Ever on the look-out for the weird, wonderful, and one of a kind, I stumbled on this rather sublime Monticello modern rework which has passed through the hands of owners with a flair for design.
The previous owners brought this three-bedroom, two-and-one-half-bath residence at 3433 West 4th Street up to its current impeccable state. It’s difficult to imagine the original aspect of this 3112 square foot mini-villa which, astonishingly, was actually constructed in 1929.
Careful tuning has created a balance to the asymmetrical façade. Abbreviated piers frame the edges of the front with stronger piers marching forward to create a vestibule at center. The unique door with a trio of inverted L-shaped windows strikes an Art Deco note and provides a preview of unique decorative details within.
The entrance is given over to a small sitting area with a piano. Wide-plank oak floors have been refurbished to a natural museum-like finish.
The plan is open with an uninterrupted sightline from the front to back. The dining area has custom built-in cabinetry. The over buffet mirrors reflect the jazzy paper on the opposite accent wall. An on-trend “Sputnik” style light fixture hangs over the dining table.
The main living area is at back. One is frequently aware of the garden that wraps the house, glimpsed here through a handsome pair of custom doors.
Particularly stunning is the massive slab of Italian Mercury Black marble that forms the fireplace. The hearth is a small triumph of engineering formed from a single cantilevered piece of steel. The chimney itself is a simple industrial metal duct.
The kitchen was completely renovated by the present owners. Black lower cabinets tie in with the paired doors. Contrasting white uppers float above. An alcove with garden view is the site of a breakfast area with a modern classic Scandinavian style chandelier and a Saarinen-style tulip table.
Two of the three bedrooms are on the ground floor. The upstairs is devoted to a complex bedroom suite complete with a living area and wet bar. The custom banister was the product of the imagination of the previous owner, who had it fabricated in a local metal shop.
The airy bedroom is nearly double height with stacked banks of windows flooding the room with abundant light. The cheerful five-piece bath contains a massive, modern closet.
The above room is more interesting than the picture reveals. It is a secret studio reached by a pull down stair near the landing below. Other extras in the house include a ground-floor office, coffee bar, and recently renovated laundry room.
The back has the tranquil intimacy of a series of interlinked, walled gardens. Ten-foot fences ensure privacy. Hardscape provides a low-maintenance environment with narrow planting beds. Parking is in a two-car garage.
Patty Williamson of Williams Trew Real Estate is offering 3433 West 4th Street for $724,000.
