42 Ivaloo - classic Mansard Victorian. . .
Just over the Cambridge-Somerville line is an inviting Mansard Victorian with a cool contemporary addition by Charles Rose Architects. The address is 42 Ivaloo Street, Somerville. The house is now listed for sale with Hammond Real Estate, and I am the listing broker for 42 Ivaloo in Somerville.
Ivaloo Street is off of Beacon Street. Located close to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 42 Ivaloo is conveniently situated between Harvard, Porter and Inman Squares. The house itself is well-sited on a spacious 4,650 square foot lot. The landscaped grounds feature a private bluestone patio and rear garden, as well a separate two-story garage building. There is also parking for two cars in the driveway. Inside, the house features 3 bedrooms plus a study, 2.5 bathrooms and 2,033 square feet of living space. The house features central air conditioning.
and a cool, contemporary addition in back. (photo by Steve Meyer)
Restored in the last ten years, 42 Ivaloo is a handsome classic Mansard Victorian from the street. However, in 2007, the house was reinvented with a masterful modern addition by Charles Rose Architects. Located on the rear of the house, the addition introduces a family room on the main living level, a master bedroom suite on the second floor, and a magical home office with Murphy bed up top. Charles Rose Architects has perfectly integrated the house with the private outdoor space for the maximum enjoyment of light and sky and nature in this most bucolic setting in the heart of it all.
- The main living level at 42 Ivaloo features an elemental floor plan. An inviting entry foyer with double doors leads to the spacious kitchen, as well as into the bay-windowed front living room with gas fireplace and corner custom-built-in. This room is distinguished by its ceiling height and good dimensions. It is ideally suited for entertaining.
Living room with bay window and crown moulding. There is also a gas fireplace and custom built-in in the living room, which opens to the dining room and front entry hall.
- The kitchen at 42 Ivaloo features an oversized center island, ample cabinets, granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. Off the kitchen is the half-bath with window. Open to the kitchen is the full-size dining room, which, like the living room, features crown mouldings. The dining room also steps down to the family room on the back of the house.
Dining room at 42 Ivaloo opens onto kitchen and living room and family room.
The family room now serves as the perfect playroom overlooking the yard.
The family room at 42 Ivaloo now serves as a perfect playroom, with nearly ten-foot ceilings, cork floor, built-in bench with pull-out drawers for toy storage, and oversized doors allowing for direct access to the private yard and patio area. The glass really makes the indoor-outdoor one continuum on this side of the house. It’s rare to feel this close to nature, especially in the city.
One can imagine this room making for a perfect artist’s studio. The options are truly limitless with such an open and airy space. It’s hard to bring oneself to leave this room when visiting 42 Ivaloo. When one does venture outside, there is a most inviting enclosed bluestone patio and yard, as well as separate two-story garage outbuilding. It’s rare in the city to find such a large enclosed area, which will appeal to families with children and dog owners. Presently, the back yard is a well maintained space with ample planting beds and mature plantings.
Private back yard garden at 42 Ivaloo is a world apart.
Charming bedroom at 42 Ivaloo.
Not to be outdone at 42 Ivaloo are the second and third floors. At the top of the stairs on the second floor,one finds a skylit landing. Several charming bedrooms and a full bath are off of this light-filled space. It is an appealing feature of this home that there are three bedrooms and two full baths all found on the second floor.
Masterful master bedroom.
Master bath at 42 Ivaloo
Also on the second floor – in the back as part of the new addition - is the master bedroom suite. The master bath is distinguished by a skylight and glass-tiled shower. The master bedroom itself includes custom-built-in drawers as well as two closets, one of which is a walk-in. In the main bedroom, a unique placement of oversized windows meet at the corner. These windows can be covered by custom floor-to-ceiling drapes. The room has a contemporary European flavor, accented by the German halogen reading lamps either side of the bed.
On the top floor at 42 Ivaloo is perhaps the most stunning room of all – an office-study with custom built-in desk with two work stations and cabinetry and shelves. This is the ultimate office for someone working from home. The space is also quite practical, with a Murphy bed which folds down to allow the room to serve as a guest suite. With the ceiling height and many oversized windows, the space feels close to the sky and apart from the rest of the house. This is one of the best small rooms I have ever seen.
Stunning top floor home office which also includes Murphy bed.
42 Ivaloo in Somerville has now SOLD. For assistance with buying or selling in Cambridge or Somerville, I am here to help. I am the listing broker for 42 Ivaloo. I can be reached at ccherney@hammondre.com or 617-733-8937.
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Bluestone patio in back yard.
Kitchen with center island at 42 Ivaloo Street.
