When Vicki Petulla was little, her mother would pick her and her sister up from school and take them to her interior design office for a couple of hours before heading home. The girls would pull out their Barbies and play in the room filled with fabric and carpet samples. (No wonder their friends were impressed when they saw their doll house!)
While Vicki’s sister followed her mother’s footsteps into the design world, Vicki became a kindergarten teacher. But her sense of design runs deep. And it’s reflected in her home in San Jose’s Rose Garden neighborhood, where burlap, silk and fringe mingle harmoniously with seagrass, corral and stone.
“When you grow up that way, it’s a passion _ a pretty home,” Vicki said.
Her honeymoon set the tone for her decor _ and who wouldn’t be inspired by a trip to Napa then Italy? The exterior of the stucco bungalow _ _along a Sycamore lined street _ is covered with creeping fig and Boston Ivy. The front garden of hydrangeas and impatience are exuberant, and brimming urns welcome you to the front door.
When Vicki and her husband, Jeff, bought the 1,600 square-foot house in 1998, it had three bedrooms and a tiny galley kitchen. Believing that living and entertaining space was more important than an extra bedroom, they opened the kitchen into the spare bedroom, turning it into a casual dining room. But you’ll find no dinette set here. Try a long, narrow harvest table with clean-lined wicker chairs at the ready for a party of 10.
The original dining room at the front of the house became, as Vicki likes to call it, “a room of her own.” Here, she relaxes in her favorite chair with a cup of coffee or glass of wine and a good book. From the coffee table to a petite desk and end tables, Vicki has assembled perfect vignettes that she replaces seasonally. For the fall, she brings in antlers and flea market paintings she found at the Alameda Antiques fair with warm rich colors.
The original formal living room is now her 5-year-old son’s playroom. The entrance into it is gracefully lined by smocked burlap curtains from Wisteria, a home and garden shop in Aptos.
She has decorated her home on her own, but on occasional martini nights with her friends Linda McFalone and Laura Ziffer who own lulu Pom Interior Design in Los Gatos, she occasionally asks for advice to make sure her vignettes don’t look too “staged.”
Each one sets a mood, a tone, whether it’s a stack of books or a silver trophy collection.
“This is my space,” she said, “and I love my house.”
For more great homes check out Hooked on Houses Autumn Tour. There are some great ones and it shouldn’t be missed.
Here’s the complete slideshow:
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Vicki is the queen of vignettes. She does them in her sleep! To anyone who looks at this adorable house and feels depressed about their own, get used to it. IT ALWAYS LOOKS PERFECT! We’ve been best friends since the 7th grade and I’ve still never seen a dirty dish in her sink or an unpaid bill cluttering up the place. If she wasn’t the sweetest chick on the planet, I’d kick in the Cinderella pumpkins on her porch! Great article and great home!
P.S. I love your blog. You are three saavy and talented women.
Hmmm, a little friendly rivalry, Kim? Lookiloos will be after you next! We need a story about how the rest of us live…
Vicki and Jeff both complement each other when it comes to the style of their home. Jeff took on a lot of the creative design of the home when they remodeled and Vicki has turned the house into a warm and inviting home. Vicki has an incredible eye for putting together a really unique and beautiful eclectic look. She has the vision to spot an item and know the exact area to place it in her home. She uses both new and old items and the juxtaposition of the items make a striking statement.
As the other half that use to play with barbies in the sample room, I’m really proud of my little sis and her incredible style. And as Kim (you’re a hoot!) Ratcliff said “she’s the sweetest chick on the planet”. I’ll protect your pumpkins, sis!!
What Kim says is true – Vicki’s home is always this beautiful. She never ceases to amaze me with her unexpected, creative touches. Each room is so warm and inviting, and there’s always something to catch your eye. Not only is she the queen of vignettes, but she’s also the queen of modesty! I think it’s great that you included photos of more than just one room. Both inside and out, are simply stunning.
OK, I gotta know…what’s your favorite photo of her house? Mine is the dining room. I love that her house is only 1,600 square feet but it’s always ready for a party of 10! Check out My Favorite Space, the video of my screened porch, and you can see that I need a table for 10 _ not six! I’m on the hunt!
Vicki-When can i move in!
-Holly
I love, love visiting Vicki and Jeff’s home. I am always awe struck! I could spend hours feasting on her home and garden. My sister and I are always commenting, “this is what Vicki would do” ! It never seems “staged” or over done. Her house is definately an extension of herself-welcoming and inviting.
I love this house! It’s so charming. I really like the kitchen and got some great decorating ideas from it that I’m going to steal, er, USE in mine.
Thanks for joining the blog party! Everyone will love seeing this. -Julia
P.S. Do you mind adding a link back to the party so readers can find their way to the master list? Thanks!
I LOVE this house. The kitchen is absolutely to die for and I love the mix of textures, old and new, colors, etc.
Thanks so much for the tour!!!!
This home is gorgeous! I love the outside space a lot – it definitely gave me some ideas! Thanks so much for sharing.
One of a kind exterior, truly close to nature. Beautiful.
I loooovvvee this house! Everything is so tastefully curated. The owners cearly have great style…And I laughed aloud at commenter Kim…”If she wasn’t the sweetest chick on the planet, I’d kick in the Cinderella pumpkins on her porch!” Hysterical.
Lovely, lovely home. I really enjoyed all the pics. Thanks for the tour. I can’t wait to come back to look through your blog more thoroughly.
I LOVE this decorator daughters home. Genes…gotta love ‘em!!
And what a great site…House peeping. SO up my alley!
Thanks for the tour!!
wow. this is just beautiful. i’d love a mint julep this afternoon! i love the exterior. it looks so cozy.
I love this house; what a talented woman! I wish I had a quarter of her talent and charm. Thanks for the tour.
I LOVE the kitchen cabinets. Can anyone help me find out who did them for her? I have been looking and looking and they are exactly what I want. Thanks!
I would love to give you that information! I will contact you and let you know! Thank you for you kind words!
Vicki is an amazing talent. We have been friends since Jr. High and she was in my wedding. Always adding the right touches at the right time. Due to location proximity, I haven’t seen her home in awhile, but I can’t believe how much it truly reflects their personalities. If I wouldn’t have known that was their home, it would immediately make me think of her. Beautiful! The outside is also truly charming….a green thumb and a decorating diva….wow!! Great job Vic!!