Award-winning community opens new Carrington model in Libertyville
Gracious living in a gated community with beautiful landscaped greens, rolling hills, prairies and ponds awaits buyers at The Enclave at the Reserve at the Merit Club in Libertyville.
The Enclave features 17 homesites - including five ranch designs and two first-floor master plans - designed for the mature adult. Each home features maintenance-free grounds, professional landscaping and underground sprinklers. The award-winning community by Merit Homes also includes an area of 85 semi-custom homes and a section of one-of-a-kind custom homes.
Homes in The Enclave offer mature adults the home and lifestyle they desire. They want easy living, space for entertaining and a second bedroom for out-of-town guests, children home from college or visiting grandchildren.
The community sits on Milwaukee Avenue about 11/2 miles north of Route 137, adjacent to the Merit Club Golf Course. The 18-hole private course is ranked as one of the top 100 courses in the world by Golf and Travel magazines. Several years ago, it hosted the U.S. Women's Open.
Merit Homes guarantees buyers that the natural setting will remain a conservation area with no future development because the site is protected by a conservation easement.
Carrington is a new professionally furnished and decorated model that recently opened for visitors to tour. Priced from $685,000, the home features 2,067 square feet, two bedrooms, two baths and a finished English basement
It is a great home for entertaining, with open floor plan that features a traditional interior with an urban slant and an espresso and spa-blue palette that flows throughout the home. Arches add drama and character to the home, separating the living space without hindering interaction, said Jeri Szatko, director of sales and marketing for Merit Homes.
From the entry, visitors have stunning outdoor views through the wall of windows in the great room.
The formal dining room sits off the foyer in the front of the home where elegant table settings beckon guests to enjoy a gourmet meal. Lit candles on a credenza add to the ambience.
Topped with a cathedral ceiling, the great room features a traditional charcoal and mocha sofa with an urban spin, with soft lines yet a sleek look, two chairs and updated paisley print draperies. The room opens to an outdoor patio and accesses the adjacent screened porch.
The family room, an open yet intimate spot, includes a fireplace with granite surround, entertainment center with plasma TV and two black leather chairs. French doors open to an optional screened porch. Area rugs in the great room and family room add interest and texture to the space.
The kitchen showcases stainless steel appliances, cherry cabinets with an espresso finish and cozy breakfast nook with views of the outdoors. Granite covers the island and provides a backsplash that reaches the bottom of the cabinets. The island with under-mount double sink overlooks the great room for ease of interaction between the seating and cooking areas.
This expansive living area separates the two bedrooms, which allows for privacy and an ideal guest arrangement.
In the master bedroom, spa blue provides a relaxing and restful atmosphere, perfect for a bedroom suite. Furnishings include a four-poster bed, dresser and mirror and a chair for reading.
The private bath features dual sinks, soaking tub, oversized shower with clear glass door and private commode. Porcelain tile covers the floor and provides the tub and shower surround. A large walk-in closet sits off the bath while a linen closet sits in the hall just outside the bath.
Functioning as the sales office now, the carpeted guest room off the foyer features a full bath nearby.
The English basement can be transformed into a recreation room for teenagers, living quarters with a full bath for parents or long-term guests as well as many other options.
Other ranch floor plans include Ashcroft from $655,000 with 1,864 square feet; Brighton from $695,000 with 2,110 square feet; Forester from $715,000 with 2,300 square feet; and Montclair from $719,000 with 2,355 square feet.
Two-story plans include Stafford from $759,900 with 2,704 square feet and Wyndham from $799,900 with 2,887 square feet.
Available for immediate delivery, the Forester is also open for visitors to tour. A huge great room with vaulted ceiling, two-story stone fireplace and floor-to-ceiling windows is sure to impress. The kitchen opens to the family room and has a center island, rounded eating nook and separate breakfast room.
Occupying one side of the home is the master bedroom suite with a walk-in closet and master bath with dual vanities. Providing privacy for the owner and guests, there are two bedrooms on the other side of the home. A multipurpose media room with classic French doors can convert into a study, living room or fourth bedroom.
To visit the community, take I-94 to Route 137, go west to Route 21 (Milwaukee Avenue), then north 1½ miles to entrance. Follow signs to the sales center, open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Call (847) 680-0090 or visit merithomes.net.