As most of us have come to know by hard experience, looks can be, well, quite deceiving.
That's the case with 285 Maplewood Ave., an 86-year-old, two-storey home found in the quiet enclave of Riverview. On the outside, it looks like pretty much any home with its tidy, grey stucco exterior.
However, its inside is a different story.
"The character in this home is completely unscathed -- you don't always see that with homes this old (built in 1925)," said Re/Max Professionals' Jeff Stern. "I just love these older homes -- they have so many gorgeous little details."
Details aside -- there'll be plenty more on that a bit later -- the floor plan of 285 Maplewood is also notable. Whereas many homes of its vintage feature chopped-up layouts, flow throughout is very good. That's due to a well-thought-out design feature.
While numerous 1920s-era homes would have boxed in the living room with two walls, this design features a wonderful double-wide entrance between the living room and dining room. Consequently, you're not forced to divert to the kitchen to gain access to the dining room. Then, the dining room -- this a good-sized space -- houses another feature unique to a home 80-plus years old.
"At some point, someone put in double french doors that lead to a wide, deep (24.7' x 12.4') deck," said Stern. "Because this is a bigger-than-normal lot (50 feet wide by 128 feet deep), you get a big backyard that's like a little park with all the mature trees, landscaping and garage that add an extra element of privacy. It's a private, quiet, rustic spot where you can go to really take a load off and relax."
Meanwhile, another (very) pleasant surprise awaits off the dining room: a functional kitchen that (a rarity) even has room for a mid-sized table and chair set.
"The outgoing owners had it gutted right down to the studs," he said. "It's got new countertops, (oak) cabinets and (vinyl) flooring, so it looks wonderfully modern. Most importantly, there's plenty of room, plus a big window that gives you a view of the beautiful yard out back. If you've got company over, you can have several people in here without feeling jammed in."
Perhaps the best thing about 285 Maplewood is it's an ideal blend of updated features and yesteryear touches that remind you just how much craftsmanship was valued around the turn of the century.
That emphasis on craftsmanship is evident from the moment you step into the surprisingly ample foyer, which is literally surrounded by oak.
"It's unusual for a home of this vintage," said Stern. "First, you've got a nice, deep coat closet to the left of the door, which is rare. Then, there's a little jog off the (original oak) staircase where you can put a half-table to put a lamp, and your keys and mail on. All the oak is, for lack of a better term, gorgeous. The bevelled stairs, intricate woodwork (bannister, door trim, baseboards) and flooring are so well-preserved."
After ascending a mint (original) oak staircase to the upper level, you're greeted by a natural maple landing where three bedrooms and a four-piece bathroom surround it in U-shaped fashion.
"Unlike many other 1920s two-storey designs, there are three good-sized bedrooms -- one of the secondary bedrooms even has a walk-in closet," he said. "Each bedroom has a big (and newer) window, so there's all kinds of light. The master bedroom is a nice size, and comes with his and her closets, a built-in dresser and storage above. I think it's important to note that all the windows in the home have been redone."
While the master suite doesn't have an ensuite, that's not a problem, added Stern.
"The main bathroom was totally gutted and outfitted with a tan tile floor, pedestal sink and tile tub surround," he said. "A new skin was put on the tub, which is also nice and deep. This is also a bigger-than-normal bathroom, so it's very functional overall. All the big windows in the rooms also make for a bright upper level where you can see trees from literally every angle."
There's one last bonus to be had: a usable lower level with rec room (with decent ceiling height), laundry room and three-piece bath. As the saying goes, the home is virtually move-in-ready.
"All you might want to do is redo the basement a bit, finish the deck and you're good to go," Stern said. "This is a nicely updated home with wonderful yesteryear touches in a beautiful, central location."
lewys@mts.net
DETAILS
Address: 285 Maplewood Ave., Riverview
Size: 1,504 sq.ft.
Style: Two-storey
Year built: 1925
Lot size: 50' x 128'
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2
Price: $349,900
Taxes: $3,801.79 (Gross 2011)
Contact: Jeff Stern, Re/Max Perfomance Realty @ 946-5333
