This timeless mid-century modern house is filled with warm wood, natural light, and peaceful views of the birds and woods of West Hillandale. The house’s previous stewards were avid nature lovers. In their decades in the house, they thoughtfully upgraded and expanded the windows and kitchen, ensuring that this spacious home embraces its environment, bringing nature inside.
A striking mature Japanese maple brings light and color to the front yard. Native plants fill the quarter-acre lot, which hosts many bird species through the seasons, including sweet little wrens that sing in spring and nest in the birdhouses. A pair of towering crape myrtles stand on either side of the driveway, which holds two cars. The front porch swing is the perfect place for tea and a book. The quiet street is lined with sidewalks and it’s less than a mile to the nearest trailhead of the Northwest Branch trail system from where you can hike upstream to Wheaton Regional Park or downstream to the Anacostia River, keeping an eye out for herons, kingfishers, and red-shouldered hawks.
Just inside the front door is the living room, warm and spacious with a fireplace and oak hardwood floors. Next to the living room, the formal dining room opens to the kitchen. Thanks to the huge windows, every seat at the dining room table has a view of the beautifully landscaped backyard, with plants carefully chosen to be beautiful in all seasons.
The kitchen skylight brings in more natural light, and four people can work at once at the ample counterspace. The kitchen was thoughtfully planned by its main user, an experienced home cook. The ample cabinetry fits kitchen equipment and dishes, while attractive open shelving can display collections. A pantry closet keeps staples close at hand. The kitchen includes granite and Corian counters, including a baking station with a low countertop for more comfortable mixing and kneading.
The three spacious bedrooms upstairs are all large enough for queen or king beds. The largest being the primary with an en suite bath. A committed woodworker with an eye for design built the shelves and desk in the back bedroom – oriented toward another gorgeous view of the backyard. Large bedroom closets, including a walk-in closet in the primary bedroom, are only the beginning of the storage. There’s also a coat closet by the front door, a linen closet in the hall, and a whole attic of space, not to mention all of the additional storage in the basement.
One of the house’s biggest surprises waits in the basement: Turn left at the bottom of the stairs to enter the second kitchen, the centerpiece of a walk-out, flexible space with egress. On either side of the kitchen are two more bedrooms with updated windows, built-in shelves, and a full bath – suitable for in-laws or adult children. The front room, with more built-in shelves and ample sunlight from the enlarged windows, can function as a living room or a den. This amazing lower level space could easily be transformed into a guest apartment, airbnb, or long term rental. In addition to the 3 room suite with egress, the basement has a rec room and two unfinished storage areas for gardening tools, a woodworking shop, or other hobbies.
The woodworker brought his same meticulous care to the maintenance of the house and its systems. The roof was installed in 2025 with a 20-year labor warranty. The house has central heat and air conditioning with a well-maintained HVAC. An attic fan can cool the whole house off in minutes and comes with a custom-made insulated wooden cover to conserve heat in the winter. Hand-dug French drains ensure the basement stays dry, along with the sump pump, replaced in 2025. The main level of the house features fresh paint and oak hardwoods throughout. Build your future in this oasis of calm and creativity. Many happy years have been spent at 10407 Royal Road.
