Out of the success of two new models inked wholly from feedback of focus groups by women – the Yaccato and Yaccato II, inspired by author Joanne Thomas Yaccato, author of eighty percent Minority: Reaching the Real World of Woman Consumers — evolved a new line of female-friendly features the mainstay builder now works regularly into its plans.

One such plan taking note of the not-so-weak sex is the lovely 2,131 square foot Ashton show home in the Chestermere community of Rainbow Falls.

“It’s such a flexible plan — the way you see it has an optional kitchen and nook layout, with lots more cabinetry, extra windows — as the kitchen often becomes the gathering place of the home,” says Shane Wenzel, senior vice-president of sales and marketing for Shane Homes.

The oversized island with a granite-topped raised eating bar is sure to be the heart of this abode for the resident chef and anyone else who wants to pitch in or just chat about the events of the day.

And because the idea of woman-designed homes (a concept for which the builder earned a SAM-finalist nod in next month’s awards) is paramount to the plan, the culinary hub is adjoined by a walk-through pantry, because you can never have enough storage, says Wenzel. “We have been incorporating walk-through pantries for a while in our homes — I find if you shop at Costco it’s the ideal pantry to have.”

Also ideal is having an up-front lifestyle room, as seen in the showhome as a formal dining space, with comfy club chairs and a sleek glass round-top table for maximizing face time over meals.

The front-and-centre “lifestyle room” of the Ashton alternatively serves as a handy home office or semi-private sitting area.

Residents who prefer more space to spread out in will enjoy the aptly-named great room at the rear of the main level, boasting a two-storey ceiling and windows nearly as lofty in reach. A makeshift library of favourite tomes could easily fit in the handsome, Shaker-inspired built-in wall unit surrounding the fireplace which anchors one wall.

“People love that it’s such a wide open design and is, overall, just a functional home,” says Wenzel.

Upstairs is as full of form and function sure to please both genders, from kids’ quarters nearly identical in size (another-Mom-approved design detail), to a master suite unmistakably inked as a full-out retreat, complete with a sitting area, space for a king-size bed, and a “super ensuite” that would give luxury hotel suites a run for their money.

“Kitchens and bathrooms are what people look for,” says Wenzel of the spa-worthy retreat, adding while other second-storey pre-planned options include relocating the owner’s suite to the rear, “nine out of ten buyers go for the super ensuite.”

One thing home shoppers won’t have to search high and low for is linen storage for fresh towels — another key feature gleaned from focus groups with women, says Wenzel. Guests and older children can fend for themselves to that end, thanks to a full-size closet outside the main bath, while parents enjoy a raft of shelving of their own outside their deluxe walk-in closet adjoining the master loo.

The Ashton’s ensuite is sure to be every lady’s dream, from its oval soaker tub and double shower with dual shower heads and doors, to separate his-and-hers vanities (hers with a makeup desk), a private water closet and walk-in wardrobe off the bath poised for convenient dressing.

Meanwhile, lords of the manor are certain to be drawn to the Ashton’s masculine side – easily shown by adding a triple bay to the garage. Wenzel says that’s a popular option in Rainbow Falls, given larger-than-average lots widths of 45 to 52 feet and the area’s demographic, which seems to be older families with perhaps a bit of a disposable income.

The extra parking space comes in handy for households with a personal motorcraft or speedboats — a must-have in Chestermere Lake, the largest manmade body of water in the vicinity, and the only local lake to allow motorized vessels.

The Ashton can be built from $336,900 in Rainbow Falls.   NL

To get to the show home, head east out of Calgary on 17 Ave. S.E. to Chestermere, turn right on Rainbow Road and follow the signs. Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Fridays and weekends, noon to 5 p.m. Would-be buyers can also take a virtual tour of the Shane Homes show home at http://www.shanehomes.com