The next time you walk into a home for the first time, stop, and ask yourself the following question:

How does this place make me feel?

If your answer falls into the inspired or uplifted category then continue on. If your answer falls into the melancholic category best to hit the road.

It may seem a silly exercise, but it goes a long way in determining the potential of living well and, ultimately, being happy in a home. Often buyers are so deeply entrenched in criteria, such as bedroom count, that they miss the sweet emotions a good house can elicit.

With that said, I am pleased to announce the offering of 1638 Grand View Drive in the Claremont Hills. Once inside it takes you beyond it’s basic function and utility, and exudes excitement, comfort and a general cheer. It is always a pleasure to be associated with special properties, and this one is uniquely beautiful

The property is large at approximately 4878 sqft ,and features dramatic light filled rooms and superb modern amenities. Handsome finishes are the norm here with gorgeous Hardwoods and stylish stones everywhere you turn. The style of the home from the exterior could be describes as Modern Craftsmen. Inside it is all modern.

The home has 5 bedrooms and 4 1/2 baths. The show stopper is the open living area with giant height ceilings and clerestory windows. The chefs kitchen is top of line with gorgeous granite and two bars along with a breakfast nook. A favorite of the current owner is the oversize pantry. This all plays out to a large deck deck with serene views. Along the way to the Master Bedroom you pass by a more traditional charming den with contemporary design.

The Master is luxurious and has sweet views of the bay. The fireplace is two-sided and also faces the two person jetted bathtub. Every bathroom in the house is well done to say the least.On the lower level of the home there are three generous bedrooms, one of which, is being used as a study. Perfect because it opens to a nicely landscaped yard.

The home is completely wired for sound with controls in every room and for the outside as well. There is not a wire to be seen as the house uses infrared red sensors so your remote works with the equipment in closets. It may not seem like a big deal but it makes for a wire free environment. There is also an elevator if need be, Mostly used to come from the garage above down to the house. The garage is in a nice looking second structure at street. On the floor below that is huge studio with a separate entrance. It is super versatile. It has a kitchenette and a well appointed bath. The current owners have a fully equipped gym there but your au pair or in laws would love it.

Finally, the house is in a great central location. It is quick to the freeways and Bart and you are minutes to Berkeley, Rockridge, Piedmont or downtown Oakland. The property is a Berkeley mailing address but in the city of Oakland. A reprieve for taxes.

The house is being offered by Sothebys International Realty at $1,629,000 (which happens to be a very attractive price per square foot relative to comparable sales). Just saying…

Call or email me, Jon Di Rienzo, to check it out.

415-744-4161
jondirienzo@gmail.com
DRE#01354297

Picture yourself winding through the Oakland Hills. The air is clean and the smell of pine thick. Broken light filters through, as you head towards the nearing ridge. Around you are mountain style homes built in the 1970’s, and they are perfectly content being just that. But as you take the next turn your eyes are drawn to a floating structure, so striking and balanced that you hit the brakes. You stop and observe an unobtrusive modern masterpiece blending clean lines and a natural palette, with the rural surroundings. That is a fair fantasy for someone like me, and I can honestly say that is how I felt upon my first encounter with the Manzanita House.

Perched on over 2 acres of ridge line lot, this house straddles the Alameda and Contra Costa county lines. I thought for sure it was new construction, but upon further inspection, I discovered it was a renovation and expansion of the existing structure, which was built in 1978. Very impressive when you take into account the transformation. There is something supremely gratifying about taking something (not so beautiful) and making it beautiful.

The owners of the home were visionary in their approach, and chose OXB Studio Architects as their partners on the project. OXB Studio is comprised of Ted Bonneau and Chad Stith, and located in Mill Valley. The contractor on this project was Abacus Group Builders out of Corte Madrera.

The owners wanted a modern, yet rustic house with some craftsmen attributes. So once inside do not expect to see stark minimalism or white epoxy floors. To the contrary, the house is an extremely warm blend of natural materials and the design is focused on the spectacular site. The house has Brazilian cherry floors, and three types of wood cabinets: Sapele, Jatoba and salvaged Koa. The kitchen features two different granites that are displayed in thick slab. The bathrooms have marble counters and have travertine, glass and quartzite tiles.

The views into Contra Costa county are majestic and the octagonal family room showcase this feature, as does the kitchen, and the handsome decks. It is intriguing the way the home lays out gently over it’s huge lot. One interesting thing to note is that the original house had many different levels, but with step-down/step-up type separations, which can be confusing when trying to define areas within your home. So Ted and Chad added more defined stairs, which in turn created living spaces unto themselves. There was also a major concern about the lack of natural light because of how heavily wooded the site was. To combat this, they added nine skylights and removed many interior walls, opening up the floor plan. Another very challenging aspect of the transformation was rehashing the “octagon”. Because the views were so dramatic, the owners were steadfast in trying to preserve it’s site lines. The main issue with the existing room was a tubular floor to ceiling fake stone fireplace exactly in the middle of the room. Not only was the fireplace unattractive but it impeded the views and it was supporting the ceiling above! Ted, from OXB Studio, devised a a new design; inverting the structure from a central load bearing fireplace to a combination of a central steel compression ring, allowing a hole in the center for the pyramidal, octagonal skylight, and perimeter tensile steel strapping. . The owners now have a wide open living area, and enjoy sky lit days bathed in light.

The Mazanita House is truly a pleasure to stumble upon. Once in its’ presence, you are sure to spend some time pondering the beauty.

With the Fourth of July fast approaching I couldn’t resist this one! Tucked into a green wooded lot, walking distance to the village of Montclair, sits a delectable slice of American Pie. A Cape Cod, relatively small in stature, but strikingly handsome. 5687 Florence Terrace is a fine display of substance and style, and is being offered to the market for $698,000. It has 2 bedrooms, 3 baths in 1,666 sqft (per mls).

The home stands prominently above the street, and it’s very boxy figure is made attractive by fine details of stone, wood, and spirited landscaping. Black shutters are bold, but are complimented by planters flowering purple. The home is a 2-story structure, and is capped by a very large stone patio off the living and dining rooms. It runs the length of the home and is truly the highlight of this indoor-outdoor gem. The living area of the home is open and is filled with light. Each window and door on the that level has wonderful green views. This house was renovated in 2006 but done so in a timeless traditional fashion, sure to appeal to broad swath of the market. The one drawback of the house is that there are a number of steep areas, and stairs around the property. The lower level bedrooms are ample, but the stairs down are tricky. The truth is that since the home has only 2 bedrooms it really is not meant as a “family” house.

I believe this house is transcendent. It has classic American features and is in a beautiful setting. The style will last as will it’s location. That is why this pie is best served hot!

If you would like to see it just send me an email at jondirienzo@gmail.com or comment here at the site.

[The Margarido house is coming back on the market next week at around $4.3 million. Apparently, the house was under contract but fell out of escrow with it's potential buyer. The house will be listed with a Regional Broker. I believe the buyer for this home will come from out of market, so hopefully the Broker will have the capability to reach those markets.]

The Margarido House could be the “greenest house” in the country and it’s located in our backyard. It is slated to be the first LEED-H Platinum home in Northern California, and is the first new home in the country to be both LEED-H certified and GreenPoint Rated.  Definitely take the time to follow the Margarido House link and watch the video at lower part of home page. It is very informative and details how they achieved this impressive status.

Located in Upper Rockridge, The home is owned, designed and was built by Mike McDonald of McDonald Construction and Development Inc.. The house is on the market for $4,750,000, has 5 beds, 5 baths in a sprawling 4600 sq ft, and is listed with Vanguard Properties in San Francisco. It is not even listed or active in the local MLS, which to me is a major head scratcher.

Margarido House deserves International exposure as an architectural achievement, and also to find the right buyer (but I digress). The home is truly thoughtful architecture and has set the standard for future green architecture.

Sometimes a house makes you happy in it’s presence, and smile like those overused emoticons on your smart phone. And if I emote such a response I have to share it with you! After all it is not always about saleability and opportunity, but in some cases pure expression.

1695 Grand Avenue is as happy a home as you will find. On the surface it is alive with color, contrast and detail. And beneath it a sturdy soul. It proudly sits on a busy corner where most other houses would wilt. It has lovely gardens to interact with the structure. Finally it has a sign with a quote from the children’s book author Daniel Pinkwater. “My house is me and I am it. My house is where I want to be and it looks like all my dreams”. Nice, huh?

I won’t mince words on this one readers. 135 Wildwood Gardens, in Central Piedmont, is a solid opportunity! Listed at $1,250,000 this home offers 3346 sqft of living space, on a double wide lot in a prime location. The house is beautifully maintained, but it has not been updated for what appears to be about 40 years. It was built in 1946.

This home is naturally elegant, but the next owner will surely have fun bringing it all the way to current standards of modern elegance. I want to say it is a one story traditional, but there is actually an additional bedroom on a lower level. The living room is massive. One would think it would be a dining room combo, but the home has a lovely formal dining room. The kitchen is where creativity and smarts will turn this into a gem. The kitchen footprint is problematic and cramped, but behind what look like non-supportive walls are utility areas, and an eat-in area. All of this space needs to be introduced to one another to create a large open kitchen. The stone patio and the architectural details of that portion of the house are really beautiful. Reminiscent of traditonal homes in Cape Cod or The Hamptons. Another undertaking that will pay huge dividends for the next owner is tackling the back yard. It is entirely wild and overgrown and runs down to a creek. Although the house has a very nice front yard, the back could be special with a fantastic landscaping mind employed.

I do not believe this house will be around long but that seems to be a trend with the houses featured here at DEB. If you have any comments or questions write me a note.

Take a walk in the Claremont flats section of Berkeley and you are sure to enjoy it. The tree lined streets and stately architecture put the mind at ease, along with the gorgeous gardens and perfumed air. Now picture yourself living there if you will. Your own stately architecture, and your own garden and trees, to place you in a peaceful place upon arrival home each day or evening.

I could not help reveling in that thought when I visited 2914 Forest Avenue yesterday. It was bright sunny day, which may have compounded the effect, but when I arrived the house seemed happy to see me?? Curbside I immediately noticed the wonderful craftsmanship and details in the wood work and glass. The home was built in 1914 and has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths in 2339 sq ft. Although the lot is relatively small at 5250 sq ft it is well proportioned. It has a great front lawn and a tidy garden in the back accessed from the living room and kitchen. This house needs a new kitchen and baths along with work on the bedrooms and closets. But I can assure you it is well built and has great bones! In my opinion it is a super deal at the asking price of $1,150,000 but I believe it will sell at a higher price.

If you would like to take a look drop me a note here at DEB.

Before I get into this wonderful underdog of a house, I must first make a disclosure. I really enjoy coming up with cheesy titles for these posts! ok done. I’m slightly embarrassed but feel strong enough to continue.

As for the real reason we are here, I would like to applaud whoever the architect was of 1824 Magellan Drive in Montclair. Situated on an upslope and within walking distance of town, this house exuded passion and confidence from the curb. I walk through 30-40 homes weekly and I would put this up against any home when it comes to vibe, and sheer cheer appeal. It is not without it’s blemishes (mostly exterior) but it is definitely transcendent.

The house was built in 1939 and encompasses a streamlined moderne style. Casement windows, curved iron work, curved wood work and a wonderful pentagonal eat-in area point firmly to this style. The flow of the home is outstanding and really circular keeping with the theme. The walk up to the side entry is treacherous (an issue that owner must address immediately) but when you reach the oversized door with it’s beveled glass window, you are struck by the light pouring into the home. The floor plan is uniquely opened up. The living room is deeply sunken with views of greenery through a wall of windows, and doors to the front terrace. The kitchen is situated prominently above, and looks over the living space. There is a formal dining room with lovely period doors leading to a charming brick patio. This is a smaller home perfect for a couple. It has 2 bedrooms and 2baths. Whoever redid the kitchen did an amazing job. It is european in its design, and does not overwhelm the delicate balance of the home. The house is around 1550 sq ft and i saw a great opportunity to add-on, if needed, on top of the garage (which is street level). I would hope that whoever bought the house would not add-on, and instead build a great deck on top of the garage. Perfect for that.

The property is priced nicely at $649,000. Love that, and I love that this house makes those other showboat homes bow to its timelessness!

If you would like more information regarding this property or have any other questions please feel free to email me at jondirienzo@gmail.com.