You’re tired and cold and pretty miserable from the day. But the minute you step into your front entry and the calming light from the leaded glass transoms washes over you, your tension headache finally lets up. You step through the cased opening to the built in bench, kick off your snow-covered boots, slide on your warm, soft slippers, and head for the kitchen to see what smells so good.

As you make your way through the living room you smile – someone lit a fire for you in the gorgeous masonry fireplace flanked by bookcases and your body is grateful for the warmth. The French pocket doors, which lead to the family room, are partially closed and make the room even cozier.

You enter the open kitchen and are hit by the intoxicating smell of homemade soup simmering on the stove. A plate of freshly baked cookies is lit by the golden, end-of-day light that streams through the many windows wrapping the breakfast nook.

Up a U stair to the second floor, a skylight above filters more natural light onto the hardwood floors that lead you past the two bedrooms with the Jack and Jill bathroom between. As you enter the airy master bedroom with vaulted ceiling, and feel the tranquil space envelop you, you flop your weary body onto your bed, grateful to be home at last.