10533 Alta Street

This enchanting 1920s fairytale home is unlike any other in Nevada County, on the market or off. A rare surviving example of the whimsical California Storybook architectural style, it rests among sprawling, lush grounds, canopied by rustling pines and sycamores, and cushioned against street noise by dense hedges and shrubbery. Here is a haven of peace, privacy, and stillness (despite being only a short walk from downtown Grass Valley). Beneath its softly coved ceilings, you will find a formal dining room that opens its French doors into a glass-walled, light-drenched breakfast room, while in the other direction lies an equally luminous and cozy living room, overlooking the sweeping lawns. The home's invitingly radial floor plan flows into a series of gracious bedrooms, equipped with full cedar closets that offer ample storage, as well as original leaded glass windows (dressed in luxury window treatments from Decors Barbares and Madeline Castaing), and a primary bathroom clad in immaculately preserved, original tiles. The home boasts an original outdoor fireplace, an enormous standing basement, and an uncommonly large, window-lit and cross-ventilated attic (which offers, if desired, an opportunity to create a dreamy upstairs master suite). And of course, this magical property is made even more singular by its established English-cottage-style gardens and gently rolling lawns, towering conifers, flowering deciduous giants, and productive fruit trees. While its period details have been lovingly preserved and protected, this home has also been meticulously maintained and seamlessly updated over the years. Recent improvements include a top of the line HVAC and air purifier system, brand new top of the line 50-year roof, updated alarm system, and reverse osmosis water system at the kitchen sink. Children will delight in the newly constructed wooden swing set, or they can stroll along the sidewalk to the neighboring Dee Mautino park and playground. The charms and conveniences of downtown Grass Valley are a short walk from home, while, in the other direction, groceries from Briar Patch are a five-minute drive away. Ease of living, privacy, and natural beauty make this home special, but its true value and uniqueness can't be understood without seeing it in person. In a community full of lovely homes, you will never find another property like this one, at any price point.