We cannot praise Dorian and Keith enough for their graciousness as hosts and the loveliness of their beautiful home in the Oakland hills:
THE HOME: A strikingly beautiful, expansive Italianate modern, one that far exceeded our expectations: wrought-iron railings, sunken living room (with view of wooded hills, beautiful hillside homes, the Bay beyond); soaring ceilings throughout, and a bathroom, dining space(s), and a kitchen, each the size of my old NYC Upper West Side apartment; art, objets d'art, and chandeliers curated and created by Dorian herself, all provided a tasteful but striking setting quite beyond, the "nice, large Oakland hills home" that we expected.
THE ROOM: High ceilinged, impeccably kept but paradoxically cozy, with a large window overlooking the (beautiful) neighborhood, and smaller windows above the bed that (a) bring additional light into the space and (b) afford downslope views of the beautiful hillside neighborhood. The welcome basket is a nice touch,as well
THE NEIGHBORHOOD: Montclair/Piedmont Pines is a quiet, affluent Oakland neighborhood of large hillside homes in beautiful woodsy settings.
OUR HOSTS: Dorian and Keith (a noted African-American power couple in the arts, law, and business) are warm,attentive, and charmingly cosmopolitan.