On the outside, everything about this Craftsman bungalow, originally built in the Overlook neighborhood in 1923, is pretty typical. Craftsmans, after all, were easy construction for their time as smaller and affordable homes, with an abundance of plans available from sources like their namesake, Craftsman magazine, and the Sears, Roebuck, and Company catalogs.

This one looks the part, set far back from its wide, leafy street, with a pleasingly asymmetrical façade, anchored on one side by a small porch with a jerkinhead roof. (That's the clipped portion of the gable at the front.) Decorative brackets underscore the eaves, and a tidy color scheme, light gray with charcoal trim, rounds out the presentation.

The interior is where we start to see some deviation, though not until the kitchen in the back. The front rooms all retain much of their original character, including the chunky fir trim around windows and doorways, a built-in bench with storage in the foyer, and a delightful window seat in an arched alcove in the living room.

Thanks to the current owner, architect Jeremy Spurgin of Outside Architecture, the kitchen picks up on the home’s historic Arts and Crafts origin, but updates it for all the ways we like to live now. The center of the room is occupied by a substantial custom walnut island, with plenty of surface area for prep or staging, as well as room for four seats. Beyond the island, a large sliding glass door opens to the backyard. Combined with the circular floor plan and a full bathroom that Spurgin added off the hallway, this makes the first floor perfect for a party.

The kitchen easily combines beauty and utility—thanks to things like the designer appliances, handmade tile, and an in-sink chopping and drying rack—but the backyard is no slouch either. Due to the deep front setback, it’s on the smaller side, but is a deft study in how to make the most of a limited area: there's both a deck and a lounging patio, built-in planters lining the fence and deck edges—perfect for fresh herbs—and even a bocce ball court.

Upstairs, the blend of old and new continues, with a stair landing still with its fir built-in drawers, glass door, and interior window, combined with a laundry room and an expansive new bathroom. The bathroom has heated floors, a walk-in shower, and a soaking tub arranged beneath the windows.

The house has a total of 2,843 square feet over its three levels. Sometimes, a good portion of a listing’s stated square footage can include a basement that may or may not be usable, but this is not that. Downstairs, Spurgin installed an independent guest suite, complete with a full kitchen and bathroom, a great room with enough space to lounge and sleep, and its own entrance.

Listing Fast Facts 

• Address: 5725 N Delaware Ave, Portland, OR 97217
• Size: 2,843 square feet/3 bedroom/3 bath
• List Date: 9/13/2023 
• List Price: $925,000
• Listing Agents: Michelle McCabe and Matthew McClenaghan, Windermere Realty Trust

Melissa Dalton is a freelance writer who has focused on Pacific Northwest design and lifestyle since 2008. She is based in Portland, Oregon. Contact Dalton here. 

Editor’s Note: Portland Monthly’s “Property Watch” column takes a weekly look at an interesting home in Portland’s real estate market (with periodic ventures to the burbs and points beyond, for good measure). Got a home you think would work for this column? Get in touch at [email protected].