A short stroll from Greenbelt Lake, 115 Lakeside Drive is a large and gracious colonial that has the warmth of a forever home, plus the necessary updates, modern comforts, and sophistication that make this a very smart choice.

Let's start with the kitchen. Professionally designed for serious cooking and social gathering at all hours, its custom butcherblock island steps down to a breakfast table-perfect for sipping coffee, tackling homework, or hosting a wine night with a few friends. Stainless appliances, ceramic backsplash, and gas stove with range backsplash and outside-venting range hood make this a comfortable working kitchen for multiple cooks. Next to it, the completely redesigned family room is a showstopper with its cathedral ceiling, exposed beams, and built-in media wall. The color palette, here and throughout the house, was professionally conceived and flows with cool--but never neutral--elegance across all of the living areas.

Step outside, and you'll find your personal haven. The back patio, with a striking steel architectural overhead structure, is made for outdoor dinners or lazy afternoons with a good book. The landscaping, with long-established local perennials, trees and shrubs, provides three seasons of color,  and a stone retaining wall creates a backyard retreat that feels as elegant as it is private.

Inside, the thoughtful updates continue. All three bathrooms have been beautifully updated, including most recently the upstairs hall bath. This one was designed by Be Smart Homes to include a spa-like tub with glass splashguard, modern floating double-sink, custom lighting, and ceramic tile in cool blue tones that harmonize with the rest of the home's colors. Custom closets throughout create a very high-end feel, in addition to being extremely practical in their design and use of space. All new doors and hardware also elevate the feel and modernize the home. On the other hand, the original hardwood floors throughout add warmth and a sense of history. You can't get floors like these at any price today.

Downstairs, the basement has been structurally reinforced and fully waterproofed. One half is a roomy home gym or theater room, and the other a large laundry area with recently updated machines and tons of storage.

Even the carport is an unusual find in central Greenbelt, making rainy dashes from car to door a thing of the past. From the impeccable updates to the serene outdoor spaces and unbeatable location, 115 Lakeside Drive is a jewel. Is it for you?