Large rooms, solar panels make Lincoln home cool haven

The home may be new, but showy custom colors and shimmering wood have visitors dreaming of vintage American Craftsman — with the most up-to-date appliances and amenities, of course.
Scraped, hardwood-planked flooring, rough enough to say rustic, yet elegant in shiny nutmeg color, is the element of the home that’s a real attention grabber.
“I like the way they used the same wood on the banisters,” said Rick Bluhm of Century 21 Select Real Estate.
Banisters outfitted in wood, with wrought-iron details draw the eye upward in the dramatic, two-story entry, which is filled with light.
But the entry is just the beginning.
The owners of this 3226-square-foot, 2007 home have a great eye for color. Warm shades of asparagus and olive in the family room meet even warmer shades of bronze, copper and earth yellow on substantial granite countertops, wood floors, cabinetry and intricate tile backsplash.
The effect is stunning.
“The really nice thing about this kitchen is the full-tile backsplash. The backsplash goes all the way to the cabinets, rather than just a few inches, which is so common,” Bluhm said.
Built-in niches and gas-burning fireplace with wooden mantel complete the look, and allow visitors to thrill in anticipation of cozying up with a cup of hot cocoa this fall.
While it may be hard to imagine winter, given the warmth of the summer months, heat is not an issue in this home.
Built with solar technology, the property is ultra-cool, without the price tag that running an air conditioner usually garners.
“We run the air 24/7,” said the homeowner. “Our highest bill ever, was only $350.”
Solar panels were used in a good part of the Standard Pacific-built neighborhood, a fact that homeowners love.
“The solar panels on the roof take care of a lot of the electricity,” Bluhm said.
An inexpensive energy bill is a pleasant surprise, given the size of the home.
Rooms are extra-large, with a perfect floor plan for families.
“The master is downstairs, as is a remote guest bedroom and bath,” Bluhm said. “This is an extra-comfortable-living home.”
While the master is sizable and includes a large sitting area, double vanities and roomy closet, it’s the upstairs spaces that are most surprising.
Wander up the switchback staircase, and into an extra-large loft, perfect for a home office, playroom, or a book-filled library.
In addition to the room-sized loft, is a game room, with space for a pool table and room to spare. At 20 by 13 feet, the room is large enough for foosball, air hockey, darts — the possibilities are fun to imagine.
When it comes to having fun upstairs, kids or teens will have a great time in their spacious bedrooms.
The front room, also 20 by 13, is large enough to house the biggest sleepover.
The home includes an extra-deep garage, which can accommodate an oversized vehicle or boat, as well as a workshop area.
The perfect home for families, a sizable back porch offers an ideal setting for barbeques and garden parties.
But what really caught the homeowner and her family, hook line and sinker, was the convenient location.
“We’re close to the elementary school, which is my favorite part about the house, and we’re only a couple of miles from the junior high and the Christian school, too,” the homeowner said.
Bluhm agrees.
“It’s a perfect location — near the school, and the regional park is right here, too. The park will also be an aquatic park in the future,” he said.
A location sure to make both parents and kids happy.