Mountain Views News          Saturday, January 21, 2012

16

HOMES AND PROPERTY

 Mountain Views News Saturday, January 21, 2012 

One Of A Kind: Featuring unique homes and gardens and the people who create them. Story by Chris Bertrand.Photos by Chris Bertrand and Ike Bahadourian


Tucked away in Monrovia

This elegant, two story 
home in eastern Monrovia 
is situated just over a block 
from Bradbury’s rambling 
estates. A convenient 
location for commuters, 
this location is only about 
a mile to the 210-605 
interchange. With 3809 
square feet, on a .21 acre 
lot, this home offers a 
private place for everyone 
in the household, including a large dog run for 
Fido.

Located on a secluded cul de sac, this brick-
detailed, traditional style home and several around 
it were built much later than most of Monrovia; 
this one in 1991. Windows in the two story foyer 
and staircase bring abundant natural light into the 
center of the home, a feature found throughout the 
dwelling which drew the owners to the property 
initially.

The exterior brick detailing is continued inside, 
with a brick faced, living room fireplace, and 
another wood burning fireplace with a raised 
hearth brick surround, providing a striking focal 
point for the casual areas, and an interesting 
counterpoint to the two story cathedral ceilings of 
the family room.

The spacious dining room, with an inset ceiling, 
can accommodate a large dining table for gracious 
entertaining for a big crowd. Recessed lighting can 
bathe the rich burgundy walls with interesting 
light, or illuminate artwork. Most of the main 
level features oak hardwood flooring, a unifying 
architectural feature, and a warm colored 
foundation for area rugs, if desired.

The kitchen features upscale appliances 
including large double ovens and a gas cooktop. 
The casual areas of the kitchen, casual dining area 
and family room are open to one another, for that 
easy, California-style living. The casual areas open 
directly to the covered patio, for smooth indoor to 
outdoor entertaining and relaxation.

The fenced yard is clearly visible from the rear 
facing windows, to keep easy track of children 
or other activities in the back yard. The brick 
patio, shaded by a stately mature oak, offers a 
full aluminum cover with built-in night lighting, 
requiring much less maintenance than a wood 
cover.

A main floor bedroom, with an adjacent 
bath and outside entrance offers flexibility to 
accommodate an elderly relative, guests, an au 
pair or a home office. Upstairs, the master suite 
is positioned at the far end, for maximum privacy. 
The master includes a large walk-in closet plus a 
wonderful, two-room private bath with separate 
tub and shower, dual sinks plus vanity seating.

A three car garage is a hard-to-find commodity 
in most homes in the area, adding to the plentiful 
storage everywhere in the home. Generous 
additional parking on the curved drive allows for 
extra off-street parking.

Just a block or so away is the Duarte bike trail 
along Royal Oaks Drive, a wonderful shady trail 
for biking and hiking, which connects fairly 
easily to the San Gabriel River bike trails that 
wind all the way through the Santa Fe Dam area, 
through Whittier Narrows and beyond. For 
more information on the trails, visit http://www.
labikepaths.com/bike-paths/upper-san-gabriel-
river-trails/.

611 Ranchito Road in Monrovia is listed at 
$1,048,000 by Prudential California Realty. For 
more information, contact Jan Thornton at 626-
893-3303 or Shereen Kelly at 626-827-5000.


MUSHROOMS AT ARBORETEUM 

MUSHROOM IDENTIFICATION…
just in time for the Mushroom Fair at the 
Arboretum on February 12!

Saturday, February 4

10am-Noon (followed by a walk in the garden 
to hunt for mushrooms!)

Palm Room at the Arboretum (301 North 
Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, CA 91007)

$25 Arboretum members / $30 non-members

Dr. Jerrold Turney, Ph.D, instructor

Please call the Arboretum 
class registration line at 
626.821.4623 to register for 
class. You may also pay at 
the door.

This class will provide 
a basic overview of the 
fungal kingdom with 
emphasis on mushroom 
identification. Learn the 
basic characteristics used 
to identify mushrooms and 
other fleshy fungi. Find 
out which mushrooms are safe to eat and 
which ones to avoid. Jerry will also take the 
class out on Arboretum grounds to seek out 
and identify mushrooms right in “our own 
backyard.” Bring to class any mushrooms you 
find for identification and group discussion. 
Then with a new understanding of our 
fungal friends, attend the Wild Mushroom 
Fair on February 12 from 10am – 4 pm at the 
Arboretum.

Dr. Turney received his B. S. In Botany from 
California State Polytechnic University 
and his Ph.D. in plant pathology from the 
University of California at Riverside. He has 
served as the curator of the camellia gardens 
at the Huntington Library and Botanic 
Gardens, a research horticulturist at the 
Los Angeles County 
Arboretum, and 
is currently the 
plant pathologist 
for the Department 
of Agricultural 
Commissioner/
Weights and 
Measures for the 
County of Los 
Angeles. In addition, 
Dr. Turney was 
formerly a licensed 
landscape contractor, 
and is currently a licensed agricultural pest 
control advisor and an ISA certified arborist. 
His primary fields of expertise are plant 
pathology, mycology and arboriculture.

A CHORE NEXT DOOR

While not a very common problem, if you’ve 
got it, it can have a terrible impact on your listing: 
The Messy Neighbor. If you live next door to a 
“neglected” property, you might lose up to 20% 
of your home’s market value, particularly with 
buyers looking for any excuse to reduce their 
offer. 

It’s technically not your problem, but ask not 
for whom the bell tolls. It’s well worth your time 
and effort to resolve this situation amicably. 
Always be respectful, and don’t let your emotions 
get the best of you. 

Unless you believe your neighbor is “unhinged,” 
you should begin with a visit to their home and 
a positive attitude - no name-calling or finger-
pointing. Don’t grab everyone on the block 
and gang up on your neighbor - you’ll get better 
results if you go alone or with one other person. 

If you find your messy neighbor is unwilling to 
take care of their maintenance, it may still be in 
your best interest to do the work yourself or with 
the help of other neighbors. No, it’s not fair, but if 
you want a fair sales price, this may be your only 
option. 

As a last resort, you could file a complaint 
with your property owners association or city 
government. You could be referred to a mediator 
who will help settle your disagreement cordially.

 Luther Tsinoglou 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.