(Photo above left) With the front door opened you can see all the way through the back and over the wide expanse of the Santa Clara River Valley. (Above right) Dianne and Dudley Davis’ 1,000 square foot covered deck hugs the house and is the perfect spot for relaxing... and to enjoy a closer view of the Santa Clara River Valley.

Hospice Tour: Davises of Do Right’s also do it right with custom home

April 01, 2009
Santa Paula News
When the front door of Dianne and Dudley Davis’ stunning hillside home is opened you can see, all the way to the back and beyond, the wide expanse of the Santa Clara River Valley framed by a huge bypass door. The couple’s new “dream home” includes those things most important to the Davises: environmentally sound energy efficiency, deep dark woods, abundant interior open space, a covered deck patio ranging over 1,000 square feet, that “to die for” view, and glorious flowers and greenery galore, a natural for the owners of the famous Do Right’s Nursery Plants. The 3,500 square foot Dudley Home, located at 540 Glade Drive, will be open to visitors during Santa Clara Valley Hospice/Home Support Group’s 26th Annual Homes & Gardens of Santa Paula Tour.From magnificent domiciles to gorgeous gardens to sundaes at a historic hotel, from winning custom gift baskets to the opportunity to purchase beautiful Do Right’s plants and stunning Otto & Sons Nursery roses for spring gardens and take home original artworks, new and exciting pleasures await you at the Tour, to be held Saturday, April 25th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets cost only $15 in advance and on Tour Day $20 at the door.That flowers and plants are plenteous outside the Davis residence is no surprise: the earth tones of the Craftsman-influenced California design is the perfect backdrop for color, its flagstone touches complementing the flagstone and pavers driveway/entrance.Sunny yellow and blue pansies, birch trees and linaria, ranunculus and primulas greet visitors as they make their way to the rich wood door. And when you walk into the spacious multi-level home it offers wide views of the great outdoors through various picture windows and sliders leading to the covered deck/patio, where a dazzling array of flowers and plants stretches out below.The home was designed to be “green,” with all double paned windows, fluorescent lighting, two tankless water heaters, and solar panels. “The negative electric bill,” notes Dianne, “helps make up for the water bill for the yard.”The Davises finally moved into their home in August. “Dudley designed and designed and designed, all the way to Revision G,” and worked with structural engineer Mark Baker, who, said Dianne, “deserves a lot of credit, he really helped us.”The couple’s desire for as much natural light as possible led Baker to design a “huge iron brace to hold the house up,” joked Dianne, around the wall of windows that allow inside/outside viewing of the river valley. Off the generous living room and kitchen there are no blinds to hide the house-hugging covered deck, barbecue and seating areas.Hickory floors match the woodsy views, and soothing greens and creams dominate the dining room, where the open beam ceiling supports a Tiffany style chandelier above the table that comfortably seats 10 in richly upholstered flowered tapestry chairs.A Yamaha Clavinova - practically a whole orchestra in one unit - waits to be played near a casual dining area. “We were going to learn to play the piano, but that’s never going to happen,” so Dudley says it is fortunate the unit plays itself.An open breakfast bar is topped with mahogany, and ample oak cabinets make the huge kitchen pantry an afterthought. Granite squares frame the conveniently nearby sink.The living room features comfortable oversized leather seating, fronted by unusual wood-framed slate tables with scrolled iron legs. The seating allows the perfect spot to sit and enjoy the warmth of the fireplace or entertainment on the big screen TV.A total bypass sliding door - all 12 feet of it - is framed in what “we like more than anything... wood, and,” says Dianne as she leads visitors outside to share another favorite, “the gorgeous view.” Porcelain tile is underfoot, and tempered glass railings allow unobstructed views of the 20,000 square foot property and the river valley beyond.Several combination containers sport succulent gardens, and colorful mixtures of colored foliage, annual and perennial in pots and hanging baskets, decorate the deck. For cut flower bouquets there is statice perezii, alstromerias in the front and back borders, and in the shady part of the stairs behind the house are ferns for greens. There is also a new variety of gazanias called “Sun Bathers” planted along the path along the back of the house, and also yellow and orange “Safari” marigolds.
The family cats - who keep a close eye on their owners - are kept safe from wildlife in the screened downstairs patio with a border of cyclamen along the back. Lavenders, multicolored varieties of heucheras, exotic grasses, black mondo, and carex “Evergold” species are also evident throughout the property, which also features avocado trees and a vegetable garden.The guest room and second bedroom reflect the Davis’ love of nature and wood; varying shades of eye pleasing taupe dominating the former, while the latter sports rich burgundies. Dianne’s talent for matching accessories to subtle hints of color is evident throughout the home.A guest bath has a perfectly round marble sink, with sage green hand towels standing guard over a jar of shells that reflect light from the glass shower. The master suite also offers open space, “the whole theme,” says Dudley, of their home.A separate area used for work and relaxation features a palm tree and intimate seating area. The space is tucked away, but still partially visible, behind the king size bed with its special headboard to fit neatly against a low compact partition wall.The master bedroom and its den/office alcove is the couple’s favorite, offering beautiful night views from both the inside and outdoor seating area.The bath features marble earth tone countertops and double sinks, and twin gold framed oversized mirrors reflect a tantalizing peek at the stained glass window featuring - what else? - flowers. An open walk-in closet that Dianne says Dudley keeps neat and a Jacuzzi for total relaxation help finish the area.Dianne admits to being startled when quotes for the home’s window treatments topped $12,000. “I bought the material and hired a seamstress... it cut the price dramatically,” including her arranged installation.The heavy rich curtains boast burgundy highlights against just a hint of yellow paint, matched to gentle specks in the travertine tile that climbs the wall opposite. A darker yellow on one wall is a dramatic effect. With an oversized TV and gas fireplace, the room is the epitome of comfort.MKD Construction owned by Matt Davis - the couple’s son - took about a year to build the home. “When we moved in I couldn’t believe how nice it was,” and, Dianne adds, “big!”Also featured on this year’s Tour is a stately Victorian-influenced Craftsman (825 Santa Paula/Ojai Rd.) full of surprises owned by Billie Ann Moore; a vintage home with a modern remodel (481 N. 6th St.) demonstrating the talents of owners and interior design/architectural team of Susan and John Kulwiec; and the historic Glen Tavern Inn (134 N. Mill St.), restored to its former glory by Rosanna and Tom Jennett. The Plant Sale, “Art on the Lawn” exhibit/sale, refreshments and rest stop will be at the Glen Tavern Inn.All tour proceeds benefit the always-free services provided by the non-profit SCVH/HSG. Advance tickets are available at the Santa Paula Times (944 E. Main St.), Chamber of Commerce (South Paseo, 926 E. Main, Unit C), John Nichols Gallery (916 E. Main St.), Glen Tavern Inn (134 N. Mill St.), Heritage Hardware (Vons Shopping Center, 568 W. Main St.), and Hospice Office (133 N. Mill St.). Tickets are also available at Mirage (508 Santa Clara St.) in Fillmore, and in Ventura at Lautzenhauser’s Hallmark, (Montalvo Square, 1730 S. Victoria).Advance $15 tickets are also available by mail. Send checks payable to SCV Hospice/Home Support Group, P.O. Box 365, Santa Paula, CA 93061. Please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Call the SCVH/HSG office at 525-1333 for more information.



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