Ideal Home

Of course it has a view, of water or mountains. If it’s 6,000+ above sea level it has a whole-house humidifier and a generator that kicks in when the power is out. Also a heated garage and driveway.

It is built around the kitchen, that has several “appliance garages” with up-swinging doors and electric power. Plus niches for cookbooks and other stuff. It has a proper butler’s pantry with more electrical power and a cold surface for pastry-making (not that I make pastry). It has a ventilated door that does not allow the dog entry. Plenty of space for china, glassware, linens. Perhaps hide a microwave in there for bacon.

The kitchen itself is open to the living/family room and dining room and has space to store many pots and pans. Gas stove, electric ovens (one convection). Salamander? Professional grade stove and refrigerator. Anything but marble. Another refrigerator in the garage and a good chest freezer in the garage (for dog food, of course). Double-sided fireplace open to dining/living area that defines the space.

There are comfy stools on the opposite side of the island, plus an eat-in-kitchen so guests can participate in conversation and perhaps help out for five minutes.

Small office (alcove, no door) off the kitchen for me and my cookbooks and laptop, with a view and hidden file storage for all my work. I need to know when something is ready, burning or boiling over and this will avoid the last two, that happens seldom anyway but when it does it is spectacular.

Larger office with door for my husband on the other side of the living area. Of course there is a bath off my husband’s office and another powder room for guests. Hidden refrigerator in office with ice maker and Dr. Pepper.

Family room, three bedrooms with en suite baths. Master has incredible shower, whirlpool tub, double sinks, European toilet and heated floors, as well as a towel rack that is heated by the water that goes to the shower. Laundry is upstairs. Large, front-loading machines.

There is a cold pantry somewhere, and a beehive wood oven outside. Knot herb garden plus raised beds for veggies and tomatoes. Also a guest suite with two bedrooms that sleeps six, with bath and small kitchen. These are green houses, that will capture light and water where we can, grow veggies, all under floor heating. Bamboo, anyone?

This is just off the top of my head, at 5:30 in the morning. We can all dream, right? All I’m really saying is that I’d like a place where family and friends can visit, and where elderly parents can stay comfortably. Retractable glass doors that open the entire living area to a heated deck (propane umbrella tanks) are an option……. Dee