1908 Cottage in San Anselmo, California With Expansive Gardens, and a Historic Legacy as One of the Neighborhood’s First Homes
This enchanting 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom century cottage in San Anselmo, California, offers historic charm as one of the neighborhood’s earliest homes, built in 1908. Exhibiting lovely turn-of-the-century architectural features with a welcoming front porch and cottage-style detailing, the home blends original character with recent renovations, including foundation, plumbing, and electrical upgrades for modern comfort. Its location on the border of Fairfax places it steps from lively downtown amenities and scenic outdoor trails. The flat, generous lot is ideal for gardening enthusiasts, and the property includes extensive under-house storage and a workshop. Listed at $1,095,000, this home provides a unique slice of Marin history with exceptional access to both urban and outdoor attractions.
Front Entrance Walkway
A charming pathway leads through a white wooden arbor and matching picket fence, bordered by lush greenery and mature shrubs. The stone walkway, featuring subtle geometric patterns, directs attention to the broad staircase with bright white railings ascending to a small, inviting front porch. The porch showcases two large windows and a classic white front door, complemented by a couple of relaxed wooden chairs and potted plants. The architectural details blend traditional appeal with welcoming touches, while the soft white color palette and natural foliage create a bright, airy, and timeless curb appeal for this historic home.
Driveway Entrance
A long, paved driveway extends from a charming white picket fence gate toward a white garage with green trim. The left side of the driveway borders a classic American home featuring white wood siding and green shutters on the windows. Lush greenery, including small trees and neatly trimmed bushes, lines both sides of the path, providing a welcoming, verdant feel. The right edge is flanked by another picket fence and a wall of dense shrubs offering extra privacy. The overall scene is bright and welcoming, with a backdrop of rolling green hills under a clear blue sky.
Front Porch Seating
This space features a charming front porch with two Adirondack-style wooden chairs painted white, each adorned with a tan woven pillow for comfort. The area is bathed in natural light from large windows that frame views of trees and an outbuilding. The walls, ceiling, floor, and even window sills are all painted a bright, clean white. Green trim adds a striking accent around the windows and door, highlighting classic architectural lines. A small round wooden stool holds a leafy potted plant, introducing a touch of greenery. A wicker basket adds additional rustic texture, contributing to a cozy, welcoming feel.
Living Room Entry
Bright and airy space with white walls, wide baseboards, and a light wood floor. Natural light streams through the window near the front door, which features decorative glass. The seating area is defined by a large jute rug, a casual white sofa with textured and patterned pillows, and a woven rattan coffee table. The relaxed, neutral aesthetic is enhanced by basket wall décor and a woven storage basket. At the far end, a built-in wood cabinet with glass panels adds a historic charm, flanked by two brass wall sconces and small framed artwork, blending vintage and modern details seamlessly.
Living Room Entry
Bright and airy space with crisp white walls and ceiling beams, balanced by warm hardwood floors. The area centers on a natural jute rug with a round wicker coffee table and blue floor pillows, creating a relaxed seating spot. A white sofa with neutral throw pillows sits across from a modern wooden accent chair. The front door and tall double windows bring in abundant daylight, and woven baskets hang decoratively on the walls for added texture. At the far end, a vintage wood built-in cabinet with glass panes and brass sconces adds historic charm and elegance to the room.
Living Room Details
A spacious living room with warm, honey-toned hardwood floors and white walls exudes a bright and inviting atmosphere. The ceiling features exposed beams, adding subtle architectural interest. A white sofa is positioned against one wall, adorned with neutral throw pillows and a cozy blanket. Above the sofa, decorative woven baskets create a natural, earthy wall accent. A round, rattan coffee table sits atop a large, textured sisal rug. Blue floor cushions and woven baskets add extra comfort and storage. Simple, mid-century inspired chairs and a wooden bench provide additional seating, while large windows welcome natural light.
Kitchen Corner
A bright kitchen area features warm wooden cabinetry with glass-fronted upper cabinets, housing neutral dishes and minimal decor. The countertops are simple and functional, with a bowl of lemons and a wicker basket adding a fresh, organic touch. A woven rug softens the tiled floor and a light wooden stool sits ready for use. Natural light pours in through two large windows, giving the space an airy feel. Architectural details include crisp white walls with subtle molding, classic doorways leading to an adjacent pantry and a wood-paneled room, and a woven pendant light that adds warmth and texture overhead.
Kitchen Corner
A bright, vintage-inspired kitchen with a focus on warmth and simplicity. The centerpiece is a classic white enamel stove with chrome details, positioned below a pair of woven baskets that hang on the wall. Adjacent to it, natural wood cabinetry and a matching countertop hold lemons in a wooden tray and glass bottles of mineral water, with additional storage space visible behind glass-front cabinets. A woven pendant light hangs above, adding texture and a warm glow. The walls and trim are crisp white, creating a clean backdrop, while a neutral rug and a wooden stool complete the look, emphasizing rustic charm and historic character.
Entryway Nook
A cozy entryway corner with knotty pine wood-paneled walls and a white paneled door. The space is sunlit by two large windows that allow natural light to flood the area, offering a clear view of greenery outside. A narrow wooden console table runs beneath the windows, paired with rustic wooden stools for casual seating. The floor is finished in warm-tone tile, complementing the wood walls. A potted plant with glossy green leaves adds a touch of freshness and color, while simple baskets and books give the area a welcoming, lived-in feel. The overall aesthetic is warm, rustic, and inviting.
Breakfast Nook
A cozy breakfast nook displaying vintage charm with knotty pine wood paneled walls and warm, rich wood tones throughout. The rustic wooden table features a woven natural fiber runner, paired with a modern white chair and a woven-back wooden chair, enhancing a blend of old and new styles. The bench seating along the wall is topped with textured cushions, creating a comfortable space. Large windows with bamboo shades allow natural light to pour in, softening the space. Two black-and-white photographs of trees hang on the wall, adding an artistic yet organic element to the atmosphere.
Bedroom Details
A serene, minimalist bedroom features a cozy bed with a textured, woven headboard and layers of neutral-toned bedding topped with plump pillows in beige and white. The room is awash in natural light from two expansive windows—one to the side and one at the end of the room—each framed in crisp white and offering greenery views outside. Pale wooden floors support two overlapping, earth-toned rugs, bringing warmth to the space. A single rattan chair sits beside the bed, and a woven wall sconce and small artwork add understated accents. The overall aesthetic is airy, tranquil, and natural.
Bathroom Tub Area
A bright and clean bathroom featuring a classic white bathtub with a mounted showerhead and a silver grab bar above the tub. The walls are covered with glossy white tiles, contributing to an overall fresh and airy feeling. A window to the left brings in natural light, adorned with a small potted plant on the sill for a touch of greenery. A simple striped rug lies on the light-colored floor, while a paneled white door with an antique-style knob provides access. The room maintains a minimalistic, functional, and timeless aesthetic with its all-white palette and subtle accents.
Bedroom Retreat
A serene bedroom with light wood flooring and a neutral, nature-inspired aesthetic dominates the scene. A large bed with a textured woven headboard sits against a white wall, dressed in crisp white bedding and soft beige pillows. A rustic, natural fiber area rug defines the space underfoot. To one side, a simple wooden stool with a clear lamp acts as a nightstand. The opposite end shows an open closet with neatly arranged clothes and a woven basket. A window floods the room with natural light, and wooden accents blend with white walls, evoking a calm, cozy atmosphere.
Bathroom Tub Area
A compact bathroom corner featuring a classic white bathtub with a chrome handheld showerhead and a horizontal grab bar above, all set against shiny white tile walls that continue up midway, creating a crisp, clean atmosphere. Bright natural light streams in through a double-hung window above the tub, its white trim accentuating the minimalist style. A single potted plant adds a touch of greenery on the window ledge. The toilet, topped with a wooden seat and a book, is positioned conveniently beside the tub. The overall look is simple and functional, projecting a vintage yet fresh vibe.
Bedroom Doorway
A serene bedroom featuring a bed with a white quilt and a mix of cream and navy accent pillows is centered on a warm wood floor. An earth-toned woven rug rests beneath the bed, adding texture to the minimalist space. The walls and trim are painted bright white, enhancing the light that streams in from a large window overlooking trees in autumn colors. Across the room, an open paneled door leads to another area with a bench and chair, both topped by accent pillows. The overall look is clean, airy, and uncluttered, evoking calm and simplicity.
Garden Pathway
A serene backyard garden featuring a weathered stone path that runs straight down the middle, bordered on one side by raised wooden vegetable beds and on the other by dense green shrubbery and ivy. An old, mature fruit tree with a wide canopy provides dappled shade over a pair of rustic outdoor chairs, inviting quiet relaxation. Along the right edge, a wood fence is partially obscured by thick vines and climbing plants, adding a feeling of age and privacy. The color palette is natural and lush, dominated by various shades of green under a clear blue sky with scattered clouds.
Garden Pathway
A vibrant garden pathway lined with lush greenery, featuring a mix of ivy, flowering plants, and mature trees. The path is composed of red bricks and rustic stepping stones, leading toward a cozy sitting area with two woven chairs and a small white metal table. The white-painted fence and trellises in the background add a classic, inviting charm. The house, visible at the left with its white siding and green-trimmed window, frames the space. The overall aesthetic is one of natural abundance and relaxed outdoor living, perfect for quiet afternoons or garden gatherings.
Backyard Garden
A spacious yard features a central lawn bordered with brick pathways, creating a defined walking space throughout. To the left, raised garden beds brim with green plants and herbs, suggesting a mix of flowers and vegetables. At the center, two leafy fruit trees provide dappled shade over a small outdoor table and chairs, inviting relaxation or casual dining. The perimeter of the yard is lined with wooden fencing and additional plantings, providing privacy and a lush, established feel. The rear of the property includes a white outbuilding, blending well with the verdant landscape and cottage-like ambiance.
Backyard Hot Tub
A cozy outdoor corner features a rustic wooden hot tub set against the side of a small white building with blue trim around a single window. Wooden steps with a white handrail lead up to a short deck area, enclosed by white lattice fencing for partial privacy. The area is surrounded by lush greenery and mature trees, with a stone-bordered brick patio underfoot. The overall look blends cottage charm with a rustic, relaxed ambiance, inviting relaxation and outdoor enjoyment. The yard appears well-loved, balancing manicured elements with natural landscaping and a secluded, homey feel.
Side Patio Entrance
A small, paved patio space sits nestled between white-painted exterior walls of a historic home. The building’s siding is classic wooden clapboard, with rectangular windows framed in bold green trim for a crisp, vintage contrast. There are shrubs and small plants along the edges, softening the area’s otherwise utilitarian layout. A short flight of white wooden steps, with simple gray railings, leads up to a door beside a row of windows. Vining plants climb one wall, adding texture and a touch of nature. The overall impression is clean and modest, with a timeless, welcoming feel.
Porch Dining Area
A cozy porch space set under a rustic, exposed-beam ceiling painted in white and grey tones. The floor appears unfinished, with weathered cement adding to the relaxed atmosphere. A simple wooden dining table with X-shaped legs sits at the center, flanked by two modern butterfly chairs draped in white fabric. On the table, two wooden bowls and a teal napkin add subtle color. A large, neutral-toned woven textile with geometric patterns hangs on the wall, complementing the white horizontal wood paneling. Natural light streams in from a multi-pane window and door, providing views of the greenery outside.
Garage Workspace
A utilitarian garage space features unfinished concrete floors showing natural wear and subtle stains, adding a rustic element. The ceiling and one wall are clad in warm-toned wood panels, creating a cohesive, vintage feel. A single window on the far wall brings in daylight and overlooks greenery outside. Below the window, a sturdy built-in wooden workbench with drawers, painted in a cream color, emphasizes functionality. To the left, a partial view of another table suggests additional workspace. The right side holds a seafoam green bicycle, leaning against the wood-paneled wall. Exposed hooks and empty shelves on the far wall hint at a space meant for tools and projects.
Driveway and Entry
A picturesque driveway laid with beige cobblestones leads toward a detached garage with a classic white wooden door trimmed with green. Alongside the drive, neatly pruned shrubs and lush green foliage line the walkway, providing a soft verdant border and a sense of privacy. The house exterior features traditional white siding and green shutters on the windows, evoking a charming and historic ambiance. Mature landscaping surrounds the area, with pops of autumn color from nearby trees, and rolling green hills create a scenic backdrop under a bright blue sky with fluffy clouds.
Front Exterior
Aerial view of a charming historic American home situated on a quiet corner lot surrounded by mature trees and lush landscaping. The house features a white exterior, a gray gabled roof with solar panels, and green-trimmed windows. A white picket fence encloses the front yard, which is filled with vibrant shrubs and greenery. The driveway leads to a neatly landscaped entrance beside the house. Neighboring homes have diverse architecture and roofing, all set against a densely forested hillside that provides a sense of privacy and natural beauty. The overall scene radiates tranquility and classic suburban aesthetics.
Listing Agent: Keith Offord of Ross Valley Real Estate via Zillow
