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Lush gardens and brick exterior highlights the rustic appeal of four-bedroom Kensington home

It started as a kitchen and bathroom remodel. But before long, Sandi Gutierrez-Morris and her late husband, Don, totally rebuilt 200 Arlington Ave. in Kensington.

“It just mushroomed,” Gutierrez-Morris said. “It became ‘What if we lifted the ceiling?’ and ‘Let’s widen the hallways.’ ”

The fully transformed fourbedroom now sits on the market for $1.989 million, and future residents will reap the benefits of the work the Morris family poured into the home. Juliet balconies rest off the living room. Large windows frame bay views. Hardwood flooring spans the interior, and fruit trees pepper the backyard.

“The only thing left that is original is one bathtub,” she said.

Much of the inspiration for the two-year remodel came from a trip to France. Gutierrez-Morris fell in love with

Parisian flair and incorporated design elements into the home. Juliet balconies with wrought iron detail wait off the main level and a re-creation of Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s “The Luncheon of the Boating Party” rests above the stove in a tile inset.

Architect Lorin Hill designed the to-the-studs remodel, and Jeff Altmann of Altmann and Associates served as the contractor.

The home opens to a spacious living room sheltered by a vaulted, beamed ceiling with exposed trusses. A sitting area off the living room stands before large picture windows framing views of San Francisco Bay.

“You can see the Golden Gate and the Bay bridges. And on the Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve you can see the fireworks shows in Berkeley and San Francisco,” she said.

A tranquil garden with a lemon tree and established plantings waits in front of the home, and a brick pathway leads to the front door.

The owner’s suite includes a spa bathroom with a soaking tub and frameless glass shower.

Downstairs, a family room with a brick, wood-burning fireplace and a full kitchen await. A wooden deck off the family room descends to a backyard bearing apple, apricot and pear trees.

Listing agent: Ruth Frassetto, Grubb Co., (510) 697-8606, rfrassetto@grubbco.com.

Photos by Liz Rusby / Grubb Co. Above: The open living room at 200 Arlington Ave. in Kensington includes a dining area. Below left: The owner’s suite features hardwood flooring and a spa bathroom. Below right: The kitchen includes a casual dining area that opens to a Juliet balcony.

Liz Rusby / Grubb Co.

Liz Rusby / Grubb Co. The garden features a covered brick patio and established plantings.