Tastefully Updated North Berkeley Home

For many people their dream would be to live on a level tree-lined street, especially in North Berkeley, and especially if that street is just off Solano Avenue, with all its amazing amenities. Well, if this might be your dream, I hope you'll visit 940 Fresno Avenue, a tastefully updated 1922 bungalow. 
 
You’re greeted by a reimagined front garden, planted primarily with California native plants and grasses, creating an environment that is both low-maintenance and friendly to pollinators. There’s just one step up to the welcoming front porch and a handsome front door. Once inside you’ll find a gracious foyer with a coat closet before entering the spacious living room which is bathed with light from three sides.  As you'll see, this 1920s bungalow maintains lovely vintage details, with the coved ceiling, and shelves flanking the fireplace, while the dining room features a quintessential period built-in. There are beautiful refinished hardwood floors throughout this single level home.  
 
You could be the first to enjoy this newly expanded and completely reimagined kitchen! You’ll find all new stainless GE appliances. And while the custom shaker cabinets, quartz counters, subway tile backsplash and are all new, they offer timeless beauty, and feel so appropriate for this period home. And now there’s great storage in this kitchen! I especially appreciate the spice and bottle storage on each side of the new stove. This kitchen enjoys a combination of natural light from a central skylight, plus we’ve just added recessed lighting and some handsome period appropriate task lighting over the deep farmhouse sink.
 
Throughout this home there are handsome new light fixtures and coordinated oiled bronze hardware, and fresh paint in both the interior and exterior.
 
The bathroom has also been thoroughly and tastefully updated with new vanity, sink and toilet, as well as new lighting and all new hardware. The large hex floor tiles add a modern take on that classic shape.
 
Each of the bedrooms has its own charms: the front bedroom features a spacious skylight, allowing this room to be flooded with light by day, but a switch-controlled screen darkens the room for sleeping. You’ll enjoy the aroma of cedar each time you open the closet door! The back bedroom enjoys light from two sides, and overlooks the new private patio and enclosed garden.  There’s also a “plus-room” at the back, ideal for use as an office, or play space or a guest room.
 
A former garage has been rebuilt and re-imagined as a garden studio, which you enter through new dual-pane French doors. With a new concrete floor, insulated walls and recessed lighting, you can choose how best to use this inviting space. At the back is a spacious storage room or workshop space.

Systems have been upgraded as well: a 40-year composition shingle roof was installed this April, and a new electric heat pump system provides both efficient heat and air conditioning. A new stackable washer/dryer offers wonderful convenience in the central hallway. Both plumbing and electrical systems have been updated. There’s also a tankless hot water heater.
 
The back garden is now an open and inviting space, with new fencing, a patio area and raised veggie beds, plus that signature of every Berkeley garden: a Meyer lemon tree! It was important to me that a significant portion of the planting would be edibles or California Natives. The California natives are sure to attract bees and butterflies to this garden, and you’ll be able to enjoy their visits from the newly created patio, an ideal place to entertain or just hang out with  friends and family.
 
There’s off-street parking for multiple cars in front of the handsome new metal gate, and now the entire back garden is enclosed. You might well leave your car at home, given the convenience of this location. See more details in the Neighborhood section for nearby destinations. In whichever direction you head, you will soon find some of the wonderful amenities that North Berkeley is known for, and they’re all so close to 940 Fresno Avenue. I’m Arlene Baxter, and it would be my pleasure to share some of my favorite destinations near this beautifully updated vintage home.