Berkeley: The Feel Good Factor

Some houses just have a good feel to them. I don’t think it has anything to do with propitious karma or well disposed spirits (even though I live in hippy-dippy Berkeley). I think it largely comes down to pleasing proportions and good flow. This house has both.

769 Spruce Street, which had its first open house last weekend, is a traditional (circa 1937) style house that comes with a separate vacant lot. (I’m told this has tax advantages whether you choose to build on it or not – but don’t press me on it, I’m no financial wizard.) The lot has been landscaped to complement the garden which is an informal but pretty jumble of planting, brick walls and rockeries.

The house is described as having four bedrooms but it’s worth noting that one is on the first floor, immediately to the left of the front door. It comes with its own bathroom, but personally I like to see a little more space, preferably a whole story, between bedrooms and living areas.

I really liked the master suite which is at the top of the house under the eaves. It has been given a country house decor and is quite charming. The adjoining study with built-in desk has great views of the gardens. I could imagine making a start on my first novel there over the course of a balmy Californian summer. The kitchen and bathrooms are fine – in keeping with the house, not super deluxe but far from shabby.

One thing you can’t tell from just reading the description is that the house is on a fairly wide, curved section of Spruce Street and cars come round the bend at a fair pace. I wouldn’t want young children going anywhere near the road – getting out my car was hairy enough.

If what you’re after is an elegant but comfortable home tucked up in the Berkeley hills, this is worth taking a look at.