FEATURE STORY

De Mattei Builds Pair of Sunset Idea Homes

In a first for Sunset magazine, De Mattei Construction has built two side-by-side dream homes for the magazine's 2003 Idea House collection.

Since 1998, the magazine that defines living well in the West has built its Idea Houses in Oregon, Washington, Colorado, and California.

De Mattei Construction also built Sunset's 2002 Idea House in San Jose-marking the first time the magazine has featured a completely remodeled home as an Idea House.

"Working with Mark and his team proved to be such a success with our 2002 Idea House, that we were thrilled to name him builder for our 2003 homes," said Lydia Lyons, Home Programs Director for Sunset.

Sunset's 2003 Idea Houses are located in Los Gatos, an affluent community just south of San Jose at the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Almost 35,000 people toured the homes during a two-month open house hosted by Sunset.

Located at the end of a hilltop road, the side-by-side homes are nestled within a forest-like setting that overlooks views of the Santa Clara Valley.

De Mattei partnered with Sunset's design team, as well as a local interior designer and landscape designer to create the two unique homes. Construction on the homes was completed in 10 months.

The tri-level, 3,500-square-foot 'Warm and Colorful' home was designed for a young growing family. It's imaginatively styled with bold interior colors, flooring materials such as maple, slate and bamboo, and unique finishes such as concrete shelving and stainless steel tiles.

The five-bedroom home offers casual living on every level: a first level kitchen, nook, family room that opens to the home's back garden; a basement media room with guest bedroom and bath; and a serene third level master bedroom with a backyard-view balcony.

Next door at the 'Cool and Contemporary' house, De Mattei built an ultra modern interpretation of an Arts and Crafts home. The 4,350-square foot, tri-level home is defined by geometric patterns throughout and a sophisticated mix of glass, steel, and wood materials.

The richly-detailed five-bedroom home features custom-built molding, casing and paneling; a basement level media room, exercise room and glass-enclosed wine room; a wrap-around deck accessible from almost every room on the first-level; and a third level master bath shimmering with glass tile, sinks, and countertops.