51 Perryview Avenue
Melissa Golba fell in love with Observatory Hill while housesitting in 2010. In 2012, when it was time to buy a home of her own, she wasn't sure at first about 51 Perryview—but its solid value and spectacular sunset views soon won her over.
Built in 1933, this inviting house features a scaled-back Craftsman-style layout. The living and dining rooms are directly connected, and the couch affords a lovely view out the dining room's large picture window. Note the original woodwork in the living room—not ornate, but solid and attractive. Melissa has retained the original stain color to enhance the home's sense of authenticity. The antique dishes in the cupboard comprise a collection that Melissa began in her childhood. The working fireplace makes this part of the house a comfortable place to be in the winter; the enclosed porch is perfect in the spring and summer.
The kitchen has several updates over the years, and Melissa plans to upgrade the dishwasher and paint the tile white. Check out the bumblebee theme on the collection of decorative plates.
The guest bedroom features custom bookshelves and an antique wrought iron bed. Melissa refinished this bed and found it quite a challenge to find a mattress that would fit the low frame. The master bedroom's his-and-hers closets are unusual in a house of this size. The third bedroom is Melissa's office—an essential space for one who works from home.
Melissa has painted a few rooms so far, and she plans to refinish the decks, clean up the downstairs hardwood, and update the main bathroom. She and her pug enjoy the short walk to Riverview Park and its off-leash area, and jazz and movies in the summer are some of the best entertainment anywhere. She also loves that Schorr’s Bakery is within walking distance and everything else is just a short drive away. Neighbors, though, are what make a neighborhood—and Melissa says hers are among the best.