March « 2009 « Lookiloos

Archive for March, 2009

Sonoma’s Opia: An Asian Inspired Home and Garden Shop

Sunday, March 15th, 2009

Don’t you love finding something for someone when you weren’t even looking? That’s what happened on my recent trip to Sonoma. Once again I called my trusty sidekick. “Mom, I’m going to Sonoma to a building salvage yard — Do you want to tag along?”

She replied, “Sure, it’s supposed to be a beautiful day.”

So we headed North. I didn’t want to have to pass on an opportunity because my purchase wouldn’t fit in the more economical car, so I drove the big car. My destination was a building salvage spot. I was looking for old handrails used in stairways. That’s all I wanted and I didn’t find a single one.

So slightly dejected, I left the shop and wandered into another. Opia, a beautiful Asian inspired home and garden shop. Unique items lined the walls.

“Look at that fountain,” I said as I turned to my Mom. We both said in unison “That would be perfect in Susan’s home.” The fountain stands about 3 and a half feet tall and has wonderful variegated green color. The water just bubbles out and the sound is so relaxing. I took some photos to share with my Mom’s sister, Susan. My Mom got the store info. And even though I didn’t find what I was looking for, I loved the thought of that wonderful fountain in my Aunt’s home.

Opia Home and Garden Gallery
23590 Arnold Dr. (Hwy 121)
Sonoma, CA 95476
707.939.3888

Posted in Desiree, Field Trip, Home and Garden, Looki What I Found, Shopping | 1 Comment »

568 Shirlynn Ct – Los Altos – Open House

Friday, March 13th, 2009


List Price: $2,688,000

Open House:
Sunday	3/15	1:30 PM to 4:30 PM


Bedroom: 5	Bathroom: 4	Sq. Ft: 3,058
Description: New construction, 1 level, close to town. Unique open floor plan centered around extra large great room, which includes a large gourmet kitchen, dining area and family room with fireplace and high ceilings, gleaming cherry floors. House includes 3 master suites, 4 gorgeous fireplaces, bathrooms with floor to ceiling tiles and many other features worth seeing

Agent:	Jerry Haslam
Company:	Coldwell Banker
Phone:	650 947 2232
Email:	jhaslam@cbnorcal.com

Address:	568 Shirlynn Ct Los Altos, CA 94022

Posted in Los Altos, Open Homes, Open House | No Comments »

1520 Montebello Oaks Ct – Los Altos – Open House

Friday, March 13th, 2009


List Price: $3,495,000

Open House:
Sunday	3/15	1:30 PM to 4:30 PM


Bedroom: 5	Bathroom: 4	Sq. Ft: 5,400
Description: Ideal cul-de-sac setting for this brand new custom designed home with exceptional attention to detail. Five bedrooms / Six and a half baths, soaring ceilings, crown moldings, gorgeous stone and hardwood floors. Separate in-law quarters with living room plumbed for kitchenette, laundry and separate entry. Game room, wine cellar, sauna, theatre room. Wonderful yard with professional landscaping and room for pool.

Agent:	Gary Campi
Company:	Campi Properties
Phone:	650 941 4300
Email:	gary@campi.com

Address:	1520 Montebello Oaks Ct Los Altos, CA 94024

Posted in Los Altos, Open Homes, Open House | 6 Comments »

160 Newell Ave – Los Gatos – Open House

Friday, March 13th, 2009


List Price: $1,450,000

Open House:
Sunday	3/15	1:30 PM to 4:30 PM


Bedroom: 4	Bathroom: 2.5	Sq. Ft: 2,173
Description: Fantastic LG neighborhood in LG Schl Dist. Horseshoe shaped street with 3 cul-de-sacs providing a quiet and serene enclave of homes. Easy access to schools, Hwy 17 & 85, Courtside Club, LG Swim and Racquet, and JCC Center. Lovely ranch style home with only 1 owner. Great floor plan 4/2 1/2, huge family room off kitchen, separate laundry room, large master and 3 kids bedrooms located together. Huge 1/3 acre lot with sweeping lawns.

Agent:	John H. and Rick A.
Company:	Alain Pinel Realtors
Phone:	408 891 8149
Email:	johnandrick@apr.com
Website:	www.johnhowmiller.com

Address:	160 Newell Ave Los Gatos, CA 95032

Posted in Los Gatos, Open Homes, Open House | No Comments »

33 Walnut Ave – Los Gatos – Open House

Friday, March 13th, 2009


List Price: $2,950,000

Open House:
Saturday	3/14	1:00 PM to 4:00 PM


Bedroom: 4	Bathroom: 2	Sq. Ft: 2,500
Description: Take advantage of this incredible opportunity to own a piece of Los Gatos history. Gracing a private double sided lot on a highly desired street in the Glen Ridge area of Los Gatos, this million dollar restoration has returned this beautiful Gothic-Craftsman house to its original splendor, with attention paid to every detail and high quality touches throughout.

Agent:	Hooman Altafi
Company:	Alta Realty Advisors
Phone:	408 772 5092
Email:	hooman@altafi.net

Address:	33 Walnut Ave Los Gatos, CA 95030

Posted in Los Gatos, Open Homes, Open House | No Comments »

472 Sylvan Ave – Mountain View – Open House

Friday, March 13th, 2009


List Price: $1,489,000

Open House:
Saturday	3/14	1:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Sunday	3/15	1:30 PM to 4:30 PM

Bedroom: 4	Bathroom: 2.5	Sq. Ft: 2,502
Description: This is the home you have been waiting for. Gorgeous Cape Cod exquisitely remodeled. Gourmet state of the art kitchen with top of the line appliances. Grand entry. Formal living room. Formal dining room. Separate family room off the kitchen. Powder room. Master Suite with luxurious master bathroom filled with Carrara marble. Entertainers delight dream backyard with outdoor kitchen.

Agent:	Jerylann
Company:	Alain Pinel Realtors
Phone:	650 743 7895
Email:	jmateo@apr.com
Website:	www.jmateo.com

Address:	472 Sylvan Ave Mountain View, CA 94041

Posted in Open Homes, Open House | No Comments »

Home and Garden Shows in San Jose and San Mateo

Friday, March 13th, 2009

With the blossoms of spring comes home and garden show season. And this weekend through next (March 13 through 22) are two Bay Area biggies.

Start with the San Jose Home Show at the McEnery Convention Center this weekend. If you’re starting a renovation project or just looking for inspiration, the home show is the place to meet contractors, landscapers, architects and interior designers. Displays of kitchens, baths, windows, doors, appliances, furnishings, spas and fireplaces will help you hone your ideas.

Beginning Wednesday, March 18 through the 22, the San Mateo Events Center will transform into the San Francisco Flower & Garden Show. Hundreds of landscape vignettes will be set up — atop tons of sawdust and mulch — to showcase everything from waterfall displays to container gardening.

The California Horticulture Society will highlight the newest plants and seminars abound about everything from sustainable gardening to patio planning. Childcare is offered!

Posted in Home and Garden, Home Decor, Julia, Landscape, Looki What I Found, Shopping | 1 Comment »

Eichler Living = California Living

Thursday, March 12th, 2009

This past week I was thrilled to photograph this wonderful Eichler home in Palo Alto. It is a mid-century modern designed to bring the outdoors right in to your living room, dining room, well every room. This home has been completely remodeled. The stone floor is gorgeous.

The color variations of the floor have a warm tone. Every light fixture has a unique modern flair. The homeowners took their time in choosing every detail and it shows.

This house will be on the market soon. If your interested you can contact the realtor Karen Lemcke at 650.387.4856.

Oh and by the way, Sunset Magazine just named Palo Alto one of the top small cities to live in and it said Palo Alto is also eco-friendly as well.

You might also enjoy these stories:
Rose Garden Mid-Century Modern
Mid-Century Modern from California Ranch: A Town and Country Life
Los Altos Contemporary
Modern Cocktail Lounge Party

Posted in Desiree, Desiree's Mud Room, Eichler, Palo Alto, Remodel, The Mud Room | No Comments »

Lookiloos Favorite Kitchens

Wednesday, March 11th, 2009

This week's peek is a round-up of some of my favorite kitchens. Kitchens are the center of the home. A good kitchen functions well. A great kitchen not only functions well, but it looks fabulous doing it. So in no particular order here they are.

Dreaming of a Penthouse kitchen. This one won't disappoint. I love the sleek white cabinets. The uppers open like garage doors. And that splash of tangerine drew me in.

This next kitchen comes to us from designer Karin Washler of Danville. It is the little details that I most appreciated with kitchen. From the copper farmhouse sinks to the turned legs on the island, this kitchen feels well thought out.

The La Estancia Estate kitchen is more traditional in style. The crispness of the white tile paired with the celery colored cabinets makes me think of a bygone era.

An aqua counter and backsplash calls you to take the helm of this Los Altos kitchen. It's design is reminiscent of a ship's bow and looking over the railing you can gaze down into the indoor pool.

And lastly, this Tudor style kitchen. I love the juxtaposition of the dark and the antique white paint cabinetry. The granite counters and the Limestone on the floor bring this all together. By the way, this is another design by Karin Washler.

I hope you enjoyed visiting my top Lookiloo kitchens.

Here's the complete slideshow:

Posted in Architecture, Desiree, Downtown Living, Interior Design, Kitchen, Modern, Peek of the Week, San Jose | 2 Comments »

St. Patrick’s Day Table Decorating Ideas: Going Green on a Budget

Monday, March 9th, 2009

When Jose Ibarra considered decorating his home for a St. Patrick’s Day dinner party, he first wandered through Michael’s craft store for inspiration. But everything was so glittery. So the San Jose floral designer went to Safeway, of all places, and that’s where he hit pay dirt. Well, wheatgrass, anyway.

“We don’t need the clovers. We don’t need the tchotchkes,” Ibarra said. “It’s about cutting costs and making it work.”

His idea for a festive holiday evening? Friends stopping by for a casual supper before heading off to O’Flaherty’s Irish Pub in San Pedro Square. He calls his tablescape “rustic chic”.

Here is Ibarra’s way of “going green” on a budget for St. Patrick’s Day:

1. Look to your own garden: Bring in a few succulents from the garden as centerpieces. You can even cut some off-shoots and put them in a vase of water. Add kale for texture and color to the centerpiece. Cut some trailing “angel” vines of delicate, tangled branches, and drape over your mantel. Place succulent “rosettes” among the vines.

2. Mix up the seating: Got some strong men around? Bring in tree stumps for seating. (Ibarra found his on the side of the road in Woodside.)

3. Angle a trio of centerpieces. Instead of one central centerpiece, Ibarra used a series of black, rectangular vases and angled them down the center of the table.

4. Head to the grocery store: Pick up containers of wheatgrass for $1.59 each and place them in vases. Grab a bag of green apples and place here-and-there on the table. Buy a dozen store-made shamrock cookies for $2.99 (the kind with the green sugar) and place them on the sideboard on a stack of stair-stepped books.

5. Use flea market finds: Rustic pewter dishes from friends and flea markets add a rich texture and keep the palette simple.

When the evening if finished, replant the succulents in the garden, make a pie with the apples and with the wheatgrass, make yourself a healthy shake. Now that’s green!

Update:

This post is featured in the San Jose Mercury News Home and Garden section here.