When the former visual director of Neiman Marcus in Palo Alto throws a party at his house, you’d expect the decor to be something special. But would you think he’d empty his Menlo Park cottage of furniture and transform the place into a swingin’ white cocktail lounge?
It was nothing but fun for Tim Ballengee, who filled the main rooms with white leather furniture last weekend, including a big round “daybed” in the middle of the living room. Oh, behave!
1868 Floribunda Ave.
Hillsborough, CA 94010
Bedrooms: 6+
Bathrooms: 4+
SqFt: 11,090
Lot: 101,930 sq ft
List Price: $18,800,000
The entry blends the guiding design principles that give form and character to the estate. The arched passageways harmonize with the rounded triptych of the mahogany entry doors. A giant, double layered oval etched skylight echoes the marble inlaid floor medallion below. Attentive touches, such as the inverse cut of the floor tiles and pronounced paneling, reflect an eye for extraordinary detail. The original 120 year old carved marble fireplace mantel serves as the inspiration for the rich expression of French design in the formal rooms.
Anne Riley
Alain Pinel Realtors
Phone: 650-931-2020
Email: ariley@apr.com
www.anneriley.com
What is not to love about Halloween? Chocolate, costumes, witches, chocolate, ghosts and goblins and more chocolate. Notice a trend here?
Decorating for Halloween these days is way more than a few carved pumpkins. You can go with your standard pumpkin or go with a glass blown one. Why not add an eyeball martini glass to your collection or a few clever lawn signs? I have to admit I am not into the “gory and blood” decor (much to the chagrin of the people under 5 feet who live in my home). Rather I love retro Halloween art or interesting pieces that delight you when you unpack them each year.
Here are a few photos of some finds from Fleurish, a not-to-miss local Willow Glen shop, where the staff is as helpful and sweet as any candy you will get in your Halloween bag.
Fleurish
1331 Lincoln Avenue
San Jose, CA
(408) 294-5557
Here’s the complete slideshow:
Bob Flury and Bob Bryant of Flury Bryant Design didn’t set out to be “specialists” in craftsman architecture, but their clients Alison Brunner and Andrew Coven think otherwise. The Brunner-Coven home is the second craftsman remodel on the same charming street in Los Gatos done by Flury Bryant Design.
Then, the original home was simple and plain. Now, this strong looking craftsman attracts
all the well-deserved attention, with the warmth of the stone and wood columns that welcome you to the front porch. The footprint of the original home didn’t change drastically. “We bumped out 3 feet on one side,” Flury said, but he augmented the square footage by building a second story and adding a basement. So the house went from 901 to 3200 square feet.
This is no ordinary basement either. It is filled with light and height. Yes, height.
The ceilings are 9 feet tall. It feels so open — not the dark, damp, dungeon- like basements you remember. The basement is also home to a music room, a wonderful open space for crafts and lots and lots of storage. It boasts a whopping 1259 square feet.
The main floor has a wonderful open feel. The kitchen, living and dining room are open to each other. The ceilings for the main level have beams tying all the rooms together. In true craftsman style, the home office (also located on the first floor) has wonderful built in cabinetry and beautiful pocket doors. The second story addition is home to 3 bedrooms, including the master and 2 full bathrooms. De Mattei Construction brought the blueprints to life. Alison worked with Lynn Moore of Lynn Moore Design for the interior. The color palette chosen for the walls accentuates the tile in the kitchen as well as the fireplace.
Every level of this home has a “secret hiding spot”. The basement has the closet under the stairs, reminiscent of Harry Potter’s living space. “Our nieces and nephews love it,” Coven said. The second floor has a hidden room in one of the bedrooms, where all the kids gravitated to at the recent housewarming party. And lastly, the kitchen has a hide-away drawer built into the island that houses the dog dish. A slight touch of your foot and there’s the bowl and one more touch and it’s gone. How many times have you kicked your own pet’s food or water bowl? Now that’s a great design.
Alison said she loves the design of her home because “it’s thoughtful”. She’s right too. This craftsman design is truly a work of art. Flury Bryant Design put the “craft” in craftsman.
Does this Craftsman remind you of a great home you’ve seen? Let me know. I’d love to hear more. Post a comment below and I’ll get back to you.
Related stories:
Google Couple Build Green Home in Mountain View
From Ranch to Craftsman in Saratoga
Artist in Residence
Craftsman Remodel Decked Out For Christmas
Modern Prairie Style
Neighbor-friendly Cape Cod
Anteo Home – Los Gatos Fine European Home Decor Imports
Green Furniture at Harvest Home Stores – Los Gatos
Los Gatos’ The Maid’s Quarters for Luxury Gifts and Linens
Here’s the complete slideshow:
Have you noticed the shelter mags you pick up are slightly
contradictory? Cottage Living vs Dwell. Veranda vs Spaces. If your
library has a vast disparity, then you need Urban Country Style to
bring your design worlds together.
Nancy Gent and Elizabeth Betts Hickman are the creators and authors of Urban Country Style
It was a gorgeous weekend here in Northern California. We were able to squeeze in one more Indian Summer celebration, which means – barbecues! Like many of you our BBQ is used year round, we even BBQ our Thanksgiving turkey. I think that was the theme for this weekend’s round up. California living is definitely about spending a lot of it outside, which makes a functional yard a key feature to any home.
I had the chance to check out a few open houses this weekend, but by far the best back yard had to be the outdoor sanctuary at 2874 Rustic Drive in San Jose.
It had great backyard furniture and a swing, which made it easy to see yourself hosting a summer or fall party. The koi pond/fountain was soothing and the grass lush. Pavers topped the whole thing off making it picture perfect for an afternoon of lounging and reading. The yard made great use of a small space for both relaxing alone and entertaining a large crowd. If the realtors passed out lemonade at the open house, I would have sat down all afternoon.
Updated 6/25/09: The post has been updated to reflect the latest open house listing.
One of the perks of knowing decorators is getting to know where they find some of their to-die-for treasures. The Lookiloos team took to the tarmac at the Alameda Antiques Faire – a decorator/antique dealer’s secret at the former Alameda Point Naval Air Station
in Alameda, California.
Armed with $50.00 and double espressos we hit the road at 7:30 a.m. to “beat the rush”. Little did we know that the real bargain hunters paid triple the admission price we did to start shopping at 6:00 a.m. to find the best deals. Wow, now that is dedication! We paid the reduced rate of $10.00 and those who entered after 9:00 a.m., paid the rock bottom price of $5.00.
Being the largest antique market in Northern California, vendors come
from all over to show their wares. I picked up a ceiling tile
repurposed into a magnet/chalk board for my home office
and the gentleman who made them packs his truck and drives from
Ashland, OR each month for the opportunity to sell his creations.
According to their website, “Everything sold at the show must be at
least twenty years old and there are no reproductions allowed.”
Team Lookiloos were astounded by how large and diverse the selection was from antique phones and cameras to kitchy dolls and vintage clothing. Experienced shoppers brought carts, cash and had lists of what they were looking for. They walked quickly and surveyed booths with an eagle eye and could ferret out the best deals within moments. Bargain antiques, retro furniture and handmade linens were also in large supply, as well as unique chotchkes that you could only find in a place like this. For example, various bathroom accoutrements, antlers, stuffed crocodile heads and Frida Kalho portraits hidden in planters.
There was such a variety, that any lookiloo is sure to find something that peeks their interest. To get some nourishment, there were a multitude of food booths – the
lemonade was especially divine after maneuvering through the over 800
booths. Of course, if you are in need of cash, there were ATM machines
readily available. And if your car is too small to haul your finds, there are delivery trucks ready and waiting to take your treasure back to its new home. Mark your calendar for next field trip to the San Francisco East Bay!
The Alameda Point Antiques and Collectibles Faire is open on the first Sunday of every month at the former Alameda Point Naval Air Station
in Alameda, California (East Bay).
Here’s the complete slideshow:
Was it the cubbies for the tea pots in the kitchen, or the red chair in the living room? Maybe the salt water pool was the coolest. Or perhaps it was the secret staircase or the mysterious chapel. Guests at the Oct. 18-19 home tour sponsored by St. Martin of Tours school in San Jose tell you their favorite things.
37 Rancho San Carlos Road
Carmel, CA 93923
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 4+
SqFt: 7,680
Lot: 49.63 ac
List Price: $11,400,000
Assoc Fee: $900
Estate home in the Preserve on 50 acres off Rancho San Carlos Road near the front gate. Approximately 7680 sqft elegantly designed home by Eric Carlson that is finished with the finest materials and desired amenities.
The Preserve Team
The Preserve Land Company, Inc.
Phone: 877-626-8200
www.santaluciapreserve.com
| List Price: $1,475,000 | ||
Open House: |
||
| Saturday | 10/26 | 1:00 – 4:00 pm |
| Bedroom: 4 | Bathroom: 3.5 | Sq. Ft: 2,480 |
Description: Impressive brand new craftsman on large dividable lot – exquisite detailing – hardwood and travertine flooring. High ceilings – gorgeous alderwood cabinets throughout – stainless steel appliances – luxurious master suite w/ stone bathroom. Completed and approved plans for 2,200 SF 2nd home / tentative map waiting for APN. |
||
| Agent: | Michael Lomonaco | |
| Company: | Coldwell Banker | |
| Phone: | 408-891-4342 | |
| Email: | mlomonaco@cbnorcal.com | |
| Website: | www.michaellomonaco.com | |
Address: |
115 Sunnyside Ave. Campbell, CA 95008 |
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