Lovingly maintained by the current owner for over forty years, this storybook home is situated on an incredible two-thirds acre estate setting in the sought-after Glorietta neighborhood. The beautiful grounds include expansive level lawn, shaded patio, gravel paths, separate play area, trickling creek, and native oak trees. ..a private nature preserve in your own back yard! The classic two-story 2629 square foot home features a grand living room, formal dining room, warm paneled family room, three inviting bedrooms, separate office/fourth bedroom, two and one half bathrooms. There are gorgeous pastoral views from virtually every room, framed by large wood windows. Charm is abundant, with built-in bookshelves, window seat, hardwood floors, two fireplaces, and traditional eaves. This ideal location is convenient to shopping, transportation, BART, and top-rated Orinda schools (including Miramonte High School, within the number one rated high school district in California). The lovely fenced garden courtyard frames the stone path leading to the front door, and sets the tone for this charming country home. Inside, the entry, with parquet wood floor, opens to the grand piano-sized living room. This delightful room features a large bay window overlooking the front garden, beamed ceiling, stone- surround fireplace with raised hearth, picture windows framing views of the rear garden, hardwood flooring under carpet, and exterior access to the patio. The kitchen also has parquet wood floor, newer appliances including gas cooktop, Kitchenaid dishwasher, and GE double ovens, Corian counters,large peninsula with seating, and a convenient built-in desk area. Adjacent to the kitchen is the formal dining room, with a view of the garden, parquet floor, and beamed ceiling. The inviting family room, reminiscent of a cozy lodge in Yosemite, features a brick fireplace with gas starter flanked by recessed bookcases, beamed ceiling, Marvin wood sliding door to the patio, and parquet floor. The sunny office has a bay window facing the front garden, built-in desk and bookshelves, parquet floor, and well-designed closet. The charming half bath with parquet floor (also plumbed for shower) completes the downstairs level. Upstairs, the three bedrooms all have hardwood flooring under the carpet. The peaceful master retreat has pastoral views of the garden and surrounding oak trees and two well-appointed closets. The ensuite bathroom has a tiled shower and ample storage cabinets. The spacious front bedroom features a charming built-in window seat with surrounding bookshelves, a perfect sunny space for an afternoon nap. Closets under the eaves lead to extra storage space. The second bedroom also has a delightful view of trees and hills, and extra storage under the eave. The hall bathroom has a tiled combination tub/shower. There is a detached two car garage, offering convenient interior access under the covered breezeway. The large laundry room behind the garage, also accessed via the breezeway, has lots of storage space. Additionally, there is a huge detached workshop, which could be a handyman’s delight, or could be converted to a playhouse or simply used for storage. Added features include a security alarm, dual pane wood windows through most of the house, forced air central heat, garden lighting on automatic timers, paving stone driveway with guest parking. The spectacular .67 acre site offers one of the finer settings in Orinda. The shaded stone patio is perfect for al fresco entertaining or relaxing with a book. The level lawn invites soccer or croquet, and the meandering gravel paths evoke the romantic English countryside. A large upper level is perfect for play structures or potential sports court. Private and lush, fully fenced and with automatic irrigation, this small corner of paradise is a gardener’s dream. This is a rare opportunity to own an estate setting that will be enjoyed for generations.
