Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Architecture Wednesday: Ivy Hill Urban Oasis

I have looked for color, not just red, for the Duchess Deedles, and I found some, in this charming 1925 Spanish Mediterranean home in the Ivy Hill neighborhood of Oakland, California.

Each space has been meticulously restored with a blend of authentic period details and new features; a techie’s dream, the residence has been automated for just about everything from climate control to window shades to audio to lighting, you can run the house from your smart phone.

But it’s the house I love; the original brick walkway, the large front porch, the Dutch front door. And the inside, while electronically 2021, still has the charm it did in 1925. From the front door, you can see the living area and dining room, and then straight through to the backyard, giving the 2,704 square-foot floorplan an indoor/outdoor flow.

The entryway features an original restored stair railing, radiator heater and a custom niche, while a large, light filled living room with its original fireplace—though converted to gas—stretches the length of the house and opens to the large Ipe deck. Remote operated shades in the living room also double as a screen for the home theatre, making the living area media center.

The kitchen has been reworked into a modern-day space with gourmet commercial appliances, a large soapstone island, lots of storage, soda water/beer taps, coffee maker space, BlueStar commercial range with double oven and 24” griddle, and two sinks. The breakfast nook in the kitchen allows for easy casual entertaining.

The dining room can be closed or left open with glass French doors, and easy access to the kitchen via a Dutch door. Custom leaded glass details were handcrafted by the owner and contain over 1200 pieces of colorful and beveled glass. Finishing out the main level is one of my favorite spaces: the powder room with meadow-inspired Heath tile designed to represent blades of grass as it visually meets the floral Liberty wallpaper, complete with an Italian Murano glass chandelier.

Upstairs are four generous bedrooms, with the primary bedroom featuring a custom see-through DaVinci fireplace, matching bespoke bench seats, dual closets and a vaulted shiplap ceiling. The sky-lit primary bath offers a steam shower and large clawfoot tub with a view of the East Bay hills through the fireplace, plus dual sinks, custom cabinetry and a separate toilet room.

Out back is a sunny yard surrounded by extensive succulent plantings and a raised vegetable garden. The deck opens from the living room, breakfast nook and kitchen and features a cozy built-in firepit, and drops into the outdoor oasis with a lawn, paver walkway and driveway, secret grotto area and a cool original Airstream ‘Guest House.’

This home as all the history of a 100-year-old beauty and the modern technology of a 21st century hoe. It is, or was, on the market for $1,395,000. And recently sold for $2.1 million.

A bargain.

11 comments:

  1. *THUD*
    That was me falling to the ground. Gorge. I love everything about this: the colors, the idea of letting the 'old' mix with the 'new', the little alcoves and corners and that Bambi in the backyard!
    Gimme.

    XOXO

    ReplyDelete
  2. They did a really good job
    of updating it!
    xoxo :-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I swear I must have been either Spanish or something in another life for my love of the men, food, culture, design and men. I said men twice, tee hee. I love this. I love Spanish Mediterranean style anyhow, but I love that it still has a "dated" feel even though it's updated. Bright rooms...the wood work, this is so me...while not getting over the top. Hell, Id settle for just the air stream.

    But that cosmic black bathroom...no no,no that will have to go.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is it!!

    I love the visual of the front of the house. A am a symmetrical type of person. I like things to be even. I also love patterns.

    I love the location. Oakland/Burkley is my jam. My family lives in Sacramento. and it is not in SF. San Francisco tends to be a little chilly for me. I need heat but not necessarily PS or NV temperatures.

    The interior is a little big for me. But hey. I love the layout and even can deal with the wood finishes on the cabinets. I am not a fan of teak or light wood.

    Now, what's up with the Airstream in the backyard. Yea, a guesthouse sounds perfect. I am sure there are toilet and shower hook-ups. If not, what's the point.

    Best,

    xo


    ReplyDelete
  5. Is there a warning on the first bathroom door, Do not enter when drunk?

    ReplyDelete
  6. I like the space, but not a fan of the tile, trimmings, and decor choices. Even the wood mixes on floors, railing, and window frames. I find the back deck unimaginative, also the straight path and paving. Wow. I guess I don’t like this much the more I think about it.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love the downstairs. The upstairs... the bedrooms... the materials and surfaces are all wrong... and the bathrooms are kind of ugly. That bathroom on the main floor is too much, too. Why is there an air stream in the back yard? Love the outdoors portion. Very fun. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  8. A few things I like, a few I don't. You know me and the lack of upper cabinets in the kitchen, really the people who design those are under 40 or never use their kitchen. I love the black bathroom. The trailer would have to go, how hipster trendy, not me.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow. What a place. A lot out of my price range but one can dream. I also don't know about Oakland. So I guess I will have to keep looking for my dream home.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Great house, not so great neighborhood. Speaking as someone who lives in Oakland. Just don't leave anything in your car, EVER!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Even tho' Mads hated the Cosmic Black Bathroom, I confess I Loved it and everything else about this one. And Yes, I'd settle for the Airstream too... hook it up and move it on over here to Forever Boheme'.

    ReplyDelete

Say anything, but keep it civil .......