740 N Brainard Avenue

There is truly nothing else like it in 60526. Welcome to 740 N Brainard in highly desirable Harding Woods. This inspired home is a delight in both architecture and its relationship to nature. Strategically set back on the property, a gently curved driveway meanders past a park like setting with seating areas and mature landscaping all leading to the charming home overlooking Salt Creek and the forest preserve. As the only surviving structure of the original Meyer's fruit farm, this private sanctuary had been awarded the Audubon Society Natural Wildlife Habitat award and offers rare views of Harding Woods and Salt Creek. It features amazing perennial gardens, porous paver sidewalks and patios, brick driveway and an irrigation system that uses water pumped from Salt Creek for ease of maintenance. Hardwood floors featured throughout, with energy efficient windows and whole house generator (as-is). In '22 the home underwent a comprehensive designer renovation by Chicago's DEW Design Co - cataloged on their portfolio as "Color Forward" - and was photographed by Madeline Harper Photography. The primary bath is currently the lead featured image on DEW's homepage and trended on Reddit's r/RoomPorn. This is a design-press home, not a flip.The fabulous first floor living space has been redesigned with an inviting foyer, leading to both the living room and open kitchen/dining. The kitchen is a master work in design with a Wolf 36-inch range with griddle and gas burners. Wolf speed oven (combo microwave / convection / broil) built into the cabinetry. Custom commercial-grade ventilation hood. Built-in wine refrigerator integrated into the cabinet run. Premium whisper-quiet dishwasher. Counter-depth refrigerator with bottom freezer. Marigold cabinetry and thoughtful design will allow for many happy evenings preparing your meals. The formal dining room leads to the wonderful family room at the rear of the house that features a decorative fireplace, beamed ceiling, a showstopper light feature and two sets of French doors (equipped with rolling storm shades) giving access to the exterior with private entertaining space and wonderful views of the surrounding nature. The recently renovated first floor full bath features subway tile shower, a black trough sink with wall-mount faucet, beadboard, arched mirror and hex floor tile. Upstairs there are 3 bedrooms, a recently added amazing bath with floor-to-ceiling handmade emerald green Zellige tile with the variation and depth that only real glazed clay produces, Kohler cast-iron soaking tub painted matte black on the exterior with cast iron claw feet, set beneath operable windows. Dual rainfall showers brass plumbing fixtures throughout. Built-in soap niche and a custom black marble bench and a penny-round hex floor tile in black and white. Custom walnut double vanity with stone vessel sinks on tapered round mid-century legs. Round brass mirror, brass fluted globe pendants and skylight. A sunroom/3rd bedroom is located off of the primary bedroom with volume ceiling and windows featuring great nature views. The bed/sunroom's ceiling and skylights offer the perfect spot for a home office, nursery, library or reading room.The lower lever features a recreation room with a 2nd fireplace and tons of storage. Outside is an inviting patio space with views of the forest preserve and Salt Creek along with an enclosed porch with a Clearlight Sanctuary 3 Full Spectrum Infrared sauna making every day feel like a vacation! A new fence was recently added that protects but does not block any views. Both paver driveway and flagstone patio are water permeable/soaker - no pooling of water - just absorption straight down. Even epoxy grout between bricks and flagstone allows water to go down but prevents weeds from coming up. Exterior lights are solar and gas. All of this and 10/10 Ogden Av Elem and Lyons Twnshp. More details linked in MLS