This thoughtfully updated colonial has a dream location 4 blocks from Maplewood Village. A stones throw to midtown direct train station, restaurants, cafes, shops, parks, tennis courts, schools, and multiple playgrounds. The owners have lovingly named it "Sunshine House" for good reason- it sparkles the moment you step inside. The 1st floor boasts an open floor plan, light pours in from the back door into the updated kitchen with its incredible finishes, peninsula, and storage. Step out to the backyard or side porch to enjoy multiple outdoor living spaces- the side porch is an extension of the living room, a wonderful place to relax and soak in the breeze. The backyard had a full gardening/masonry overhaul! Roses, lavender, hydrangeas, & butterfly bushes will envelop you with their beauty! A yard ideal for playing, entertaining, and relaxing after a long day. The 2nd floor has 3 charming, ample sized bedrooms-  the smaller bedroom having been used over time as a study, guest room, and filming space. The finished top floor is a wonderful multipurpose space- including a bedroom, office space, and a custom soundproof recording studio with acoustic treatment. The finished basement is another living space unto its own with separate entrance and powder room! It's the perfect place to cozy up for a movie, host guests, play for hours, or create an art studio. Welcome to this magical home, every inch will bring you joy!

Dear Future Homeowners

We remember the feeling of uncertainty when we made the decision to move from the city and buy a home. We wanted somewhere far enough to unplug yet close enough to stay connected. Maplewood was our picture-perfect answer. They say a house speaks to you and even though 12 BGP was in need of much TLC, we knew she was the fit for our family when our daughter coined her the “sunshine house.” From the first night, when we slept on an air mattress surrounded by boxes waiting to be unpacked, we felt at home and at peace. Among the top reasons we chose this home was its location. It’s a big decision to move from the city, but it’s another thing to sacrifice walkability. At 12 BGP, we didn’t have to and it has made all the difference to our quality of life. It gave us the city feel on our own terms. Often, we don’t use our car for days as we walk most everywhere we need to go from the village, the train, restaurants, tennis courts, and schools to three green parks and playgrounds. We have loved living in this home. We never tire of the morning light spilling into the kitchen, overlooking the southeast facing garden. It’s the sweetest way to begin the day. The dining room seats eight with ease and has made us the hosting home when it comes to holidays and get-togethers. Our city friends enjoy visiting on the weekends, and the open vibe of the main floor and multiple outdoor living spaces make it a pleasure to host. An extension of the living room, the side porch is one of the more utilized “rooms” and has given us that indoor/outdoor feel we wanted in a home for painting, reading a novel, catching up with a friend, playing, or simply sitting in the shade and enjoying the quiet breeze. Our yard has unfurled a love affair with gardening. Home to sunshine roses, lavender, princess spirea, a weeping cherry tree, hydrangeas, marigolds, bearded irises, butterfly bushes, and forsythia which line the side porch and pop bright yellow in the spring. The rock garden in the corner of the backyard with a maple tree is our "make a wish spot." We love spotting our resident bunny who lives under the fir tree at the end of the river rock pathway. We leave the occasional carrot on our morning walk to preschool. Watching our daughter discover nature in our own backyard and run around barefoot chasing fireflies is a joy beyond words. As two work-from-home creatives, the finished top level is spaciously multi-purpose with an additional sleeping space, writing desk area, a large storage eave or walk-in closet, and a custom soundproof recording studio with mass-loaded vinyl walls and acoustic treatment. Many jobs have been recorded and screenplays written on the top floor we named our “Creative Nest.” On the lower fully finished level, with its own entrance and bathroom, we’ve had puppet shows and built extra tall lego towers. At close to 500 sq feet, it feels like a second dwelling, where our family hangs on Friday movie nights after Arturo’s pizza. It does double-duty as an inlaw flat when the grandparents visit. And it could also make an excellent au pair suite. The bedrooms are ample sized and, with a little one, so convenient to all share the same floor. Each bedroom feels like its own cozy sanctuary with leafy views and windows custom-fitted with blackout shades for optimal sleeping. Our daughter loves her bedroom with plenty of space for a big girl bed, building forts, a book nook and wardrobe. The smaller bedroom, meanwhile, has been everything from a study, to a guest room with a full bed, to a filming studio for live Zoom sessions and creative projects. What makes this home extra special is its micro-community. We hit the jackpot with neighbors and parting with them will be the hardest part. From BGP movie nights to celebrating birthdays, sledding in winter, making homemade ice cream from snow, babysitting our kiddo, to watering our plants when we’ve traveled, we’ve been held as family. We are, perhaps, the only street in Maplewood with its own monogrammed drinkware! Our eyes are tearing writing this letter, as this home holds indelible memories and treasured “firsts" in the few years we’ve been here. If life wasn’t leading us overseas, we’d happily stay. We have taken pride and passion in creating a beautiful home and garden, making many improvements. We hope that you feel the love equity we’ve put in and that your life here will come into full bloom at the “sunshine house,” filled with memories in magical Maplewood. Welcome home.

From the Current Homeowners of 12 Buckingham Garden Parkway

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