Montclair is an area of Oakland above Highway 13 between Broadway Terrace and Park Boulevard, with properties built from the 1920’s to new construction.  The appeal is the woodsy setting and in many parts of Montclair you will get the feeling that you are away from it all, yet so close to the city vibe. [...]

This door knob was on a 1930’s home in the Redwood Heights district of Oakland.  This particular property sold needing repairs and TLC, I hope that the new owners keep this knob as it is a piece of art.

Boy if I knew then what I know now…  Being the shopaholic that I am, I have purchased furniture and home accessories with many different motives.  The red sofas because I loved the lines and color, the oak mission desk furniture, because it was quality furniture and I was just starting out and didn’t have [...]

My clients Jill and Cory just closed escrow on a 1953 mid-century ranch house in the Oakland Hills.  When I first saw this house on the multiple listing service, I knew this house had potential.  Homes built in the mid-century typically have steel reinforced foundations and gauging from the information provided, it looked to be [...]

This past weekend I went to see Julie & Julia at the movie theater and I immediately came home and googled Julia Child.  Why didn’t I know more about her?  I went to Culinary School for Pete’s sake, I should have a library of her PBS television shows on my bookcase.  My father watched a [...]

When I was a kid I always admired the homes in Claremont Court.  I imagined that these homes had extra large crystal chandeliers and wonderful food simmering in the kitchen.  As an adult, I admire the manicured yards, the classic architecture and the close walk to College Avenue and UC Berkeley.    What I love [...]

Yesterday after I held open 5740 Ayala  Street in lower Rockridge, (a pristine craftsman home with impeccable natural wood trim, wainscoting and built-ins. and vintage details.) I headed over to view 492 58th Street, (in Oakland). The buzz around town is that this born in 1900 home in lower Rockridge (a bungalow turned  mod pod) [...]

Two days left to visit The San Francisco Decorator Showcase House. 2830 Pacific Avenue open this Sunday and Memorial Day: 11:00 am – 4:00 p.m .  I love seeing the carefully selected grand home decorated and cleaned to perfection.  No legos, books, video games or dirty clothes on the floors; just luxe fabrics, custom made [...]

When I was 16 years old I worked at Emporium-Capwell’s in Downtown Oakland.  This department store was on Broadway in what is now Sears.  As I was growing up I remember Oakland and its thriving retail business.  We had I. Magnin’s,  Joseph Magnin’s, Liberty House, Little Daisy and more.
These businesses are gone, but the beautiful [...]

4145 Eastlake Avenue is my favorite house from Monday’s Broker’s Tour.  (Broker’s Tour is a scheduled tour of homes open to Realtors.)  Eastlake Avenue located on the border of Laurel Heights and Redwood Heights is one of my favorite streets. This street features views, a cul de sac and is a tucked away street off [...]