Putting the Crown on a Queen Anne!

More than two years ago I started working on this project, preparing the home of a good friend to be sold. He’d worked on rehabbing a neglected property for more than 30 years. Every inch of this home has been worked on! It’s been difficult for him to write up all of the projects he’s completed–could he really have put in so much detailed restoration, remodeling and fine tuning of a home?! He restored the siding piece by piece; restored the plaster with dental picks. Some things, like climbing up on this very steep roof, Â he wouldn’t do himself now. But my friend and this home matured together. This Fruitvale neighborhood in Oakland, CA has changed enormously! It’s still earthy, but the homes around him have also had facelifts (and body work!). Ice cream and tamale trucks now safely attract customers with hand-squeezed horns, or old-style tunes. There’s a new Transit Village not far away.

My friend Â found this Queen Anne in tatters, and restored her royal majesty. She is beautiful, and it will be my pleasure to show off her carved plaster, original lincrusta entry, hand-painted stenciled ceilings and all of her other lovely details along with the updated kitchen and new systems. This is a wonderful example of early Oakland architecture. If you’d like to see her, we are holding court on two Sundays, the 19th and 26th, from 2-4:30 pm. Long live the Queen!

Regal Fruitvale Queen Anne