While the classic Colonial, elegant eclectic and towering Tudor styles all have their followers, many people are faithful to the cozy cottage home, like this charming and quaint example with three bedrooms and 1.5 baths on Memorial Street. Built in 1945 and updated extensively since, it is listed for $510,000 by Julie Willis at Century 21 New Millennium in Alexandria, at 571-212-8815.

Beyond the stone walkway, the steep roof rises above the shingled exterior with its covered front door. It opens onto a living room with hardwood floors. To the right of the sitting area, the Florida room is surrounded by windows. A door leads to the wrap-around rear deck.

Across from the front door, a short hall includes an upgraded full bath with a pedestal sink. To the left, the dining room also opens onto the rear deck.

The dining room also connects with the upscale modern kitchen. It  features granite counters, stainless steel appliances, a JennAir stove, a built-in General Electric Profile microwave/convection oven and a built-in wine refrigerator with separate cooling areas for red and white varieties. The adjoining laundry room includes a full-sized, stackable washer and dryer plus another door to the deck.

The living room also displays a unique stairway that divides on the top, leading to a bedroom on the right and a hallway on the left. The hall leads to the master bedroom, which includes the half bath, and to the third bedroom, which has space for a desk. A built-in bookshelf and a storage chest also stand in the hall. New carpet covers the entire second level.

The rear deck overlooks the yard. The extended driveway has room for four cars. The workshop includes a tool bench, built-in shelves, a storage closet and electrical power. A six-foot wood fence surrounds the back yard.

The schools are Bucknell Elementary, Sandburg Middle and West Potomac High.