We started Lookiloos to indulge the inner lookiloo in all of us, to showcase beautiful homes and gardens with original photos and stories, to give decorating tips and remodeling ideas and create a community to share our stories of home. Peek inside with us.
I have lived through a complete remodel and survived. Now I must remodel a bath. And I’m scared. I have to remodel because I found a little dry rot. It’s not huge but enough to have to remove tile from the shower and a few from the floor. And so it goes. I know how large this project will be. I found the dry rot in April.
I waited until now, since I knew my eldest was moving out and headed back to college (one less showering in my room). My husband and I decided we wanted a project to work on together and it saves a few bucks along the way. I’ve started looking at all sorts of resources from books, magazines and on the web. Some really great sites with cool stuff. My problem now, I’ve got cold feet. I keep putting off the
demolition start date. There’s always a birthday bash or a house guest and at this point I’m afraid we’ll be too close to the holidays, So I’m hoping by opening up to you all
, you will nag, nag, nag. How’s it going? what did you do this week? etc. I’m counting on all of you to push me off the diving board. I know I can swim. I just need a little help.
The Laney house in Carmel has a fine lineage. For at least seven decades, artists of the same extended family _ going back to the understudies of Diego Rivera _ have lived here. The house has been updated, remodeled, parts torn down and resurrected. But when you walk into this contemporary craftsman, you know artists have lived here before and live here now. It’s in the space, the light, and the eclectic collection of furnishings and artwork that adorn the house. Artistic touches are found everywhere, right down to …
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 4
SqFt: 6,500 on 1,078 acres
List Price: $35,000,000
This executive villa overlooks the valley, vineyards and surrounding mountains. The estate boasts a beautiful swimming pool patio and guest quarters, vineyard and endless views. This property totals approximately 1078 acres with of 366 acres of vineyards. 300 of the acres are Chardonnay and 66 acres are Gewurstraminer wine grapes. The remaining acres are grazing land, headquarters and 47 acres of river and other ancillary land use. To check out more photos and the virtual tour click here.
Listing Agent:
John Brigantino
San Benito Realty
Pref Phone: 831-637-5563,
Email: john@sanbenitorealty.net
Ph: 831-637-5563 www.sanbenitorealty.net
As summer winds down, before the pencils are sharpened and textbooks covered, one last trip must be taken. Our destination — the Yosemite High Sierra Camps. This is one of Yosemite’s best-kept secrets. Yosemite’s High Sierra Camps are a truly unique experience. A 53-mile loop connects 5 different camps.
The only way to get to these camps is by foot or mule pack. Trekking through Yosemite High Sierra Camps takes backpacking to a whole new level. In fact, the term “glamping” isn’t quite right. It’s more like “glam-packing”. While on the loop you can take your time, which I did. Stop as often as you like, did that too.
It’s not easy hiking 8 plus miles with a 30 lb pack and making elevation gains of almost 2 thousand feet. But, there is a reward at the end. You can see it off in the distance. It is an oasis. Perfectly white-canvas tent cabins lined up and you know one of them is yours. It comes complete with a bed; plenty of warm blankets and a wood-burning stove to keep you cozy at night.
The staff at each of the camps is really great. Our first night was at Glen Aulin where our cabin was right next to a gorgeous waterfall on the Tuolumne River. It was unbelievable.
We enjoyed the wine he hiked in_ trying to lighten our load for the next day. But then we panicked. We lightened too much.
What would we consume the next night? We heard a rumor that some entrepreneuring college students could help us out.
They said they could hike out (they knew a short cut) buy your beverage of choice and then hike back. People lined up to place their orders. Our group ordered a six-pack of Coors light (they’re lighter right?) and a bottle of ($5) red wine. The cost to us was only 50 bucks. We were happy to contribute the advancement of academia.
The next day’s hike to May Lake was equally as beautiful. I pictured the granite I was hiking on in some gourmet kitchen. It was gorgeous.
The views were spectacular as well. Every time we came to the top of a switchback I thought WOW it can’t get any better than this, and then you come around the next switchback and you are in awe all over again. One of the hikers making the journey said “I really felt my age on that last hill”. We had learned earlier that Barbara was 77. I said to myself “I’m feeling your age too, Barbara”.
May Lake was my favorite destination and not only because I survived the hike. Our camp host Brian was so welcoming. Brian’s wife Jen was our chef, responsible for the best meal we had. We started with a vegetable soup and salad of mixed greens. The main dish, steak with a blue cheese crumble, served with sweet potato wedges and sautéed summer squash and zucchini. We finished it off with (yes there is more) a large fudge brownie.
The way to get reservations for this amazing trip is through a lottery. Last year there were 2000 applications for 800 spots and I can say I’m glad I won this lottery; although I hope it’s not the last lottery I ever win.
Once you find this place, you can’t help but think you might need a secret password to get in. It’s only open three days a month and it’s easy to drive right past without noticing. Move It Elsewhere is in an unassuming warehouse at 350 Lincoln Avenue in San Jose, just past San Carlos Street. When it’s open, a sign dangles out front: “Estate Sale,” it says.
It’s a consignment store, actually, filled with used furnishings, pots, china, and patio furniture that owner Suzanne Comaroto acquires from her moving business. She moves senior citizens into retirement communities _ and she has an answer for what to do with all their belongings.
“Their kids don’t want their stuff so I opened this consignment store,” Comaroto said.
She sells it for them _ and gives them a commission. That means for three days every month, the public _ that’s you and me _ get to take a look at antique dining room sets, Asian armoires, mid-century buffets, and costume jewelry. That’s 15,000 square feet to wander through, mind you. (Don’t miss the second floor filled with odds and ends.)
During last weekend’s opening, customers seemed to be leaving by the armload. Prices are set to sell _ “50 percent off everything” the sign says.
The next opening is Sept. 19, 20, and 21st. For more information go to moveitelsewhere.com.
We line up for home tours. We brake for open houses. We peek through fences. We fantasize. We want to get in! We started Lookiloos to indulge the inner lookiloo in all of us, to showcase beautiful homes and gardens with original photos and stories, to give decorating tips and remodeling ideas and create a community to share our stories of home. Peek inside with us.
-- Desiree, Julia and Sheila - Silicon Valley
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Can you believe the views??? Nestled at the top of Loma Prieta this home has the most wonderful views. Usually, up in the Los Gatos hills you find yourself in deep shade most of the day—not here. You will find plenty of sunshine and to sweeten the deal lots of flat usable land! You can [...]
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