626 Caldwell Rd, Oakland, CA 94611

This is what happens when a renovation is done for living, not for selling. Reimagined from top to bottom as a passion project for its owners, 626 Caldwell Road is the kind of house you finish, settle into and enjoy for years. It was never renovated with resale in mind—which is precisely what makes the opportunity to own it now so unusual. The materials and finishes weren’t chosen to appeal to everyone; they were chosen because they were beautiful. The happy side effect? Your design game may improve simply by osmosis. Level entry opens to light-filled, open-concept living, dining and kitchen spaces with hardwood floors and level-out access to a flat backyard. The vaulted living room gets its point of view from an artisan plaster fireplace surround, while the kitchen pairs high-end appliances with under-cabinet lighting and a pot filler. The fireplace quietly waits its turn to make cool, dark winter days some of the best of the year. When the East Bay turns warm, A/C is ready too. ...