The Jackson II: The Perfect Holiday Floorplan

• Written on December 11, 2017 By Stanley Martin Homes

If your guests arrive during inclement weather, they'll find comfort under your large covered porch while you make your way to the door to welcome them inside. Once they cross your threshold, you can easily hang their coats in the foyer closet and direct them to the nearby mudroom if they need to take a moment to remove wet shoes. When everyone's ready, it's time for a quick tour of your cozy and welcoming home.

Backtracking a bit, you show off two bedrooms with large walk-in closets at the front of the house. Making your way through the foyer once again, you point out the full bath tucked away on the other side of the bedrooms. You add that one of the bedrooms had the option of becoming a study, but you chose to use it as a third bedroom.

As you approach the great room, you can hear the crackling fire in your fireplace and see your nieces and nephews crashed on your plush sectional couch and comfy beanbags texting their friends while the older folks gather in the kitchen. On the large island in your upgraded gourmet kitchen, you've set out nutritious and delicious finger food, which is keeping everyone nibbling and content before the big meal planned for later in the day.

The kitchen space flows effortlessly into the dining room where moms can keep their eyes on their little ones happily playing in the attached sunroom while they enjoy a glass of wine and adult conversation around the table. In warmer months, you'd be enjoying the optional deck off the great room.

The tour of the main level is topped off when you bring your guests into your private owner's bedroom and point out the beautiful boxed tray ceiling. You feel immense pride as you lead them into your attached full-size bathroom with spa tub, separate shower, double sinks, and private commode. The amazing walk-in closet next to the bathroom is a hit with your guests, who joke that it's big enough for them to come back and sleep in there after dinner.

But that's not all. The male guests of your group have wondered during the whole house tour where all the men were, and now it's time to reveal their secret location. You lead everyone up a set of stairs to the loft where a big screen TV is blaring the game and all the men are gathered, complete with cigars, a stocked mini-fridge, and a full bath for necessary bathroom breaks. You leave the men to do their thing and head back to the main level to enjoy your family and friends in your warm and inviting home. Before you know it, it's time for dinner. The men descend into the dining room and everyone digs in to enjoy your fancy feast.

• in Raleigh