688 31St St

Encircled by a lush English garden, this Edwardian era house incorporates classical architectural features that are less fussy than those of the previous Victorian era, such as the decorative corner pilasters that adorn its exterior and the imaginative custom built-ins and wainscoting that grace the formal dining room. Happily, this home exhibits the Edwardian era’s wider rooms and larger windows than those of its predecessor’s period, allowing a maximum of natural light to enter. The open layout of the living room and dining room creates a spacious area in which to entertain while not sacrificing the coziness of a well lived-in home. Having all 3 bedrooms on the upper level offers an excellent separation of space. Each level boasts divided bathrooms – a separate shower stall downstairs and sinks in both the “water closet” and shower room upstairs -- making for exceptional convenience. The size of the breakfast room off the kitchen allows both casual dining as well as a home office space overlooking the spectacular rear garden. The current owners have lovingly created the feeling of living day and night in a veritable Garden of Eden thoughtfully designed to offer up blooming plants and shrubs year round. A generous use of solar lighting welcomes evening visitors into the front yard, encourages the use of the backyard as a true extension of the home’s living space, and allows afternoon gatherings to last well into the evening. The Hoover-Foster neighborhood is nearly equidistant to 2 of Oakland's dining & entertainment districts: both Temescal & Uptown are just minutes away, as are the MacArthur & 19th St. BART stations!