Sunset Idea House in Los Gatos
Los Gatos is one of two locations for Sunset Magazine’s 2018 Idea House. The magazine has been reimagining Western living since 1998, focusing on cutting-edge innovation, décor, trends, and design that embrace indoor-outdoor living.
Sunset Magazine was originally created in 1898 for the Southern Pacific Transportation Company. A promotional publication, Sunset’s mission was overcome California’s “Wild West” stereotype, enticing people to come West to visit or hopefully take up residence in the Golden State.
For twenty years, Sunset’s Idea House program has worked with local builders, interior designers, and landscape architects to create a residence that showcases the forward-thinking Western lifestyle. The homes chosen are in different locations throughout the West and have included San Francisco, the Oakland-Berkeley Hills, Palm Springs, Denver, and Manhattan Beach and include Spanish, Ranch, bungalow, and Craftsman architectural styles.
In 2018, the Magazine took on two houses, one in Beverly Hills and the other in Silicon Valley. Located at 44 Chester Street, the Los Gatos Craftsman retains its classic architectural style while at the same time infusing the residence with innovation and high-tech touches. Sunset collaborated with builder, De Mattei Construction Inc., interior design firm, Lauren Nelson Design, and landscape architect, Tamura Landscapes, to bring its 2018 Idea Home to fruition.
The three-level modern residence some are glassing the “Light House” has a full basement filled with natural light thanks to a lightwell that illuminates the lower level’s media room with built-in bar and guest bedroom. The main level is a seamless blend of indoor-outdoor living with an inviting outdoor dining and lounge area. The spacious yet flowing interior floor plan includes a gourmet chef’s kitchen and Dining Room, Living Room with folding glass doors that let the outdoors in, a parlor, laundry, and impressive staircase with glass rails, The upper level is reserved for bedrooms, with a Master Suite and bath to die for along with a guest bedroom and study with shared bath. Each space is thoughtfully designed, incorporating cutting-edge tech, trends, materials, and décor.
This isn’t Sunset’s first time in Los Gatos. In 2010, they did another Idea House Dream Remodel on a century-old bungalow on University Avenue and Towne Terrace that included literally picking up the home and reorienting it onto the side street as well as adding about 120 square feet to its modestly sized existing 1,400 square feet. In true Sunset fashion, the bungalow was completely gutted and remodeled, as were its outdoor spaces to create a modern, tech-forward home that still held fast to its architectural roots.
The public is invited to tour the 2018 Sunset Los Gatos Idea Home every weekend from now through September 30th. Tickets are $20 apiece and are available online or at the door. The home is open from 11am to 4pm and parking is available at 142 Los Gatos-Saratoga Road in Los Gatos. Take a sneak peek inside the home by watching this story that ran on ABC7 News.
Once the tour has concluded, the 2,900 square foot home will be available for sale. It’s asking price: $3.6 million.
