Originally published on CaliforniaHomeDesign.com

Last weekend I ventured up to Bernal Heights to babysit the adorable son of a good friend. It was one of those treks that necessitated the Vespa, as buses or bikes aren't really adequate if you don't want to spend an hour traveling across the city. Bernal Heights is far and high-up and sleepy…but once I got there all those facts started to seem less like complaints and more like charms.

For starters, my friend, who also happens to be an interior designer, has a lovely house, with pretty light and comfy furniture and a sunny back patio. Also, I could take the baby on a scenic and peaceful walk around the neighborhood without getting screamed at by an unstable homeless person or offered Class B narcotics. Although I didn't take the baby for said walk because lesson number one I learned about having a baby around is that time is violently sucked into an abyss.

But I swear this is about real estate. The very next day I spotted a listing for this home for sale just a few blocks away. I couldn't help but start dreaming, especially because its modern facade and smooth gray walls are far less intimidating than the sometimes crumbling, centuries-old gems that are usually up for sale in that area.

Click here for more of this Bernal Heights beauty!