It''s pouring this dreary Saturday afternoon in Pacific Grove--sheets of rain are whipping horizontally across downed power lines. A staccato patter of precipitation pounds the cute porch outside 142 14th Street. But inside the Victorian-style home, it''s cozy and light, despite the lack of power, thanks to giant windows stretching along the open staircase at the entrance.

At first, it''s hard to believe that the 1,400-square-foot home, given its authentic character, is actually brand-new, built by local developer Greg Beardsley.

"We designed it to blend in with the neighborhood style," Beardsley says. "People think it''s a remodel, but we built it on a vacant lot. It''s really rare to have a completely new house in PG."

Features like Berber carpeting, Pozzi windows, designer cabinetry and granite counters speak of the luxuries of today.

"I love the remote-control fireplace in the living room," says Realtor Arliene Beesley. "The house has got a lot going for it--it''s charming."

Designed with a reverse floorplan to offer upstairs privacy in the main living area, the home has two bedrooms. The back bedroom has a set of French doors that lead to the enclosed patio. Solid interior doors and heavy fixtures suggest that the house is built to weather more than a Saturday storm.

A graceful staircase leads to a generous master bedroom, another bathroom with Mexican tiles that the Beardsleys picked up south of the border, and the living/eating area and luxuriously appointed kitchen. The open living area boasts a deck--which, on clearer days, affords a view of the nearby ocean.

"It''s great for someone who doesn''t have a car," Beardsley says. "You can walk everywhere."

Price: $749,000. 142 14th St., Pacific Grove. Contact: Arliene Beesley of Coldwell Banker Del Monte Real Estate at 622-2504.

Old And New

In a quaint 1905 Victorian, just blocks from downtown and PG schools, Phyllis and Manuel Cardoza raised three children, discovering that the comfort of their home fed their family, and vice-versa.

"It''s an old home but it has a lot of warmth," Phyllis says. "It''s a great neighborhood with lots of families--I think we''re the oldest one on the block."

The 1,700-square-foot, two-story home, recognized by the Historic Society, has well-preserved features like wood wainscotting and crown moldings. Depending on how you count it, there''s either a bedroom or a bonus room downstairs, plus three more bedrooms upstairs. Each floor has a hall bath--private bathrooms inside of bedrooms not being the norm at the turn of the century. Closet space is a little tight, but manageable.

"The closets aren''t the biggest but we raised three kids and survived," Phyllis says. For those areas of the historic home that needed some updating, the Cardozas used a gentle hand.

"We tried to keep any improvements we made in the era that it was built," Phyllis says. "We added a claw-foot tub and lots of wallpaper."

Manuel, 35-year superintendent of the Cypress Point Golf Course, put his green thumb to use on the large lot. Roses, azaleas, ferns, impatiens, birds of paradise, hydrangea and agapanthus parade everywhere.

"Every inch outside has something planted on it," Phyllis says. "He put in a granite-slate patio, and we have large oak and holly trees."

But with the kids grown and moved out, the Cardoza''s doctor has advised them to seek warmer climes, so reluctantly, the house has been placed on the market.

"We have nothing but good things to say and fond memories of our time here," says Phyllis.

Price: $799,000. 423 Gibson Avenue, Pacific Grove. Contact: Peggy Jones of Altieri Real Estate at 917-4534.