Combining the best of Mediterranean warmth and elegance with casual California ambience, the inviting single level estate home at 201 Glorietta gracefully accommodates all the demands of today’s varied lifestyles. Children attend top-rated Orinda schools, including Glorietta Elementary (walk to school!), Orinda Intermediate, and Miramonte High. The convenient location in the sought-after Glorietta neighborhood is only minutes from downtown Orinda, BART, shopping, and freeway access. With 4473 square feet of interior living space (per assessor record) as well as the expansive 1800 square foot courtyard, the house is ideal for indoor/outdoor entertaining. The huge property, including two separate land parcels of .57 acre and .48 acre, offers a 50 foot sparkling swimming pool, vast green lawns, sheltered brick veranda, meandering paths, towering oaks and redwoods, as well as extensive visitor parking. The various wings of the house, designed in traditional hacienda style to embrace the outdoors, include five generous bedrooms and four full bathrooms as well as a powder room
Hidden behind thick oak doors is the courtyard sanctuary, replete with lush landscaping and a soothing splashing tiled fountain. The French door entry leads to the gracious grand piano-sized living room, with hardwood floor, high coffered ceiling, gas fireplace, and picture window overlooking the pool. The true heart of the home is the beautifully renovated kitchen, with the huge island as its focal point. With extra-thick granite counters, stainless steel appliances (including Viking Professional gas cooktop, Miele dishwasher, Kitchenaid double ovens), separate bar with prep sink and lighted glass cabinets, large pantry and sunny breakfast nook, this room is designed for the serious chef as well as family gatherings. The adjacent spacious dining area, with beamed ceiling and garden views, provides a segue from the formal living room.
With its high ceiling, French sliding doors to the courtyard, fireplace with tile hearth and wood mantel, the family/media room exudes warmth. The loft will become a favorite hide-out for children or a secluded spot for afternoon reading. A small adjacent kitchenette with sink, refrigerator, cooktop, and wine storage provides a perfect solution for those craving a midnight snack! The room currently housing the pool table, with hardwood floor, could also serve as a fifth bedroom, as it has its own closet. The adjacent compartmented bathroom has been tastefully renovated with a tiled shower and granite countertop. An additional charming guest powder room, with hardwood floor and pedestal sink, completes this wing.
The primary bedroom wing contains three bedrooms, including the master suite. The spacious master bedroom, with high coffered ceiling, features oversize corner windows framing serene views of the redwood grove. The en suite tiled master bath has a jetted tub, separate shower, double sinks, built-in vanity table, and ample storage. The double-size walk-in closet offers well-appointed “his-and-hers” hanging and shelf spaces. The two additional generous-sized bedrooms in this wing both have walk-in closets and picture windows framing garden views. The updated bathroom with shower also conveniently offers outdoor access to the pool
The fourth spacious bedroom, in the wing off the kitchen, features a walk-in closet, cozy built-in window seat, and expansive built-in desk with granite surface and storage. There is another tiled bathroom with shower in this wing. A versatile laundry room (formerly a bedroom) is large enough to double as a hobby/craft room, with hardwood floor, ample storage cabinets, and closet.
The fully fenced grounds of this estate home are truly a delight. Conceived by renowned landscape designer Henry Matsutani (creator of the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park), there are dedicated spaces for entertaining, contemplation, and play. The sheltered brick terrace at the rear of the house overlooks the pool and is the ideal place to enjoy an evening glass of wine or morning coffee, perhaps warmed by the outdoor fire pit. The 20’ x 50’ solar-heated salt water pool with slide and diving board will provide hours of summer entertainment for the whole family, and has a custom child-proof powered safety cover with safety lock. The enormous side yard boasts a vast green lawn, perfect for soccer practice. On the other side of the house, gardeners will enjoy the greenhouse and hobbyists will appreciate the large 300 square foot storage shed/workshop. Under the redwood canopy, the trickling double ponds with connecting waterfall transport the visitor to cooler climes.
Additional features include two separate garages with courtyard access (one single car, one two-car) level driveway with off-street guest or RV parking, handmade cap and pan clay tile roof, sound barrier wall, dual zone central heating and air conditioning, double pane Andersen wood windows and doors, full attic with two accesses, large basement storage, security system.
With its superbly conceived versatile floor plan to accommodate multi-generational family, exquisite landscaping, and seamless blending of indoors and outdoors, 201 Glorietta takes full advantage of the relaxed California and grace of a lifestyle. This lovely estate home is infused with the spirit and private Spanish hacienda, and invites the family to fully enjoy a luxurious retreat located just minutes from Orinda’s many amenities.