The Lexington by Ashcroft Homes

Ashcroft's David Choo achieves his effect of spaciousness because he and his imaginative architect appear to know all the tricks of the home building trade regarding perception.

For example, as you stand on the tiled floor of the sunken foyer, your eyes are led to the windows at the far end - even out through to the backyard - so that you can't help but be curious about that open room which is three-quarters tucked away behind a wall. And yet, as you glance around to get your bearings, you are equally attracted by several other interesting features that demand attention before you go any further into the depths of the house.

There's an enticing French Door leading into a cosy study or office to your left. And a powder room is discreetly situated beside it and a laundry on its other side. Turn around to speculate on what is at the other side of the house, and your eyes are caught by sunshine slanting in through living and dining-room windows.

Adding to your indecision about which way to turn and which rooms to investigate first, is an elegant and curvaceous staircase that confronts you. Your eye is led up to the bedroom floor by the maple banister that winds its way up to the next level - matching the pale hardwood floors that extend into the living rooms from the foyer.

What the designer has done is establish the parameters of the house by more than the usual number of windows in each of three walls, which draw your eyes to the extremities and make it appear larger. The centre is almost gutted to provide an open concept.

Spaciousness

The 9ft ceiling enhances the illusion of space, so that you are drawn in on the hardwood floor, past the living and dining rooms on your right, towards the kitchen area, which opens up as you approach it.

The space at the back of the house is also visually uninterrupted as your gaze sweeps it from side to side. So that what you see is a sunken family room with a fireplace on your left, and a generous breakfast room and kitchen with slate-grey floor-tiles beside it on your right. The only division is a low wall surmounted by two decorative columns that define the family room and the steps that lead down to it (creating a ceiling height at that point of about ten fee). Beside it, a snack bar is built into the other side of a double sink unit. And there are ample kitchen cabinets.

You are likely to ascend the circular staircase with a sense of satisfaction at the tasteful design of the main level. Through an open door on the upper level you catch sight of the Palladian windows in the third bedroom, that seem even larger from inside. But no doubt you're more interested in exploring the master suite with its own wide windows.

This large bedroom is separated from the beige-and-cream travertine floor tiles in the en-suite bathroom by only a glass box, that turns out on closer inspection, to be a three-sided gas-fire with simulated logs to heat bedroom, entry-way and bathroom, from its low pedestal.

The openness of the entire suite is made possible by enclosing the separate toilet behind a closed door. The extra-wide shower stall, with its plate-glass swing door and creamy ceramic walls, is separated from the Roman Tub in the corner by a stub-wall made of square glass bricks. (Again, reflected light and glitter from glass!)

Automatically, in passing, you'll note the walk-in closet in the bedroom. Also the main bathroom, as you come out to investigate the smaller bedrooms.

Neither Starter Nor Transitional

An optional third upstairs bathroom is tucked discreetly away to form an almost-private suite, between the third and fourth bedrooms. If the smaller one is designed for a child, then the larger one - which shares the extra bathroom - could be for a nanny or a sibling.

Conclusion: This is obviously a luxury home. That's unusual for one of this size built on a narrow lot. But the trend may be towards "boutique" houses and "boutique" apartments now that prices of homes continue to rise and space is already at a premium. We have to make the most of what we can get, and what we can afford.

Ashcroft have already done that with their design. Evidently a 35ft lot is no longer destined for a starter home, or even a transitional one until you can afford something bigger or better. This one is it! And it is attractive enough for you to live in for a very long time.

The Lexington appears (so far at least) to be available only in Ashcroft's Central Park community off of Fisher and close to Merivale and Baseline.

Check availability with the builder - Contact Ashcroft