Last modified: Friday, January 13, 2006 11:47 PM EST The Martels' gambrel Colonial in Plainville features granite walls in front and a master bedroom balcony overhanging the entrance with a view of Lake Mirimichi. (Staff photo by Tom Maguire) Unique design has room plus view BY JANETTE SEARS/SUN CHRONICLE STAFF PLAINVILLE-- Unique is the best way to describe the home of James and Sheryl Martel at 8 Branch Avenue. Located across the street from Lake Mirimichi and situated 200 feet into a nicely sloped front yard, the home features attractive gambrel overhangs, contoured granite walls and granite steps. But, there is much more to the home than just it's pretty face. Built in 1987 by James, owner of Renovations by James Martel, and completely renovated two years ago, the home is described as a modern post and beam construction, with a full balcony and deck. `` Years ago, they might have built a post and beam, but you'd see the beams and the posts, and the posts would take up part of the room dimensions,'' James said. `` I call it a modern post and beam because the posts are hidden in the walls.'' For the overhangs, James says it was a challenge, but he added an extra touch of style by building them at compound angles. `` The overhangs that go over the balcony start out at 6 feet and then they reduce to 2 feet, so it's all compound angles. You've got the angle of a gambrel but then you've got also a compound angle going from 6 feet to 2 feet.'' In addition to the stylish features offered through the beams and overhangs, James also took the framing of the house a bit further by using 2 by 6 construction instead of the standard 2 by 4 construction commonly used today. In doing so, he says it makes for a very energy efficient home, as the 2 by 6 construction allows for the use of more insulation in between walls and in ceilings. Taking the energy efficiency a step further, James has installed Anderson double pane windows with high performance glass throughout and created seven heating zones, with programmable thermostats. Another unique feature, which adds to both the sturdy construction of the home and its beauty is that the ceilings in almost every first-floor room are made of cedar and beamed with Douglas Fir. By using a solid 3-inch tongue and groove cedar, James said the ceiling acts also as a flooring at the second level and allows for full view of the 8- by 14-inch beams against the firstfloor ceilings. When building the house, James also included conveniences, such as whole house stereo, central air conditioning, central vacuuming and a central alarm system. In addition, James and Sheryl, office manager for the family business, gave the house a whole new look a couple of years ago, painting and wallpapering every room by themselves, and adding new floors and carpeting. The credit for most of the renovation ideas goes to Sheryl, who says she wanted to put her stamp on the home that James built five years before they were married. One of the structural changes Sheryl initiated was to turn a mudroom-type entry into a formal sitting room and create a formal entry to its right. In doing so, a decorative front door now opens to a 16- by 11-foot foyer, which offers a full view of its surrounding rooms. The foyer features the cedar ceiling, with its massive Douglas Fir beams, and also offers a beige ceramic tile floor and French doors to the sitting room and dining room. Offering a touch of elegance, Sheryl has created a bit of a Victorian atmosphere in the foyer, with a large silk floral arrangement placed in the center of the room on a wrought iron table that she and James painted to match the wrought iron chandelier above. The sitting room steps down to the left and offers a combination of elegance and comfort, beginning with its oak floor, medium green walls and vaulted ceiling. Sheryl has give the room a nice classic touch by placing a floral painting on a wrought iron easel, the classic lquote`Singing Butlerrquote' painting on the wall above it in an ornate gold frame and an ornate antique cupboard in an opposite corner. The room's comfort comes from the sitting area, where two large chairs flank a table, topped with rich green foliage plants, and the two walls of awning windows that overlook the front and side yards. To the right of the foyer, an expansive opening leads directly into the 21- by 16-foot family room, where the home's staircase is situated, and also offers a full view of the kitchen. From the family room, the view outside is even more impressive, however, as several awning windows on the front wall overlook the Martels' nicely landscaped property and beyond to Lake Mirimichi. The room is carpeted in beige wool, which is also on found on the center of the oak staircase, adorned by very ornate brass stair rods, which James gave to Sheryl as a gift several years ago. The 16- by 13-foot kitchen, completely remodeled from layout to new cherry cabinets and Giallo Veneziano granite countertops, offers a matching center island and beige ceramic tile floor. Along with the adjoining family room, it is also Sheryl's favorite feature. `` I like to cook, but I like to be with my family, so I can be cooking here and totally interacting with them when they're watching TV. We spend a lot of time just right here, and it's so easy to entertain.'' The 18- by 14-foot dining room, another impressive view from the foyer, offers casement windows along its back wall, allowing for an extended view of the back yard. The room is wallpapered from floor to ceiling in a delicate floral pattern, against an oak floor, an oak dining set, an oak China hutch made as a wedding gift by Sheryl's father, and an oak grandfather's clock, given as a wedding gift by James's father. On the second floor, there are three oversized bedrooms, two baths and a laundry room. Included in these rooms is the master suite, which offers a 32- by 16-foot master bedroom and large tiled bath. The bedroom offers a view of the lake through an atrium door to the front balcony and is done in hunter green low pile shag carpeting and brocade style wallpaper. The second largest bedroom, at 22 by 13 feet, belongs to the Martel's only child, 11-year-old Jimmy. Set against blue carpeting and blue walls, the room is done in a outer space theme, which features glow-in-the dark stars and movable magnetic figures, from rockets to meteors, on the deepest blue wall. Although the Martels say they will miss the home greatly, they are happy to say that they will be building a new home just down the road a bit, on Lake Mirimichi. The property is listed for $699,900 with Gil Campos at ReMax Real Estate Center at 800-564-3629, ext. 322. To view the home online, visit www.CamposHomes.com, using MLS No. 70220673.