This charming century home in Des Moines, beautifully blends historic architecture with modern updates. Built in the early 1900s, the house features a classic gable roof and symmetrical façade typical of residential styles from that era. Fully updated, it offers 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and an oversized 2-stall garage on a spacious plot with a fenced yard and dual patios. Recent renovations include a new roof (2025), fresh paint, modern LVP flooring, and stainless steel appliances. Centrally located north of Grand Avenue, it provides effortless access to downtown, schools, and parks. Listed at $289,900, this move-in-ready home perfectly balances timeless character with contemporary comforts.
Front Exterior View
The exterior is characterized by clean white horizontal siding contrasted with black trim around the windows and roofline. A bold red front door stands out as a welcoming focal point, framed by a small stoop with grey-painted steps and wooden rail posts. The front window is a three-panel bay style, allowing for abundant natural light inside. Simple landscaping lines, including a raised planting bed edged with wood, border the foundation. The house is set on a modest lawn filled with small yellow dandelions, adjacent to a narrow driveway and a wooden gate fence separating the property from the neighboring house. The architectural style reflects a classic American home with practical charm and subtle color contrasts.
Exterior Front Entrance
The exterior showcases a classic American two-story house with white horizontal siding and black trim accents. A steep gabled roof with dark shingles tops the structure, drawing attention upward. The front façade includes a prominent bay window framed in black shutters, enhancing the architectural detail and allowing abundant natural light inside. A vibrant red front door adds a vivid splash of color, contrasting with the clean white walls and grey foundation. Concrete steps bordered with wooden beams lead up to the entrance, while a fenced side yard with weathered wooden panels adds privacy. The setting is framed by a lush green lawn dotted with yellow dandelions.
Front Yard and Facade
A welcoming front yard blanketed with a thick carpet of vibrant yellow dandelions stretches toward a charming white house. The facade is marked by horizontal siding painted bright white, contrasted elegantly by black shutters framing the windows on either side of a prominent bay window. A striking red front door adds a bold pop of color and invites to the home. Cement steps lead up to the entrance, bordered simply on either side. Neighboring homes with similar historic American architecture strengthen the traditional neighborhood feel, set beneath a dramatic sky filled with billowing clouds.
Covered Patio and Garage
A covered concrete patio extends from the house, supported by white wooden posts with a white paneled ceiling above. The patio floor is solid concrete, slightly stained and aged, offering a durable outdoor living space. Adjacent to the patio is a spacious driveway leading to a large two-car garage with white paneled doors and a side entry door featuring a diamond-shaped window. The backyard is enclosed by a chain-link fence and a taller wooden fence beyond it. Trees surround the area, providing natural shade and a quiet, private atmosphere. The overall scene combines functional outdoor space with a simple, historic aesthetic.
Backyard Patio and House Exterior
Concrete patio with visible cracks and slight discoloration stretches from the house, creating a spacious outdoor area. The two-story house exterior is clad in light-colored siding, with a gabled roof in contrasting dark trim. Two awning windows on the upper level have metal shades, adding a vintage touch. French doors and a single door lead from the house to the patio, both framed in white. A white-framed partial roof covers the entrance area, supported by simple posts. Surrounding the space are chain-link and wooden fences, with several mature trees providing greenery and shade on one side.
Backyard and Patio Area
A modest backyard space featuring a fenced-in patio area with a concrete slab surrounded by chain-link fencing providing a clear boundary. The house exterior is white with black trim accents, and includes a steep gable roof with two small awnings over upper windows. A brick chimney stands tall contrasted against the pale siding. Surrounding the patio, the yard is slightly overgrown with green grass interspersed with dandelions and other small plants. Wooden fencing encloses the perimeter to the right, and neighboring structures are visible beyond the yard, contributing to a quiet suburban atmosphere.
Living Room Fireplace Wall
The spacious living room is defined by light beige walls and warm-toned wood laminate flooring that stretches broadly across the room. A white-painted brick fireplace is built into one wall, standing out as a subtle historic element with a clean mantle and recessed hearth. Three small rectangular windows are symmetrically positioned on the fireplace wall, allowing natural light to soften the neutral color palette. The ceiling features a subtle texture with recessed and flush ceiling lights providing even illumination. An open entrance leads to another part of the home, enhancing the room’s flow and openness.
Living Room Expansive View
The space reveals a spacious living room with a contemporary yet neutral palette emphasizing light gray walls paired with wide plank wood-look flooring in varying shades of brown and gray. The ceiling has a subtle beam running along its length, adding architectural interest without overwhelming the simplicity. Multiple doorways, all painted white, lead off this main room, indicating adjacent rooms or closets. The far end features a white-painted brick fireplace mantel, partially visible, contributing a rustic charm. Ceiling light fixtures provide illumination and the overall room design exudes a clean, open, and inviting atmosphere ready for personalized decorating.
Living Room Entrance
Smooth wood-tone flooring extends across an open, spacious room with soft beige walls and white trim. Double French doors with multiple panes bring in natural light, brightening the space. A white door on the adjacent wall likely leads to another room, while an additional door closer to the entryway hints at a closet or utility space. The ceiling features a subtle beam, adding depth. Soft overhead lighting near the entrance provides illumination. Clean lines, neutral colors, and open layout create a versatile, welcoming environment ready for furnishing and personal touches.
Living Room Corner with Fireplace
The space boasts a warm, neutral palette with beige walls and white trim, contrasted by dark wood laminate flooring that adds depth to the room. Two small windows flank a simple, white-painted brick fireplace with a modest mantel, giving a subtle historic charm. The ceiling has a textured finish with recessed lighting, offering a modern touch. Large French doors with grid-patterned glass lead outside, flooding the room with natural light. The room feels open and inviting, blending classic architectural elements with contemporary updates for a comfortable living area.
Kitchen Interior
Natural oak cabinetry lines the kitchen, complementing the light gray hardwood floors with a modern rustic appeal. White countertops provide bright contrast, extending over ample lower and upper storage spaces. Stainless steel appliances including a microwave, oven, dishwasher, and refrigerator add sleek, contemporary touches. A small window above the double sink allows natural light, balancing the neutral wall color. The ceiling’s textured finish and a flush-mounted light fixture contribute to a simple, functional design. The kitchen integrates traditional wood textures with updated finishes, creating a warm yet practical cooking environment.
Kitchen Sink Area
Natural oak cabinetry with raised panel doors lines the walls, providing warm, classic charm. A single window above the white sink brings natural light into the space, bordered by a wood trim matching the cabinets. The white countertops contrast gently with the wood, extending around the sink and to the right where the refrigerator edge is visible. A pantry cabinet and lower storage run along the right wall adjacent to an entrance framed with white trim. Light gray wood-patterned vinyl flooring adds a modern touch while maintaining a neutral base. Recessed ceiling light enhances the overall brightness.
Kitchen Interior
Stainless steel appliances including a refrigerator, microwave, oven, and dishwasher line the kitchen, providing a modern contrast to warm, honey-toned oak cabinets with classic paneling. The cabinetry extends to cover two walls, optimizing storage space while maintaining a traditional aesthetic. Light-colored countertops complement the smooth, grayish vinyl plank flooring, which adds durability and a subtle wood grain texture. A wide doorway opens into an adjoining room with a neutral color scheme and a brick fireplace, enhancing the flow between spaces. The evenly textured ceiling houses a flush-mounted light fixture, illuminating the functional and inviting cooking area.
Living Room Interior
The room opens with a spacious, open layout characterized by light beige walls and a textured ceiling that softly diffuses the overhead lighting. Three modestly sized windows align on one wall, allowing natural light to brighten the space evenly. A whitewashed brick fireplace is centrally positioned along this same wall, adding a subtle historic touch juxtaposed with the modern flooring. The flooring consists of light wood laminate with natural grain patterns that extend throughout the room, creating a warm and inviting foundation. Two French doors at the far end offer access and a visual connection to an exterior space, enhancing the room’s airy feel.
Dining Room and Kitchen Entry
Light gray walls and white trim create a neutral, modern palette. The flooring is a wood-look laminate with natural grain patterns, extending seamlessly from the dining room into the adjacent kitchen area. The kitchen cabinetry is classic medium-tone oak with recessed panel doors, contributing warmth and a subtle traditional touch. A window above the sink in the kitchen allows natural light to illuminate the space. The ceiling has a simple flush mount light fixture, and the overall design emphasizes clean lines and understated simplicity. The room leads into a hallway, enhancing flow within the home.
Bedroom with Walk-In Closet
Expansive neutral-toned bedroom featuring soft beige walls contrasted by crisp white trim and doors. The textured ceiling provides subtle character while two ceiling-mounted light fixtures offer balanced illumination. Plush gray carpet with visible vacuum lines adds warmth and comfort underfoot. A spacious walk-in closet with built-in open shelving and a sliding door enhances storage functionality. Clean lines and minimalistic design evoke a modern yet cozy atmosphere suited for restful living. Electrical outlets and a smoke detector suggest a well-equipped and safe environment. The overall aesthetic is simple, clean, and inviting.
Bathroom Corner
Light beige walls surround a modest bathroom corner with a white bathtub and shower combination featuring molded shelves and a silver showerhead. Adjacent to the tub, a classic white toilet rests on warm wood-look vinyl plank flooring that contrasts with the otherwise neutral palette. A simple silver toilet paper holder is mounted beside the toilet. The opposite wall hosts a plain white door with a round metallic knob, contributing to the room’s clean and functional atmosphere. The bathroom embraces practicality with a subtle, neutral tone and minimal decorative elements.
Attic Room
An attic space with soft beige walls and a slanted ceiling that creates a cozy, tucked-away atmosphere. Two windows, one larger centered on a vertical wall and another smaller one set low under the roof slope, allow natural light to enter. The carpet is a medium gray with a subtle geometric pattern caused by the light reflections. Bright white baseboards and window trim add contrast and a clean, finished look. A simple ceiling-mounted light fixture provides functional illumination. Neutral tones and minimal ornamentation emphasize the room’s simplicity and quiet charm.
Attic Bedroom Corner
Sloped ceiling and textured popcorn finish give this attic bedroom a cozy, tucked-away feel. Walls are painted a soft beige neutral, complementing the medium-pile gray carpet underfoot. A small rectangular window with white trim provides natural light low on the shorter wall, enhancing intimacy in the space. Simple white baseboards frame the room, and visible electrical outlets are placed along the walls, suggesting functionality with minimal decor. The ceiling light fixture is basic and unobtrusive, preserving the understated simplicity of this compact, tranquil sleeping area.
Upstairs Bedroom Window
A compact bedroom with a sloped ceiling captures a cozy attic feel. The ceiling has a textured finish, contrasting slightly with smooth, light gray walls. A double rectangular window allows natural light to brighten the room, with an exterior awning visible outside. The floor is carpeted in a medium gray tone, adding softness and warmth. White baseboards and white window trim frame the space neatly. Two floor vents and several electrical outlets along the walls ensure comfort and convenience. The minimalist design, neutral colors, and simple clean lines create a tranquil and functional space.
Bedroom Space
A spacious attic bedroom with sloped ceilings, painted in a soft beige tone that creates a warm and calming atmosphere. The textured ceiling adds subtle visual interest, complementing the cozy, neutral grey carpet covering the floor. A double-pane window lets in natural light, framed in crisp white trim that contrasts gently with the wall color. Baseboards in white run along the bottom edges, enhancing the neat finish. The room is empty, highlighting clean lines and simplicity, with air vents and electrical outlets set low on the walls, promising functionality without sacrificing charm.
Bathroom Corner Details
Compact bathroom with an angled ceiling creating an intimate space above the toilet and sink. Neutral beige tones cover the tiled floor and walls, complementing the warm wood vanity below a simple countertop. The vanity includes two cabinet doors and three drawers. Above this, a wooden framed mirrored medicine cabinet is mounted on the wall, flanked by a horizontal light fixture with multiple bulbs. A curved glass shower enclosure with built-in shelving and chrome fixtures occupies the right side, while metallic towel racks are installed on the left wall. The overall design is practical and minimalistic.
Bathroom
A small bathroom with an angled ceiling, painted in a soft beige tone that creates a warm atmosphere. The flooring resembles natural wood with varying shades of brown and gray, adding texture to the space. A classic white bathtub with a built-in ledge beneath a window featuring multiple frosted glass panes promotes privacy while allowing natural light. A white toilet is positioned next to the tub. The wooden vanity in a honey oak finish contrasts with the neutral walls, topped with a white countertop and a simple chrome faucet. Above the sink, a wooden-framed mirror adds a rustic, traditional touch.
Basement Utility Area
The space features an unfinished basement with exposed wooden ceiling joists, metal ductwork, and white painted concrete block walls. The floor is coated in a light gray paint, creating some brightness in the otherwise industrial space. A central HVAC unit with connected white pipes and wiring stands next to a staircase leading upward. Minimal lighting comes from fluorescent tubes mounted to the ceiling beams. Structural support beams and metal posts provide stability, while various electrical conduits and pipes run along the ceiling and walls, emphasizing the utilitarian function of this lower-level space.
Spacious Garage Interior
This expansive garage area has a utilitarian design characterized by its plain beige walls and unfinished concrete floor. Several fluorescent tube lights are mounted on the ceiling, providing bright, functional illumination. The ceiling shows some wear with visible cracks and a discolored access panel. One wall hosts an array of metal brackets, likely intended for organized storage of tools or equipment. The large automatic garage door and its mechanical tracks dominate one side, emphasizing the space’s primary function for vehicle housing or storage. A secondary interior door is built into the far wall for easy access.
Listing Agent: jHo Goh of GoSynergy Realty via Zillow