Transformed Storybook Cottage One Block From Downtown Lake Forest. Just moments from the train, shopping, dining, and the beach. Tucked along a quiet enclave in East Lake Forest, this extensively renovated 1925 gabled cottage offers the best of in-town living just down the street. Storybook charm gives the home instant curb appeal while bright, sunny interiors blend vintage character with modern updates-the result of the current owner's meticulous stewardship. Tall ceilings, arched doorways, traditional millwork, and newly lightened original hardwood floors give the main level a timeless quality. The living and dining areas can function as a flexible, open-flow space, equally suited to everyday living and casual entertaining. The kitchen has been completely reimagined with modern appointments, including a Sub-Zero refrigerator, Samsung appliances, a farmhouse sink, updated cabinetry, a breakfast bar, and a well-organized pantry. Just beyond, a rear mudroom offers practical access to the fenced backyard. The first-floor bedroom, with abundant natural light, has easy access to a renovated full bath and direct access to the second floor. Upstairs, the architecture shifts into a cozier scale-a pair of tandem rooms with pitched ceilings ideal for bedrooms, a playroom, or a cozy creative retreat. The fully finished lower level expands the home's footprint. Featuring painted exposed ceilings, luxury vinyl flooring, and thoughtful zoning to accommodate multiple functions, it includes a large recreation area, an office or bonus room, an added full bath, a new laundry room, and generous closeted storage. A rare walkout feature connects directly to the backyard with a storage room beyond. Outside, the property has been transformed with new landscaping, a paver patio, new fencing, and cozy front porch. Behind the scenes, major mechanical upgrades-new copper water service and lines, new electrical, a new furnace and boiler, new HVAC units, a new hot water heater-bring peace of mind to a home with nearly a century of character. Every space reflects the care of a thoughtful renovation that honors the charm of a 1920s cottage while elevating the way the home lives today. If you're seeking in-town proximity, vintage style, and move-in ready spaces in the heart of Lake Forest, this home checks all of the boxes.
