The Coopers modernized the kitchen, giving it a cooktop island and attractive medium cherry-finished cabinetry. An unneeded doorway providing access to the foyer was closed off to create pantry space. The kitchen spills into the family room, which has a wood stove for cozy warmth. There is plenty of attractive built-in shelving here as well as an adjacent full bathroom.

Added to the rear is a two-story porch. The screened-in lower level is gently curved at the back and adds visual interest.

As the house was expanded, changes were also made to the original second-story floor plan. A small bedroom was sacrificed to provide space for a bathroom and create a true master suite.

The original portion includes another bedroom and a guest bathroom.

The rear addition provided space for a secondary bedroom suite any teenager would love. It has access to the upper porch or sun deck, which is built using maintenance-free materials and offers views of the city to the west, especially when the leaves are off the trees.

Nearby is a back staircase to the kitchen on the main level.

In recent years, the third-floor attic space was converted into a recreation room and yet another bedroom suite with its own full bathroom.

Altogether, the house has four bedrooms and four full bathrooms.

Typical of older houses, this one has some interesting idiosyncrasies. A few steps down toward the partially finished basement is a potting shed that opens to the back patio. It has a sink and concrete floor. The basement is used primarily for laundry and storage. Given that there is plumbing in the potting shed, a new owner might choose to convert it to a laundry room, which would bring the machines a half-level up.

More for property definition than anything else, a low brick wall that probably dates to the home's construction surrounds the backyard. The Coopers recently completed a stamped concrete rear patio.

Also at the rear of the property is a driveway, accessed via an easement, that provides space for off-street parking.

Richard Amrhine: 540/374-5406
Email: ramrhine@freelancestar.com