When thinking of the best aspects of a quintessential Berkeley house, an image of this elegant 1911 Craftsman is likely to come to mind. The magnificent garden, however, is so distinct, it’s hard to conjure before seeing. Under the canopy of a stately Oak, the wide Craftsman door opens into a warm interior. A beautiful S.F. Bay view and long meandering garden below frame the expansive living room. A clinker brick fireplace anchors the space with old growth redwood trim and leaded glass cabinet doors. Just off the living room is a solidly constructed handsome deck and staircase that leads you down to the garden.
MAIN LEVEL
To the east is a beautiful dining room, with the same wooden box beams, leaded glass cabinets and wainscoting as the living room. Where the bay view recedes, a sea of trees and budding flowers appear in every lookout.
Through the open doorway, is the modern and spacious chef’s kitchen, complete with top-of-the-line appliances, granite countertops and ample storage throughout. The kitchen has picture windows onto the front Zen Garden and a door from the kitchen hall leads you outside. A half bath straddles the space between the kitchen exit to the front garden and is flanked by more storage cabinets.
UPPER LEVEL
Up the grand stairway, midway, are French doors that exit to a balcony which floods the stairs with soft northern light and overlooks the neighbor’s fairytale garden. To the right at the top of the stairs is a large primary bedroom, with dramatic S.F. Bay views. Off the primary, is an office or plus space, with built-in shelving and dramatic views. Across the hall is a smaller bedroom, headed by closets on either side. A large bathroom with a separate shower and bath is decorated with Italian tile sits between the bedrooms.
LOWER LEVEL
From the main level down is a staircase leading to a family room, bedroom, bathroom and kitchenette, or in-law, with a separate entrance. This level is framed by the incredible 70 + year wisteria plant that edges the windows. There is also a laundry, utility room and additional storage area with an extra full-size refrigerator.
BACK GARDEN
Through the in-law door or the side gate is what can only be described as a gardener’s work of art. The sellers have passionately developed the exterior over the years with a fantastic range of plants from all over the world. As you circle this gentle downslope yard on the meandering path of flora, you arrive at a Koi pond where you can sit surrounded by exotic plantings and admire the gracious home above.
THE BEST OF BERKELEY
This house is spectacular in every way. It has been a happy abode for the sellers for almost 50 years and they’ve maintained and updated it throughout with energy consciousness and efficiency at the top of their concerns with solar panels, a backup battery and a BESO rating of 10, almost unheard of for a house this age. Though in the Berkeley hills, it’s a few minutes drive to Chez Panisse and amenities, UC Berkeley, Monterey Market, downtown North Berkeley BART and Tilden Park with its numerous hiking trails.