This striking hillside home at 211 Lake Drive in Kensington, is nestled in  among the expanse of surrounding trees, and bordering on Wildcat Regional Park and the Tilden Nature Area in the hills above the home.  It offers a truly distinctive architectural concept.  It has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms in approximately 2375 sf of living space.  

It is well located.  While it is settled in among the East Bay hills, the popular shops and restaurants of North and Central Berkeley and Albany are close by, as is the University of California, and all that it has to offer.  

The design of this home is plainly conceived with the goal of "bringing the outside in".  Both views above reveal the floor to ceiling windows and multiple doors to the outside…

478 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

This distinctive Berkeley home has immediate curb appeal.  With its pair of twin gable dormers, classic entryway with a distinctive front pediment, and lush front lawn, it is both inviting and dramatic.  Located in the Elmwood neighborhood of Berkeley at 2943 Hillegass Avenue, it offers 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms in approximately 2143 sf of living space.  

It is well located close to the favorite shopping and dining neighborhoods of Elmwood, Claremont and Rockridge, and, of course, the University of California.  

Visitors to the home are immediately made welcome into this luminous and well designed living space.  Four large front picture windows combine with generous overhead supplemental lighting to create a warm and relaxing atmosphere. …

592 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

This dramatic hillside view is available to enjoy daily at 1680 Grand View Drive in the hills above Berkeley.  Located in the desirable Claremont Hills area of the city, it is surprisingly close to the favorite shops, restaurants and attractions of the nearby Rockridge, Elmwood and Claremont neighborhoods.   Spacious and flexible in design, it offers 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms in 4000sf+/- of living space.  

This light filled living room is centered around the amazing access to the panoramic views below that can be experienced through the extensive window space, and sliding glass door, that lead to a stunning outdoor deck high above the surrounding city below.  

The distinctive fireplace to the right is expansive, and softly colored, to…

742 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

This spacious and engaging garden in the rear of 578 Weldon Avenue in Oakland,  is a perfect recreational spot for entertaining friends, and yet is equally effective as a soothing retreat when desired.  It is substantial in size, mutli-level, and compliments the home's architectural design.  It offers 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms in 1841 +/- sf of living space.   

A reverse view reveals the multi-level patio spaces and seating areas, and the outstanding assortment of greenery and plants that help to create this lush location.   Included are citrus, persimmon, and apple trees, along with a variety of succulents and grasses.  

The front of the home is equally unique with its extensive, and well thought out trees and plantings that are…

666 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

This gracious home with its handsome curb appeal, and classic Tudor style design, is located in the Crocker Highlands neighborhood of Oakland at 1060 Sunnyhills Road.  It offers 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms in 2110 +/- sf of living space.

Ideally located, it is just moments from the shopping and restaurants of Grand Avenue, Lakeshore Avenue and Montclair Village.  A direct commute to downtown Oakland and San Francisco is possible via Highway 580 below, and Highway 13 above, provides efficient transportation to Berkeley and Contra Costa County.  

Both the front of the home and the entryway illustrate the Tudor concept of a welcoming country manor--sturdy in appearance, yet elegant in detail.  It is best illustrated as one tours the home and…

918 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

This dramatic and distinctive Oakland hillside home has just been listed for sale at 6490 Ascot Drive in the Montclair hills.  Specifically created to fit in easily among the wooded hillside's well established redwood trees, it is a soothing and distinctive retreat, yet close to everything that makes the city desirable. 

It features 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms in approximately 2669 sf of living space.  Designed by well known architect Marvin Gunderson, it reflects the organic architectural concept that the home and the land should coexist peacefully.  The most distinctive feature of this home has to be the overhead circular open beamed ceiling that encircles the central living space.  

A slightly different perspective of the living room reveals…

1054 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

This spacious home is immediately welcoming with its outstanding curb appeal.  The lush green lawn combines with the long established trees and plantings to create this distinctive effect.   Located at 6550 Dawes Street on the Piedmont side of Montclair, it offers 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms in a very generous 3170 +/- sf of living space.

Located just a short distance from the shops, restaurants and activities of Montclair Village, it is not far from Highway 13 which provides quick and easy commuting to Berkeley, Oakland and Contra Costa County.   Just up the hill are the biking and hiking trails of  various regional parks, as are the popular Knowland Park Zoo and Chabot Space and Science Center.   

The large front door opens to reveal this…

673 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

This stunning multilevel home has been conceived to provide a luxurious living space filled with distinctive and in demand amenities that provide both comfort and tasteful elegance.  It is located at 15300 Blackberry Hill in the Los Gatos hills, and above all that is the world famous Silicon Valley.   It offers 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 2 half bathrooms is an outstanding 6000 +/-sf of living space.  

For those who enjoy entertaining, every level of this residence has been designed to welcome and entertain- whether it be friends, residents, personal, or business guests.  By way of example, the left balcony seen above contains an 8 person recessed Bull Frog hot tub and sweeping views.  There are 3 outdoor decks, an elevator, and 2000 sf of covered…

649 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post