Tag: Alyssa Starelli

Just Listed: Meticulously Renovated Laurelhurst MCM

Posted on by Alyssa Starelli

A decade ago, this rare Laurelhurst flat-roofed “mid-century modern” was a neglected short-sale with a large leak in the roof. My buyers (now sellers) scooped it up with resolve to slowly restore it to its initial integrity, while tapping previously unmet potential and making the perfect low-maintenance pied-a-terre style home for themselves.

With foresight and taste, they gingerly reworked every room to meet its full possible potential while maintaining the original flow and mid-mod style.  From reorganized bathrooms with radiant floor heat, to a second en-suite bedroom with egress in the basement, to a home media area with fun inset wall lighting and wet bar, this home was going to give “more”.

And it does. Now, in 2022, it is an easy-to-own minimalist’s modern dream home with stylish, well-considered amenities. They have listed it for SALE.  Features are VAST and they include:

Main Floor (1238 sq ft, 2012 remodel):  new commercial membrane roofing system and insulation, new dual fuel heat pump, new Milgard double pane insulated aluminum windows, reconfiguration and remodel of bathrooms, new commercial grade cork flooring throughout main floor except for tile bathrooms, solid core interior doors, custom cherry/cherry veneer cabinetry and woodwork, Caesarstone quartz countertops in kitchen and bathrooms.
Formal Living Room:
    • Heatnglo cosmo gas fireplace insert in existing wood fireplace
    • Fireplace surround is handmade dimensional tile from Heath ceramics
    • Built-in cocktail bar with sliding doors
    • Built-in storage
    • Original book shelves in hall
    • Hall closet (motion detecting lamp)
Kitchen/Dining Room:
    • Ann Sacks murano glass mosaic tile backsplash
    • Custom cherry veneer frameless cabinets with star escutcheons from Rejuvenation
    • Recessed led under cabinet lighting
    • Appliances 
      • Built-in Liebherr refrigerator (dual compressor)
      • Bertazzoni gas cooktop and electric oven
      • Zephyr roma hood
      • Miele futura dishwasher
    • Pantry Closet:
      • Custom Elfa ventilated closet system
Bath 1: 
    • Nutone programmable heated floor
    • Shower over tub
    • Ann Sacks floor and wall tile
    • Comfort height toilet and vanity
    • Built-in linen/storage cabinet
Bedroom 1:
    • Double door closet with custom Elfa ventilated closet system
      • Battery operated motion detecting led light
Bedroom and Bathroom 2 (master):
    • Double door closets with custom Elfa ventilated closet system 
      • Battery operated motion detecting led light
    • Ensuite Bathroom
      • Nutone programmable heated floor
      • Built-in linen/storage cabinets
      • Double sinks
      • Kohler comfort height toilet
      • Custom vanity
      • Tiled walk-in shower with handheld sprayer
        • Handmade Barbara Barry (starburst) wall tile from Ann Sacks
        • Ann Sacks floor tile
Basement Floor (777 sq ft, 2018 remodel): added bedroom with tilt turn egress window, relocated bathroom with ensuite and family room access, relocated laundry and utility rooms, added Runtal european style electric wall radiators with individual thermostats in bedroom and family room, new high-efficiency Rheem heat pump water heater, new commercial grade cork, tile flooring in bathroom, solid core doors, custom cherry/cherry veneer woodwork throughout to mirror main floor, Caesarstone quartz countertop in wet bar and bathroom.
Laundry:
    • Frigidaire front-load washer and vented electric dryer
Wet bar:
    • Blomberg refrigerator
    • Sharp built-in drawer microwave
    • Custom storage cabinets with Caesarstone quartz countertop
    • Handmade ogee drop tile backsplash by Fireclay Tile
Family Room:
    • Custom “sputnik” overhead light fixture
    • Decorative feature LED wall light to mirror post feature on main floor
    • Wall mounted 65” LG oled television
    • Wall mounted Sonos playbar surround sound speaker
    • Hidden wiring leads to “tech area” in utility room
    • Office nook
Bedroom 3:
    • Legal egress window (tilt turn (opens entirely for easier egress, vents for air)).  Egress well has a custom plexiglass cover that is “secured” with carabiners and is easily opened with pneumatic arms, the cover can be removed by the buyer after closing if preferred.
    • Custom wall light fixtures
    • Walk-in closet
      • Custom Elfa ventilated closet system
Bathroom 3:
    • Suntouch programmable heated floor
    • Custom floating vanity with two large drawers
    • Built-in medicine cabinet
    • Built-in storage cabinets
    • Tiled walk-in shower with handheld sprayer
Utility Room:
    • Rheem heat pump smart water heater
    • Freestanding stainless steel utility sink
    • Wall mounted broom organizer
    • Tech area (cords from TV Room)
Garage (328 sq ft, 2020 remodel): new insulation, lighting, electrical and glass doors
    • 200 amp Electrical Panel (installed as part of 2012 main floor remodel)
    • New Age products steel wall-mounted cabinets and workbench
    • New Age products steel wall/ceiling mounted shelving 
    • Gladiator garageworks wall-mounted organization system
    • Epoxy finished floor
    • Two glass doors to the backyard with 3M security film
    • Custom Elfa ventilated closet system
Exterior (altered in 2012 and 2015):
    • GAF tpo commercial membrane roof system (installed in 2012)
      • 25 year warranty (requires yearly maintenance by roofing contractor)
    • Ipe hardwood fence with decorative led backlight polycarbonate panels
    • Built-in seating with cushions
    • Paloform robata gas fire pit
    • Custom galvanized steel and tempered glass fire pit canopy with removable canvas sun shades
    • Concrete hardscaping and pavers
    • Water fountain
    • Walkable ground cover (leptinella squalida)
    • In-ground irrigation system with Rachio “smart” controller
    • Landscape lighting on Wemo smart app or switch at box
    • Freestanding fiberglass planters
    • Scott pine “bonsai” tree in hardscape planter
    • Paperbark maple tree
Smart Home Items (all features currently controlled in Apple Home): 
    • Nest
      • Doorbell cameras on front doors, hardwired (monthly subscription required for recording)
      • Thermostat
      • Smoke and CO detectors, hardwired with back-up battery
    • Wemo outdoor outlet for backyard landscape lighting
    • VeSync smart outlet for backyard gas fire pit
    • Lifx smart bulbs on exterior globe lights (front and backyard) as well as dining room light
Home Security:
    • Vivint monitored home security system (monthly subscription required)
      • Sensors on doors and windows
      • Glass-break detectors
      • Kwikset smart lock on front door
      • Freestanding interior camera
    • Windows which open have 3M security film

This home’s ‘set it and forget it’ features make life a breeze, and the location truly cannot be beat. With the MAX station a mere 0.4 miles away, the PDX International Airport just 9 miles (15 min drive), Laurelhurst School just 0.3mi (no need to cross Caesar Chavez even) Grant Highschool 0.7mi AND shopping/ entertainment 0.4 miles away in Hollywood District, no member of the household is having to stretch themselves to reach the places that are important to them.

In fact, with smart home and security features, low-maintenance landscaping,  smart irrigation and smart lighting, this house is easily monitored, adjusted, and cared for, from home or abroad.

For a walk-through 3-D Tour, please click here: 3-D TOUR

Listed at $949,900.
3920 NE Hassalo, Portland OR 97232
MLS#22649845

Spacious 1961 Mid-century with Kidney Bean Pool!

Posted on by Alyssa Starelli

Need space? Love original mid-century features? This incredibly spacious and super original mid-century ranch boasts an open plan vintage kitchen (13×9′) connected to a 16×14′ dining/family room “flex space” with bay window, bathroom, basement stairs, and sliders to huge semi-enclosed patio/greenhouse.  There’s also a formal living room with fireplace and reading or dining (original) nook with built-in seating, shelving and original wood paneling. Another 31×14′ family/party room finished with swanky beamed/tongue & groove ceiling, 60’s wood paneling, and padded cocktail bar is in the basement.

The huge 25×14′ primary suite lives luxuriously large with sunken dressing or sitting/office/nursery area, full bath with orange double sinks and a kitschy-cool avocado tub and toilet. There are two additional bedrooms with hardwoods and family bath with groovy lilac colored tub and sparkle-vinyl flooring.

Sitting on a rare .40 acre lot with kidney-bean swimming pool (with diving board!!), an expansive deck, established fruit and shade trees, and lawn — this is a mid-century party-palace! Some good times have been had here!  Zoned R7, there’s room for an ADU, barn, garage/shop or potential second home/flag lot, and oodles of RV parking on this 17,601sqft lot.

Listed at: $515,000

4736 SE 111TH AVE
Portland, OR 97266
MLS#: 22011496

2B2B in Prime Arleta-Woodstock Location

Posted on by Alyssa Starelli

Ever dreamed of having your very own bathroom, despite living in a 2 bedroom home? Picture this: a serene, zen-like environment, where no children’s bath toys clutter the corner,  there’s also no cloud of the roomie’s patchouli deodorant mystifying your nostrils, and the ‘squatty-potty’ is yours and yours alone.  Maybe you share it with a significant other, but they too have a place for their own toothbrush and it really only commingles with yours.  Then, down the hall, there’s another bathroom. This one is considered to be for guests, but in reality, it’s the wild west of ablutions, the domain of either your sticky toothbrush wielding kids, your aforementioned patchouli dousing roomie, or maybe your mother in law’s collection of Avon. Perhaps it really is for guests, but however it’s used, it’s not YOUR bathroom. Your bathroom is a sanctuary of peace and cleanliness and proof positive of real adulthood.

Maybe you also dreamed of having a kitchen big enough to work in? One with cabinets and counterspace enough to wrangle some “sous-chef” “helpers” into chopping and mixing to your own heart’s desire. Perhaps you’re just tired of every meal being like a chaotic episode of Bake-off? Or, could it be that you’ve been longing for a separate eating area so that dinner time was also quality time? The potential for greatness is here and what’s already in place is vast! Look at all that counterspace!

This ever-so desirable, and very rare, two bedroom and two bath domicile is also situated in the heart of Mt.Scott/Arleta/Woodstock. So not only are you utterly beguiled by the sheer number of cafes, bars, parks, groceries (I count 4) and libraries available to you, so is that roomie or those kids of yours who hanker for the “good-life”.  Sure, weighing in at 1050 sq ft makes it one of the smaller abodes, but despite the tiny street-view, this home is surprisingly roomy with a full living room,  dining room, a very-decent sized kitchen, and a real laundry room!!  The lot is large and has room for a garage, or a crafts-shed, a playground, or RV parking,  and is conveniently accessed by alley.  There’s a ton of potential here to tap but with new flooring and new paint inside and out, this starter or downsizer home is well on its way!

6523 SE Carlton St.
Portland, OR 97206

MLS# 21651419

2 beds, 2 baths, 1050 sq ft.
$430,000

 

 

Argay Terrace Mid-century Masterpiece

Posted on by Alyssa Starelli

JUST LISTED: Stunningly updated Argay Terrace tri-level. Impeccably updated with a modernist eye while maintaining classic mid-century features. Situated on one of the quietest streets in coveted Argay Terrace, this Tri-Level plan is a modern favorite for flow and livability.

Featuring 3 bedrooms (master with view of St. Helens) and a family bathroom upstairs; a family room, 1 bed, bathroom, laundry/mudroom with outside egress door to back yard, downstairs; and on the main floor, a formal sunken living room with fireplace, open plan kitchen/dining room with eat/homework bar, and sliding glass door that flows out to the inviting gardens which are terraced and hardscaped w/ multiple patio options.

Currently, two of the rooms are used as office and weight room, which combined with the multiple family rooms and the huge .17 acre gardens, lend comfortably to working and schooling from home. There’s room for everyone! There’s also a two car garage (in which two actual large sized cars fit) connected to the kitchen for easy grocery access.

Now lets talk about this remodel: The owner took a particularly ‘granny-ized’ ranch that had been remodeled (very starkly) some time in the 90’s, and lovingly brought it into the 2020’s.  With a keen modernist eye and an appreciation for clean-lines and quality materials, she was able to gently blend original details, and a mid-century aesthetic with contemporary expectations of “good living”.  This house is pretty much exactly what all my clients envision when faced with the same type of “bring it back to amazing” project. Before you ask, no this wasn’t a flip (but if it was, I’d gladly sell again and again). It was an absolute labor of love that you, as the buyer, get to benefit from with zero effort. Totally move-in ready RADNESS.

Updates Include:

Kitchen:
Full-wood cabinets by Belmont
Terrazzo tile floors
Quartz waterfall countertop
Gas range
Professional range hood
Stainless appliances
Eat-in bar
Full dining area
Slider to covered patio and terraced hardscaping

Bathroom Updates:
Dual Sink Mid-Century-style “dresser” vanity
Modernist tile tub surround
New tub (square) and fixtures
Tile floor
Low-flow toilet
Modernist wallpaper
2nd Bath:
New shower surround
New “dresser style” vanity/sink
New paint and wallpaper
Tile backsplash
New VCT flooring.
Interior paintGeneral Home Updates:
Refinished hardwoods
Grass paper and modern print wallpapers
Interior paint
Newer Carpet

Exterior Updates:
New exterior paint
Terraced hardscaping with multiple seating area options
Covered patio

DETAILS:
3236 NE 142nd Ave,

Portland OR 97230
4 bed |2 bath |1868 sq. ft.
MLS#21098581 | Taxes: $5,670.52 | Lot Size: .21 Acre

Check out the MATTERPORT VIRTUAL TOUR.

Hacienda of many Colors!

Posted on by Alyssa Starelli

Congratulations to Tyler and Allison on their purchase of this very colorful “mood-enhancing” hacienda-style mid-century ranch home! The previous owners followed their dreams of moving to sunny Mexico, but not before they brightly painted every surface to make such a cheery home.  I’m pretty sure these kids will never again suffer from SAD!! Moreover, it’s really nice to get them into such a finished, fun space, when so many of the alternatives were drab and sometimes out-right scary. Everything happens as it should and I am quite sure this was the ‘right move’.

To Allison and Tyler — I really enjoyed working, laughing and experiencing your first home buying experience with you! Thank you for being so eager and open-minded, I had a lot of fun. Can’t wait to fiesta with you!

Congrats!! Alyssa

Swanky South Tabor Mid-century Ranchalow

Posted on by Alyssa Starelli

Swanky South Tabor Mid-Century “Ranchalow”  —  $585,000

2721 SE 64th Ave, Portland OR 97206

Darling 1952 cedar-shingled transitional ranch or “ranchalow” in the heart of South Tabor!
This vivid home boasts recently updated modernist kitchen with clean-lined cabinetry, bamboo flooring and quartz counters! It’s been gently remodeled, maintaining it’s mid-century aesthetic (ogee arch room dividers and coved ceilings) to allow for an contemporary open-plan great-room which encompasses the kitchen/dining/living room and breakfast nook. There are 2 beds on main floor and the primary bedroom has a substantial modernist closet system and French doors to a private deck draped in lush wisteria and star jasmine.
The family bath with luxury deep soaking tub, non-slip floors and a large vanity, plus funky modernist tiling and quartz counters. There’s a full basement with a bedroom with an egress window, a large family room with fireplace & hand painted Miro-style mural, a full bath w/updated shower, a huge laundry room w/pantry and utility sink and a large workshop w/ storage. The fully fenced back yard has established landscaping, raised bed planter boxes in a garden area, a  lawn and exterior hot water to help with chores (like dog washing). The one car garage allows for plenty of storage and has a new roof.

The low-maintenance front garden has a hazelnut mulch, additional raised bed planters, and established shrubs and trees for privacy including hibiscus and snowberry.

Upgrades: AC, 96% HE Furnace, Decommissioned Oil Tank, SMA Sunny Boy Solar panels, Rinnai tankless H20, Indow window inserts, newer electrical panel, refinished white oak hardwoods, bamboo kitchen flooring, new tiled shower in basement, new roof on garage, exterior hot water, quartz counters, and no-slip flooring in updated family bathroom.HES:9! Bike Score:99! Schools: Atkinson/Mt.Tabor/Franklin
3 bed |2 bath | 2126 sq. ft.
MLS#21189560 | Taxes: $4573 | Lot Size: .11 Acre
VIRTUAL TOUR

Shopping with Sally

Posted on by Alyssa Starelli

It was the middle of Covid 19, Year 2021 — both our faces covered by masks — I had only her smiling eyes to tell me if she really liked a place. A referral from a past-client/friend, Sally lamented not being able to have the ‘real’ Realtor experience (where you hop in a single car together and shop until you’re slap happy and speaking in code that both wholly understand) like her friend Corrinna had. But we made the absolute best of it.

Our first meeting we sat outside at the farthest ends of the longest picnic table, and over a beer I jabbered on about how the process would likely go with the current and ever changing constraints. We would drive separately “convoy style”, mask up, sani-up, and sometimes wait outside in the driving wind to get our turn at an open house. We’d be sure to cover our shoes and carry wet wipes to touch any surface — my germ phobia stronger than ever.

Vaccinated Sally holds her breath for a photo opp in the swankiest 1970’s time-capsule bar.

Via this method, we plodded along for  months and saw heart-breakingly fabulous houses, moderately boring houses, definitely-too-hideous houses, and even a house that saw a good amount of adult-partying in the 1970’s and stayed that way! Despite the Covid modifications, we did shop to exhaustion and definitely found that special coded language that told me in a few words, maybe just a sigh, all I needed to know…

We wrote on a few houses and were painfully out-bid despite our best effort. It was a marathon-like challenge, but then there was one: a 1960’s Tri-Level nestled in the tall swaying pine trees, not far from Sally’s all-time favorite Grocery Outlet location, and a hop and skip commute from work.  It had more rooms than she’d even dreamt of. It was really cute and it felt right. We wrote a healthy offer and it stuck!  Weeks later Sally was picking up her keys and getting a 3 hr tour from the previous owners. That felt right too.

My promise to Sally is that when one day she decides to change homes, we’ll hop in that car and shop until we literally drop.

Congrats to you on your new purchase, Sally, and thank you so much for choosing me to be your Realtor.  Moreover, thank you to Corrinna for referring me to her long time best friend, who will now be my friend. I’m lucky to know gals like you!

Sincerely,

Alyssa

 

$499K in Laurelhurst School District

Posted on by Alyssa Starelli

Just Listed – Darling 3 bedroom, 2 bath 1913 bungalow in Laurelhurst School District for just $499K! This home is an incredibly smart choice for the savvy first-time or upgrading buyer as it has been completely updated over the years, and has an unheard of energy score of 9!! Updates include:  roof, gutters, water lines (Pex), electrical panel, 95% efficiency furnace, gas water heater, energy modifications, full insulation, double pane windows, exterior paint, newly built garage, as well as a newer master suite with luxury bath (clawfoot tub!), and a kitchen remodel with knotty pine cabinetry by renowned remodeler Neil Kelly.  The exterior of this home boasts a relaxing front porch, fenced yard with patio, mature plantings, alley access, and a beautiful no-maintenance chamomile lawn!  Located on a quiet street nestled between Normandale and Frazier parks, this property has Bike-score of 89, a Walk-score of 74, and a Transit-score of 69! Just blocks to shopping and dining in nearby Hollywood District and easy access to I-84.

5220 NE Multnomah St, Portland OR
3 beds, 2 baths, 1816 Sq Ft.
$499,000
RMLS: 21268987

 

Historic 1907 Westmoreland Bungalow with Rooms Galore!

Posted on by Alyssa Starelli

In these trying times, many people have sought a change. They want elbow room –  rooms to educate, rooms to work, rooms to play, to exercise, cook, and tinker and relax.  This new listing has those rooms, but what’s more is that it has location x 3. It benefits from proximity to beautiful places to hike, beaches to relax on, and trails to ride on. It also benefits from easy shopping and some sincerely fabulous dining and drinking establishments. Furthermore, when this chaos is all over, being  based in the northern end of Westmoreland it has a very minor commute and a quick drive/bike ride into Downtown Portland for the culture we’ve all been missing.

But let’s talk amenities – The kitchen is a proven cooks’ kitchen (the current owner is a pro chef) with insane amounts of storage including multiple cupboards, an island and a full walk-in pantry, not to mention built-in seating with storage cubbies in the dining area. It has 13 foot high ceilings so a pot rack will not decapitate!  It also boasts gas, so if you’ve been dreaming of trying your hand at a gas range, this is the time.  It also has an artfully hand painted and newly polished wood floor that would inspire creativity in any cook, and finishes up with a bright enclosed sun porch with outside access (perfect for plucking fresh herbs!).

This house boasts a huge living room, which is large enough to allow for a formal dining area if needed. It has a huge bay window with window seat that could fit for several people or you and ALL of  your favorite pets, a book and a cup of tea. It has a Pergo floor  —  great for a dance party, ask me how I know — as well as 13′ ceilings, so the walls are perfect for large art. The room opens in to the large master with bathroom access, or on to the kitchen, and has stairs to the finished basement.  Downstairs, is the second family room, ready for a cozy couch and multimedia system. In addition to the utility room, there are 3 more rooms just awaiting your home gym, home office, storage, or even a future second bath.  Back upstairs and off the kitchen is the jack-and-jill style family bathroom which has been lovingly restored to fit the 1907 aesthetic with cast iron tub, matching vanity, vintage lighting and vintage-inspired Ann Sacks Tile.  There are a further 3 rooms, one which would make a perfect reading room or small office, maybe even a nursery, and another two bedrooms. The central hallway ends in a door that goes directly to the deck and lawn for easy kitchen-to-bbq access!  Lastly, the FANTASTIC garage is a tinkerer’s dream. It is an over-sized two-car and has a carpenter-designed work bench and shelving, for those creative types, or people like me with just too much junk.

So if you’ve been yearning for space, a change of scene and proximity to some great stuff for a great price, in one of Portland’s favorite neighborhoods —  this is the house for you.

1927 SE Harold St
Portland OR 97202
3 beds, 1 bath
1415 Sq ft
.14 acres
$539,900

Bye-Bye Boring: Remaking the Common Ranch-House

Posted on by Living Room Realty

There’s a lot to love about the common ranch-style house. Most of the horizontal, ground-hugging ramblers built for middle-class families in the 1950s and 1960s boom years had hardwood floors, brick fireplaces, and layouts that were easy to expand into the big, grassy backyard.

Architecture snobs sneer at the “granny ranch” or deride one as “just another ranchburger.” And yet, the appeal of a ranch reigns. It’s adaptable. Add a family room off the kitchen. Create a separate apartment in the daylight basement. Or, strip away decades of adornments to create a sleek, midcentury moderns with glass w alls, says Marisa Swenson of Modern Homes Portland and Living Room Realty, who specializes in cool post WWII dwellings.

Alyssa Starelli, an agent with Living Room Realty who focuses on “period-perfect” midcentury homes, also applauds ranches’ solid construction and large inventory.

If a remodel-minded client wants a ceiling vaulted, walls removed, or the fireplace remade, if it’s not possible in one ranch house it certainly will be in another, says Starelli, who posts vintage house plans on Instagram.

Even without modifications, the ranch has elements buyers want today: Living rooms connected to dining spaces, bedrooms on the same floor and wide hallways, making it easier for people with mobility limitations to maneuver.

Click HERE to read the full article by Janet Eastman in the Oregonian and see some before and after photos of remodeled ranches.