DESCRIPTION:

Approaching this home, guests already get hints of the views and light to come. The walkway and planting area is verdant and level, with only a few brick stairs. The paneled-glass front door and north-facing foyer window afford the first glimpse of both greenery and the Bay beyond, immediately creating a sense of light and airy spaciousness. The interior does not disappoint. The home was extensively remodeled eight years ago and the finishes are exquisite and blend seamlessly with the details and molding of the original traditional architecture.

MAIN LEVEL:

The impressive living room is bright, with terrific views of the Bay and the Palace of Fine Arts. The wood-burning fireplace, with gas starter, has a stunning, antique concrete surround flanked by built-in cabinetry with concealed log storage and deep, mirrored insets ideal for displays. The pass-through (with pocket doors) connecting the living room to the kitchen was created using a handsome old exterior doorframe originally from New York. The dining room is large and elegant, with window views of the front garden and entryway. It opens onto both the foyer and the absolutely fabulous kitchen/family room. This kitchen has wonderful details, such as Venetian marble countertops, custom beadboard and wainscoting, a custom furniture-style "armoire" to hold china and serving pieces, and a sizeable walk-in pantry, accessed by two antique humidor doors imported from France and acquired in Carmel, CA. The walk-in pantry doors are a night-time show-stopper. The pantry provides an enormous amount of storage space as well as access to the laundry chute, which runs from the master bedroom down to the lower level laundry room. The kitchen's unique wood details echo the entry foyer paneling and trim, but this is a high-tech kitchen. Its incredibly ample cabinetry, including glass-fronted cabinets at the bar sink area and open shelving to left and right of the custom-designed range hood, accommodates modern needs. The kitchen island is one "heart" of this soulful home. The elevated antique English pine counter and brass foot-rail makes for comfortable bar-stool seating for two--or six. Two stacked Fisher-Paykel dish drawers on the island allow for convenient, immediate clean-ups. A mirror beyond the ample gas stove (with indoor grill) enables the cook to stay involved in the surrounding fun. There are two kitchen sinks--a specially commissioned and crafted , wide and deep farmhouse-style sink on the island (large enough for flower arranging) and a small round one at the bar area, which has open wine storage "cubbies" above. Stove with six burners and two ovens, Sub-Zero refrigerator and Broan trash compactor are all in easy reach--a highly workable, enjoyable "triangle" conceived by a kitchen designer.

UPPER LEVEL:

An outstanding, large skylight at the top of the stairs streams light into the entire house. Built during the remodel, in 1920’s style, then coated with a long-lasting patina, it feels original to the house. The entry alcove to the master bedroom is light and airy, with an arched, etched glass window. This tranquil anteroom presages the drama of entering the master bedroom through an arched doorway offering stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Bay, and city views below. Both thick arched entries--to the master and dressing room--mirror the Palace of Fine Arts beyond. The master has a bed-niche that centers the bed in the view and is perfectly positioned to take advantage of the built-in gas fireplace with television above, in its own beautiful, deep, arched niche. The dressing room is perfectly laid out with his-and-her consoles and dressing areas and lavish built-in storage. The dressing room leads to the sybaritic master bathroom with its extra-long double-sink, marble counter, arched niche, wood floors, skylight, big storage closet for bathrobes, ironing board, iron and access to the laundry chute. There is a wonderful, two-person stand-alone Kohler bath, facing the greenery on the deck beyond, and the arched niche, skylight sconces, shower and deck can be night-lit for extra beauty. There is a separate water closet and, most dramatic of all, a walk-in shower with period basket-weave tile and an etched glass walk-through window leading to the private sunning area. The tassels and other details on this custom-designed window and panel above offer a special delight: in full sun (around noon) or when there’s a full moon, these patterns stream across the bathroom floor. The etched glass theme was inspired by a beautiful metal-grated window in a commercial building downtown.

LOWER LEVELS:

Accessed directly from the kitchen as well as the entry foyer, the lower level has a very spacious storage room as well as under-stair storage, plus a tool room and large laundry room. The tradesman’s/gardener’s entrance is also at this level as is the two-car tandem garage. One additional car may be parked in the driveway. There is a naturally temperature-controlled wine storage room. A very pleasant book-shelved office or maid’s room with en-suite bathroom overlooks the large, level yard and Bay beyond. The rear yard’s main hedge arches, framing a Grecian-style zinc lady statue who echoes the Grecian ladies atop the columns of the Palace of Fine Arts. This is both a view garden (which can be up lit at night) and a place for outdoor enjoyment. The greenery, including hedges, rosemary, lavender and flowers, two mature side-by-side Pittosporum trees, blue-toned flagstone steps and matching pebbles offer a rich outdoor experience. A curved flagstone stairway leads into the garden’s terrace from the east door of the house. Standing at the first flagstone stair in this small, outdoor staircase, the Golden Gate Bridge is still in view. Immediately below is a pebbled seating area for outdoor dining, followed by steps leading to a pebbled path that encircles the garden. One stairwell down to the fourth level below leads to another garden family room or playroom that accesses the yard directly. Here the heart of the garden is always in view through yet another glass-paneled door, much like the front door. These lower room areas are pleasant, bright and usable, but could be improved for even more gracious living.