In the 10 months it took to build this house from the ground up, a lot happened in the Wetmore family. Diane’s mother, the matriarch of the family, died, and her daughter got married. What she realized then was just how important it was that this new home become the center, the gathering place, for the family.
And to Diane and Ray, whose four grown daughters all attended St. Martin of Tours, that meant big, open spaces for entertaining, both inside and out. And that starts at the majestic front door, a work of iron art with wavy glass windows that open behind it, letting the California breeze blow from the front all the way to the glass doors that slide into the wall in the back. The family graciously opened their home for the Rose Garden Homes Tour this fall.
Ray is a commercial masonry contractor and the home that Diane describes as part Arizona, part Florida and part Hawaii needed some signature stonework. With the help of architect Chris Spaulding and designer Susan Powell, they created a stone alcove that can be glimpsed from the entryway as well as a stone-covered stove hood. Even the risers on the curving staircase are covered in a distinctive tile to add interest. The living room ceiling soars two-stories high, with windows upon windows to let light in. The front room was designed as a “mancave” with leather sofas, a wet bar, stone fireplace and vintage wine barrels. Limestone tile floors make a seamless transition from the living room through the wall of windows(that disappear when opened) to the covered patio, complete with a Tuscan-style dining table and plans for a full-service barbecue area.
With a gracious master bedroom downstairs, the upstairs is reserved for family, including a nursery for the Wetmore’s grandchildren.
“Everyone comes here and stays here,” Diane said. “It was built to bring the family together.”
Here’s the complete slideshow:
![5465528943_114ceefb40_b[1]](http://www.lookiloos.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/5465528943_114ceefb40_b1-550x366.jpg "5465528943_114ceefb40_b[1]")
![5465523247_a14ac89c38_b[1]](http://www.lookiloos.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/5465523247_a14ac89c38_b1-250x166.jpg "5465523247_a14ac89c38_b[1]")
Buisson, who came to the United States two decades ago, is a personal shopper at Neiman Marcus in San Francisco and does interior design work on the side. A dining room he decorated with zebra skin and a custom-made topiary of his dog Winston, of all things, was featured in the Summit League’s “Homes for the Holidays” tour last Christmas.
![5465534203_2599b8b94a_b[1]](http://www.lookiloos.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/5465534203_2599b8b94a_b1-250x166.jpg "5465534203_2599b8b94a_b[1]")
“The biggest piece he ever bought was an 18th-century Aubusson tapestry. My mom just freaked out,” Buisson said. “My dad had to justify every purchase, either hide it or bring it out for a birthday.”![5465530667_596145a3b4_b[1]](http://www.lookiloos.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/5465530667_596145a3b4_b1-233x350.jpg "5465530667_596145a3b4_b[1]")
The front walkway is lined with potted citrus trees, giving you the feeling of approaching a French “orangerie.” Inside, a 19th-century, hand-painted French vaisselier for storing and displaying china sits in the living room — a find from friend Darin Geise who owns the Coup d’Etat showroom across from the Design Center in San Francisco. Atop a leather ottoman is a bright green tray and a Moroccan lantern. Louis XVI chairs are covered in charcoal grey Pierre Frey toile. French doors lead you to a deck that looks like the courtyard of a boutique hotel, with topiaries and Moroccan-tiled wrought-iron tables. On an end table in a guest room is a collection of miniature porcelain busts he collected from the Alameda Point Antiques Faire. In his room, he keeps a collection of antique boxes. His sister, who owns an antique shop in the seventh arrondissement of Paris called “Fauve,” sends him a tiny box for every birthday.
A piece of milky white ethnic art inspired designer Thierry Buisson to
The inspiring artwork was a painted piece of carved mahogany that a
Perhaps from his Parisian roots, Thierry loves to bring the outside in
For whimsy, he had a custom topiary created to look like his Norwich
An elegant contemporary Tuscan home was ready for the holidays inside and out. For the Summit League’s Homes for the Holidays tour, the house was decorated in grand style, from the formal to the spacious living room and the resort-style gardens in back.
Four Seasons of Style in Los Gatos appointed the office and hallway. The family room was decorated by Inspired Interiors & Design. Judith M. Floral Design filled it with flowers, while the tree was decorated by Jeff Fiorito of Scotts Valley.
The sunny cook’s kitchen that opens to the family room was made festive by Maria’s France-Italy-England in Los Gatos .
The powder room was glammed up by Seashell Reflections of California and the dining room got special attention from The Fat Robin-La Mesa Linens.
This beautiful home has been remodeled four times, but it looks like it’s always been just the way it is, situated so perfectly on a Saratoga hilltop. From the living room, you look out upon tree tops. From the dining room behind it, floor-to-ceiling windows look on the lovely — and level — back lawn. And the kitchen area opens to a charming courtyard.
What started as a simple ranch house built in 1954 has been transformed over the past 20 years by the Kenny family into a French Chateuu in the country manor style. And Linda Floyd of 
The dining room was spectacular for the tour, as Sharon Watts of Peony created an astonishing table display.
David Stonesifer of David Stonesifer Interior Design and Decoration appointed the family room, including a couple of oil paintings he created himself.
Upstairs, the daughter’s bedroom was decorated by Wahlberg Designs, The Duke & The Duchess of Morgan Hill. 
Recent Posts
