In the heart of the exclusive Orinda Country Club neighborhood, 237 La Espiral combines Carmel charm with Piedmont style. Originally built in 1937, the home has been meticulously expanded and renovated by the current long-time owners, who moved here in 1978 to raise their young family. Blending harmoniously with the spectacular natural setting, the 2338 square foot (per assessor record) home also includes an additional 350 square feet of versatile downstairs living space. While the peaceful .77 acre wooded lot offers the privacy and serenity of a weekend getaway, La Espiral is well-located just minutes from transportation, shopping, and Orinda’s top-rated schools.
An inviting brick path leads to the front door, which opens to the tiled entry foyer. The spacious living room, with planked tongue and groove ceiling and hardwood floor, features a brick fireplace flanked by bookshelves. The adjacent formal dining room, also with hardwood floor and planked ceiling, offers lovely pastoral views. The heart of the home is the tastefully updated kitchen, with recessed lighting, hardwood floor, and custom vertical grain oak cabinetry. Appliances include Subzero built-in refrigerator, GE double oven, and Kitchenaid dishwasher. The step-down eating area shares the gorgeous view and has a convenient desk area with floor-to-ceiling cabinetry. Doors lead to both the front deck and rear deck, providing an ideal flow for entertaining or active families. With its vaulted wood ceiling, brick fireplace with gas starter, built-in media shelving, door to deck, and oversize picture windows framing the wooded hills across the creek, the family room is reminiscent of a Yosemite lodge, and provides the perfect venue for cozy evenings around the fire.
The private master bedroom retreat, with hardwood floor, features a romantic bay window. There is an en suite bathroom with shower and hardwood floor and two closets, including a large walk-in. Each of the three additional bedrooms has its own character – one, with vaulted ceiling and a wall of windows, retains a sense of rustic charm. Another, currently used as a study, has hardwood floor and French doors. The third has views and a built-in desk. The well-situated hall bathroom has a combination tub/shower and hardwood floor. A convenient powder room completes the main level.
The lower level of the residence provides great versatility. Currently used as a combination office/artist studio, the downstairs “bonus” room could also be a comfortable play room. There is ample built-in cabinetry as well as easily accessible deep storage areas for larger items. The spacious laundry room has a sink and access to both the yard and the garage.
The gorgeous private grounds provide a unique opportunity for escape in the heart of Orinda. The expansive deck, accessible from both dining area and family room, is perfect for al fresco dining and entertaining or lazy summer afternoons of relaxing and reading. The professionally landscaped front garden features an automatic timed irrigation system. The large level lawn, also fully irrigated, provides a lovely setting for croquet or kicking a soccer ball, while the natural wooded site represents an open invitation to explore.
Additional features of the home include attached garage with interior access, separate storage room, ample off-street parking, newer fire-retardant composition shingle roof, newer water heater, security alarm system, two zone forced air heating, custom Pella wood windows throughout main level (except dining room), redwood siding, fully fenced yard with remote-controlled entry gate. 237 La Espiral is truly the home you have been waiting for – a magical setting that affords endless space to roam and explore coupled with a traditional floor plan that will bring to life cherished family scenes in this one-of-a-kind home.