Coffee in hand, Desiree and I headed out early last weekend to check out the Hanchett Park historic home tour.   I seriously love the Shasta-Hanchett neighborhood of San Jose – great homes, one of my favorite coffee shops and a delicious NY style pizza joint.  It’s historic homes are gorgeous and the entire neighborhood seems as if it is in midst of a renaissance.  The Hanchett Park Heritage Project is, no doubt right in the middle of the revitalization and is responsible for organizing the tour, which did not disappoint.

Here are highlights from this year’s tour:

1.)  Deborah Arant and Richard Nieset’s Spanish Colonial Revival on Sequoia Avenue seemed like a dream.  I could imagine lounging by the pool, margaritas in hand as I cooked a grand BBQ in their outdoor kitchen.  The home shaped like the pii symbol had three separate gardens, giving everyone in the household an area to relax and call their own.  The home featured an extensive collection of Turkish rugs and art from the couple’s travels around the world, including pieces by Thomas McKnight. Desiree and I were on vacation!

The homeowners also remodeled the original kitchen, transforming it in a green certified masterpiece.  They reused 100% of the materials, meaning nothing went to the dump!  The result?  A modern kitchen with a nod to the 1920′s feel throughout the home, complete with built-in espresso maker!  In addition, when building their outdoor kitchen and gates, the couple used reclaimed wood from Napa.

2.)  The Washington’s Tudor Revival home on Sierra Avenue was picture perfect. Central to the quaint home, the fireplace features Malibu pottery tiles in the Mayan and Aztec motif, very typical of California homes. On the other hand, consistent with classic Tudor styling, the home had perfectly preserved Tudor arch door with glass stained windows and American walnut beamed ceilings. I loved their collection of antique silhouettes from the 1890′s through the 1930′s.

3.)  Collections and Obsessions make a house a home.  The gorgeous example of a modernized American Foursquare on Yosemite Avenue belongs to Michael Abler and Michael Smith.  While the home boasts many features that make this a stand out ( alabaster light fixtures to die for, a grand kitchen, box-beam ceilings and impeccable landscaping), what stuck with me were its owners collections – vintage martini shakers, globes, marbles, pez dispenser and sea shells.  All thoughtfully displayed in cases, shelves or oversized jars; they begged me to ask the owners to tell me more. Alas they were not there to chat with, but it made me think about what collections I would put out for display.  A wonderful and quick idea I could replicate immediately!

4.) Architect Steve Hinderberger and Michael Segovia own the modern prairie style bungalow on Yosemite.  The home is furnished in Bauhaus style with a mix of modern furniture, sculpture created by the homeowner and nods to the homes 1920s roots.  I was in immediately in love with lines of the Eames Lounge chair and the glass Noguchi table.  Hinderberger also created an easel to hold a beautiful Calder by repurposing a vintage handcart.  The bathroom featured chocolate walls with chocolate towels – how is that for a quick way to keep dirty finger print hidden with a touch of panache!   The kitchen itself was another example of smart design, where custom built oak cabinets created ample room for a access to a basement office. The  result is modern and functional.

Here’s the complete slideshow: