Our 2005 Idea Homes in Lee's Summit, Missouri, offer dozens of suggestions for decorating in styles suited for empty nesters with some space for flexibility or busy parents with children.

2005 Hyde Park Idea Home

(ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2005)

Idea Homes 2005

Why did Midwest Living® decide to build two Idea Homes this year? To address the divergent housing needs of the changing family unit. In the not-so-distant past, a mom, dad and kids made up the definition of a "family," and a one-size-fits-all approach worked. But today, nearly 75 percent of homeowners are singles, empty nesters and other non-traditional families, according to the National Association of Home Builders. These homeowners are creating strong demand for more individualized housing choices. The two homes we built in Lee's Summit, Missouri, near Kansas City, respond to some of those needs. We designed Hyde Park and Longview Manor as opposites: small versus big, cozy versus spacious, muted versus bright, contemporary versus traditional, restful versus energetic, adults-only versus kid-friendly. Both have great ideas, new products and fresh looks. Between the two of them, it should be easy to find inspiration to fit your own personal definition of the "family" home.

Small versus big: A survey by the National Association of Home Builders found that 63 percent of homeowners now opt for higher-quality products and amenities over extra square footage. Our Hyde Park Idea Home shows how attention to detail in a smaller home can equal the drama of soaring spaces found in larger floor plans. At a little more than 2,600 square feet, this three-story home modeled after a vintage Kansas City shirtwaist style suits the relaxed lifestyle of the empty-nester couple we envision living here. Calm, soft colors, clean style and up-to-date innovations create a home of ease, sparked with a sheen of sophistication. Step inside the entry and see how well Hyde Park lives for today.

EXTERIOR
MAKE SMART CHOICES We chose an exterior mix of Centurion manufactured stone and James Hardie shingle- and lap-style siding to add Kansas City shirtwaist charm to our Hyde Park home. (The style's hallmark is a siding "shirt" tucked into brick or stone "pants.") James Hardie fiber-cement siding looks like wood, but is nearly impervious to Midwest weather, making it a practical, yet beautiful, choice. Double-hung Jeld-Wen wood windows, with distinctive, deep green aluminum exterior cladding, add color and no-maintenance detailing. A subtle, two-tone paint job adds architectural definition.
PAY ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS Our favorite part of the front exterior is the aesthetically pleasing porch, where both a curved screened porch that keeps bugs at bay and a covered entryway invite outdoor living and neighborly interaction. Small touches add subtle ambience to the front of the house. Stone ledges offer space for flowerpots, and the charming copper downspouts resonate with softly cascading water when it rains.
PERSONALIZE OUTDOOR SPACES We used Belgard brick pavers to create paths and a large patio in the back. It's the perfect place for our DCS gas grill and weather-resistant seating from LaneVenture. Another outdoor living area, the covered deck, connects the house to the garage. Our garage with distinctive Clopay carriage-house-look doors faces the kind of shared alleyway found in older neighborhoods. This allows for a more traditionally designed front facade.

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