710 S 55th St, Philadelphia, PA 19143

Magic is always in the details when an architect updates their own home, and this new-meets-old rowhome is no exception to that rule. It sits behind a front garden with mature landscaping including a Japanese maple and rose vine that climbs the stone porch wall. Inside, plenty of vintage charm and high ceilings meet refinished original pine floors throughout, while a combination of recessed lighting and just-so fixtures tie it all together with the contemporary Scandinavian-inspired kitchen. The vestibule entrance with original wainscoting, terracotta hex tile and glass door opens to the living room with front bay window, fireplace and turned staircase with detailed millwork. The warm and spacious dining room is open to the large kitchen, which has an expanded galley layout and an extra-large pantry closet. Not a detail was overlooked here: custom flat-front maple cabinets and drawers; veined quartz countertops; vertical subway backsplash with integrated Portuguese tiles; and large-format porcelain tile flooring are met with stainless steel appliances including a Samsung French-door fridge and five-burner range with convection oven and a Maytag dishwasher. Other thoughtful storage elements include open under-cabinet storage and a set of shelves recessed into the wall. Against the back wall, there’s a sweet window spot with a stylish pendant light for a breakfast table. And of course, a powder room tucked behind a pocket door was included in the first-floor upgrades. Upstairs the three rear bedrooms all flow into each other. The largest has two exposures, one from a window flanked by original mirrored closets. Both of the sunny middle rooms could easily serve as true bedrooms; one is currently used as a home office and would also make a great dressing room. The large front bedroom has a lovely bay window and an original glass-paneled door. All share a hall bath with original Victorian subway wall tile, functioning skylight and original cast iron tub. Back downstairs, basement access is behind a pocket door with an exposed brick wall along the staircase. This space is super functional as a playroom, home gym or maker space, thanks to the super-high-for-a-basement ceilings with plenty of LED lighting, and crisp painted cement floors and parged walls. Out the back door with a transom there’s a spacious deck with steps down to a good-sized L-shaped rear yard with a perennial herb garden surrounded by privacy fencing. The great location is just a couple blocks from the 3.2 acre Christy Rec Center, which has a pool and is currently undergoing major renovations and upgrades, and also convenient to Cobbs Creek Park for more greenspace. And Baltimore Ave shopping, dining and the trolley into Center City are just a couple blocks away.