Judy Stanley has a recurring dream. In it, her husband announces, “I sold the house. We’re moving.” And in every dream, Judy cries over and over.
“I love this house,” she said.
She loved it when it was a two-bedroom, one-bath home she bought in 1994 with her husband, Guy, and his young son. And she loves it now, 15 years and two more children later after a gentle remodel in 2006 that added another bedroom and two bathrooms — plus a just-the-right-size craft room for her decorative belt buckle business.
Indeed, there is a lot to love about this 1,600-square-foot, one-story house in Los Gatos that was built around 1950 with only 1,225 square feet. A little old lady had been the only owner of the house. And when they bought it, the 10,000 square-foot lot was huge, but overgrown. The best feature, she said, was the sprawling brick patio off the back, which — even with the extra 440-square-foot addition — remained mostly intact.
On a late winter morning, a white gate and big magnolia beckon visitors to the front door. Once inside, a stunning, original white marble fireplace mantle grabs your attention.
The couple hired San Jose designer Greg Ybarra of ADG Design to reconfigure the bedrooms, hallway and bathroom wing of the house. An original bedroom was converted to a master bath and Judy’s craft room. And the children’s bedrooms were added on the back of the house.
“They have a beautiful lot, nice open space,” Ybarra said. “We didn’t want to spoil that.”
Judy spends a lot of time in her backyard, entertaining, watching the kids play and planting her huge vegetable garden. On the patio, there is room for a big table and chairs, two chaise lounges and three fountains. She also uses the space to glue pearls, beads and other decorations to belt buckles that she sells at Bella Rosa Boutique in Los Gatos and European Jewelers in Carmel.
The couple had done a kitchen remodel 10 years ago, with white cabinets and tile counters. During that renovation, she penned a note and slipped it into the wall. It was written with love and said something like, “If you’re reading this, we’re dead and gone. Hope you enjoy this house as much as we did.”
It’s hard to imagine anyone wouldn’t.
Related stories:
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Colonial Revival Home Renovation – Whitney Wright Mansion
Before and After – Rustic Kitchen Remodel
Los Gatos Estate – La Estancia – A Mission Revival Kept Lively by David and Larry
Restored Italianate Victorian Home Revives Neighborhood
Downsizing and Restyling: From French Country to Modern Neutral
Renovating and Decorating to Inspire Home and Business
Mid-Century Modern from California Ranch: A Town and Country Life
Here’s the complete slideshow:
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Thank you for honoring our little house!!!
Judy, Thank you! Even in winter when your garden is “sleeping” it is beautiful. And you were so sweet to open your charming home to Lookiloos!
I love the serenity of the living and dining room, so different from the N.E. look. The “huge” 10,000 s.f. lot makes me laugh though as it is hard to get buyers to consider a yard that small here unless they are confirmed urbanites. I am definitely at a stage where I would love a lot that size or smaller…less upkeep.
Janet
When I used to visit my cousins in New Jersey, I would marvel at the vast rolling lawns with no fences. It’s all relative, as they say.
Guy & Judy have a wonderfully remodeled home, just the perfect habitat for their family. They also have a lot of fabulous outdoor private space to enjoy, whether it’s their patio for summer BBQ’s, hot tub hideaway for the grown ups, play area for the kids, or the garden for some relaxing time tending the soil. I was very glad they chose my design firm for their remodeling project. It was exciting to see the work progress from start to finish. Their project will always remain one of my favorites. Thank you for featuring their cozy house.
Greg Ybarra
ADG Design
Thank you so much for doing this story on my home,, one of my favorite things about living here is my beautiful garden,, and unfortunately the real beauty of seeing it in bloom is not shown here, since it was the dead of winter when these photos were taken….grape vines with clusters of merlot grapes, sweet peas and their wonderful scent fill the air, nasturtiums wandering all over in orange, yellow, and butterscotch colors, hollyhocks with their beautiful blooms, dozens and dozens of towering 10 foot Mammoth Giant sunflowers and Cecil Brunner and Sunset roses blooming everywhere is what my garden is all about ,,,spring is almost here,,, and I look forward to my time spent with my flowers…..thanks again Lookiloos for showing my home..
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