The Oakland Home Where “Mother” of Mother’s Cookies Once Lived Asks $1.4M
New to the market in Oakland, California, is a turnkey four-bedroom dating back to 1925. The historic Spanish Mediterranean is said to have been home to the founders of food brand Mother’s Cookies, Noah M. Wheatley and his wife, Leopoldine Wheatley. Perched in the Ivy Hill neighborhood, the dwelling was recently treated to a top-to-toe redesign by its current owners, Jenny Finkel and Ryan Mason, who acquired the property in 2015.
Originally built in 1925, the multilevel home is centrally located in the Ivy Hill area, putting it in close proximity to Lake Merritt and Downtown Oakland, as well as the Glen View, Grand Lake, and Lakeshore neighborhoods.
"After looking at tons of houses with tasteful but plain renovations, we wanted to embark on something wholly different," says Ryan. "We both love colors and textures, and as a guiding principle, we aimed for materials that would grow more beautiful with age."
A bright orange door extends a warm welcome while adding a fun pop of color to the home’s white facade.
Spanning across 2,705 square feet, the residence now offers an open, airy layout, filled with large living spaces and a mix of vintage and new details. "We strove to stay true to the history of the home and area," says Jenny. "The original trim had been painted over many times, so we replaced it with beautiful vertical-grain Douglas fir—the same wood as the original."
"It was important to us that the home felt light and airy throughout," says Jenny. Large windows and glass doors help to usher fresh breezes inside, in addition to facilitating indoor/outdoor flow.
"While we both love vibrant hues, we also know that it’s easy to overdo it," adds Jenny. "Thus, we kept a lot of wood, neutrals, and whites in play in order to help balance out the places where we used color."
Another view of the main living room showcasing the central fireplace—original to the home.
Steps from the living and dining areas on the main level is a bright chef’s kitchen, reimagined with a central soapstone island, gourmet commercial appliances, and ample storage. Soda and beer taps cater to entertaining, as do the room’s coffee bar and a double oven with a 24" griddle.
"I always wanted a bright orange stove as the centerpiece of a chef’s kitchen," states Ryan. The top-of-the-line BlueStar appliance contrasts with the surrounding custom cabinetry.
The upper level houses the home’s four bedrooms, including the spacious primary suite which features a custom, see-through DaVinci fireplace, dual closets with Elfa shelving organizers, and a spa-like bath that frames views of the East Bay hills. A light-filled office is located down the hall.
A dramatic Cle’ Zellige tile wall tastefully infuses the open space with another layer of color.
To complement the cheery backsplash tile, the kitchen is also fitted with an Oh Joy! Cle’ Encaustic cement tile floor, which continues into the sun-kissed breakfast nook area.
Outside, an expansive deck adjacent to the living room and kitchen leads to the home’s landscaped backyard, complete with a cozy fire pit, lawn, and secret grotto area. A revamped Airstream trailer is parked outside, offering a turnkey space that can be used as a guesthouse or rental. Scroll ahead to see more of the home, now seeking $1,395,000.
The formal dining room can be closed or left open with glass French doors, and provides easy access to the kitchen via a dutch door. The couple handcrafted the leaded glass windows, which contain over 1,200 pieces of colorful and beveled glass.
One of the home’s half-baths—referred to as "the galaxy powder room"—is dressed in wallpaper from Graham & Brown and boasts Heath tile on both the floor and walls.
At the base of the upper-level staircase sits a cozy, light-filled lounge area.
In the primary suite, floor-to-ceiling Heath tile surrounds both sides of the double-sided DaVinci fireplace between the bedroom and bath. "Our family gave us a Heath dining set for our wedding, which made choosing locally made Heath tiles a natural progression," says Ryan.
"I’ve loved taking showers with my toddler in the primary bath’s double shower," adds Jenny. "It's way easier and much more fun than bath time."
A custom claw-foot tub made of cast iron sits on the other side of the fireplace. The primary bath also includes a double-vanity capped with Thassos white marble.
The light-filled office is fitted with a soothing patterned wallpaper from Heath.
Each of the four bedrooms are dotted with custom details and offer calming environments to rest.
Exemplary tile work in each bath allows the private spaces to become true expressions of artistry.
Five glass doors provide access to the home’s expansive wooden deck that overlooks the backyard.
The transformed garage space can easily serve as a creative studio or gym.
The Airstream comes fully equipped with a chic interior, kitchenette, and bathroom.
The backyard is an entertainer’s paradise, complete with a covered outdoor dining area.
In addition to the spacious flat lawn, the backyard comes with a tucked-away grotto.
2311 7th Avenue in Oakland, California, is currently listed for $1,395,000 by Andrew Pitarre of Compass.
Know of a home for sale or rent that should be featured on Dwell.com? Find out how to submit to Dwell.
Published
Last Updated
Topics
Real EstateGet the Real Estate Newsletter
From midcentury classics to the best contemporary spaces for sale, see the latest listings for modern homes on the market around the world.