5327 Brann St, Oakland, CA 94619

Built in 1936, this Maxwell Park home pairs original character with an unexpected abundance of space for gathering, retreating and everyday life. The living room sets the tone: an original vaulted wood ceiling in dark walnut rises above the brick fireplace, framed by custom Douglas fir bookshelves.

An antique eight-panel window looks up tree-lined Brann Street, while arched openings, distinctive moldings and restored red oak floors carry the home's 1930s character throughout. The kitchen opens through a broad arch into a garden-facing sunroom, where the green walls match the home's original 1936 color and new built-ins incorporate cabinetry, shelving and a bar.

French doors frame the deck and gardens beyond. Just off the sunroom, a separate 20-by-13-foot family room doubles beautifully as a fourth bedroom, with walk-in-size storage and direct garage access. In both rooms, red oak floors were recreated to match the originals, down to beveled edges, period-style top-nailing and walnut plugs.

Outside, lawn and layered gardens surround fruiting lemon and mature peach trees. Beyond the lawn is another surprise: a finished, insulated and electrified garden studio with vaulted wood ceilings and French doors beneath a bougainvillea-covered pergola-a bonus space for music, work, exercise or whatever comes next.

Upstairs, a restored Douglas fir staircase with original ornate ironwork leads to three bedrooms and a full bath. The primary opens to a private balcony, while another bedroom frames Oakland's lights and Coliseum fireworks through casement windows. All-copper plumbing, a new electrical panel, dual-pane heat-resistant windows, and new dual-fuel range bring modern reassurance to a home whose 1936 character remains very much intact.