This tastefully updated home will captivate you from the moment you walk down the brick path to the welcoming front porch and lushly landscaped front garden. Inside, all the charm of the original home has been retained, while exquisite updating has added the amenities of today’s lifestyle. The 1942 square foot (per appraisal) two story Craftsman-style home has three bedrooms, two updated bathrooms, and a gourmet kitchen. Surrounded by towering oaks and with gorgeous pastoral views from almost every room, this property affords a uniquely private, peaceful environment. Two decks invite al fresco dining and relaxing, while a level lawn is ideal for play. With a coveted walk score of 78, 32 Southwood Drive is within strolling distance of downtown Orinda, with its art deco movie house and Theater Square restaurants, Peet’s coffee, Canetti’s book shop, banks, and pharmacy. Walk to BART or enjoy easy freeway access. Children attend sought-after Orinda schools, including Glorietta Elementary, Orinda Intermediate, and Miramonte High (in the state’s top-rated Acalanes district). From the entry, with its charming porthole window, you enter the inviting living room, with quarter-sawn oak floor, recessed lighting, brick fireplace with wood mantel, built-in bookcases, and French doors leading to the formal dining room. Both rooms have large picture windows framing the magnificent views of surrounding trees and hills. The dining room also has quarter-sawn oak floors and a glass door from which to access the deck. The adjacent spacious designer kitchen has been remodeled with a stone floor, quartz counters, stainless steel appliances including Wolf gas cooktop and Dacor ovens, built-in desk with copper surface, deep storage pantry. Open to the kitchen, the versatile family room continues the built-in cabinetry and wood flooring and is wired for media. A window seat overlooks the garden and Andersen wood sliding door leads to the deck. There is one sunny spacious bedroom on the main level, with hardwood flooring and garden view. The bathroom has been stunningly remodeled, with quartz counter, dual vanity sinks and combination tub/shower with exquisitely understated inlaid tile. Downstairs, the private master bedroom retreat also features lovely views, skylight, and an Andersen wood sliding door to the deck with spa. There is an ensuite bathroom with tiled shower and a large walk-in closet. Also on this level, the third bedroom has hardwood flooring, well-appointed closet, and garden views. The conveniently located laundry room has access to a huge storage area. There is an attached two-car garage with interior access and a circular driveway and guest parking spaces. The wonderful oak-studded .57 acre property offers the best of all worlds – privacy and views combined with a lush level lawn bordered by a wisteria-covered trellis. The owner’s wonderful design sensibility has infused this beautiful home. The designer colors throughout, the Pella dual pane wood windows, hardwood floors, and custom built-ins all serve to evoke the Craftsman era, while the magnificent kitchen and bathroom speak of 2010. Less visible updates include seismic strengthening, new spa heater, central air conditioning, and copper piping, all of which add to the value of this home. With its gorgeous views, 32 Southwood Drive offers an unparalleled opportunity to live a pastoral life within walking distance to the heart of Orinda!
