Foundation Focus/Show House Dazzles

The 2000 Napa Valley Designers Show House unfolded in the dramatic 6,500-square-foot residence of Joel and Kathy Tranmer. Filled with light and surrounded by nature, this fine example of 20th-century architecture served as a perfect inspiration for creative modern design.

The Tranmers volunteered their home as this year’s Show House in recognition of the care Queen of the Valley Hospital gave Kathy’s late mother, Helen Peirce, during her battle with cancer. Proceeds from the event were earmarked to help fund the purchase of a new CT scanner for the hospital.

The home was built in 1964 for Jack and Pat Streblow and their five sons. Jack was president of Napa’s Basalt Rock Company, and he wanted a home that would highlight his company’s products. With this in mind, Berkeley architect David Beverly Thorne created a strong design that mixes hard-edged steel and concrete with expansive windows that bring the outside in. And the outside—almost seven acres of oaks and gardens, reflecting Kathy Tranmer’s love of gardening—makes for beautiful vistas throughout the house.

Left: At the gala, Kathy and Joel Tranmer chat with Ed and Jayne Morrell. Center: Bouquets for Show House co-chairs Dorthy Arata and Joyce Spinelli and (right) designer liaison Linda Doshier. Right: Pat Streblow, the original owner, discusses the designers' transformation of the house with Lorraine Kongsgaard

Over 20 Bay Area designers and design teams updated the house with wit and style. Innovations include a beautiful, and functional, leather floor in the study, interior waterfalls and fountains, and a wine-tasting room paneled in copper and old wooden grape stakes. The pool room was given a “wild game” motif, while the kitchen was redesigned with KitchenAid appliances and granite countertops.

Designers also brought new life to the home’s exterior and to its patios and gardens. Landscapers added a poolside bocce court, while master gardeners installed a dream-come-true gourmet vegetable garden.

Unlike many show houses, which are occupied solely by imaginary residents, the Napa Valley house was very much designed with real people in mind. The Tranmers intended to remain in their home after the remodeling and were intimately involved in the plans from the beginning. “One of the flaws we’ve seen with show houses,” says Kathy, “is that none of the rooms seem to go together. Since we love this house and planned to stay here, we worked hard choosing the palette. We wanted everything to blend.”

In addition to the Tranmers’ generosity and the designers’ talents, the Show House depended on the hard work of hundreds of volunteers. Heading the volunteer team were Special Events Chair Jim McKeever; Dorothy Arata, who served as general chair; her co-chair, Joyce Spinelli; Linda Doshier, who acted as designers’ liaison; and Lorraine Yates, Cheryl Arata, Bobbi McPherson, Sally Penir, Mary Ellen Wahle, and Donna and Mike Mertz, who organized the hundreds of docents. Carol Dooley, Donna Bochicchio, Joann Evans, and Lilia Lee headed up the group managing the boutique and luncheons.