Charmingly Eclectic French Normandy House Lists in Los Feliz

Back in 2007, “Grey’s Anatomy” alum T.R. Knight bought this historic French Normandy-style estate on the eastern border of L.A.’s celeb-studded neighborhood of Los Feliz.

Built in 1930, the home was in dire need of an overhaul. So, the actor spent the next three years and substantial sums of money renovating the premises before handing it over for $2.7 million to producer Lauren Lexton and her husband Kevin MacCarthy in April 2011. Now it’s returned to the market, this time asking a speck under $3.8 million.

Nestled on a steeply sloped 0.3-acre parcel, near the Griffith Observatory, the multi-level brick and half-timbered structure is fronted by a short driveway that empties out at a two-car garage. Inside, four bedrooms and a matching number of baths are spread across a little more than 4,300 square feet of living space adorned throughout with wood-beam ceilings, casement and leaded diamond-paned windows, inlaid hardwood and slate floors, wainscoted walls, arched doorways and antique heating registers.

A gothic-style arched front door opens into a double-height entrance hall displaying a curving, hand-carved staircase. From there, a spacious living room boasts a wood-burning stone fireplace with a mantle sporting an Old French saying — “To God, My Faith-To Friends, My Hearth” — that was reportedly inscribed by the home’s original owner and builder, Leona P. Wood. There’s also a lofted minstrel’s gallery, which was said to have at one time hosted concerts by the Hollywood String Quartet.

Other highlights include a rustic study sporting a brick fireplace and multicolor antique slate floor, and formal dining room that connects to an updated galley-style kitchen outfitted with custom cabinetry, a walk-in pantry, and high-end Miele and Sub-Zero appliances supplemented by a pricey vintage Bertazzoni range.

A main-level master suite rests beneath an impressive corbel dome ceiling, and comes complete with a walk-in closet, and stylish tiled bath equipped with Dornbracht Madison fixtures and a clawfoot soaking tub. Two additional bedrooms can be found upstairs, each with their own private sitting room, while the lower level holds a fourth bedroom and bath.

Though there’s no pool, the Matthew Brown-designed grounds are nicely landscaped, and include a large terrace ideal for al fresco dining and entertaining, as well as plenty of meandering pathways running alongside a stream with its own waterfall and pond.

The listing is held by Eileen Moreno and Laura Moreno of Keller Williams Realty Los Feliz.