Rustic

JACKSON, Mo.

The home at 2212 Old Cape Road in Jackson, Mo., was built a few years before the urban sprawl that has turned much of Jackson countryside into prime Cape Girardeau County real estate. Because of that, it has a certain amount of rustic charm.

Broad wooden beams accent the house, giving it a sense of rustic sturdiness, yet delicate tulips line the walkway.

That theme of strength and stability combined with gentle beauty is repeated throughout the house. For instance, solid wooden doors at the entry are accompanied by stained glass sidelights and artful stained glass inset in the door.

The living room has a sea of soft blue carpeting, yet the centerpiece of the room is a broad brick fireplace with custom built shelving and cabinetry flanking it on each side. Inset lighting highlights the sturdy beauty of the fireplace along with its more delicate accents.

Old-fashioned hardwood flooring is found throughout the dining room and family room areas, again lending a sense of sturdiness and time to the house. Yet delicate butterfly wallpaper flits along the walls of the dining room, while centering the room is a rustic styled chandelier. More custom-built cabinetry grounds the family room area.

The kitchen features fruitwood stained oak cabinets and friendly country-styled wallpaper and wooden trim to give it a warm, family feel. It also features the modern convenience of a smooth-top range and a refrigerator with drink and ice dispensers. A smooth, cool, ceramic tile is a treat to bare feet on warm mornings.

Luxury of living space

The upper level of the house features a bathroom, nicely-sized bedroom featuring two roomy closets. The room is plenty large to accommodate large, antique furniture. Many modern homes do not have the luxury of that kind of space.

The master bedroom has a large window that allows for the pouring-in of bountiful sunlight. The master bath features blue ceramic tile floor, a shower with a seat, and a nice combination of blue and sunny yellow tile and wallpaper that gives a cheery feel.

Two of the three upstairs bedrooms feature a walk-out to the deck which runs along the front of the home, making it the perfect spot for a morning cup of coffee and a bit of shared solitude with the birds.

This home also features a finished basement with a office/study area, utility area, bathroom, and yet another bedroom, and a workshop area with well-organized tool storage areas. Also downstairs is a convenient entrance to the pool area.

The owner says it's not at all unusual to look out the large floor to ceiling windows at the rear of the family room area and see deer and turkey in the back yard. With almost an acre, this home has the breathing space to enjoy a country feel while being only minutes away from both Cape Girardeau and Jackson.

Just a step outside from the family room is a two-level deck and in-ground 18-foot-by-36-foot swimming pool, making this home a joy for entertaining family and friends. A two-car garage that is unattached to the house also acts as a pool house.

A privacy fence unobtrusively surrounds the pool area, and a multitude of well-established trees offer welcome shade in the summer, and breath-taking color in the fall.

This rustic charmer is priced at $184,500 and is available for viewing through Classic GMAC Real Estate, 335-0133.

traddle@semissourian.com