Architecture Wednesday: Treehaven

I love a California Bungalow house because they’re cozy and quaint and cute. But this bungalow, located in Ross, California, just a hop, skip and a few freeway exits from San Francisco, is all that I love in a bungalow … and more …and bigger.

Treehaven is a mix of tradition and elegance and California casual, with fully indoor-outdoor living and sweeping views of the Coast Range Mountains. It’s timeless.

It was built in 1927 by Albert John Evers, a protégé of renowned California architect Bernard Maybeck, and in 2016 the house retains the authentic character of a 1920s home, with Gambrel-style ceilings, mahogany custom-built paned windows, batten board wainscoting, tongue-and-groove detailing, and an exquisite living room fireplace, surrounded by original redwood. The home is drenched in sunlight and offers stunning views of the Ross Valley, Mt. Tamalpais, and Bald Hill.

While the house reflects a European sensibility — 18th century Rococo panels grace the entry steps — it is also a distinctly California home blending the formal and informal, indoor and outdoor living, on more than an acre or private land dotted with majestic oak trees, gardens and level lawns.

A covered entry porch leads to the home's main level and the formal living room, the great room, a library, the den, an exercise room, the mudroom and a sleek, fully updated kitchen.

Just off the kitchen and great room are two substantial outdoor living areas: the west balcony is a great place to dine and enjoy the dramatic sunsets over Mt. Tamalpais, while just off the kitchen is an expansive deck with pool, hot tub, cabana and built-in BBQ. A granite ledger wall surrounds the pool area which is anchored by a large stone fireplace. A few steps below the pool is an organic garden bursting with vegetables and herbs as well as citrus, figs and nectarines.

The home's sizeable lower level — which has its own spacious covered veranda — features four bedrooms and two baths; the master bedroom sits on the top floor, with ten-foot tall windows and French doors opening onto a private balcony; there are soaring ceilings, custom-finished herringbone oak floors and a European-style master bath of quartz countertops and hand-painted tile-work. A roomy walk-in closet, just off the bath, provides abundant storage.

In total there are 5+ Bedrooms, 4 Bathrooms, 2 indoor fireplaces, handcrafted mahogany windows and doors, oak floors, custom cabinetry, and radiant floor heating in all bathrooms.

Outdoors is an 18 x 36' swimming pool and spa, a covered Cabana, a stone fireplace, level lawns, stone walls, decks and balconies and verandas, Bluestone paths, old growth  oaks, a vegetable and herb garden and a 2-car garage; there is also a Guest Cottage with a full bath and kitchenette.

And it’s for sale for just $8.8 million.

Curbed