INTRODUCTION: Drive by this lovely, but unassuming, house in West Clay Park and park outside on one of the rare blocks that has not been made ugly by multiple driveways. Enter the house and be amazed at the size and scale of this wonderful, comfortable home on an extra-large lot with a detached garage accessed from the back. 67 West Clay Street was built in 1924 by Edward G. and Elvira Cahill. Weeks and Day were the engineers and architect. Edward and John Cahill were the founders of Cahill Construction Co, which is still in existence and still has a great reputation. The next owner was Judge John O’Donnell and his wife, who raised three daughters in the house. The garden has been maintained much the same as the Cahills had it – in the spring over 200 tulips bloom under the flowering cherry tree. Crabapple, plum and apple trees bloom along with many camellias, a rhododendron and some azaleas well as other bulbs and flowers. The current owners enhanced the landscaping with selective plantings and stone pathways weaving through the back garden.

The dining room set was made for the Cahills and for this house. It is hand carved walnut, has 5 plain leaves and 5 apron leaves and can seat 20 people. It also has a large and a small serving credenza carved to match. (This set, still in the formal dining room, is available to purchase and is offered separately from the sale of the property.)

The house has four bedrooms and four baths plus a view family room and an ensuite office/sunroom as well as a loggia and a family room adjacent to the kitchen and overlooking the garden. In addition, there is a wonderful indoor/outdoor feeling to the house with a patio stone terrace off the living room and loggia, an expansive deck off the rear of the house at the main bedroom level and another view deck (with a full Golden Gate Bridge view) at the top level. In addition to all of the wonderful interior space, there is also a large landscaped garden. The house is distinguished by its expansive, comfortable ambience as well as the incredible light afforded by the fact that it is fully detached and perfectly situated on the lot to capture light and outlooks onto greenery.

This is an elegant house, the floor plan especially suitable for entertaining large groups in the living, loggia and dining areas—but it also provides the coziness and functionality of a well-loved family home.

DESCRIPTION:

The front entry door, with its elaborate metalwork, sets the tone for this distinguished home. It leads to an inviting foyer with a beamed ceiling, leaded glass window, handsome mirror and coat closet. The magnificent and spacious living room has a marble-surrounded fireplace and banks of French doors overlooking both the front of the house and leading to the center patio and tiled loggia. This room has elegant bookshelves recessed into mahogany paneling that includes concealed cabinetry and drawers. The outdoor patio has flagstone surfaces and a fountain imported from France. The relaxing Mediterranean ambience makes it ideal for both an afternoon cup of tea and easy entertaining events that flow from the public rooms into the loggia and patio. The loggia is at the center of the house with arched doorways out to the patio and into the stunning dining room. This impressive paneled room again conceals elegant dish storage and drawers, but the most dramatic element of the room is the large picture window that looks out to the backyard, with its beautiful mature plantings. The public rooms have lovely dark hardwood floors and lashings of beautiful mahogany trim.

The kitchen is older but serviceable, with a gas range, and good work triangle, with the sink under the window. It is adjacent to a small family room with a closet overlooking the backyard. The large butler’s pantry separates the two rooms. It has a sink, plenty of storage and outdoor access. This floor is completed with a utility area with a full bathroom, manual dumbwaiter that serves all three levels, back stairs, storage, as side door and stairs down to a very large basement that provides ample storage.

The staircase leading up to the main bedroom level has a pretty wrought iron handrail. At this level there are two large suites. The front suite has windows on three sides with verdant outlooks and wonderful light. An ensuite updated bathroom has a pedestal sink, claw foot tub and separate shower. There are deep closets serving this room as well as a separate dressing room which overlooks the garden patio. The rear bedroom suite is also bright and attractive with good closets and an adjacent bathroom. This bathroom has a pedestal sink, tub and separate updated shower as well as a built-in linen closet. This bedroom has an adjacent sunroom that opens onto a huge south facing deck that overlooks the foliage along the incline of the back garden. Either bedroom suite makes for a fabulous master bedroom or a memorable guest suite. This floor is completed with another charming bedroom at the front of the house with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge.

The top level is graced with some lovely views. At the top of the stairs is a porch deck with full-on Golden Gate Bridge views, providing a lovely protected spot en plein air. The family room at the front of the home has wonderful light coming in from three sides of arched windows that face the views to the north of the Marin headlands. The rear bedroom is gracious and friendly, facing south with an abundance of sunlight. Both rooms are served by a bathroom with a tub/shower.

There is a full serviceable basement for family room use, in addition to laundry facilities. The separate detached garage at the rear of the property provides parking for two cars and/or storage.