Country complements

Regardless of style, houses that have been improved through additions or remodeling stay contemporary. The home at 2205 Sherwood in Cape Girardeau is a home that has been well cared for. It sits in an established neighborhood with shady trees and colorful perennials. And its current owners have avoided any dated looks by making updates and improvements.

The brick and vinyl split-level home has a stately entrance with double oak doors, each with an oval of leaded and beveled glass. The beauty of the doors is protected by full view storm doors.

The foyer area features a tasteful floral wallpaper in rich greens and tile-look linoleum flooring. Plush, beige carpeting follows the stairs to the floors above and below along with warm, oak stair banister rails.

On the upper level is the living room, with a large double picture window graced with custom drapes. Antique white walls throughout the house also give it an easy-to-decorate background palette.

The dining area features a beautiful crystal and brass chandelier. Large double windows at the rear of the room, also with custom drapes, allow plenty of natural light into the room.

The kitchen has a tile-look linoleum for flooring. The walls have been artfully decorated with a green floral wallpaper on the lower half and a contrasting cream background wallpaper on the upper half. A chair rail divides the two. A country theme is continued in the kitchen with paneled walnut cabinetry with antique brass pulls. Above the stainless steel sink is a stained glass custom-made soffit that matches a Tiffany-style pendant lamp hanging in the breakfast nook. The smooth-top range with a white ceramic-tile backsplash and refrigerator with in-door ice dispenser are other added conveniences.

A door exits from the kitchen area to a large deck with overhead beams for sunlight protection and built-in benches. Below it is a roomy patio, perfect for outdoor dining and entertaining. A storage shed is located in the back yard, with a flagstone path leading to it.

An artistic hand is also visible in the upstairs bathroom, where a stained glass window filters light in the area behind the tub/shower. Wallpaper has been carefully selected to complement the bathroom's cabinetry and other features.

Also on the main floor is a room currently being used as an office, though it could also be used as a bedroom.

The master bedroom has light walls, double windows for plentiful natural light, and a half bath with antique style walnut medicine cabinets on each side of its large vanity mirror. Brass and porcelain hardware accentuate the antique look.

With another bedroom located upstairs, as well as one located downstairs, this home has plenty of space for a growing family.

The centerpiece of the downstairs family room is a beautiful brick fireplace equipped with a gas fire starter. Built-in brick shelves on each side of the fireplace have even been wired for sound to serve as an entertainment center.

One of the home's most outstanding features is found in the downstairs bath, which has been fitted with beautiful cherry cabinetry, a vanity mirror and a stained glass light fixture. The surprise is that the vanity countertop itself lights up, giving it an artistic touch.

This home also has a two-car garage, plenty of storage space, and a laundry room with well-organized and attractive cabinetry. A handy countertop for folding laundry makes it as practical as it is attractive.

traddle@semissourian.com