Swath of green, rustic comfort inside city limits

(photos by YOON S. BYUN/GLOBE STAFF)

420 W. Roxbury Parkway Boston
Price $699,000
Style Cape Cod
Built 1968
Square feet 3,184
Rooms 8
Bedrooms 4
Bathrooms 2.5
Sewer Public

In a room lined floor to ceiling with bookshelves rests most of a massive tree, stripped of bark, that makes the study of this West Roxbury home comforting, comfortable - and definitely thinking of life on the farm. That's the theme that runs throughout the Cape style house with five fireplaces, including a fieldstone one in the study where the tree serves as its mantle. Hand-hewed beams line the ceilings of every room and hand-pegged hardwood flooring lies beneath. A small wagon wheel even serves as a 'door' between rooms.

But this is no antique. The house was custom built in 1968 for a couple, owners of a Roslindale Square gift shop, whose children were grown when they moved in, so there is little sign of wear. It has an open floor plan and the first floor is three large rooms - the study, kitchen, and living room. More tricks: The stove is hidden inside a red-brick enclosure and cabinets are hidden behind fake oven doors. A great bow window brings natural light to the living room.

The second floor has four good-size bedrooms, the master is a spacious suite with its own bath and walk-in closet. There is ample storage throughout. The rustic design and earth-toned paint scheme leaves some rooms feeling overly dark and the master bath, while in fine shape, is an eye-popping pink with a dated air. The small backyard has a two-car garage and small red storage building.

Out front, though, the long sloping lawn is effectively extended by the large swath of green verge along the parkway that is owned by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, which mows it in summer and clears the sidewalk in winter.

Broker Larry Lodge Jr. of Coldwell Banker in Needham will have an open house today from 1 to 3 p.m.

JOHN ELLEMENT