1940's Storybook Normandy Revival

1940's Storybook Normamdy Revival located in the sought-after Fernwood District of Montclair.

*  4 Bedrooms, 3 Baths approx +/- 2784 sq ft 

*  Beautiful Cylindrical Foyer

*  Dramatic Hand Adzed Beamed Living Room Ceiling

*  Formal Dining Room with Corner Built-Ins

*  Spacious Refreshed Kitchen 

*  Family Room/Studio Apartment

*  Two Car Garage

*  Large Flat Lot, approx +/- 9734 sq ft – An Urban Farmers Dream

In 1940, Architect Guy L Brown designed a two-bedroom cottage, and the house we see today has been expanded as many Fernwood homes have grown to accommodate changing family needs and styles. The owner-architect who resided in the home since the 60's designed and constructed the addition in 1970. With the owner’s vision and by increasing the interior space by more than 1000 square feet, the modifications offer easy access to the outdoors spaces for intimate gatherings or large scale entertaining.

As one approaches 1475 Mountain, sited on an expansive level lot on "Boskey" Lane and Mountain Blvd, the setting is magical, from the majestic Redwoods, original horse shoe court, flowering rhododendrons, Concord grape & wisteria arbors, fenced in veggie garden, fruit trees, herb gardens, lush mature landscaping and pretty rose gardens. Boskey Lane is accessed by 3 other properties and connects to Fernwood Drive, by a walking bridge over Temescal Creek.

The welcoming interior with the beautiful heavy oak door opens into the corner cylindrical entry way, on the right is the dramatic living room with high hand adzed beamed, wood burning fireplace, built-in niche, gleaming hardwoods and beautiful windows that capture the many colors of the lush front gardens.  

On the left of the entryway is the formal dining room, with original corner built-ins and sliding glass doors that open onto an enclosed deck that runs from the dining room to the breakfast room at the other end.

A hallway from the entrance, with original wood doors and telephone niche leads to the original two bedrooms and bath.  The front bedroom serves as a master with pretty outlooks, ample closet space and with easy access to the bathroom. The second bedroom is a good size, a sizable closet with built-ins and a window that looks out to the inner courtyard.

The Spacious kitchen was recently refreshed with new Quartz counters, ceiling and lighting changes, and built-in seating that overlooks the courtyard.  Adjacent to the kitchen is the breakfast room, this expanded space is a large, sunny multi-purpose space with sliding glass doors open to the enclosed front deck.  The windows in the breakfast room look out to the rose garden, with mature soaring rose bushes that enhance the peaceful outlook.

The original detached garage was incorporated into the house by enclosing the original breezeway and adding two bedrooms above, as well as incorporating the once detached studio apartment/family room.  The two bedrooms upstairs are of equal size, with beamed ceiling and serene outlooks. Upstairs there is also a bathroom that is shared by thee two bedrooms.   

The studio apartment/family room is a romantic space with a dramatic cathedral wood ceiling, a brick wood-burning fireplace and doors that open to the sun-drenched courtyard. This studio apartment was used as a family room and place to gather. Most recently this space had been rented to a friend of the family. The efficient galley kitchen leads to a pantry area and opens to an enclosed patio/deck space. This studio/family room also has closet space and bathroom and is connected to the main home but also has a separate entrance.  Adjacent to the studio is a very large storage room with windows that possibly could be converted to another living space, think artist studio/home office/workshop.

There is a heavy post at the entrance area to this studio/family/ garage that is thought to be a remnant of a corral - believed to be part of the Dingee cherry orchards adjacent to 1475 Mountain Blvd.

Off street parking includes: an undersized two-car garage with interior access, parking area to the left of the garage, in front of the garage and two spots in the front area - plenty of parking for all of those welcomed guests.

The home is set back from the street and sheltered by towering Redwoods, lush gardens, a horseshoe pit, a fenced in area to discourage the wild deer who are constant guests in the Fernwood district. The private sunny inner courtyard is accessed from sliding doors off the kitchen area, as well as the studio/family room.  There is also an old well that in the past watered all of the gardens, but this has been abandoned and filled in. Over the years the current owner cultivated all parts of the gardens that surround the home for growing a wide variety of fruits, vegetables and herbs.  The back gardens include Concord grape arbor and a fenced in area for veggies. This home is on a flat, sunny lot- truly an Urban Farmers Dream!

Some of the recent preparations for sale include interior paint, refinished hardwood floors, new countertops and some newer light fixtures. Some additional features are newer appliances, Solar Panels that are owned, newer driveway interlocking bricks, and roof.

The Fernwood District is rich in history and with home styles that reflect the period of Revival Architecture of the twenties and forties - with Tudor, Norman, Mission and the First Bay Area Traditional examples.

The historic setting remains intact with bridges over Temescal Creek and beautiful trees, making it a unique and romantic hideaway.  You feel like you are miles away from the hustle and bustle of urban living, yet within step of Montclair Village with numerous shops, restaurants, cafes, Public Library, schools, parks, Sunday Farmer's Market and Public Transportation that include the Transbay V Bus to San Francisco.  This sought after, low down Montclair location is also within minutes of Hwy 13 & 24 with easy access to College Ave, Rockridge BART, all leading to the Commerce of San Francisco and other major Bay Area cities.