L'élégance Au Milieu Des Séquoias

Some $700,000 in recent upgrades and enhancements distinguish this lovely Lafayette home.

Enter the Baywood neighborhood through a security gate, and proceed along quiet streets to the residence. A foyer, under a 20-foot ceiling with a distinctive chandelier, greets residents and guests. The entertainment areas lie to either side: the spacious living room (with fireplace, and French doors leading out) on one side, and the dining room (easily seating eight or more) on the other. Elevated ceilings above, and newly refinished oak hardwoods below, grace the premises.

The kitchen is newly remodeled, designed by Meredith Rebolledo and built by Scott Laughlin of Construction Plus. It features Miele appliances throughout, including a range, microwave/convection oven and dishwasher. The wine refrigerator is close at hand, accommodating dozens of bottles. Extra-wide quartzite counters (adorned by matching backsplash and Heath tile) provide plenty of space for groceries and appliances, and custom cabinetry offers ample storage. The kitchen flows seamlessly into the family room (with fireplace), with distinctive custom shelving and cabinetry. Supervising youngsters outside in the swimming pool is easy, as the kitchen has attractive views of the pool and the rest of the backyard. A spacious nearby laundry room and full bath and powder room complete the lower level.

An attractive staircase spirals upward from the foyer to four bedrooms and three more bathrooms. All the bedrooms are spacious: the principal suite (441 square feet, with a fireplace) and second bedroom (221 square feet) especially so. Each of the bathrooms offers dual sinks and oversized showers.

Work from home is a pleasure in the spacious upstairs office, with backyard views under elevated ceilings. Custom cabinetry and shelving provide ample storage space.

Outside, some 15 redwoods encircle the backyard. Its centerpiece is the artistic (and newly resurfaced) pool, with a built-in spa alongside. A built-in outdoor grill and counter area accommodate outdoor cooking and dining in the warm summer months. A gas firepit provides warmth in any season. The terraced hillside, adorned with water-conserving foliage and a bocce court, rises behind the pool, and a gate provides direct access to the Briones trail.

Among the $700,000 in recent improvements are new HVAC equipment; French drains to protect the home from runoff; interior and exterior painting; fencing; low-voltage landscape lighting; a new pool heater; and WUI-compliant Marvin fiberglass windows.

A three-car garage and the parking court alongside accommodate at least six cars, and the quiet street provides plenty of additional parking for guests.

Nearby Taylor Boulevard leads easily south to Springhill Elementary School, Acalanes High, and Lafayette’s wonderful restaurants and shopping.