Having no garage is a small price to pay for a sunny historic house just off Route 2, with views of Spy Pond, and walking distance to Arlington Center.
A driveway can handle two cars, and the side mudroom entry makes it easy to dump outside gear. The front entrance makes a statement up a slight hill from the main road (keeping the inside quiet). It is painted pale pink with a bold portico; this, combined with concrete steps and mature plantings, beckons toward an inside that is mostly true to its era, but also includes updates.
It's a bit abrupt to enter into the living room, but the wonderful older features distract from that concern - coffered ceilings, stained-glass windows, dentil molding, and narrow hardwood floors. A medium-sized dining room shines with a magnificent half-round triple-panel window. The room could use a paint touch-up, as could several rooms, but the existing colors are interesting (pale moss, terra cotta, dark buttercream). The current owners added a bathroom off the dining room, complete with European shower and marble floor.
The new kitchen is sharp, with a mix of bright yellow walls, black silestone counters and seating island, huge stone tiles, white woodlike synthetic cabinets, and stainless appliances. A Jack and Jill staircase leads to three sufficient bedrooms and a designer bathroom, and a third-floor bedroom is private and spacious. All rooms have decent closets, modern ceiling fans, and replacement windows.
"The combination of the old structure and new features and Pottery Barn colors is the best of both worlds," says Bija Satterlee, listing agent at Bowes Pennell & Thompson GMAC of Arlington. There will be an open house today from noon to 2 p.m.
MINDY POLLACK-FUSI
