Beauty Meets Function In This Decker Home

Imagine owning a modern, new, upscale home with bells and whistles galore and saving money at the same time. This beautiful house by Decker Homes in Maumee s Deer Valley is built to exacting environmental standards, and includes a solar electric power system. Come out this weekend to see this extraordinary home that not only uses electricity it produces it, too.

Energy efficient homes are all the rage today, thanks to Al Gore and An Inconvenient Truth, Decker Homes has been building them that way since 1982. This week s featured home, at 4029 Secluded Ravine Court in Maumee s Deer Hollow neighborhood, is a fine example. The home s roof is partially covered with solar shingles wired to the home s electrical system.

Current from the solar shingles helps supply electricity to the home, and if excess electricity is created, it is sent back to the grid. This system can save as much as 30% off energy costs each year. But while energy savings is always a great benefit, this home exceeds all expectations in sheer livability as well. The entrance is a gradual incline to the beautiful front door, with no steps to navigate.

The deep rich wood door is topped by a transom and sidelights with a steep-grooved polished pattern mullions beveled right into the glass. Tiny black tiles create a welcoming pattern on the slate floor in the entry. To the right is the dining room. Your dinner guests will feel like royalty. A large palladian window, also with beveled mullions, allows abundant sunlight. The high ceiling is set off by crown molding, and art niches with glass shelves grace one wall.

To the left is a convenient guest closet, and straight ahead is the impressive great room. The ceiling here reaches lofty heights, and an additional vault over the main window adds drama to the space. A wet bar against one wall has cherry cabinets with frosted glass doors and a granite top. Just beyond is the gas fireplace with a granite surround and white wood mantel. A built-in entertainment center in the corner, with its deep cherry wood, echoes the wet bar s cabinets. A wall of windows brightens the space.

Off the foyer is the master suite. The ceiling here is stepped, with two levels of crown molding. Dainty chandeliers hang on either side of the bed, and three large windows look out to the back. The master bath is a showplace. The double vanity s granite countertop has two ceramic sinks; the white ceramic against the dark granite, with chrome fixtures, looks superb. A large soaking tub is opposite, as is a walk-in shower. Nearby is a private water closet.

A granite tub surround doubles as a seat in the shower stall. The shower is quite large, and worth every inch of space devoted to it. Besides the granite seat, there are granite shelves for your toiletries, and multiple showerheads for a thoroughly enjoyable wash. Tile graces the wall and floor here.

On the opposite end of the home is the spacious kitchen. Cherry cabinets with a chocolate finish are quite appealing. Topped by granite, they are set off by stainless appliances and a range hood -- perfect against the dark cabinetry. The island snack bar provides a place for meal preparation and socializing.

A built-in double oven is ideal for baking and cooking, and a Jennair cooktop provides a professional edge for an amateur chef. A porcelain tile backsplash and brushed nickel hardware complete this fashionable kitchen. Nearby is space for informal dining beneath a dramatic vaulted ceiling. From here, step out to the poured concrete patio and enjoy the large lot. Also off the kitchen is a back hall. Tucked away here is an impressive staircase to the second floor and the full basement. Its oak railing and wrought iron balustrades are very striking. A powder room with a pedestal sink and oil rubbed bronze hardware is ornamented with a mosaic floor and wall d cor.

Two closets and a built-in bench form a mudroom area next to the two and a half car garage. A convenient utility room comes with built-in cabinets and a handy sink. At the top of the stairs is the first of two bedrooms. It features a double closet and a soccer mural that any sports fan would love. Cross a catwalk over the foyer and great room to the second bedroom and enjoy the castle mural fit for a princess. These two bedrooms share a full bath with a tile countertop.

The home is rated Energy Star Plus for its effective use of insulation, its high performance windows, tight construction and ducts, and use of qualified fluorescent light fixtures.

The home at 4029 Secluded Ravine Court is offered at $429,000 by Decker Homes. The home is open Thursday through Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., or by appointment. To make an appointment, call Al Prieur, sales manager, at 419-392-3549.

Features

3 Bedrooms

2.5 Baths

Building Integrated Solar Shingles

Great Room With Wet Bar