Mountain Views News          Saturday, June 4, 2011

17

HOMES AND PROPERTY

Mountain Views-News Saturday, June 4, 2011 

One Of A Kind: Featuring unique homes and gardens and the people whoe create them. Story By Chris Bertrand Photos clly, ourtesy of Terra Bella

1908 Craftsman Style… Sensitively Renovated for 21st Century Living

1908 Craftsman Style… 
Sensitively Renovated for 
21st Century Living

The proud owners of 
this 1908 Craftsman have 
lovingly spent the last two 
decades stripping away 
the wayward remodels of 
the 60’s and 70’s, restoring 
this 4 BR 3 BA home to its 
beautiful roots. They ruefully 
recollect the huge pile 
of ugly blue carpet that was immediately ripped 
out and piled at the street when the restoration 
began. 

Along the way, they researched and added 
amazing period sensitive accoutrements, inspired 
by the Gamble House and other significant 
Craftsman homes, plus components to complement 
modern, 21st century living. 

The custom, Craftsman style kitchen, handcrafted 
front door, leaded glass, living room fireplace 
with built-ins, amazing bedroom suites and 
much more, blend current artisan craftsmanship 
with century old, vintage features like the dining 
room breakfront and wainscoting, wonderful 
window seats, hardwood floors, molding, etc. 

As one approaches the home, the front porch, a 
well-loved outdoor living space with ample room 
for relaxation and even a porch swing, speaks 
volumes about the home’s welcoming personality. 
The front door, handcrafted for the current owners, 
is complemented by custom designed leaded 
glass surrounds, which match the dining room 
breakfront. 

Inside, the eye is immediately drawn to the living 
room’s fireplace wall. The fireplace was beautifully 
tiled in the remodel and features a mahogany 
mantle, flanked by built-in seating with footrests, 
and complemented by a white on white beamed 
ceiling and the expansive use of hardwood flooring, 
which ties the rooms together architecturally. 

The formal dining room is generous, and features 
a built-in breakfront for storage and display, 
high wainscoting, dual French doors opening to 
the cozy den, plus one of several large window 
seats that provide additional storage beneath. 

The family room, to the left of the foyer, offers 
a vintage, brick-faced faux fireplace, built-ins for 
books and display, stained wainscot paneling and 
a large, original picture window. 

The kitchen’s amazing oak and glass cabinetry 
provides extensive storage and display capability, 
including hideaway laundry facilities, a center 
island with gas cooktop, a built-in casual dining 
area, cabinet front Sub-Zero refrigerator-freezer. 

Upstairs, another window seat provides a delicious, 
view-oriented respite from the bustle of 
life, at the staircase’s landing. Amid sumptuous 
Craftsman ambiance, the master and second bedroom 
include dramatic vaulted ceilings, window-
front desk niches, a generous walk-in closet and 
built-in storage space, ceiling fans and more. BR 
#2 shares a connecting bath with BR #3, which 
overlooks the lush yard and pool.

The master suite also boasts a fabulous built-
in headboard reflecting Craftsman influence, plus 
a beautiful private bath with plate glass shower, 
deep soaking tub and dual sinks with mahogany 
counters.

In the back yard a wisteria covered patio bridges 
the indoor to outdoor living spaces, providing 
filtered shade for the kitchen and den, as well as 
a delightful venue from which to enjoy the pool, 
spa and yard. After dark, the night lit back yard 
and pool create a stunning venue for relaxation 
and entertaining.

Attached to the two car garage, the pool changing 
room and equipment room may offer reconfiguration 
options if the buyer desires an outdoor 
office or workspace. 

This block, one of the prettiest in highly desirable 
South Pasadena, is movie-perfect with 
the cooling shade of mature, overarching trees. 
Though the yard is low maintenance and very 
manageable, the homesite benefits from its location 
backing to homes with about 300’ deep 
lots, creating a private “greenbelt” enjoyed at the 
home. 

1717 Fletcher in South Pasadena was just listed 
at $1,389,000 by Carol Majors of Coldwell Banker. 
For more information, visit www.MajorsMarketPlace.
com or call 626-399-9665. The home will be 
open on Sunday, June 5, from 2-4 p.m.


Being Green, Seeing Purple - The Emerald Ash Borer Beetle

2125 E Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena $669,000 
Classic one story Spanish home with original architectural details. Clean 
and well maintained, this 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath home offers hardwood floors, 
barrel ceiling in living room, copper plumbing and central air.
Marsha 
FieldsColdwellBankerArcadia626.821.1276OPEN SUN 2 - 4
(NAPS)—What’s big, purple and hangs 
in ash trees across the country? It’s called a 
“purple trap.” Set by the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service 
(APHIS) and its 
state partners, 
this is a device 
that monitors for 
the presence of an 
invasive pest called 
the Emerald Ash 
Borer (EAB) beetle.

The EAB Kills Ash 
Trees

Since its 
discovery in 2002, this beetle has killed tens of 
millions of ash trees and threatens to kill millions 
more as it continues to spread. The adult beetle 
is metallic green and only about 1⁄2” long. As 
a larva, it spends its entire life burrowed under 
the bark of a tree—which makes the EAB tough 
to spot. While under the bark, the EAB disrupts 
the systems that transport food and water to the 
tree, eventually starving and killing it. When the 
EAB exits a tree, the beetle leaves a distinctive 
D-shaped hole in the bark.

Purple in Ash Trees

Unlike the EAB, purple traps are easy to spot. 
The trap is a three-dimensional triangle that’s 
about 24 inches long. It’s made out of thin, 
corrugated purple plastic and covered in glue. 
The beetles are attracted to the color, as well as a 
scented lure used to bait the traps. In the spring, 
EABs fly around, nibble on ash tree leaves and 
look for a mate. If one lands on a purple trap, it 
will get stuck in the glue. But don’t worry, purple 
traps pose no risk to the trees—or humans, pets 
or wildlife.

Purple traps do not draw the beetle to an area—
rather, they help detect it if it is already present.

What You Can Do

You can play a role in stopping the spread of 
EAB and destruction of ash trees. Start by talking 
to your friends and family about the serious 
threat this beetle poses to America’s ash trees. 
Understand that the beetle typically doesn’t move 
far on its own. It’s known as a hitchhiker, catching 
rides in cut wood. So don’t move firewood. Buy 
firewood locally and burn it where you buy it. 
Learn more about the EAB at www.stopthebeetle.
info. If you spot a purple trap on the ground or 
possible signs of EAB damage in your trees, you 
can contact your state’s Department of Agriculture 
or Natural Resources, or call the toll-free USDA-
EAB Hotline at (866) 322-4512.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s purple 
traps will monitor for a destructive beetle in your 
ash trees. 


They say a picture is worth a thousand 
words, but in real estate, a picture could be 
worth a thousand dollars (or more). Most 
agents aren’t photography professionals, but 
there is an understanding that better photos 
get listings more attention, and ultimately, a 
higher selling price.

The absolutely best photos are taken not 
with “point and click” cameras, but with SLR 
(single-lens-reflex) cameras. Without getting 
too technical, just know that SLR cameras give 
the photographer more control and produce 
higher quality images. 

While an SLR camera costs more than your 
average point-and-click shooter, consider that 
a recent study found that listings with high 
quality photos sold for anywhere between $934 
and $116,076 more than their average listing 
photo counterparts. If your agent doesn’t have 
an SLR camera, then you could easily recoup 
your investment by purchasing one yourself.

Even though better photos attract more 
online attention, only about 15% of listings 
make use of the superior technology. 
Obviously, high-end listings stand to reap 
the greatest benefits, so if you’ve got a million 
dollar home, why would you skimp on such an 
important facet of marketing it?

However, there is a caveat: the study found 
that homes listed under $300,000 didn’t see 
any real difference in sales price with the finer 
photos, so realistic and competitive pricing 
is the most effective marketing tool in those 
cases.


PHOTOGRAPHY 
101


NEW LAW REQUIRES CARBON 
MONOXIDE DETECTORS IN HOMES

Sacramento – Starting July 1, 2011 
new legislation will go into effect 
requiring homeowners to install 
carbon monoxide detectors in every 
California home; a move CAL FIRE 
officials say will save lives. “Carbon 
monoxide is a silent killer, each year 
claiming the lives of an average of 480 
people,” said Acting State Fire Marshal 
Tonya Hoover. “And sending more 
than 20,000 people to emergency 
rooms across the nation.”

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a 
colorless, odorless gas that is produced 
from heaters, fireplaces, furnaces and 
many types of appliances and cooking 
devices. The best way for homeowners 
to stay protected from CO is to have a 
carbon monoxide detector installed on 
every floor and outside each sleeping 
area. A recent study found that nearly 
nine in 10 California households did 
not have a CO detector. “Having a 
CO detector is a small investment 
that really can help save your life and 
the lives of your family,” said Chief 
Hoover.

To help educate homeowners 
about the new law and to encourage 
them to install a carbon monoxide 
detector, CAL FIRE / Office of the 
State Fire Marshal is teaming up with 
fire departments across the state, the 
Home Safety Council, First Alert 
and Lowe’s to host “CO Saturday” 
on June 4. “CO Saturday” will be a 
special day-long safety celebration to 
teach families how to prevent carbon 
monoxide poisoning.

Though previous laws only required 
newly-constructed homes to have 
CO alarms, the state’s new Carbon 
Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act 
(Senate Bill 183) requires owners of all 
existing single-family homes with an 
attached garage or a fossil fuel source 
to install CO alarm devices within the 
home by July 1, 2011. Owners of multi-
family leased or rental dwellings, such 
as apartment buildings, have until 
January 1, 2013 to comply with the law.

 

For more information on how to 
prevent carbon monoxide poisoning 
visit the CAL FIRE website at www.
fire.ca.gov. For more information on 
“CO Saturday”, please visit www.
homesafetycouncil.org.

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