Don't let the exterior of this Cole Valley home fool you. While from the curb it is all Edwardian with its arched pediment and bay window, the interior has been fully refreshed for modern life.

The home's originally wide and roomy layout lent itself perfectly to a contemporary expansion and renovation by San Francisco–based Il Nido Designs, which added brightness via additional windows and recessed LED lighting as well as luxurious trappings including new wide-plank oak floors, hydronic heated floors, and a Sonos sound system.

Beyond the glass front door is the sunny living room with pretty street-facing windows—a perfect space for entertaining given its open transition into a built-in bar and adjacent dining room. All this wanders easily into the airy great room, which is anchored by a gas fireplace on one end and a bank of windows at the other.

Designed for lounging and mingling, the great room has a chef's counter view to the kitchen, distinguished by its oversized island of white ash cabinetry, sleek Wolf double ovens, Bosch dishwasher, and Sub-Zero refrigerator and wine storage. A wall of glass encourages the party to spill outside for cocktails or sunbathing in the sheltered garden. A roomy half bathroom with a floating marble vanity rounds out the main floor.

At the base of the staircase, a functional nook tucked against an attractive, concrete tile wall, offers space for small tasks or reading before heading up to the second level where skylights bathe the corridor in natural light. The second floor has a bit of flex space, ideal for an office or library, and also houses three spacious bedrooms, each with their own artisan-tiled bathrooms, as well as a laundry room.

As it should, the private master suite crowns the home on the top floor with covetable views of Sutro Forest and the mount's iconic tower. Step out onto the deck for a panorama of the city skyline including the Golden Gate Bridge and steeples of St. Ignatius Church. The walk-in closet, with oodles of built-in storage, is a dream for getting dressed; the master bath has modern-zen vibes with a soaking tub beneath the treetops.

Additional amenities include a two-car garage, a two-block stroll to Muni, and easy access to beloved Cole Valley neighborhood spots like Zazie, Luke's Local Grocery, and the Ice Cream Bar. What's not to love?

Location: 45 Alma St. (Cole Valley)

Size: 3,245sf

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 4.5

Asking price: $4,850,000

// For more information, visit 45alma.com.

Special thanks to our partners at the Sangiacomo Group at BarbCo.