That popular rite of spring, the house or garden tour, has begun with “Charming Cottages of Palo Alto” slated for Friday and Saturday, March 31 and April 1. The event is sponsored by the Palo Alto Area Mills College Club.
This is the 15th year for the tour, which features five remodeled homes. Some are too large to be called cottages. One home is a remodeled ranch, another reflects East Coast tradition, and a third is contemporary.
A light-filled home features a family room with a ceiling and windows that rise three levels and frame the garden’s wisteria arbor. The fifth house is a Craftsman-style circa 1910 cottage.
Trends in the houses include the use of bare floors, simple carpeting or the continuing popularity of oriental-style rugs, undraped windows, and subdued walls in pastels or pale earth tones. Skylights and larger windows allow more light in remodeled properties. The kitchens are efficient and well-designed.
Barbara Hunter of Menlo Park is chairman of the house tour, assisted by Barbara Evans. Their committee members are: Catherine McGilvray, Martin Bernstein, Judy Castaillac, Anna Henderson, Alice Bishop, Gail Blackmarr, Sue Graham, Marian Hirsch and Jane King.
Tickets are $30 at the door. For ticket information, call 325-2990.
