Nestled away on slightly more than an acre of lush woodlands, this four-bedroom, two-bath house in Bradford Woods offers the sense of escaping to a private retreat every day of the year.

Built in 1924, this Cape Cod-style house at 184 Bradford Road (MLS No. 791881) served as a summer getaway for several years before becoming a year-round residence. Different owners have added their own touches to the 11/2-story house's charm, says Realtor Norma Imhof, who has listed the house for $299,900 through Northwood Realty (724-934-3337, ext. 448; www.northwood.com).

The home's character comes from such gems as the original hardwood floors that span most of the first floor and several stained-glass and Frank Lloyd Wright-style beveled windows.

The 20-by-10-foot kitchen boasts a decades-old stainless-steel double bowl sink, drain boards built into the counters and linoleum floors with intricate details and borders. Owner Darian Raithel added the ceiling beams and the pantry with glass doors. He also refurbished the upper cabinets with glass doors using American walnut harvested in the 1800s. Three years ago, he installed a new gas stove.

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Bradford Woods
At a glance

• Web site: www.bradfordwoodspa.org cq
• Size: 0.93 square miles
• Population: 1,149 (2000 Census)
• School district: North Allegheny; www.northallegheny.org
• Average SAT scores: Verbal, 560; Math, 577; Writing, 548 (North Allegheny Senior High School)
• Taxes for a house assessed at $100,000: $2,590.50
  
  Municipality: $222.50 (2.225 mills)
  School: $1,899 (18.99 mills)
  County: $469 (4.69 mills)
  
• Wage tax: 1 percent, split between the borough and the school district
• Fun facts: Bradford Woods traces its history back to 1915. During its early years, its lush woods made it a popular summer retreat. In 1974, it became a home-rule community.

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Beamed ceilings are also found in the 20-by-14-foot living room, which features some of the Wrightian windows and a gas fireplace. Another gas fireplace is in the 12-by-12-foot carpeted master bedroom on the first floor. A tiled bath with a stained glass window is next to the master bedroom.

The 20-by-10-foot family room could be used as a home studio. This room was once part of the front porch until Mr. Raithel transformed it into an office.

More leaded windows are in the 14-by-12-foot dining room. A picture window with window seat provides a comfortable view of the landscape Mr. Raithel has nurtured over the years.

Since purchasing the house about 20 years ago, he has planted a number of maple, oak and black walnut trees among the yard's older hollies, rhododendrons and pines. Other outdoor highlights include a rear deck, a shed and a tree house Mr. Raithel built five years ago with cathedral ceilings and a skylight.

The upper floor offers more views of the home's woodsy surroundings. It contains a full bath, a large storage area and three bedrooms with classic Cape Cod sloping ceilings. Additional storage space is in the one-car oversized garage and the basement, where the laundry room and a stone fireplace in need of minor repairs are.

Mr. Raithel thinks the home's potential contributes to its charm.

"A lot of neat things could still be done without destroying the architecture of the home," he said.

The storage space on the upper level could be turned into a fifth bedroom or a loft. Some attention to the chimney and the Spanish tile roof are other updates that could enhance the house.

Although the house feels secluded, Downtown is about 20 minutes away. A number of dining and shopping options are also nearby.

Mr. Raithel purchased the home for about $102,000 in 1987. The assessed market value is $129,700 (www2.county.allegheny.pa.us/RealEstate/Default.aspx). Since 2006, four properties have sold on Bradford Road for prices ranging from $172,500 in September 2006 to $320,000 in October 2007 (www.realstats.net).

Doug Oster writes a blog, "Growing With Doug," exclusively at PG+, a members-only web site of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.