A Bauhaus Show House

A dramatically modern concrete, steel, and glass house surrounded by seven acres of oaks, azaleas, and naturalistic gardens, the 2000 Napa Valley Designers Show House promises to be a must-see for anyone interested in architecture and interior design.

The 2000 Show House opens on April 30 and will remain open for viewing until May 21. Tickets are $20 ($18 for seniors and for groups of 10 or more), and all proceeds will go toward purchase of a new CT scanner for Queen of the Valley.

The 6,500-square-foot home, which is now owned by Joel and Kathy Tranmer, was built in 1964 for Pat and Jack Streblow, whose father founded the Basalt Rock Company. It was designed by Berkeley architect David Beverly Thorne in a high-modern Bauhaus style that beautifully integrates the house into the surrounding oak-studded hills.

Some 20 leading Northern California designers will update this architectural gem with such luxurious features as leather floors in the study, as functional as they are beautiful, and a seven-foot indoor waterfall. They’re also planning a pool room with a “wild game” theme, an exercise room complete with “climbing wall,” and a state-of-the-art wine cellar.

And in the kitchen visitors will find floating granite counters and stainless steel appliances by KitchenAid, which has selected the Napa Valley project as one of only 20 show houses they participate in nationwide.

At this year’s Show House the gardens are a big part of the show, so plan to spend some time outside admiring the vistas, the flowers, the new bocce ball court, and the spectacular vegetable garden by Napa County Master Gardeners.

“The grounds are so beautiful, and the house is so striking,” says Dorothy Arata, who’s co-chairing the 2000 Show House with Joyce Spinelli. “We’ve got a great committee and wonderful designers, and people are going to love getting the chance to see this place.”

For tickets or more information, please call 251-1818.