Cambridge Victorian dazzles
Hand a child with unbridled imagination a set of crayons and ask them to draw a house.
The result may not be an intricately detailed 1892 Victorian, but it might come close. It would be cheerful, fun to explore, with lots of nooks and crannies to tuck into with a book or a snack, and room for all their friends.
Just a half-mile from Porter Square, this vision comes to life with 98 Raymond St., a distinctive Victorian with square footage and personality for days.
The treasure-filled home is a delight to the senses, with period detail on and around every corner — there’s expert millwork, crown molding, timeless built-ins, decorative windows, mantels, and so much more.
And while this is very much a grande dame estate, the home’s whimsical interior feels light. It’s expansive, with more than 5,100 square feet to spread out across, including a finished lower level with sliding glass doors to the home’s garden area, and a top-level guest apartment with access to a deck.
An elegant 40-foot living and dining area dazzles off the foyer, with a fireplace ensconced in deep blue tile, bow and bay windows, plus custom built-ins. The huge open kitchen is sun-soaked, with a peninsula with bar seating, room for an additional dining table for casual meals, and glass doors that lead to the garden. Directly across, an elaborate custom seating arrangement is surrounded by a bank of windows — a perfectly cozy vantage point from which to enjoy the comings and goings and changing of the seasons.
On the second level, four bedrooms shapeshift around the home’s architecture, each with its own special quirks and surprises. Two of the bedrooms feature both an en suite bath and a fireplace.
Close to schools, local eateries and parks, the home’s location is prime Cambridge, with easy access to public transportation. Driving? The home benefits from two off-street parking spaces.
Open house hours are noon to 1:30 p.m. today and Sunday.
For more information about the home, on the market for $4,850,000, contact Gail Roberts, 617-864-4430, with Coldwell Banker.