Lately, I’ve become enamored with houses that are unassuming from the front, but have a major ‘wow’ factor on the inside.
From the front of this white-washed Willow Glen cottage, you might expect a chopped-up floorplan. The only feature on the facade that gives you a sense of what’s to come is the bright yellow front door. Walk inside and you’re flooded with openness and light. And you can see right through to the charming backyard.
Homeowner Stephanie Angeli, an ”empty nester” who moved from San Francisco, first saw the house with her sister. “We did an ‘Oh my God,’ when we went through it,” she said. “Every room was perfect.”
The house had been remodeled by the previous owner who added space and lots of windows on the back of the house, looking out to the courtyard. The sisters got in their car, did a U-turn, she said, and went to the realtor’s office to put down a deposit. The house was featured on the Willow Glen Home Tour earlier this month.
The kitchen is also a gem, with white Carrarra marble counter tops and a sink in the corner looking into the family room.
And the interior decor is lovely, from the the little vignette of green stemware in front of al painting on the kitchen counter, to a nicely-appointed front guest room and office. Carmen Grande of Willow Glen Home & Garden on Lincoln Avenue helped Stephanie with the furnishings and Steve Gilbert added charm to the courtyard.
Take a look at the slideshow and tell us what space you like the best. 
Here’s the complete slideshow:
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What a darling house! So light and femine. The owner must be very sweet!
I don’t think I can decide, I love it all. That courtyard is just the icing on thw cKE!!
The Willow Glenn Cottage remodel, design, and color ( including the yellow door) was done by Suzanne MannMoore of Palo Alto. ( http://www.smmdesigns.com) the house had been her mother’s who lived there until she passed in 2007. Suzanne had designed and remodeled houses in Capitola, Santa Cruz ( featured in Coastal Living – see pictures on the website) , Palo Alto and Atherton. She owned a Julie Morgan house in Palo Alto for many years. Most recently see 475 Emabarcadero and 365 Guinda in Palo Alto for a flavor of her talent– will get them on her website soon. .. I know ..I am her husband and get to observe all of this creative flare, including a major reconstruction of a new home in Atherton ( white white white London summer house..with garden) … it is impressive I must say. Stephanie who purchased the house, has made it wonderful. and warm… she is amazing as well.
J. Woody
You know I meant icing on the cake…my typing and editing skills seem to be abominable of late.
OK James. Now it’s time to put up! You can’t entice us with all of Suzanne’s other great projects without inviting us in! We want a Lookiloos tour! Please get in touch and let’s make this happen. I needed an excuse for a trip to London, anyway…
Really beautiful! I just love the bedroom/office — its so comfy and inviting!
Love the bedroom/office! Perfect balance!
[...] This Willow Glen Cottage Had Me at the Yellow Door: Lookiloos. [...]
I adore the view of the yellow door, and the bench and cushions have inspired me!! I have a bench I may just paint that shade!!
I have a surprise on my site!
Karena
Art by Karena
These are the features I like best – modest homes maximized by excellent design. I have a small home for which I am brainstorming and collecting ideas that are actually doable. This is a goldmine of ideas. Thank you.
Charming through and through
timber lodges…
[...]Willow Glen Cottage Remodel with Modern Flair « Lookiloos[...]…