Heritage home offers delightful surprises Heritage home offers delightful surprises (April 30, 2004)

A French Bistro? On St. John Street?
by Dolores Fox Ciardelli

The 1929 English Tudor home on St. John Street is full of surprises.

John and Susie Pepper not only built a master bedroom suite in the attic space, they also created the illusion of being at a New Orleans bistro.

The upstairs is all about angles and open spaces. The large master bedroom is furnished with teak furniture and some antique pieces. The bathroom is appointed with old-fashioned fixtures and matching pedestal sinks, and has a view of their spacious garden from French doors opening onto a wrought-iron balcony.

But it's the area in between, where the Peppers relax, watch TV and exercise, that causes the most comment: It has murals on the walls, faux exposed bricks and lampposts that create a cafŽ scene.

"It was the architect's idea to make it like a plaza," said John. Architect Marc Stoklosa designed the open spaces and the creative use of windows between the rooms, although John had done the basic floor plan.

The home is inviting, with, as Realtors would say, great "curb appeal." There is a huge pine tree to one side of the front yard, a curving brick walkway and a turret over the front door. The driveway is two long concrete strips with luscious grass growing between them, leading to the detached garage.

A Viking ship weathervane over the turret was imported from Norway, reflecting the original owners, who built the house in 1929 and lived there until 1987. At that time the home was about 1,400-1,500 square feet, with two bedrooms and one bath.

The Peppers refreshed but did not remodel the living room, which has exposed wooden beams, a large rock fireplace, and a built-in window seat and nooks. Lacey curtains and oriental carpets on the polished hardwood floor keep the 1920s appeal. The dining room, across the hall, also has its original charm, including a large hutch built into one corner.

"I ended up doing a lot of the work myself," John said. "I painted the interior of the house." He does consulting from his back office, originally the master bedroom, which also overlooks the back garden. "It took two years to get everything done," he recalled.

The hallway has a cutaway for a telephone, where the Peppers have placed a vintage model, and a seat pulls down to relax during long conversations. The home also has its original crystal doorknobs.

The kitchen has been completely remodeled and enlarged, turning the back porch into a breakfast nook and adding on a laundry room. Pots and pans hang from a rack centered over a chopping block island.

The only thing John said he would have done differently was to put in more ceiling fans. "We hardly ever use the AC," he said. "These old houses do stay cool."

Double French doors lead out into the garden, which is John's pride and joy. "I do the gardening," he said. "I'm not sure if it's a hobby or a full-time job."

In the center of the back yard is a white arbor covered with grapevines. "The grapes are very fragrant," John said, "like Welch's grape juice." He was glad to note that his 40 rosebushes should be in full bloom for the Historic Homes Stroll on May 1, which includes his home.

A stream with waterfalls flows into a large pond, and pathways wend through the garden. There is also a greenhouse, and a hot tub is tucked into a nook behind the garage.

"My grandkids have a ball here," said John. "They're 9 and 6."

It's a yard, and a home, that anyone would enjoy, a gem with its architecture and livability - and its surprises.
Tour this home and others

John and Susie Pepper's home on St. John Street will be open to visitors tomorrow as part of the Pleasanton Historic Homes Stroll, a self-guided tour of 14 downtown houses being held from noon-4 p.m. by the Friends of Pleasanton Heritage. Tickets, for sale at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow at 4725 First St., cost $20 and benefit Hope Hospice. The price includes a map and informative booklet about the homes, as well as a treat at Crema d'Italia, 780 Main St.

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