Making a statement

Some homes just have a presence about them. They catch the eye and then warrant a second look. The house at 2132 Kent is one of those homes.

This house is a classic two-story home with blue/gray vinyl siding that works well with the crisp white shutters and trim. A decorative balcony looks out from the second floor. A woodsy brick pathway climbs to the entrance.

Inside, the wood parquet flooring of the foyer shines with natural light from the Palladian-style window in the door and its beveled and leaded glass sidelights. An oak and white staircase climbs elegantly to the upper bedroom level.

To the right of the foyer is a living room with a light color palette and two tall windows to maximize the natural light. Pocket doors conveniently allow for privacy between the living room and dining rooms.

The dining room has hardwood flooring, and two large windows at the rear corner of the room. Beaded oak panel walls with a white chair rail midway up give the room old-fashioned charm. A blue patterned wallpaper above the chair rail adds a fresh dose of color, while a floral border at the ceiling draws the eye upward. Large windows look over a wooded back yard and side yard. A generous window sill at the bottom of these large windows allows for plenty of room for house plants to bask in the sunlight.

Also on the main level is a convenient coat closet just inside the foyer, a half bath with a Southwestern color palette and white pedestal sink with oval decorator mirror. Also on the main level is the laundry room, hidden behind louvered doors between the kitchen and foyer.

A large family room and kitchen, both with gleaming hardwood floors, move easily together with this open floor plan. A classic, red brick, woodburning fireplace in the family room offers wintertime cheer while large windows invite the outdoors inside all year long.

One of the nicest features of this kitchen is its abundance of counter space, with a tiled countertop reaching all the way across the kitchen and bending to form a charming breakfast and snack area. Rustic-looking oak cabinets give the room additional character. Amenities like a double stainless steel sink, built-in smoothtop range, and side-by-side refrigerator with indoor drink and ice dispenser make this kitchen as modern as it is charming.

A large deck is found just off the family room and kitchen areas. The deck includes built-in seating and provides a perfect backdrop for summertime entertaining and relaxation.

Upstairs are the home's four bedrooms, which can also double as office or hobby rooms. Each has large windows, ceiling fans and plenty of closet space.

The master bedroom suite is decorated with plush green carpeting. Two large windows in the bedroom allow for plenty of natural light and there is enough space for a sitting area. The master bath features a tiled step-in shower, white vanity with a large mirror and an old-fashioned wood medicine cabinet in crisp white.

An upstairs bath is tastefully decorated with marble-look wallpaper and includes a tub/shower and white cabinetry with a large vanity mirror.

An added plus is a small finished basement that offers space for an exercise or family room. A door from it leads to the home's oversized two-car garage. French doors in the walk-out basement lead to a patio below the deck.

traddle@semissourian.com