On quiet Midwick Drive, a sculptural front garden featuring Mediterranean and California native plantings introduces this 1940 California Ranch home. From the approach, this property has the rarefied character of a place that encourages a deep exhale. A curving front path lined with river rock and gravel encourages visitors to slow a bit to take in the stunning mountain view, birdsong, and cool shade from towering Canary Island Pines. Classic materials and details of 1940 craftsmanship abound: troweled stucco walls, the covered brick front porch with wood posts and decorative sawn braces, the wood shutters with scrolled holdbacks. Inside, quality construction is evident in the narrow-plank hardwood floors and plaster walls, with hand-finished gentle curves at the edges of window and door recesses. Offering 4 bedrooms and 3 baths, this single-level home enjoys an easy floor plan designed to maximize natural light. Visitors enter into the formal living room, which features a stacked brick decorative fireplace and custom built ins. The relaxed dining room space opens into a timeless eat-in kitchen and adjacent family room with shiplap walls. Steel casement windows and french doors open to a sunny backyard with captivating mountain views, a covered patio, and a sparkling pool; a hallmark of this home is the ever-present flow between inside and outside. Private spaces here are elegant: bedrooms and hallways and refined and comfortable, with convenient access to updated baths. The enviable primary suite is just separated enough to give the air of a boutique hotel bungalow, with vaulted beadboard ceiling, direct backyard access, and large stylish skylit bath. Outside, find the best of Southern California living on this 17,500+ SF property: a large flat lawn anchored by a mature Sequoia, fruit trees and vines, space for raised bed gardens, and a separated grilling area. A 361 SF carport and an adjoining 118 SF bonus room provide additional storage and workspace options for this idyllic residence in one of the most scenic pockets of Altadena, where historic properties and beautiful gardens line wide, gently curving streets. Convenient to trails, charming local markets, restaurants and retail, this is a home to cherish.
