Saratoga News
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Photograph by George Sakkestad
The Blackwell House in Saratoga is being revitalized for Designer's Showcase 2006, which benefits Symphony Silicon Valley and other musical arts groups. Among the participating designers are Laura Ziffer (left) and Linda McFalone of Lulu Pom in Los Gatos. Tours will allow the public to come and enjoy the Blackwell House's new look, through June 4. A garden luncheon and tea by the National Charity League will take place May 20 and 21 as a benefit for Montalvo.
Designers wake up sleeping Blackwell House
Showcase will feature classic Saratoga home
By Jennifer McBride
If there's one thing that can be said about Saratoga that no one can dispute, it's that the city is full of spectacular homes.
One such spectacular home is the Blackwell House, located near La Hacienda Inn. For the past few years, this classic, 1960s colonial home has sat in sleepy silence. But this week marks its grand comeback, as it opens its doors for the Designer's Showcase.
The 2006 Designer's Showcase is presented by the Preludes and Encores League. The Preludes and Encores League is the resurrected San Jose Symphony Auxiliary. The Auxiliary was part of the Symphony and died when the Symphony went out of business. Preludes and Encores has its own nonprofit status. This is the first Showcase since 2002.
Designer's Showcase, in partnership with philanthropy-minded homeowners throughout the area, selects a different home each year and puts a crew of designers together to renovate and decorate different aspects of it. This year, the Blackwell family donated the use of the home in Saratoga, since the cause of supporting local classical music was near and dear to the hearts of Jack and Jean Blackwell, who built the home several decades ago.
The Blackwell House sits on 2.5 acres. Jack Blackwell of Blackwell Homes built it in 1960 for his wife, Jean, and their family. Jean died in 1997 and Jack in 2002; the home has sat empty ever since.
More than 6,000 square feet of living area, along with a separate guest house, wine cellar, patio, pool, gazebo and garden area of the estate, have been improved by some of the Bay Area's finest designers for this event. Following the improvements, the home is being "showcased" through tours and events. Ticket proceeds will benefit Symphony Silicon Valley. However, the symphony is not the only beneficiary.
The National Charity League will hold its first annual garden luncheon and tea to benefit Montalvo Arts Center on the grounds of the Blackwell Home on May 20 and 21. The bill of fare will include small tea sandwiches, scones, tarts, cookies, chocolate-dipped strawberries and beverages, to be served against the picturesque background of the house. The Napkin Ring of Saratoga will cater.
Pam Blackwell, daughter-in-law of Jack and Jean Blackwell, says luncheons on the home's front lawn are some of her most treasured memories.
"My mother- and father-in-law, before they passed away, would have this luncheon out on the lawn every spring," she recalls. "We would play [games], and they would serve tea sandwiches and strawberries. It was so magical."
When she heard the family had agreed to let the house be used for this year's showcase, Pam, a member of the National Charity League with her daughter, says her mind turned back to those spring days.
"I immediately thought of the luncheon," she says, describing how she thought of the idea for the National Charity League event. "I thought, 'I want to share [those memories] with everyone.'"
Pam says the family couldn't be happier with the job the designers have done with the house.
"It's so beautiful. It's amazing what they've done," she says. "Since the estate sale after my in-laws died, the house has looked so tired. Now the life is back in it. It's so amazing how each designer has put their own touch on each room of the house. They're all different, but they all work together. It's shining with life and beauty now; it's exactly what we would have wanted. Now, when the house goes back on the market [after the showcase] it will be like a grand send-off, in all its glory."
The Designer's Showcase Home is available for viewing between May 13 and June 4, Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays, noon to 5 p.m., as well as on Memorial Day, May 29. Tickets may be purchased at the door for a $25 donation, made payable to the Preludes and Encores League. Credit cards will not be accepted. Children over 9 years of age are welcome. Groups of 10 or more can purchase tickets for $20 each by calling 408.354.3373. For more information, call 408.354.0773 or visit www.symphonysiliconvalley.org. The National Charity League's garden luncheon and tea to benefit Montalvo Arts Center is on May 20, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and May 21, 12:30-2:30 p.m. Space is limited and tickets must be purchased in advance for $45 per person, which includes lunch and admission to the Blackwell House. Call Pam Blackwell at 408.867.1987 or email her at pcblkwll@comcast.net to make a reservation. Reservations must be made by May 19 at noon.
DESIGNERS TEAM
UP, TRANSFORM
THE BLACKWELL HOUSE
Participating designers who helped with the improvements to the Blackwell House for the 2006 Designer's Showcase included:
Front Lawn: Rebecca Dye, Design Focus, Ben Lomond
Conversation Circle and Front Porch: Kren Rasmussen, Bloomster's Inc., San Jose
Entry Hall and Upstairs Hall: Linda Durnell, Linda Durnell Gallery, Los Gatos
Powder Room: Jessie Kaminski, The Avenue, Los Gatos
Library and Study: Debra Ryan, Debra Kay George Interiors, San Jose
Bedroom: Lynne Myer: Belle Maison Design, Morgan Hill
Bathroom: Renee Argent and Deborah Drljaca, Perfect Setting, San Jose
Bedroom: Teresa Stevens and Nina Wood, Valet Organizers, Los Gatos
Small Bathroom and Bedroom: Robbyn Enriquez and Diane Van Voorhis, Traditions, Los Gatos
Master Bedroom and Bathroom and Media Room: Mark Lasecke, Marsha Bolster and Kent Calderhead, Eastern Furniture Company, Santa Clara
Master Bedroom Deck: Dhelia Fahrner, La Jardiniere, San Jose
Living Room and Dining Room: Denise Castagnola, Denise Castagnola Designs at Wisteria Antiques, Soquel
Kitchen and Family Room: Linda McFalone and Laura Ziffer, Lulu Pom, Los Gatos
Patio: Debbie Stern, Metamorphosis, San Jose
Pool Area and Pool House Veranda: Denise Castagnola, Denise Castagnola Designs at Wisteria Antiques, Soquel
Gazebo and Garden Area: Suzanne Mastroluca, Elegant House Inc., San Jose
Garden Path: Rakee Joshi, Smith and Hawken, Los Gatos
Guest House: Thierry Buisson, Theirry Buisson Design, San Jose
Wine Cellar: Vivie Lizut, Saratoga
