IN THE PRESS

Publication: Chicago Sun Times(IL)
Date: October 1, 2006

By: Bill Cunniff

Floor Plan Flows for Couple in Lombard

Bill and Joanne Radtke were on the look-out for a new townhome with a better floor plan and more amenities. That's what they are getting - at Buckingham Orchard, a development in Lombard.

"We had been looking at townhomes since last summer," said Bill. "When we saw an ad for Buckingham Orchard earlier this year, we were anxious to go take a look. We liked the location of the community, the layout of the homes and the features."

Prices begin in the $340,000s. Units have 2 or 3 bedrooms, 21/2 baths and 2-car attached garages. One plan has a first-floor master suite.

Bill and Joanne selected the 1,750-square-foot Ash floor plan. It's about the same size as their current townhome, but with a more efficient layout.

"We really wanted to find a new townhome with an improved floor plan, compared to what we have now. The Ash had everything we wanted," said Bill.

"The layout of the kitchen, with its center island and breakfast bar, is great," he said. "Having a family room in addition to living and dining room, will give us much more flexibility."

Amenities in the Ash include a loft (which can be converted into a third bedroom), a two-story living room, a formal dining room and a family room (open to the eat-in kitchen). The couple also likes the flexibility of the second floor, with the loft and the laundry room.

"The loft will be our office," said Bill. "Having the laundry on the second floor will also be a nice feature."

The Ash also includes a two-story entry foyer (with an angled staircase and a plant shelf). The kitchen has a center island, a breakfast bar and a corner pantry. Sliding glass doors lead to the rear deck. The Radtkes' townhome also has a lookout basement.

The master bedroom suite has a row of windows, a walk-in closet (with window) and a private bath (with double-bowl vanity, soaking tub, separate walk-in shower and linen storage).

"There was a lot that we liked right away about the Ash floor plan," Bill said. "The size of the kitchen, the lookout basement and the loft upstairs all were features we knew we wanted."