Stained glass, restored moldings highlight Oakland Queen Anne Victorian

The stately Queen Anne Victorian at 648 Chetwood St. is one of the original homes in the Rose Garden subsection of Oakland's Grand Lake neighborhood. But when Cecil and Janet Pulliam, purchased the five-bedroom home more than 20 years ago, it was definitely showing its age.

The exterior paint was peeling, the bathrooms were dated and the windows couldn't keep heat from escaping the home. But the bones of the home were strong and many of the Victorian finishes like the wainscoting and stained glass in the foyer remained intact. Seeing the potential, Cecil Pulliam, now a retired contractor, set out to revive the majestic tri-level home.

"We didn't have to do any stripping inside," he said. "All the fancy stuff in the living room and dining room was intact."

The exterior, however, was another story. To get inspired, the couple drove across the Bay Bridge and looked at Victorians in San Francisco. They observed a plethora of colors splashed on the homes around the city. Ultimately, they settled on a scheme of a mellow beige highlighted with white trim, while forest green, brick orange and copper paints provided fine detailing.

Additionally, the couple added balconies off the back of the home on the main and top levels. The covered porch off the main level provides a shaded gathering place with steps leading down to the backyard.

In addition to the grass pad, the backyard includes a concrete patio and detached cottage. Reflecting the neighborhood's past as an agricultural community, the cottage features a hayloft door similar to those found on barns.

But the cottage is not just there for looks, said Brian Cheek of Alain Pinel Realtors, who is listing the home for $995,000.

The cottage includes plumbing and a full bathroom. Though permitting would be required, the next owner could install a kitchen in the detached building as well, he said.

"The potential is there," he said.

The home is defined by Victorian detailing and architecture. Ceilings on the bedroom level are steep, and the front bedroom offers a view of the Bay Bridge through its gabled window. Pocket doors separate the kitchen, dining room, living room and family room, but the main floor does not feel compartmentalized, Cheek said. The sliding doors enable each room to be its own space, but the layout flows when the doors are recessed.

With high ceilings, hardwood floors and a view of the Piedmont hills, the country kitchen is a highlight of the home. Though it has modern amenities like stainless steel appliances and a gas range, the home embraces its history with a Wedgwood stove in the corner of the kitchen.

While remodeling the home, the Pulliams came across coloring books, postcards and pictures from the original owners, as well as the original electric permit from 1916. The permit has been framed and will be given to the next owners, Cheek said.

The period details are among Cecil Pulliam's favorite features of the home. From bay windows peering out at the neighborhood to buttresses supporting doorjambs on the main level, the home exudes Victorian elegance. The master bedroom includes a private balcony, loft area and skylights, while other bedrooms offer built-in drawers, crawl spaces and uniquely angled windows.