ASKING: $187,500
SQUARE FOOTAGE: 1,727
YEAR BUILT: 1979
ADDRESS: 612 Beechwood Drive
NEIGHBORHOOD: North Downtown
CURB APPEAL: 3 out of a possible 10
LISTED BY: Cynthia Viejo of Montague, Miller & Co., 973-5393

By Lynn Jo Jameson

Ever wonder why houses always face the road, their panoramic front windows looking straight onto streets, driveways, and mailboxes instead of rolling green hills or trees? It[base ']s all dull views out and revealing views in. Not every site, of course, is blessed with beautiful natural vistas, but at the very least privacy should be a priority where windows afford the greatest amount of light and the least amount of intrusion.

Downtown, housing space is at a premium, and "in-fill" the latest euphemism for narrow-lot building. Even out towards the mountains, development piles on the houses with little regard for environment or scenery. Every so often, though, a house is built with the sole aim of giving the occupants optimum life enhancement: maximum space, beautiful views, privacy.

Referred to as a "rustic contemporary," this compact and perfectly packaged house sits on a winding, quiet lane off Park Street. During the hour of our tour, only one car passed. The rest of the neighborhood lacks much personality or style but fairly oozes with brick solidity and comfort.

Cynthia Viejo, the realtor, and I made our way down a garden path nicely delineated with white rocks. The "front" of the house, with no windows, makes it hard to anticipate what awaits. Inside the front door, the choices are quite simple: up or down. We go down.

Although nearby houses are close, the windows here are situated to allow sunlight to stream from all angles into the great room. The kitchen abuts this room, encased in yellow pine floor and rafters. I couldn[base ']t help thinking of a smaller Brady family living in this house with its open flow and dearth of doors. Behind the kitchen, two good-sized bedrooms, new closets, and a bathroom are tucked away.

Back through the great room and up the stairs sits a sanctuary of unusual proportions. The large room downstairs rises through both floors so there[base ']s an enclosed balcony along one wall large enough to accommodate a child[base ']s playhouse, an array of pillows, or several rows of books.

The rest of upstairs is a bedroom/ sitting area. Here the windows are placed low on the walls to accentuate the architectural detailing. A window seat is a fine use of this otherwise dead space. Almost immediately we gravitate to this spot. A nice touch. The bathroom has a bit of a hotel feel, with its double sinks and openness, but it[base ']s more Omni than Econo. A walk-in closet and a commode complete the indoor walk-through.

Outside, beyond the deck, the land slopes steeply. Grass does not[~] and probably will not[~] grow under the majestic canopy of trees. The neighbors are close but not intrusive. Even though the winterized trees were bereft of leaves, there was no feeling of being in a fishbowl.

Constructed by Johnny Johnson of Avalon Realty from a Barnes Lumber Package (a now-defunct local company that supplied houses in a box, IKEA-style), the post-and-beam construction, along with the wood foundation, harkens back to the days of innovative design. "Wood in the ground bothers people," says Johnson, "although it is stronger, more flexible, and with gravel creates a positive drain flow."

Even though Johnson says the package was a superior product and kept waste material at a minimum, the idea never caught on. "New concepts take longer to take hold," he laments.

Scandinavia, Europe, and Asia embrace the idea of designing an environmentally sound house that fits the land with intelligence and confidence. But, Johnson sadly adds, "Here [in America], if it[base ']s not popular, it[base ']s not done."

Given the low rating on the curb appeal scale is in no way indicative of the comfort and convenience this house offers. Live life to the fullest without the prying eyes or nosey neighbors that can come with a downtown location.

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