Mountain Views News          Saturday, July 31, 2010

11

Homes & Property

 Mountain Views News Saturday, July 31, 2010 

One Of A Kind: Featuring unique homes & gardens and the people who create them Story and Photos By Chris Bertrand


Just Listed In Arcadia’s Santa Anita Oaks

As you pull up to the corner of Orange 
Grove and Rodeo in the heart of North 
Arcadia, what you probably first notice 
is the trees. Nearly a dozen twisted and 
gnarly oaks, purple popping jacaranda 
and others envelope, but don’t 
suffocate, this lovely, totally updated 
1941 home. Almost every window 
enjoys leafy green views.

The 3318 square foot home is located 
in one of the area’s premier school 
districts, and this is often the first bullet listed in features of Arcadia 
homes, where pride in the schools is always a priority. 

The mostly single level floorplan was expanded, reconfigured and 
remodeled in two phases since 1998. The result was an elegant, 
sophisticated home that’s still very practical and livable, punctuated 
with very personal choices and touches that distinguish it from 
“just another very nice remodel in a very nice neighborhood.”

For instance, the owner chose a Celtic design to incorporate into 
the marble flooring of the foyer. Wood Mode cabinetry sets the tone 
for the top drawer quality of the kitchen, where the owners carefully 
chose each corbel and decorative detail. In the living room, the 
owners thought long and hard about lighting a favorite art niche, 
deciding that uplighting was just the right ticket. 

The kitchen is oriented toward the verdant views of the back yard 
and pool through the gentle half circle bay of windows. Just one 
cabinet includes glass front doors, which add a little reflection and 
sparkle to the room. Just the one permits a nice display of sparkly 
glassware without requiring that the entire cabinet contents be laser 
aligned. Life is just too short for more glass doors than that!

The formal living and dining rooms will accommodate the most 
formal of furnishings, yet easily embrace more casual or eclectic 
styles, as well. Rich, ruby red walls are complemented by the 
crispness of white millwork in the living room (and most of the 
house). The dining room boasts an understated damask wall 
covering, providing texture and a sheen unique to the fabric.

The family room enjoys a wall of windows looking out to the pool 
and landscape, while the opposing wall sports an entire facing of 
storage, display and fireplace with intricate detailing. A closet on 
this wall houses the “nerve 
center” of the home, for 
easy access to electronics 
and communication 
maintenance and control.

The second floor master 
suite comprises several 
adjoining rooms comprising 
the entire upper level. The 
first is a sumptuous home 
office, with more of those 
treed views. Attic access here 
provides extensive storage 
or a further expansion 
opportunity (already 
designed and previously city 
approved) above the garage.

Next, the master bedroom 
includes access to a private 
balcony from the bay which 
matches the casual dining 
area in the kitchen. The 
last room in the suite could 
easily function as a nursery, 
the current configuration as 
a home gym, a library or just 
a retreat from the hubbub of 
daily life. A second private 
balcony enjoys beautiful 
mountain views of the San 
Gabriels, punctuated by the mature trees of 
the homesite and neighborhood.

Many owners skimp on the secondary 
baths, focusing on the master bathroom. 
Not here. Mission Tile did a superb job 
with creamy period appropriate results in 
the bedroom wing, and the third bath is 
lovely as well as functional, too.

The back yard is a haven for respite from 
the busy outside world. 
The pool and spa 
provide water views 
both inside and out. Two 
additional fountains 
provide a peaceful 
gurgling and splash 
the speak tranquility 
and relaxation to me. 
The barbecue station 
was well planned and 
designed, close to the 
kitchen, yet keeping 
the actual cooking out 
of sight from the inside 
views.

A favorite seating and 
rest spot is the herb and fragrance garden on 
the east side of the property in the large lawn 
there. Just brushing through the walkway to the 
seat awakens the fragrance of Spanish oregano, 
rosemary, basil, bay and more. 

Numerous fruit trees, including several citrus 
provide the residents with ready to eat snacking 
for many months during the year. Again, a tribute 
to good planning for this .39 acre homesite, a 
circular drive connects to both Orange Grove and Rodeo, providing 
extensive off-street parking for guests.

139. W. Orange Grove was just listed at $1,499,900 by Melsyne 
Brown of Dilbeck Realtors in Arcadia. The home will be open on 
Sunday, August 1 from 1-5 p.m. For more information, contact the 
agent at 626-652-2338 or visit www.Dilbeck.com.

Know of an interesting home, garden or person who helps create 
them? Pass along the details to me at C.Bertrand@MtnViewsNews.
com today!


Chris Bertrand


Have you done your "spring 
cleaning" yet? If you're 
selling your home, it's

essential to take care of the 
details, both inside and 
out. Since buyers first see 
your property from the 
street, there are some steps 
you can take to pique their 
interest in seeing more.

Obviously, color makes an 
impact. Emphasize two or 
three colors in your

flowerbeds and shrubs, and 
coordinate your blooms 
with the seasons, be it

spring or summer. Also make sure your trees 
and shrubs are properly sized to the house and 
grounds, and not blocking any of your home's 
positive features.

Perfectly maintaining your lawn is critical 
while you’re listing, since a well-manicured 
lawn powerfully symbolizes your pride of 
ownership and attention to maintenance. You 
can reduce the time invested in mowing and

watering if you can do some simple landscaping 
with rocks, ornamental grasses and drought-
tolerant plants.

The sound of water also turns buyers on. Even 
if you don't have a pond, you can achieve the 
same effect by installing a small fountain in the 
front yard, or even running an electric fountain 
on your porch or deck.

Finally, there are a couple of architectural 
flourishes that add interest, such as colorful 
window boxes, a trellis with flowering vines, or 
even a pretty new mailbox. Contact your agent 
for a wealth of other ideas to attract buyers.

Luther Tsinoglou has just been named the 
top producing sales agent in Dickson Podley 
Realtor's Sierra Madre office for 2009, making 
the top 10% at the company overall. Luther has 
been licensed and practicing real estate since 
1992. He specializes in residential and income 
property in Southern California. Luther can be 
reached at his direct line (626) 695-8650 or at 
luther@tsinoglou.com. 


New Listing!

Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com