Lookiloos » Neoclassic

Neoclassical Victorian Fully Restored with New Master

julia@lookiloos — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 12:29:38 +0000

Rebecca and John Lane were avid fans of “This Old House” and looking for a new project when they first laid eyes on this 1905 Neoclassical Victorian. The San Jose house with its Roman-style round columns and dentil moldings was in nearly original condition, but needed a lot of work. With the help of architectural designer Lynn Miller in 2007, they took the house down to the studs and began a four-year project that included every weekend of do-it-yourself projects, from refinishing floors to stripping and replacing moldings throughout the house. They tore out a carport and built a detached garage, with John custom-making seven types of molding to match the house. They graciously opened the home for the Rose Garden Homes Tour this fall.

Along the way, John, a mentor in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, taught teenager Devon Hunter the art of carpentry (and the fun of demolition.)

“He’s practically a member of the family at this point,” said John, who began mentoring 19-year-old Devon when he was just seven.

The Lanes left the front rooms in their original configuration, but opened up the back of the house, extending a breakfast nook onto an old porch area, and converting two bedrooms into a family room and stairwell. By excavating nearly two feet of dirt from under the basement, they turned the low-ceilinged space with exposed pipes into a complete living area with three bedrooms and two bathrooms, a wine cellar and a “secret door.” The couple was surprised to find that a trap door that led them to the attic revealed 10-foot ceilings above. Adding extra dormers, this became their master suite. Rebecca found vintage-style corbels to use as shelf supports for the luxurious closet. They shopped at antique shops for vintage light fixtures and recovered stained glass windows from John’s parents’ attic in Portland to use as transom windows in the kitchen.

They named the house “Villa Roseto,” Italian for “Rose Garden Estate.”

“It was a much bigger deal than we originally anticipated,” John said of the project. But the 4,000 square foot result, he said, is worth it.

Here’s the complete slideshow:

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

Kitchen Remodels Galore, Craftsman, Neoclassical

julia@lookiloos — Sat, 08 May 2010 00:10:33 +0000

Depression-Era Charm, with Sparkle

Nearly every house at the recent Naglee Park home tour in downtown San Jose had a remodeled kitchen, and all of them had something special. Which one do you like best?

depression era charm-breakfast nook

This kitchen, with the chandelier over the kitchen sink and the white table in the breakfast nook, looks right out of the 1930s. It’s the home of Cindy and Phil Olow and was built in 1903 by Wolfe & McKenzie. The kitchen was “gently updated” with new counters, but the cabinets are original.

: Tin Ceiling Kitchen in Eclectic Shingle Style House

Tin Ceiling in Kitchen of Eclectic Shingle Style

The kitchen of this 1905 eclectic shingle-style home, remodeled by architect Steve Hinderberger of Hindesign, added subway tile and new counters, but preserved the great pass-through window to the deck. Owners Mike Howerton and Gary Rucker helped install the cool tin ceiling. Click here to see a backyard landscape Hinderberger did in the Hanchett neighborhood.

(keep scrolling for more kitchens..)

Neoclassic bungalow kitchen

This wonderful kitchen of a 1911 neoclassical bungalow has been featured in “Bungalow Kitchens” because of its unique cove ceilings. When owners Lori and Jeffrey Leonard, the fourth owners of the home, moved the old refrigerator, they were surprised to find a pass-through to the dining room.

Eclectic neoclassic kitchen remodel

The owners of this 1904 eclectic neoclassical house remodeled the kitchen to include black soapstone counters and craftsman-style cabinetry. Lori Littleford and her husband, John Pearson, found hardware for the cabinets at Briarwood antiques on W. San Carlos in San Jose.

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

Naglee Park Offers A Historic Home Tour

desiree — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 05:22:16 +0000

San Jose Women’s Club is hosting a home tour of historic Naglee Park. This is a wonderful neighbor filled with amazing architecture. There are five homes ready for their close-up this year. On the tour you will enjoy Neoclassical, Arts and Crafts and an eclectic Shingle Style. All of the homes are walking distance from the Women’s Club and there is free street parking for the event. Architect George Espinola will speak at 1:30 pm. Refreshments will be available.

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.