On the market: A home with a history is open to house new memories

Childhood homes play an outsized role in our memories. Every room tells a story; every detail recalls an emotion.

The grand neo-classical at 3212 Garfield St. NW is full of design elements that would enchant adults and children alike – from the numerous porches and outside spaces to the elegant rooms just right for formal entertaining.

Built in 1928 (one of the peak periods for homes of this style), the red brick manor with an imposing two-story columned portico offers 5,808 square feet of living space on four levels and includes five bedrooms, four full baths, a sunroom, a patio and a lovingly landscaped front and rear yard. There is also a detached single-car garage. It is on the market for $2.25 million.

The house sits on a small rise fronted by a stone wall and a profusion of soon-to-bloom irises, dogwoods, cascading cherries and other flowering shrubs. Stone stairs and a walkway lead to a traditional neo-classical front door framed with a fanlight and sidelights embellished with eclipse trim. There is also a screen door with a delicate metalwork lower panel.

Inside, a high-ceilinged and gracious foyer reveals a switchback staircase with a spiral handrail. To the right is a formal dining room that seats 16 and features original chair rail, crown and baseboard molding. There is also a gas fireplace with gold-streaked marble surround and a wood mantel with columns and dentil detail. It is flanked by two sets of French doors that open onto a screened-in porch with a hunter green beadboard ceiling.

Straight ahead is a bright white kitchen, recently updated with Shaker-style cabinets (some glass fronted) with brushed nickel hardware, granite counters and a glass tile backsplash. Stainless appliances include a Dacor five-burner cooktop, Bosch wall ovens and a KitchenAid French door refrigerator/freezer.

Next to the kitchen is a sunny breakfast room with two walls of windows and a double door opening to the covered back porch where vines of wisteria climb the columns. Off the breakfast room is a laundry area with a Whirlpool washer and dryer.

The back porch takes you back into the house via a mudroom, office, full bath with a vintage stand-alone claw foot tub, and a bonus room that opens onto a living room graced by tall windows, ceiling medallion and a traditional wood-burning fireplace with marble surround and wood mantel.

Upstairs on the second floor are four bedrooms and two jack-and-jill baths. Two back bedrooms share a large terrace with a view of the rear garden and the National Cathedral. In the front of the house are two more bedrooms, overlooking the front garden and Garfield Street. They are separated by a sweet little study or nursery with two sets of French doors that open onto a Juliet balcony.

Above the bedrooms is another level with a cozy bedroom/retreat under the eaves and access to a spacious attic that can be converted into another bedroom/living space or additional storage. 

The lower level includes a rec room, full bath, shelving for storage and a separate entrance – making it an ideal au pair suite.

Located at the intersection of the Woodley Park, Massachusetts Avenue Heights and Cleveland Park neighborhoods, the home is close to Rock Creek Parkway and a short ride or walk to the Cleveland Park metro station, National Cathedral, the National Zoo and the shops and restaurants of Wisconsin and Connecticut avenues.