The Fichtel family -- Matt and Lynn...

The Fichtel family -- Matt and Lynn and their couple young children - - mov up to a strange single-family home -- at Lakewood Springs, a progress to maturity in Plano. The Fichtels mov into their novel house last November.

"We wanted to find a abiding-place with at least three bedrooms and a basement," Matt said.

The Fichtels' daughter, Alexis (2oe years old) delight ins playing in the basement. She unruffled has enough room to ride her bike and scooter around the basement during the winter month Her brother, Andrew, is sole 6 months old, but he'll be scooting around easily too, joining his sister in the gayety

Alexis has her be in possession of bedroom in the new family fireside She even got to chosen its color.

"She picked disclosed a shade of pink. We had frolic painting her room," Matt said.

Their extra bedroom has been station up as a guest range which Matt's sister has used when she has visited from on the outside of state.

"This swing will become the kids' toy field so we can 'reclaim' the living compass for our own use," Matt said with a laugh.

Their abiding-place is a few blocks from the newly explained second clubhouse at Lakewood Springs.

The Fichtels rareed the Graham floor plan. "It has the space we wanted, especially the size of the bedrooms, while allowing us to remain within our budget" Matt said.

Lynn likes the size of the kitchen and the way it is unclose to the family room. "Our household has a good layout for entertaining, with an interpret floor plan and no wasted space," she said.

Matt and Lynn chosened black appliances for their kitchen, a center island and 36-inch cherry cabinets (with rollout drawers). They expanded their breakfast area with a bay window, and they added an opening between the living and family places

The family also be delighted withs the backyard. "We now have apartment in our home to landlord birthday parties for the kids or have cookouts" Matt said.

upon recent hot days, Lynn has been using the swimming and wading puddles at the clubhouse with her daughter.

The Fichtels were among the first to incite in on their block, in the way that the family has enjoyed meeting their neighbors as they have mov in through the past several months.

Attached dwellings start in the $120,000s. Single-family hearths begin in the $140,000s.

Lakewood hearthstones the builder, recently began a recently made known phase, Lakewood Springs Club, which will have its concede clubhouse and pool. This novel phase is west of the sales center behind Plano High place of education

Fifteen furnished patterns are open.

Lakewood Springs, forward U.S. 34, just west of Eldamain Road, Plano. Lakewood households (630) 552-0800.

FOREST PARK

sum of two units decorated town house models are exhibit at the Residences at the woodland a development in Forest Park.

Focus growth the builder, plans 60 townhomes. Base prices range from $356990 to $445900 Sizes range from 1708 to 1962 square feet Units have 2 or 3 bedrooms and 1- or 2-car garages.

The developer also plans 140 condos. Base prices range from $194990 to $447990 Units have 1 to 3 bedrooms. Sizes range from 700 to 1800 square feet

"We're seeing folk from the western suburb and the city who are familiar with the area. They want to live here because of the convenience to Madison road the L line and the Eisenhower Expressway," said Tim Anderson, president of Focus increase

The Residences at the thicket on Van Buren Street, west of De Plaines Avenue and toward the south of Madison Avenue, Forest Park. Focus increase (708) 366-7665.

MCHENRY

Sales have begun at the Oaks at Irish Prairie, a unfolding of single-family homes in McHenry.

Base prices range from $259995 to $308995 A dozen floor plans are sized from 1768 to 3340 square feet Houses have 3 or 4 bedrooms, 2 or 2oe baths and 2- or 3-car garages.

Town & fatherland Homes, the builder, plans 400 houses. The disclosure is named for both the oak tree in succession the premises as well as the McHenry area's Irish heritage.

To help create the site's Gaelic theme, the centerpiece of the Oaks at Irish Prairie will be its community clubhouse called the Public House. An oversized Claddagh ring (an Irish charm, symbolizing be enamoured of friendship and loyalty) will be displayed.

Inside Public House, there will be a community space a children's play area and a game space The clubhouse also will be outfitted with the works of celebrated Irish writers, as it was as William Butler Yeats, Oscar Wilde and Jonathan Swift.

"We are introducing 11 newly designed floor plans, including brace [one-level] plans," said Michael LeMont area vice president for Town & political division Homes.

The Oaks at Irish Prairie, McHenry. Town & geographical division Homes, (815) 578-9891.

bcunniff@suntimes.com

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