Some homes are built. Others are composed.

In the early 1920s, artist-architect Paul Beygrau and his wife Marie Rosalie Schaff, a gifted woodcarver from Alsace, arrived in Berkeley after distinguished work abroad. Beygrau, London-born and trained in both fine arts and architecture, had already earned recognition designing interiors for royal commissions in England and grand public buildings in Winnipeg. Together, the couple turned their attention to a deeply personal project in the Berkeley hills — creating a pair of neighboring homes that would embody their shared artistic vision.

At 1049 and 1051 Keith Avenue, the Beygraus produced what many regard as their collaborative masterwork — a rare domestic expression of European artistry translated into California architecture. Their work drew enough attention to be featured on the front page of the San Francisco Chronicle in 1928 and was described at the time as “the most remarkable expression of domestic art and architecture in the Bay Region.”

At 1049 Keith, artistry is present in nearly every surface. Massive, hand-carved wooden doors — reportedly shaped by Marie Beygrau herself — open into interiors rich with material and craft. Intricate inlaid hardwood floors run throughout the home, while the living and dining rooms unfold with grand proportions and walls clad in solid, hewn redwood wainscoting. Above, richly decorated ceilings reflect Beygrau’s European fresco traditions adapted into sculptural plaster and painted finishes, creating rooms that feel both architectural and artistic.

The main level is anchored by these dramatic public spaces and complemented by a period-inspired kitchen and a marble-enhanced full bath.

Upstairs, the 800-square-foot primary suite feels almost palatial — crowned by a columned atrium ceiling and opening through French doors to a sweeping view deck. Two additional bedrooms offer their own character: one wrapped in warm wood wainscoting that creates an intimate retreat; the other a double-sized chamber with fireplace, French doors to the garden, and a richly ornamented ceiling that reflects the home’s decorative lineage.

Beyond the interiors, the home continues its dialogue with nature. The grounds cascade down the hillside in a series of thoughtfully designed terraces. An upper terrace invites relaxed outdoor dining and gathering. A generous middle terrace offers space for play or recreation. Below, landscaped gardens and raised planting beds create a productive and peaceful setting for gardening.

Tucked privately within the property is a charming detached apartment, complete with lofted sleeping area, its own terrace, and beautiful outlooks — ideal for guests, creative work, or extended stays.

At once architectural artifact and living home, 1049 Keith Avenue offers something exceedingly rare in the Berkeley hills: a residence where history, artistry, and daily life meet in enduring form.