This one and half bath home Craftsman home is perfect for a
family or for civilized roommates.
It was built around 1925 as solid middle class housing, typical of
Hillcrest, the Heights and the Central High area. It was completely renovated with over $110,000 spent on it 10 years ago, and then renovated again 2 years ago at $50,000 expense after a large tree fell on it from a neighboring lot. It's in great shape.
The house is set comfortably up a knoll, looking west on
Park St., just two blocks due south of Central High. It is entered from the street up the stairs through a
pleasant, established and easy care garden with a thriving young sycamore tree,
surrounded by crape myrtles. There
is generous, classic front porch, great for entertaining friends.
When entering, the care taken in the renovation will be
immediately evident. All original wooden windows were carefully restored and
all wooden trim was either restored and replicated, and painted with good oil
based paint. The rooms are painted
several classic colors for interest and contrast. If you want all beige, go to a big, overpriced complex. Wall sconces, ceiling fans and other comfort
touches are seen throughout.
The Craftsman style front door opens into a dramatic
cathedral ceiling living room with skylights, yoga loft, hearth, hardwood
floors and large windows facing north, east and south. From there, you pass heading east through
double glass doors into a formal dining room with hardwood floors, and then
through an archway into an open, quirky, very serviceable eat in kitchen with
large fridge with icemaker, gas stove, dishwasher and disposal, original built
in cabinets, linoleum and wooden flooring and a view west towards the dog
friendly fenced garden.
Heading south from the dining room, through another archway is
a hallway, serving a half bath, full bath and two bedrooms. The bathrooms have bead board wainscoting
and period touches, and the full bath has a double sink. The front bedroom faces south over a
large side garden, perched above the street, and has a big closet with storage
area, generous dimensions and wooden floors. The rear bedroom is a comfortable square
with windows on two sides, facing the west and south gardens, and has a regular
sized closet.
Returning to the kitchen, behind the kitchen sink half wall are
a washer dryer area and back door entrance, with a staircase going up to a hidden
“airplane” style bedoom, with windows on four sides above the west and south
gardens. It has carpeted floors,
its own sink (in a European hotel-style touch), and a closet. It’s a perfect room for a study, or
perhaps a roommate or teenager craving privacy. The second floor also contains a huge storage area – perhaps
20 x 8 feet, where all those boxes can be forgotten.
The back yard has been entirely fenced with privacy fences,
and has base plantings, including privet, nandina and flower beds, the beauty
of which varies with the residents’ interest level. There is a two car parking pad at the rear, on the
alley. Maximum occupancy three adults or two adults and three children.
Behind the walls, all is in good condition, with entirely
upgraded plumbing, wiring, HVAC and insulation. There is a security alarm. It’s a dear house - warm, welcoming, practical and fun. Check it out. Four person maximum occupancy.
