Elegant details from the past
Mission Revival Victorian in Ashbury Heights
When Jennifer Metz toured an Ashbury Heights residence and lingered for a half hour on Mother’s Day, her husband, John, started shifting in the driver’s seat anxiously awaiting her return to the parked car.
“All I kept thinking was ‘Oh, no, we’re in trouble,’” John Metz said.
Jennifer Metz happened upon the walk-through at 880 Ashbury St., hoping to peek inside a residence once owned by actor Benjamin Bratt. Turns out, he owned a home a few doors down, but by then she no longer cared. The Mission Revival Victorian’s exquisite details, grand volume and period finishes enthralled her.
“I immediately fell in love with the house,” Jennifer Metz said, of the home the couple purchased in 2011.
Every square foot of the home serves as a testament to craftsmanship. The five-bedroom’s curb appeal is selfevident. Leaded windows, stained glass, dentils, cornices and arches adorn the stuccoed facade. Grandeur blankets the interior. Plaster ceiling medallions, masterfully painted ceilings, hand-carved hardwood balustrades on the grand turned staircase, tall wainscoting and curved windows are only a sampling of the home’s details.
“It’s one of those houses people lament have disappeared over the years,” John Metz said of the residence erected in 1908. “It’s modern, functional and updated in areas you want, while retaining period aesthetics.”
Highlighting the modern amenities is an eat-in chef ’s kitchen revolving around a French island. A glass tile backsplash complements the stainless steel appliances and an adjacent breakfast nook connects to a manicured backyard.
Besides a slate patio, the backyard includes shade trees, a water feature and a fire pit. Its connection to the breakfast room provides seamless flow, the couple agreed.
Shoring up the infrastructure became John Metz’s priority once the couple closed. The foundation, electrical and plumbing systems are all modernized, and the concrete steps in front of the home were replaced.
“It’s the most bullet-proof house on the block,” he said.
Jennifer Metz put her touches on the interior as soon as the retrofitting wrapped up. The couple opted not to use a stager, instead showcasing their own furnishings and art choices to potential buyers.
The home should appeal to anyone who likes to entertain, the couple said.
“We’ve had more than 100 people inside, and it doesn’t feel cramped at all,” Jennifer Metz said. “Many homes built around this time have small rooms, but the interior is so grand.”
A finished attic serving as a game room crowns the home. The space includes a vaulted ceiling with exposed beams and tinted skylights. A pair of stained glass windows lend additional character to a space offering hardwood flooring and contemporary lighting.
Fashionistas will appreciate the master suite’s abundant closet space that Jennifer Metz compares to Carrie Bradshaw’s in the “Sex and the City” movie. A fireplace with marble surround serves as a stately centerpiece, and the room overlooks the Pacific Ocean.
Visit www.880Ashbury.com for more information.
Listing agent: Ilana Minkoff, Vanguard Properties, (415) 2691515, ilana@vanguardsf.com