Mark and Carolanne Kappus had clear requirements for the design and decor of their new home. It had to be energy-efficient, have ample space for entertaining, and -- for these avid Baltimore Ravens fans -- it had to have a purple bathroom.
The Kappuses got their purple bathroom -- strategically located near the guest-friendly family room in the couple's 3,500-square-foot Cape Cod-style home in Forest Hill in Harford County.
Built in 2002 for about $380,000, the Kappuses' home has met all of their initial requirements while employing some unique design twists.
For one, a two-story, two-way stone fireplace -- one of three in the house -- greets visitors in the front foyer rather than the typical staircase and adds to the home's open, airy feel.
"We didn't want the stairs to be the focal point of the foyer," said Carolanne Kappus, 39.
Instead, the stairs are in the kitchen at the back of the house, lending a measure of privacy as well as being near the entrance to the three-car garage.
Using warm yellows and greens as well as fabrics and accessories, Carolanne Kappus employed a nature theme throughout the home. The downstairs floors are hardwood, accented with area rugs.
The kitchen is painted sage, with sand-colored Corian and dark green laminate countertops. The birch cabinetry conveys a warm feel to the room. The five-burner gas range has a warming tray, and there are two wall ovens. All the appliances are stainless steel.
A center-island sink faces the back yard of the 2.2-acre property.
"Carolanne always wanted to be able to look out and see the outdoors," said Mark Kappus, 42, owner of Kappus Construction Inc. Several rooms have nine-over-nine pane windows.
Adjacent to the kitchen, a small bar sink and wine rack face the family room -- a welcome feature for a couple that entertains frequently.
The buttery yellow of the family room blends well with the wicker furniture with leaf-print upholstery. The room contains the other side of the foyer fireplace.
Mark Kappus' talent for woodworking is evident in the wainscoting and trim of several rooms. The formal dining room has a tray ceiling with hidden lighting that makes the 10-foot ceilings look higher. Burgundy curtains add a rich textured look to the windows, while contrasting nicely with the vellum walls and white wainscoting.
