door to the master bedroom is a laundry area with a stacked front-load washer and dryer and white wire shelving — handy for storing detergent, fabric softener and bleach.