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 4440 Placidia Ave, Toluca Lake, CA 91602

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$1,999,000

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The year was 1936. President Franklin Roosevelt was facing off against Republican challenger Alf Landon, “Gone With the Wind” was published, Jesse Owens won four Gold medals at the Summer Olympics in Berlin and the average cost of a new house was $4,000.

 

It was also a wonderful time to be living in Southern California and the year a charming English Tudor home was built in the exclusive enclave of Toluca Lake. Today that very same home remains, exquisitely restored to its initial beauty and elegance. The owner, a noted acting coach who grew up in the area, purchased the house in 2007. While her passion is acting, she was drawn to the aesthetic of decorating and restoration, for both practical and personal reasons. “When I started acting, I realized I needed to make my money work for me in between acting jobs. I started with a little dilapidated house that was pathetic! One little house, and I was hooked.”

 

When she decided to add an additional 1,200 square feet to this structure, the owner was totally focused on maintaining the integrity of the original architecture. One look at this amazing home today, and it is abundantly clear that she accomplished that goal … and then some. Every single detail is either authentic or perfectly restored, replicating the previous craftsmanship. And even more impressive–all the work was done by hand. 

 

Stepping inside the front hallway, one immediately notices the unique features, from the stained glass in the door to the arched molding on the walls. The large living room showcases this rare molding, along with the original beamed ceiling, made of solid wood. The leaded glass windows, with a view of the front yard, are original and display the classic diamond-shaped Tudor pattern. The stone fireplace, designed by the owner, has an unusual, ornate surround, constructed out of a handmade architectural salvage from the 1930s. “Sitting in front of a roaring fire, I feel like I’ve escaped to a small castle in Europe. It’s cozy and romantic and whimsical,” she says.

 

On the other side of the hallway, you are drawn to an enchanting room with a brick, wood-burning fireplace, a crystal chandelier and scalloped molding on the walls. An attached powder room and closet make this a perfect, private, fourth bedroom or a study/office. Currently it serves as an inviting teaching space for the owner to coach her drama students. 

 

The kitchen was remodeled using the exact footprint of the original. To accommodate the discriminating modern family, all the appliances are top-of-the-line: AGA Legacy stove, Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezer and Miele dishwasher. The farm sink and French limestone counters complete the look—with the total space illuminated by an unexpected light fixture, discovered in a French schoolhouse. It’s one of several unusual fixtures the owner has sourced from abroad, including a hand-blown Venetian glass orb that has been repurposed as a hallway light.

 

The easy-flowing design of the first floor also features a formal dining room on one side of the kitchen and a bright, cozy family room with an attached bath on the other. Each of these spaces has a wall of leaded-glass windows and matching double Dutch doors that lead to a brick patio, pool/Jacuzzi and enormous, beautifully landscaped backyard. “My yard is party central,” says the owner with a laugh. “I can't even count how many parties, baby showers and wedding receptions I have hosted.” When you’re seeking some quietude, a vine-covered trellis serves as the entrance to a lush flower and vegetable garden. Mature, blooming crepe myrtle trees and the steady sounds from a stone fountain lend an air of serenity to the totally private oasis. 

 

The second floor of this stunning home is reached through a central staircase, with a landing that reflects the unusual design and rare detail of the original structure. There are two, small, interior glass windows, each etched with a delicate rose pattern—one overlooking the living room, the other the office. 

 

Upstairs is where you will find the spacious master suite and two additional bedrooms. Leading to the master is an inviting sitting room. There is also an en suite bath with soaking tub and Juliet balcony overlooking the backyard. A full wall of built-in storage is a genius use of space, and like all the home’s bathrooms, this one features English fixtures and high-end Walker-Zanger tiling. 

 

The additional two bedrooms also have ample built-in storage and authentic details gracing the cabinetry. One room boasts an exquisite Waterford crystal chandelier, the other an inviting window seat. The rooms are connected by a “Jack and Jill” bath.

 

This meticulously restored home is one of a kind. Not only does it reflect the unparalleled

craftsmanship of a bygone era, but it also offers every modern convenience a new owner could want. Its highly desirable improvements include full earthquake retrofitting, and a hard-wired alarm system connected directly to police and fire departments. 

To complete the package, the historic gem, outfitted for today’s discerning family, is located in the sought-after area of Toluca Lake. It’s just steps from the trendy shops and restaurants on Riverside Drive, in what’s known as Toluca Village. This is a hip neighborhood that manages to maintain the feel of a quaint community, with residents describing it as “tight-knit” and “family-oriented.” Without a doubt, it is the complete package—a truly unique home in an equally exceptional location. 

Indeed it is a magical place that is enchanting any time of day. The owner says it best when she describes her favorite part of the home as the light. “The natural sun shining through the leaded windows in the afternoon is extraordinary. At night when the fixtures are glowing, the light is reflecting off the walls and the fireplace is blazing, it’s literally like living in a fairy tale.”