In West Friendship, a perfect family space and lots of it

Megan McSally and her fiance, Joe Marino, had one very important reason for moving into their 4,800-square foot Colonial-style home on an acre in West Friendship the two have a combined seven children.

"It was important for all of the children to have their own space, and there are lots of spaces here," said McSally, a 39-year-old Realtor with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage.

The Howard County home is within a 10-mile radius of shopping, dining, all the children's schools and their activities. And it wasn't just a matter of having enough space, but the right space for Marino's children (Joey, 13; Lindsay, 11; and Sammy, 8) and McSally's kids (Maddie, 14; Jack, 13; and 10-year-old twins Abigail and Katelin).

McSally, who owns the $877,000 home, began the renovations before she met Marino, a 46-year-old regional sales manager for ProBuild, a national building and construction material supplier. She wanted an open layout that was flowing and designed to accommodate the needs of a family.

On the ground level, there is a mudroom with designated cubbies for each person, a study room off the kitchen, a separate office, a sitting room and adjacent living room, and an expansive family room. The children sit down to dinner and homework at a long trestle table made of reclaimed and lacquered barn wood that seats eight in the kitchen.

Faith Home Remodeling Services Inc. built the new kitchen, which McSally calls her favorite room in the house.

"The copper sink, large range and hearth with hidden spice racks make it a wonderful place to prepare meals," she said. "However, any place that the children gather, whether it be for a quick snack after school [or] an impromptu high school gathering, that is where the true joy is. Our children range in ages from 8 to 14; no matter the age, they all come to the kitchen."

Counters are made of glazed maple while black granite countertops have been textured to look like soapstone. Travertine backsplashes are a warm backdrop for stainless-steel GE Monogram appliances.

Adjacent to the kitchen is the two-story family room, where a massive corner fireplace of stone with an arched hearth makes it a perfect place for family bonding. With a fire roaring, parents and children can watch TV or enjoy the view that backs up to preserved land seen out of the room's Palladian-like windows.

"I have all-new furniture [here] that is traditional and neutral in decor," McSally said.

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In West Friendship, a perfect family space and lots of it