“Hey, somebody brings me a sandwich!” you shout from the deep recessed of the family room couch. Snack and lounging in the family room seem to go together. And the closer you are to the kitchen, the more likely you are to persuade someone else to fetch your sandwich.

Family rooms near the kitchen are handy for reasons other than proximity to the peanut butter. For one, the cook can eye on family activities and not feel left out. For another, you can plan casual parties and not miss any of the

When the owners approached the architects for a family room addition, they had more than a few special requests. They wanted lounging room for their family of six; a way to enjoy the fireplace and watch TV at the same time; yard of storage and shelving for  collectibles, craft material, books, and kitchenware; a desk area and –oh, yes- a place for a stained glass window made by a talented neighbor.

You can transform a dull, dim family room –or any room- into a dramatic, sun filled area by adding a skylight.

Skylight come in a variety of styles and can be installed with different shaft angles to direct light where you want it. Use a small skylight to illuminate a reading nook or highlight a sculpture, a large one to diffuse light trough out a room.