First you have the ridiculously easy access to downtown via Crowchild Trail or Country Hills Boulevard, second you are perfectly located between two major shopping districts with plenty of green space and bike paths along the way and thirdly the gentle sloping terrain make the mountains seem seductively closer. The builders in Royal Mews have taken all the positive features of the area and capitalized on the surrounding terrain by creating seven stunning and individually crafted homes. NuVista offers the Mirage, a 2166 square foot two storey with nine-foot main floor ceilings and a welcoming twostorey foyer. This three-bedroom show home features a vaulted master bedroom with a huge ensuite – double basins and corner soaker tub and separate shower. The main floor is finished with ceramic tile throughout the main floor and deep pile shag in the great room and nearby flexroom.French doors open into the flex room – perfectly sized for a home office/homework station or simple hideaway. The kitchen features maple cabinets with the warmth of Tuscan stain to offset the cool of the granite countertops. A walk through pantry leads to a spacious laundry room with a vented window. A large deck off the kitchen will have you thinking “let’s BBQ,” every night. The Mirage starts at $299,750, the show home is yours for $364,000. (All prices in this story include lot and GST.)

Next door, the NuVista Forestview has a soothing color scheme that reflects the calm and simplicity of the home. Simplicity does not been it is lacking though, in fact the Forestview at 1932 square feet is well appointed with windows that allow in tons of light, natural red oak hardwood, a floor plan that makes sense for a busy family and extra touches that create a very personal space. The open plan means entertaining guests is easy with the raised bar island overlooking the great room. The cook enjoys a roomy kitchen with oak cabinets and a large dining area featuring a bay window and French door to the deck outside. The bay window is echoed upstairs in the master suite providing extra room for a quiet place to reflect on the day – that is if you can get out of the ensuite with its soaker tub. The optional bonus room provides even more family room to unwind. Because this home is situated on a corner lot the builder took full advantage and added a wrap around veranda that really enhances the curb appeal. The Forestview starts at $293,400 and show home is priced at $345,500.

The Sterling Homes Heritage 2 at 2095 square feet offers maximum style from a base price of $292,000 and the show home at $305,000 demonstrates what a few upgrades such as hardwood and tile and nine foot ceilings can do to enhance your home. Some of the wonderful items to note about the Heritage 2 are its jazzy front elevation, including an inviting porch and large foyer, it’s open layout, and the decorative arches throughout and of course the brightly lit vaulted bonus room. Nine-foot ceilings on the main floor really add to the open feeling and the use of ceramic tiles through the entry and kitchen are very striking. This home also features painted baseboard and trim upgrades – a feature that proves details really do make a difference. The kitchen features maple cabinets and the same 12 inch tile for the backsplash – a nice touch.

The upstairs has a master suite with corner jetted tub and dual washbasins and separate shower. The Sterling Pinnacle 2 is popular with home buyers thanks to the main floor flex room and the large nook set on the 45-degree angle. Plenty of kitchen counter space is enhanced by its openness to the great room. (Those nine-foot ceilings work their magic here too.) The clever use of a stub wall keeps the kitchen peninsula smart and organized. Hardwood flooring throughout the main floor is stained to match the maple railing that leads upstairs to a huge bonus room with a vaulted ceiling. The windows here take full advantage of the vaulted profile and bring plenty of natural light inwards. The upgrades in the 2293 square foot show home are also evident in the elegant master bedroom’s ensuite with a corner jetted tub and separate his and hers sink counters. The master bedroom is extraordinarily roomy and the vaulted ceiling here is really welcome. The Pinnacle base price is $302,000, the show home model is listed for $322,000.

Shane Homes has three show homes in the Royal Mews parade beginning with the Capilano V a home with so much room and smartly filled with so much style. At 2301 square feet, the show home plan features the optional nook and ensuite and after seeing it up close – who wouldn’t want both? The Main floor features a living room, dining room, den (note the stamped tin ceiling here) and family room. The kitchen is enhanced by the angled nook which allows for plenty of counter space – the island has a gorgeous granite counter top. The nine-foot ceilings are taken advantage of as the kitchen cupboards, in a rich nutmeg stain, are extended height wise. The family room fireplace features Appalachian cultured stone. Upstairs the master suite is a spacious 17 x 13 feet with an equally enjoyable ensuite. The plan works with either a four bedroom or three bedroom and loft lay out – here the loft option is shown with a maple railing open to below. The base price of this plan starts at $286,219 (that includes the optional nook and ensuite plan) and the show home is priced at $343,380.

The Shane Stratton at 2188 square feet has so many pleasant surprises that its hard to leave – the gorgeous 18 inch Tifon black ceramic flooring with clever mosaic inserts greets you and guides past the large lifestyle room and through to the open plan kitchen and great room. The optional kitchen/nook plan is shown here adding 54 square feet for extra counter tops and storage. Which is a good thing because the countertops are granite and the cupboards are Saratoga Maple with nutmeg stain. Upstairs there is evenmore living space beside the three bedrooms, you’ll find a huge family room with a corner fireplace, a second floor laundry room and a generous loft space perfect for an computer/homework center. The master suite holds the most ingenious design element – a juice bar located between the ensuite and walk in closet. This feature was created for parents who want to start the day peacefully with a hot cup of coffee. The base price of the Stratton is $268,827, the show home with all the upgrades and optional plans is priced at $315,567.

Last but definitely no least is the Shane Everwood a 1907 square foot plan with a base price of $260,469. The Everwood show home with its optional kitchen layout and nook extension is priced at $306,700. This home with its ceramic tile flooring, and tinted paint trim and railings is a classic example of space meeting function without sacrificing style. The extended kitchen nook means the kitchen seems to go on forever and that looks great thanks to granite counter tops and maple cabinets. The great room features a corner fireplace and adjacent is an open IT centre. The second floor family room also has a corner gas fireplace and plenty of windows reacting a nice retreat for everyone. The large owners suite has a walk in closest and ensuite with a corner jetted tub and separate shower.

The addresses of the Royal Mews Show homes are Royal Birch Way NW. Show homes are open Mon-Thursday 2pm-8pm, Fri, Sat, Sun and holidays 12pm-5pm.