Secret Park in Oakland!

Okay, this is not a secret park, but currently very few Oaklanders know about this spot. This park is in west Oakland at the Port of Oakland. Go down 7th Street, past the main Oakland Post Office, under the freeway overpass and you will find Middle Harbor Shoreline Park. Here you will have dead on, up close views of San Francisco, sprawling lush grass, concrete paths perfect for bikes or scooters, picnic tables and much more! Every time I visit this park, the park is quite empty, giving me and my family plenty of room to spread-out. Because the park can be windy bring a kite and a jacket. Go visit this wonderful park!...and shhhh, let's keep it a secret, only tell your special friends.

Mid-Century Bay Area Beauties!

Snapshot of the Cliff May home on Grizzly Peak

Last Thursday I fell for two homes on Broker's tour, 7832 Eureka Ave. in the El Cerrito hills, listed by Red Oak, and 1291 Grizzly Peak in Berkeley listed by ERI. Both of these ranch homes, had great floor plans and easy indoor-outdoor living. 7832 Eureka Ave. was built in 1948 and has a fantastic kitchen with warm hardwood cabinetry, copper countertops, high-end appliances, and an enchanting courtyard. 1291 Grizzly Peak is a Cliff May home built in 1955 with outdoor access from almost any room. These two mid-century homes had heavy traffic during the broker's open, proving that mid-century modern homes are highly desirable by today's buyers. (If preserved and restored properly)

7832 Eureka in El Cerrito 

Global Couture in Berkeley

For nine years I worked at Neiman Marcus in Union Square. During those years I worked gown shows featuring Pamela Dennis and Oscar De La Renta and met designers such as John Hardy and Melissa Jo Manning. When I started working at Neiman's I was a young woman in my early twenties and I hadn't noticed supreme quality until then. Now I am cursed, I look for original design with impeccable craftsmanship. One of my favorite women's boutique in the East Bay is RedBird in Berkeley. Here proprietor Karen Park,(who use to work at Neiman Marcus San Francisco while I worked there) travels the world to bring global couture. From hand crafted precious jewelry from India, to European clothes and shoes, RedBird has clothes and accessories that are one of a kind. (or almost) RedBird is pricey, but if you are looking for extraordinary treasures give RedBird a visit. Recently I visited RedBird Outlet which is around the corner form RedBird, behind Peet's coffee. I was amazed to see really good items deeply discounted. Red Bird, 2938 Domingo Ave., Berkeley, (510) 644-0294, open daily; Red Bird Outlet, 2918 Domingo Ave., Berkeley, (510) 848-5530, open Thu.–Sun.

July 4th Ideas!

If the spirit moves you and you want to quick get-a-way, Monterey is only an hour and a half away from the Oakland and Berkeley area. When you are here it feels like a different world. There is historic Cannery Row, areas to walk and ride a bike, restaurants, and the beach. The other weekend the family and I went to Monterey to try out a The Monterey Plaza Inn. The rooms are scrumptious and there are high end amenities such as the spa, several restaurants and fantastic room service that will do special orders such as strawberries and whipped cream. Although this hotel is Bay front,there is no private beach or hotel access to play in the water. Additionally there is no pool. Monterey is a great place to take the family, but with no pool or immediate beach access, The Monterey Plaza Inn might not be the hotel for the family. The Best Western in Monterey is beach front with direct access and a pool! The rooms and restaurant are not as nice as the Monterey Plaza Inn, but when I stayed there last year I found the hotel quite charming. Check out my previous post on Bay Area Destination.

Life in the Oakland and Berkeley Hills

It doesn't matter how many times I see deer cross the road, it always brings a smile to my face. I took this photo as I was leaving a house on Keith Avenue in the Berkeley Hills off of Marin. I was driving with my friend and colleague Nicole, and I asked her to stop the car so I could take a snapshot. I felt like a tourist! This reminds me of when I was showing property to a family from Russia who was thinking about purchasing a home in Berkeley. As we were looking out at the up-slope of the backyard in the Berkeley Hills we saw a few deer grazing on vegetation and the wife said to me, "how sweet they put real deer in the yard for staging". When you are out driving along Grizzly Peak or Skyline Blvd. it is amazing that we live so close to trails and wildlife. We sometimes forget about this as we are driving downtown or across the Bay Bridge to San Francisco, but this is one of the reasons living in Oakland and Berkeley is so supreme!

Mid-Century Party Home in Berkeley

Are you yearning for a swanky mid-century home, with expansive panoramic views, perfect for a shindig? This home on Keith Avenue in Berkeley is just perfect for a cool new owner. This is my favorite home from last Thursday's Broker's Tour.

I LOVE the original turquoise pedestal sink and hung toilet, and lemon yellow kitchen appliances. Have you ever seen hanging refrigerators? ...and you have to love the floor to ceiling windows.

If you would like a private showing of this piece of art property, send me an email.

Cheers!

Has your Oakland or Berkeley area home declined in value?

What is value? The worth of something compared to the price actually paid. Because of the recent down turn in the real estate market, your house might be worth less than what you paid for it. For some of you, you are taking the declined market in stride, as you have no intentions of moving out of your home. For others, you feel trapped. You feel that you want to be able to sell your home at any time without taking a loss. Fortunately, many areas of Oakland and Berkeley are holding strong and in some cases seeing multiple offers. Unfortunately there are communities that are suffering. If the purchase price of your home was more than it is currently worth, there is the possibility you could get your property taxes reassessed. Fidelity National Title has created an informational website regarding Proposition 8 , a constitutional amendment that allows a temporary reduction in assessed value when a property suffers a decline-in-value. Click Here to view the website! Remember home equity is really ghost equity; it doesn't count as money in your pocket until you cash out.

Preserved Mid-Century Home in Lincoln Heights, Oakland

Every Monday I go on Broker's tour to see the new listings in Oakland, (excluding the Montclair district of Oakland, Montclair is on Broker's tour on Thursdays.) Realtor's who have listings that they want to promote within the real estate community have a special open house especially for Realtors, called Broker's Tour. These homes are advertised through a company named Ad Review and every Monday and Thursday, I review the long list of homes that are open and determine which homes I will tour. In addition to viewing homes that fit my active clients needs and budgets, I look for homes in neighborhoods that I specialize in so I can keep abreast of the neighborhoods. Since, I have a fondness for mid-century homes, I also seek out homes built between 1945 and 1965.

Besides mid-century homes, I REALLY like homes that have been preserved. Meaning homes that boast some of the original features of the era. Whether it is gum wood built-in cabinetry that is in pristine condition, vintage doorknobs or 1950's pull down light fixtures, I love seeing the details and finishes that the builder intended. Remodeled doesn't necessarily mean better.

Today I went goo-goo over this 1962 home in Lincoln Heights, behind the Mormon Temple in Oakland. Mid-century homes are known for being spacious and this home is no exception. There are rows and rows of custom cabinetry with smart details such as a built-in adjustable cookbook holder in the kitchen, and a cut-out in the kitchen cabinetry for the person in the kitchen to view the entertainment in the dining room and living room area. One of the bedrooms downstairs must have been designed for two children, as there are two built-in desks and dressers, with views of the outdoors from the desks, how smart! The backyard has a mixture of a low maintenance garden and patio with basketball hoop, and the deck has view of the City. This home could use some updating especially in the bathrooms, but from what I could see, (without view inspection reports) this home is livable. When buying a preserved mid-century home, you have the ability to buy vintage finishes and incorporate them into your renovation, as well as stay consistent with the period of the home.

Oh, I forgot to mention, this home is listed by Wells and Bennett and I was told this is the first time it has been on the market!

The Art of Home Accessories and Ice Cream in Berkeley

There is new life on the corner of College and Ashby in Berkeley. LolaHome at 2950 College Avenue is a global home store that will inspire you. From one of a kind, handmade tables to original art to letterpress stationary, everything in here is unique and full of texture. It is hard to browse at this store, as an item or two will scream at you, "buy me"! www.LolaHome.com

Next door is Ici, a boutique ice cream store created by a Chez Panise alum, Mary Canales. This is the Candyland for adults, housemade candies, cookies, and micro-crafted ice cream and sorbets. Come for free samples, REAL flavor, real toppings and bio-degradable bowls and spoons. Ici is located at 2948 College Avenue. Try the brown sugar granola on top of a scoop of sorbet and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. www.ici-icecream.com

P.S. My kids love the ice cream too!

The 1950's, Architecture, Design and Furnishings

1954 photo of Dave Brubeck's home in the Oakland Hills Courtesy of ChronicleBooks.com

Click on this YouTube clip to view more things mid-century modern! With the end of the 1930's Depression and World War II, America is ready for new energy and fantastic design in the 50's. Influenced by television, Rock and Roll, Nate King Cole, Miles Davis, and I Love Lucy, the 1950's prove to be a memorable decade.

Saturday Morning in Redwood Heights, Oakland California

At this home pictured above, I got to meet the 90 year old homeowner who built this house!

The west side of Jordan Road in Oakland had their annual block sale over the weekend. Living here you can be part of an intimate block or two in Redwood Heights and sell your treasures in a multi-family garage sale. I walked to the sale from my house and was able to mingle with my neighbor-friends and pick up a few great finds! A staging company was being liquidated and I found a "like new" coffee table with copper top, thanks Will! One of the best amenities to living in Redwood Heights are the neighbors. We are a friendly group of people ranging from young families to original homeowners from the 1950's and 60's. The streets are sunny and you will often see folks jogging, walking their dogs or in their gardens. Because many of the homes are one story, split level or ranch, homes with less stairs than other communities, folks end up staying in their homes longer as they get older.

My Friday Night in Oakland

It's Friday night and I am tempted to stay in the house and relax from my long week, but I am invited to Oakland Museum's new exhibit, The Birth of the Cool. My kids and I head out and meet my friend and her kids at the Museum Cafe where we hear live music and my kids grab a hot dog. At the cafe there was a dance floor packed with people dancing to old school and James Brown classics. Here I took a snap shot of my kids with the Mayor of Oakland, Ron Dellums, and after a few songs we headed to the exhibit where we saw mid-century classic furniture, art and music. We also saw graffiti art, skateboarding culture, 50's animation and all things cool. After touring the art, the kids ran outside and enjoyed the beautiful grounds of the Oakland Museum including the ponds filled with Koi fish. I realized that I had a birthday party to attend Saturday so I had a successful stop at the Museum store, where I found a few presents, a cool travel cup for my coffee and plenty of other items that I may put on my wish list.

Graffiti art entry to the Birth of the Cool at the Oakland Museum. May 17th thru August 17th Click Here For Exhibit Website

Photo of my kids with Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums

The patio at the Oakland Museum

Satisfy your urge to find unexpected treasures at Mignonne Decor, click here to visit Mignonne Decor websiite

As my kids and I were heading home I realized that Mignonne Decor in Oakland was having an art gala for Oakland artist, Nicole Hanshaw. I made it into the store that was open late and mingled with the artist Nicole and the owner Johnelle. Here I saw many vintage French inspired home accessories and art that would work well as accents in my 1951 Ranch/ contemporary home.

Nicole Hanshaw's artwork displayed at Mignonne Decor on Jefferson and Tenth in Old Oakland

As we were driving home, I was happy to see my beautiful Oakland a glow with possibilities.

Thursday Night Out 2008 in Old Oakland

Last year the wonderful restaurants of Old Oakland celebrated their neighborhood by hosting, Thursday Night Out. I am please to announce that Thursday Night Out is back! Thursday Night Out is a fun excuse to ditch your kitchen and grab a mouth watering meal in Oakland's ultra chic gourmet ghetto. The celebration includes later store hours for shops like Drift Denim and live music.

Read Below for more info on this community event/concert series:Levende East, B Restaurant, Air Lounge, and Tamarindo present...

Thursday Night Live - Free Outdoor Summer Concert Series every 1st and 3rd Thursday from 5p-9p starting June 5th - TONIGHT w/ Julio Bravo's Salsa Band & Special Guest DJs Outdoor Beverage Tent sponsored by Sarticious Spirits + Happy Hour Specials inside Levende East from 4p-6p (at the bar): $2 Sierra Nevada, $2 off glass wines, $5 well & featured cocktails.  9th & Washington | Downtown Oakland

Cliff May, Mid Century Architect built homes in Oakland!

Photo from the Multiple Listings of the Cliff May home in Oakland

Photo of Sunset Magazines Headquarters, found online @www.terragalleria.com/pictures

Cliff May was known as the father of the California Ranch Home. In the 1930's he began building furniture and homes without any formal training. May wanted his homes to be about informal living with a great deal sunshine. His homes were typically U or L shaped had to be accessible to private outdoors spaces. May modernized the California ranch house by using low-cost materials that would appeal to the masses. Building over 1000 residential and commerical properties, May was known for designing celebrity homes. He created Sunset Magazine's headquarters in Menlo Park and the Robert Mondavi Winery in Napa Valley. Last year one of Cliff May's home sold in Oakland, on Jordan Road! (The Redwood Heights District of Oakland.) May's plans were used in construction of more than 18,000 houses world-wide, including Switzerland, Australia and Ireland. Cliff May said, "If you can't walk out of the living room or bedroom or kitchen onto the ground, if you have to go down steps, you're not living like a real Californian lives."

Tips for buying a home in Oakland or Berkeley

Photos from my evening open house/ art gala at 3318 Jordan Road

Here are a few easy tips for buying a home regardless of the market. Visit a perspective home several times in the day and in the night. Remember you are not just buying a home, you are buying a piece of the neighborhood, you should be comfortable with the package. Definitely keep in mind price and comparable homes and what they sold for, but most importantly listen to your voice. After you view a home, are you thinking about it when you go to bed? How about when you wake up? Can you imagine yourself sitting on your coach relaxing? Remember, you will have to make adjustments to your wish list and you most likely won't get everything on your list, so be realistic. When you feel like the house is right and you decide to write an offer, I will do everything that I can to negotiate strongly on your behalf, so be prepared, when I call you and say, "we got it!'.

Yesterday I hosted an evening open house/ art gala with refreshments at my listing on Jordan Road in Oakland. My goal was to connect with the community, give home buyers an additional evening open house to view the property, as well as give them an opportunity to meet the neighbors and better learn the community. I was thrilled to have a steady flow of neighbors, friends and perspective home buyers. Thanks for your interest and support!

Art Gala in Redwood Heights

Art Gala Party

I am celebrating my new listing in the Redwood Heights community of Oakland. Come view this magical home and enjoy the beautiful art of Hope Meredith!

Enjoy a glass of wine and mingle tomorrow evening, Monday June 2nd from 6-8.

3318 Jordan Road - www.3318Jordan.com

Warmly,

Deidre

P.S. Feel free to call me with your questions, 510.693.4253

Eco Chic in Oakland

This home is on 66th Street in the North Oakland/Temescal area of Oakland, listed by Marvin Gardens. Here sits two 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom town homes with all of that one could hope for in regards to eco-friendly, high-style living. These homes have solar electricity, tankless hot water heaters, skylights, as well as walnut kitchen cabinets, hand-made steel stair railings, and more!

This was my favorite find from last weeks Broker's tour. I would be happy to give you a private showing!

Bold Colors on Oakland Homes

Give me something refreshing and new; give me color! Here are some Oakland Homes with bold colors that work.

What does your Oakland or Berkeley Garden Need?

Stop the procrastination and get in your yard! Even if you only have an hour or two, now is the time to pull thoses weeds and fill in gaps. Some of you have very tailored gardens and there isn't room for more, while others, (like myself have a free for all.) April and May are great months to tune up your irrigation system and plant your summer vegetables, lavender and citrus plants.

According to Sunset Magazine What's In for your garden is: Single plant containers, solar lighting and meditation spaces.

What's Out: Tiki torches and overstuffed containers