Mountain Views News          Saturday, May 7, 2011

16

HOMES AND PROPERTY

 Mountain Views-News Saturday, May 7, 2011 

One Of A Kind: Featuring unique homes and gardens and the people whoe create them. Story By Chris Bertrand Photos by John Muir


1912 Home Remodeled to Craftsman-Style Perfection, 

Yet Honed to Today’s Lifestyle


Ever thought of buying 
mom a house for Mother’s 
Day?

Just two blocks from 
the charming village 
atmosphere of downtown 
Sierra Madre, this 1912 built home was one of 
three side by side properties occupied by the 
same extended family for nearly a century. The 
current owners purchased their dream home from 
the original owner’s daughter, and the homes on 
either side were only recently sold from the family. 

After their purchase, they decided to remodel 
and update to accommodate today’s lifestyle 
while paying careful homage to the Craftsman 
roots. Arroyo stone walls in the back yard were 
meticulously reproduced at the front porch and 
back yard pillars by the project’s general contractor, 
Nate Sciacqua of Ultra Builders in Tujunga.

The owners laughed that townspeople regularly 
stopped by to offer their delight and kudos at a 
beautiful remodel project being done “the right 
way.” 

The main and guest 
home’s square footage was 
always sufficient, but the 
configuration was not. The 
newly designed floorplan 
includes a gorgeous front 
porch configured like an 
outdoor living room, with 
hardwood flooring. Sliding 
doors open from the front 
porch to the living room, for 
seamless indoor to outdoor 
entertaining. 

Inside, the dining room was 
moved to the former atrium 
area. The old dining room 
area was reconfigured into 
a half bath, a walk in pantry. 

The seller again laughed 
about the changes, saying at 
least the bedrooms are still 
in the original location. Now 
however, each bedroom, 
two on the main floor, plus 
a master upstairs are all 
suites with new, private 
bathrooms. Each bedroom is separated for extra 
privacy, and one main floor bedroom includes an 
outdoor entrance, perfect for an au pair or in law 
arrangement. 

The kitchen and dining area now 
comprise one large open area, which 
flows in to the generous living area. The 
room is, in a word, spectacular. Intimate 
yet comfortable for multiple cooks, 
children doing homework at the bar 
while the chef bakes and entertaining. 
The granite flows with dramatic 
movement, like a mural on the wall 
behind the gas stove, and on the center 
island, which features a baking center, 
sink and seating. 

Where all white cabinetry throughout 
the two rooms might have given an 
antiseptic ambiance, the contrasting 
center island cabinetry and display/
storage built-ins under the stairs 
complement yet pleasantly contrast with 
the white of the main kitchen area. 

The detail work was carefully planned 
throughout. The owner specified a 
kitchen with all drawers for ease of use, 
appreciating complete access to even the 
back of every storage area, with pull out drawers 
everywhere. Several appliance garages keep 
appliance in reach, but out of sight.

Gorgeous porcelain flooring was used in two main 
floor baths, taking advantage of 
the impervious, nearly carefree 
qualities of this tile’s surfaces. 

As one ascends the stairs to the 
master suite and office, gym or 
nursery, an original stained glass 
work was moved from its boarded 
up first floor location, to the head 
of the stairs. Lit from the inside 
and outside, it can be enjoyed 
from both directions at night. 

The master suite boasts a generous 
bedroom with cathedral ceiling, 
with dramatic windows soaring 
to the roof line. The master bath 
includes dual sinks, incredible 
custom cabinetry, a freestanding 
soaking tub, a fabulous walk-in 
shower, plus closet room fit for 
royalty. It even includes its own 
stacked laundry area (in addition 
to the main floor laundry). 

Out back, the outdoor living room features lighted 
ceiling fans, built-ins, a flat screen television, and 
another of the original family compound’s stained 
glass works of oak tree limbs, gifted from one of 
the family’s relatives. It provides a gorgeous “room 
divider” effect. 

But wait, there’s more! A 373 square foot guest 
house, currently under the last bits of renovation, 
includes living and bedroom areas, plus a bath. 
Beyond that, the extra deep 9906 square foot 
lot features a hidden vegetable garden and a 
workshop. 

The home is in walking distance to the town’s 
restaurants, unique retail, arts and services, plus 
four K-8th grade schools, both public and private. 
Kersting Court and the town’s two large parks 
host a plethora of activities and events, like this 
weekend’s Art Fair in Memorial Park, about six 
blocks away.

25 W. Grandview in Sierra Madre was just listed 
at $1,195,000 by Emily Duggan of Century 21 
Village. It features three bedrooms, an office/
gym/nursery, 3.5 baths, a two car attached garage 
and separate guest house. For more information, 
contact the agent at 626-695-1206. 

Know of an interesting home, garden or person who 
helps create them? Send the contact information to 
C.Bertrand@MtnViewsNews.com 


11027 Daines Drive, Temple City Listed for $428,000 
VIRTUALLY A NEW HOUSE! EVERYTHING NEW OR UPDATED FROM THE HARDWOOD 
BAMBOO FLOORS TO THE ROOF; INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. LOCATED IN A NICE TEMPLE 
CITY NEIGHBORHOOD SITTING UP ON A LITTLE HILL AND FILLED WITH LIGHT. HOME 
HAS 2 BEDROOMS, 1 BATH AND PLENTY OF ROOM TO ADD ON TO. THIS HOME IS 
TRULY A SWEETHEART YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS. 
Patricia Dmytrow15 East 
Foothill Blvd.
ArcadiaCA 91006(626) 589-6519pdmytrow@hotmail.comwww.realestatebypatti.comDRE #01032385OPEN HOUSE - 
Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 for the public 
on both this Sunday and next Sunday.
A PRICING PUZZLE

If you need to sell your home, but it has lost value since you first bought it, you’re facing a pricing 
puzzle. But before deciding on a fair price that may be below what you really want, consider the costs 
of not selling by asking more.

If your home sits on the market, waiting for a higher offer, you’ve got to figure in the costs of continuing 
your monthly mortgage payments, utilities, maintenance and insurance. 

Compare the asking prices of similar homes to the actual sales prices, often determined more by the 
lenders than the buyers. If you’re asking more than your home’s current value, the required appraisal 
will show that, and the lender won’t approve the buyer’s loan, leaving you back at Square One.

Walk in the buyer’s shoes and do your homework. Go ahead and tour similar homes listed in your 
area. Compare their price per square foot and see how yours stacks up against the competition in terms 
of value. This should help you arrive at an aggressive asking price that will hopefully be your sale price.

Local inventory determines your price, too. Divide 1 by the number of months of inventory (ask 
your agent for this number to determine the local “absorption rate”). 8 months of inventory yields a 
12.5% likelihood of selling, so speak with your agent and price accordingly.

DO GRUBS HAVE YOU DOWN?

What Are Grubs Anyway?

White grubs are the larvae of Japanese, June and May beetles. They’re usually less than 11/2-inches 
long and they’re curled into a C-shape.

They live underground and feed on the roots of your lawn. The most serious problems occur in late 
summer and fall, but you can also see damage in late spring.

“Grub damage can resemble other problems, so diagnosis can be tricky,” said Lance Walheim, author 
of “Lawn Care for Dummies” and lawn care expert for Bayer Advanced™. 

You’ve got a grub problem if you see:

• Dead, brown patches in your lawn.

• Wilting grass, even when it’s watered.

• Birds, moles, possum and raccoons digging in your yard.

• Lots of beetles flying around.

Another sign: You can lift up the grass like a rug and see grubs underneath.

If you need fast action or easy prevention measures, check out www.BayerAdvanced.com for its 
24-hour Grub Killer Plus I granules (kills grubs within 24 hours) and the new Season-Long Grub 
Control ready-to-spray formula (kills grubs all season long). Always read and follow label directions.

Deep, infrequent watering, fertilizing once or twice a year and mowing at the correct height for your 
grass with a sharp blade can keep your lawn healthy and less susceptible to pest damage.


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com