PHOTOS BY MARK J. HOLEWINSKI, MJH IMAGES

When John and Jessica Netzloff were deciding on a new career opportunity in a new city for John, one of the main points of discussion was whether to uproot their family from the house and neighborhood that they had fallen in love with. 

After all, it was their shared love of classic architecture that brought them to their home at 76 Standish Blvd. in Mt. Lebanon in the first place.

The couple recalls that although it was quite the looker, the four-bedroom, 4½ bath, Tudor-style home with a natural slate roof and stone exterior had sat on the market before they bought it in 2014. 

“The house had a pool, and it needed a little updating,” John recalls. “It looked like a project when it really wasn’t.” 

After they moved in and tackled a list of home improvement projects, they enjoyed every inch of the home. As they prepare to move out of Pittsburgh, they have listed the home for $849,000 (MLS# 1551827, Vera Purcell, Howard Hanna Real Estate, howardhanna.com, 412/916-4488). It is open by appointment.  

The home features an unusual indoor pool with an adjacent dry sauna that adds a resort-like feel. It is attached to a wonderful outdoor space, which is originally what sealed the deal for the couple.

“It is basically borderline new,” John says. “We had the pool painted, updated the equipment digitally and, remotely, you can control it from your phone. We use it year-round.” 

The home’s charming arched front entry gives a wink and a nod to all the character found inside, including original wood floors, metal curved railings and French doors.

The layout has a spacious living room with a log-burning fireplace, as well as a nook adorned with wall sconces and built-in bookcases and windows; it would make a perfect home office. 

Doors lead to an addition added by a former owner. 

“That is why there is a stone wall,” Jessica says. “We had our piano back there and it was a playroom for our children.” 

The couple hired interior designer Emily Klapkowski of You-Neek Designs to update the kitchen and formal dining room into a breezy, family-friendly space. 

“She used every inch of that space and made it much more user friendly,“ Jessica says. “The actual layout of the kitchen is the same. There used to be a [full] wall between the kitchen and the dining room and it’s now a peninsula.” 

Dark cabinets were exchanged for white, shaker-style ones. Klapowski also installed quartz countertops and a new ceramic tile plank floor; it is all illuminated by new can lights in the ceiling along with new pendant lighting over the peninsula and the adjoining dining room. 

Klapowski also incorporated a large pantry into the layout. 

“It has these beautiful spice racks that are built into the doors,” Jessica notes. “They are great. There are three shelves that pull out and drawers.” 

Other updates include a new backsplash, a built-in wine rack next to the refrigerator and a mini-coffee bar that could be used for a cooking center. The stainless steel appliances include a double-door, six-burner gas range. 

The second level features a primary bedroom with an ensuite bathroom and two more bedrooms, which are serviced by a hall bath. The bedrooms each have arched alcoves inset with windows that add character to the space. There also is plenty of closet storage.

The rooms are painted a neutral gray and the trim is painted white. The third floor has two large, finished rooms and a full bathroom. 

“We had a daybed in there for guests,” Jessica says. “It came in very handy.” 

There’s also a finished, walk-out basement with a full bathroom, suspended ceiling, bookshelves and carpet. The couple also added a bar. 

“My friend is a contractor and we installed it together,” John says. “It was my man cave, and I kept my sports memorabilia there.” 

A door leads to the garage and then to the indoor pool house. The A-frame structure has white beams, a board-and-batten ceiling and skylights. The space is spectacular to view from a loft — another great hangout space  — accessed by an iron spiral staircase. 

The dry stone sauna is lined with cedar and roomy enough for two to three people at a time.

Outside, a completely renovated deck was used by the couple almost all year long. They installed new composite decking and fencing, and with the height, it became a treetop experience. 

“There is a large pink tulip magnolia that is eye-level. When it blooms, it is just beautiful,” Jessica says. 

Designed by Pittsburgh Socialights, the deck also has an attractive blue-and-white sailcloth to combat the heat and clear bulbs that light the night.

The couple says they’ve looked long and hard in their new city for a neighborhood that has the same feel as their old one — but they’ll never forget the home they’re leaving behind. 

“All of our guests always said visiting us was like being at a resort,” Jessica says. “It is a great house to raise a family in, and the neighborhood is fantastic. The street is amazing. If you like to entertain at all, it is just perfect.” 

Drawing on her years of experience covering the region’s real estate industry, Rosa Colucci’s Hot Property offers an inside look into unique and historic homes currently on the market. Each week, Hot Property goes behind the For Sale sign to share the story of a special Pittsburgh area home.  And four times a year, Hot Property will give an in-depth look at the region’s real estate market in Pittsburgh Magazine HOME, track housing prices and sales and detail where the hot properties can be found. Rosa can be reached at onecordovaroad@gmail.com.

About: Mt. Lebanon (mtlebanon.org)
Population: 33,137
Planes, Trains & Automobiles: A 25-minute commute to the airport. Daily transport via Port Authority’s T-Rail line and street buses. On-street, metered and parking by permit.
Schools: Niche.com gives the Mt. Lebanon School District an A+ rating. (mtlsd.org)
Neighborhoods: Mt. Lebanon has a most vibrant, thriving — and dog-friendly — business district. Take a stroll and visit Rollier’s Hardware, Uptown Coffee and The Fabric Place. Restaurants range from a quick slice at Mineo’s, to upscale dining at Bistro 19. Benches and trees welcome visitors and historic churches line the avenue.