Depression-Era Charm, with Sparkle

depression era charm-breakfast nook

Tin Ceiling Kitchen in Eclectic Shingle Style House

Tin Ceiling in Kitchen of Eclectic Shingle Style

(keep scrolling for more kitchens..)

Neoclassic bungalow kitchen

Eclectic neoclassic kitchen remodel

Which kitchen do you like best? Anyone dreaming of a kitchen remodel?

All proceeds from the tour are dedicated towards renovating the original electrical elements of the clubhouse and expanding its capacity to meet the needs of the 21st century. The group’s goal is to make the San Jose Woman’s Club a performing arts venue for the city by upgrading the stage lighting and heating system, and adding air conditioning and wiring for modern technology. You can buy tickets here or  Lookiloos is happy to offer two pairs of tickets to see these spectacular homes.  So, if you’d love to see these wonderful homes all you need to do is leave a comment.  Tell us why you are a “Lookiloo”.  The tour is Saturday, April 24th from 10 am to 4:30 pm. We will announce the winner Friday April 23rd at 5:00pm.

Rick Holden and Sandra Moll have long been known as patrons of the arts here in the South Bay.  Whether they were chairing meetings for The San Jose Repertory’s Board of Directors or opening their home to host a private event benefitting the Institute of Contemporary Art‘s or San Jose Jazz, the couple did it with flair.   So when it came time to relandscape their large backyard in San Jose’s Naglee Park, it should be no surprise that it has a distinctly artistic bent, from Thai artifacts to sculptures by local artists, like Marcia Donohue of the Our Own Stuff Gallery in Berkeley.

Entertainers at heart, the couple wanted a backyard space that would be appropriate for hosting a fundraising reception for 100 people, barbecue for 10 or intimate breakfast for two.  They enlisted the help of San Jose-based landscape designer Cevan Forristt, whose penchant for mixing ethnic treasures and reclaimed architectural artifacts  was just what the couple needed to transform their space into an unexpected downtown San Jose oasis.    “Our designer asked us each to write an essay about what we wanted to see in our backyard. I was not sure if Sandy and I would share the same vision or priorities”  Rick said.  “He melded our different points of view, brought his resources and hit the nail on the head.  We are out here year-round and the landscape is lush and constantly evolving.”

From antique Chinese soaking tubs to giant Malaysian prayer beads gracing a keyhole concrete wall, the Holden/Moll backyard is a constant delight.   The concrete table seating 14 guests was poured by Forrist himself who embedded broken ceramic plates and pottery as accents.  The pottery pieces were retrieved before a San Francisco shop owner could throw the lot in a dumpster after the Loma Prieta earthquake.  The custom table is surrounded by antique chairs.

Repurposing ancient items for new uses, they converted an antique Chinese horse trough into a beverage cooler. Dinner is often cooked on the gas powered wok hidden in one of the nooks.  A Chinese gate flanked with potted bamboo graces the driveway entrance, while a reclaimed blue antique Indian gate guards the eastern entrance to the patio. Fishing baskets were turned upside down, filled with white lights and converted into outdoor lamps.  The entire property is peppered with creations like bamboo/golden trumpet plant sculptures, lights imported from Mexico and a Buddah in an unexpected corner.   Adjoining the backyard, they have one of the largest collections of SJSU alum Donald Carlson‘s glass art and a contemporary painting by Jenny Do in their downstairs indoor entertainment space.

The hardscape is filled-in with a mix of bamboo, monkey paws, succulents and morning glories to pay homage to their Asian inspiration and create privacy and shade.

Rather than flying half way across the world to see ancient treasures, the Holden’s simply look to their backyard for some zen like relief — Silicon Valley style.

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

Here’s the complete slideshow:

For centuries, the fireplace has served a central role, used for cooking and heating, whether a castle or a cave. Today, fireplaces are the gathering spot to pass popcorn and share stories with friends and family and add instant ambience and warmth to a room. When the air turns chilly, residents turn to the over 1.4 million Bay Area fireplaces.

Georgie Huff a Naglee Park resident has a wonderful fireplace built with Batchelder Tile. The tile portrays a scene of knights on horseback emerging from the forest towards a castle. The scene tells a story in great detail. The fireplace itself is quite large in stature, but doesn’t overpower the living room.

Georgie’s husband had been holding on to andirons from his childhood home.

“Every fireplace we had was too small,” Georgie said, “so they had been in storage for years.”

Well, not anymore. They are now a perfect addition to their fireplace. The gothic dragons appear to be cast as the perfect compliment to marauding knights.

Another Naglee Park resident has a spectacular fireplace with angels crafted in the center tile. A Venetian paint technique gives great texture to the flue and accompanying walls. A hint of pale blue color in some of the tiles and behind the decorative grate provides the thought of the heavens for the resident cherubs.

Gail Leslie in Willow Glen used Handcraft Tiles to create her new fireplace with a look from a bygone era. Handcraft has been creating tile since 1926 and, like the name says, these tiles are created by hand.

Looking closely at Gail’s center tile reveals a charming Spanish courtyard. Each piece in the surround and hearth are different sizes, but uniform in color and this produces a beautiful pattern. A large rustic beam across the top works as a mantle completing the old world look, but with modern day conveniences. Burning natural gas and using ceramic logs, this fireplace is environmentally friendly.

The Book’s of Almaden Valley have a unique indoor/outdoor fireplace, providing enjoyment of this fireplace from either side. The fireplace is the focal point of the warm and inviting family room. It’s a cozy room that is open to the kitchen and casual dining. As an added bonus, they also enjoy this fireplace from the outside, where it is the center of an intimate patio for hanging out with friends on Martini night. It’s the perfect happy hour deal, two for one.

A family room in Los Gatos was getting a complete makeover, including the fireplace. It went from dark and heavy to light and sleek. Removing the volcanic rock and replacing it with a creamy white stone. It was molded from crushed limestone. You can find it at Millbrook Stone in San Jose. The transformation was dramatic.

“Even though we went with a lighter color the fireplace is warmer and more inviting,” said the homeowner.

Finished just in time for the cooler weather, this family is set.

The Vaughn family recently rebuilt their outdoor fireplace. This fireplace has a built in bench for seating and a mantle that adds a touch of elegance. This is not your ordinary outdoor firepit. Located in the rear corner of the yard, the fireplace becomes an eye-catching focal point. With the mild California climate, it has become the gathering place among their family and friends.

Fireplaces have evolved other the years in technology and in styles, and are now the centerpiece of many different rooms or yards for that matter. In July of 2008, the Air District passed new regulation to reduce fine particulate matter air pollution. In other words Spare the Air. You cannot burn wood; fire logs or pellets in your fireplace, woodstove or fire pit during a Spare the Air Alert. You can sign up for email alerts to know when you can or can’t burn at www.baaqmd.gov or call 1-877-4NO-BURN. You can also sign up for automatic phone alerts by calling 1-800-430-1515.

Update:

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

Here’s the complete slideshow:

     Imagine you are a 1940′s Hollywood starlit, soaking in a tub with warm water cascading from a Lion’s head spigot.  Well, if you lived in this Naglee Park home it wouldn’t be too difficult.

    This Spanish Revival home was built in 1932 complete with a lavish bath.
It’s not about the size, but it’s the details that make you feel like Greta Garbo or Ingrid Bergman.  The tile is the main feature of this bath and it is special.
The design is a one-of-a-kind. It stops you in your tracks, you take a deep breath and you dream a little different.  Suddenly it’s not about the carpool but the gown for the latest premier.

    The Lion’s head spigot is mounted to the wall above the tub and is a striking center-piece of this bath.  The complementing tile is warm in color and it’s softly rounded shape. It was produced by Handcraft Tile, one if the four original tile companies in San Jose. The company was founded in 1926 and is one of the few manufacturers that pre-dates World War II. Handcraft Tile is still producing amazing unique tile today.

    This bathroom epitomizes old Hollywood charm, just remember, no wire hangers please.

Here’s the complete slideshow: