GRAND RAPIDS TOWNSHIP, MI – After raising four children in their 105-year-old Georgian farmhouse, George “Jigs” and Nancy Wanty say it’s time for another family to take over and enjoy it.

The soon-to-be empty-nesters have listed their six-bedroom house at 150 Lakeside Dr. SE for $1.18 million with Jeffrey Schreur of Coldwell Banker AJS Schmidt Realty.

“I just feel like this house needs another big family,” said Nancy Wanty, standing in the once-formal living room that now houses a pool table. “It’s kid friendly and dog friendly.”

During their 23 years at the house, the Wantys have updated, expanded and redecorated the clapboard-sided, two-story structure. While it’s family-friendly, it’s not been beaten up.

The front entrance retains the home’s classic elegance with buttery maple floors and hand-painted fleur-de-lis on the built-in cabinetry.

The living room, which has been contemporized with a large screen television and surround-sound system, still retains the marble lined fireplace and farmhouse-style windows.

“We got so sick of a room that we never used,” said Jigs Wanty, noting that the living room could be easily be returned to its roots as a formal parlor.

The classic décor carries over to a formal library with oak trim and wainscoting that also could serve as a home office or den. The oak-floored dining room is brightly painted in a “raspberry truffle” and formal dining room furniture.

But most of their family meals and gatherings took place on the old table next to the fireplace in the farmhouse kitchen, where French doors open up to a large outdoor patio.

The golden-hued kitchen, which was modernized about eight years ago, centers around a large peninsula topped with a warm granite top. Food storage is found behind several pantry doors that line one of the kitchen walls.

The kitchen area also includes a “home management center” which Nancy Wanty said was necessary to track the comings and goings of their busy family.

Beyond the kitchen and dining room is a large family room added by the Wantys. Painted in a cheery “dill pickle” with built-in cabinets and six large windows overlooking the back yard, it has become the family’s favorite hangout spot.

Next door, the exercise room leads to an indoor hot tub the Wantys installed when they added on to the house. The hot tub is most fun in the winter, when the doors to the house are closed and the outside doors are opened, they said.

The home’s six bedrooms and four of its bathrooms can be found upstairs.

The master suite includes a large bedroom that’s brightened by a picture window. The master bath includes a whirlpool tub and walk-in shower with a sauna.

There’s no walk-in closet, but the master suite includes a row of large closets that lead to a bright sitting area and studio that overlooks the back yard. “For an old house, we have a lot of closets,” said Nancy Wanty.

Elsewhere on the second floor, two of the children’s rooms are connected by a “Jack and Jill” bathroom. There’s also a large full bathroom and a guest room off the main landing.

A long hallway leads to the back of the house, where a small bedroom suite – possibly a former servant’s quarters – includes its own bathroom. A smaller room in the suite could serve as a sixth bedroom.

If a future owner needs even more space, there’s a staircase that leads to an unfinished third floor.

Downstairs, the low-ceilinged basement includes a playroom and hangout space for kids, a laundry room and wine cellar.

The estate’s original barn has been converted into a 800-square-foot party house and pool house for the in-ground pool and hot tub. The heated and air-conditioned building includes a full kitchen, bathroom and a carpeted loft.

The Wantys added a finished and heated three-stall garage next to the pool house with lots of storage space.

The 1.8-acre parcel includes a large lawn and perennial garden that has been the setting for three weddings and one memorial service over the years, Nancy Wanty said. They recently removed 25 trees, 16 of which had fallen victim to the emerald ash borer.

Located in Grand Rapids Township, the 5,400-square-foot house lies within the East Grand Rapids School District.

Jim Harger covers business for MLive/Grand Rapids Press. Email him at jharger@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter or Facebook or Google+.