1733 Ben Lomond Dr., Glendale, California 91202

Interview With The Home Owner

What did you love about living at 1733 Ben Lomond?

We loved the flow of the house and the one-story layout made it so easy to get around and keep an eye on toddlers while throwing a load of laundry in or cooking dinner.

It's also nice that the kitchen is far away from the bedrooms so if someone gets up early and starts banging pots and pans at 6:00am (my parents when they would visit from Ohio) you can sleep in and not hear them!

The big family room was a big draw and a place with enough room for the whole family to hang out at the same time. There was room to watch a movie and have plenty of room for baby equipment and toys to keep everyone entertained ( including a bar for the grownups!) As the kids got older, there was a ton of room for sleepovers and parties and even a few student film shoots!

I can't say enough how much the backyard was a selling point for us and has proven to be the best thing for raising kids. We were also attracted to the great schools, especially Mark Keppel and to being able to walk to Kenneth Village and Brand Park. That has been invaluable!

The beauty and serenity of the neighborhood were also a big draw and unlike anything else we had seen in the Los Angeles area. We couldn't believe this amazing neighborhood existed and we felt like we had found this hidden gem.

Another appealing factor was the close proximity to the studios and that Steve could ride his bike or walk to work. The kids could even walk to school when needed.

What have you upgraded?

Some electrical upgrades were done when we moved in and periodically throughout our time there.

The mainline coming into the house along with that panel were also updated.

Furnace, ductwork, and a/c replaced when we moved in. Hot water heater replaced.

Hardwood floors added to the living room, hall, of the bedrooms, and family room. Crown molding added to the living room and dining room, family room, and bedrooms. Wooden shelves, stair railing, and French doors added to family room.

Are there any unusual features we should notice?

The funky bar in the family room. Great place to set up drinks and people can hang there and you can open the french doors so that people can enjoy the patio and backyard as well.

Restored O'Keefe Merritt Stove in the kitchen is awesome to cook on. The oven may seem small but it's deep and can fit a turkey.

Extra storage under the house.

The heating and cooling are set up in three zones so that you can target which rooms you want to heat/cool and try and keep your electric bill down.

The tall closet in the hall used to be where the original furnace was but is now nice to have for extra storage.

The giant Chinese elm in the back is great for shade in the summer and would be an awesome place for a treehouse. Steve's biggest regret that we never built one, so maybe the next family can!

So.... the tool shed in the back is a little worse for wear but it was a great place for the kid's neighborhood club meetings. It still has a nice concrete slab and if we had stayed I would have used it to build a decked-out "she shed"!

What might a buyer miss if they only visit 1733 Ben Lomond once?

One of the best spots is the living room with a great view of the mountains and trees and the beautiful neighborhood in general. It's a great place to sit and relax and have a glass of wine or visit with your friends. The house itself is in a pretty peaceful spot and without a great deal of traffic.

The backyard also so very private and peaceful. You can take a book back on the patio and read or nap and no one knows your there! You also have a great place to entertain and have a big space to put tables and a grill and there is access right off of the kitchen. It greatly adds to your usable living space. We've had many birthday parties and gatherings and there is still plenty of place for people to sit and for the kids to run around.

And the fruit trees are amazing. People may miss the fact that there is an orchard right in their backyard! Including a pomegranate tree, avocado tree, two orange trees, and two different kinds of persimmon trees. We would make great salads in the fall with the pomegranate seeds and Fuyu persimmons and delicious guacamole from the avocados. Not to mention you can make delicious persimmon bread with the hachiya persimmons. I've heard that the neighborhood was once an orange grove and I often wonder if the orange trees are remaining from that original grove.

What do you love most about living in Cumberland Heights and Northwest Glendale?

We love the peaceful location, the diverse and interesting architecture, and that you can walk for miles and miles in either direction and still be surrounded by beauty and serenity (and minimal traffic).

Having Brand park just a few steps away from the house has been such a gift and has greatly added to the quality of our lives and the fond memories that we share. We would take the kids to play in the wading pool and playground when they were young, then hiking and mountain biking when there were older. The hiking trails go on for miles and it's been a great source of exercise for the entire family. Going to a tea ceremony at the Japanese tea house, touring The Doctor's House when it's decorated for Christmas, as well as picnics any time of the year, are also among the things that make the neighborhood so special.

Brand Library is also special! We love the art shows, concerts and classes.  The kids have taken art classes, dance classes, and even martial arts classes at Brand Library. They've also participated in day camps during the summer. When we want to get away, study, work or just for a change of pace, we would grab a book or laptop and walk to the beautifully restored library and sit and enjoy the peace and quiet in the quaint and cozy rooms. It also has an amazing collection of music that you can listen to or check out. All of this within walking distance!

Kenneth Village also within walking distance and a great place to push a stroller or stop and have a delicious dinner at Mi Corazon, pizza at Georges Cucina, or pick up dinner at Art's Deli.

What we really love the most is the great neighbors! It's a great community of people that care about the neighborhood and each other. We've considered ourselves very lucky to be surrounded by such great people.