Hospice Home Tour: Vintage Craftsman finds new life with renovation

A vintage Craftsman-influenced house long ago moved from an oil field found its own home and later took on even newer life when lovingly restored by Suzanne and David Dobson. A vintage Craftsman-influenced house long ago moved from an oil field found its own home and later took on even newer life when lovingly restored by Suzanne and David Dobson.The Dobsons demonstrated much affection in their ambitious renovation of the home at 249 Third St., just one of the offerings of the April 23rd Santa Clara Valley Hospice/Home Support Group Spring Home Tour, held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.This annual Tour offers fascinating contemporary homes, classic architecture, mesmerizing collections and touches of local history at stops throughout the Fillmore, Bardsdale and South Mountain area.The Dobsons fretted over their decision to purchase the circa-1930s home, sagging den ceiling and all.“My wife almost cried when she first saw it,” confided David.It’s hard to believe that the house was ever anything but the beloved home of the Dobsons, who in a little more than two years have worked wonders utilizing hard labor, talent and imagination.The house was just one of many built between the 1920s and 1940s at a Texaco oil refinery near Pole Creek in Fillmore.Moved in 1950 to the generous Third Street lot and enlarged by a subsequent owner, over the years the house fell into disrepair, but now it features a vintage wrought iron high-stepping horse that hangs above the doorway, urging visitors to step right in.Callers will want to linger outside to admire the w side border of multi-colored snapdragons and green expanse of manicured lawn created by David, a professional landscaper/designer.David restored or replaced the wood floors throughout the house, where in the living room they proudly support the handcrafted white oak plank Craftsman furniture he made prior to purchasing the house.He also crafted the era-appropriate gleaming white bookcases with wavy glass that add a subtle border to the room. Built-in shelving and a vintage telephone completes the cozy atmosphere of the living room and matches the traditional built-ins throughout the home.There was no drywall, just planks covered with cloth and paneling, only one of the renovation challenges the Dobsons’ documented with photographs.Originally holding two bedrooms and a pocket-doored Jack & Jill bath, the addition of the planked ceiling den and a guest room created a now roomy 1,700 square feet.The rustic kitchen - their next project - is traditional black and white down to the domino floors; bright red seems to make antique canisters pop out at visitors.Now a den and office combination, the Dobsons believe that the rugged but unusually tiled fireplace was initially an outside gathering place...and that the room was built around it.Folk art prints comfortably line the walls, courtesy of Suzanne, who “has a real flair for low-budget decorating,” as well as an eye for accessories that brings to mind yesteryears, said David.Suzanne’s flair is evident in the bedrooms where soft pastel bedding brings thoughts of linens long hidden away in Grandmother’s trunk.The rear yard is a showcase of natural design using flagstone pathways, a brick raised-patio area holding a spa (under the close scrutiny of an oversized ceramic parrot) and barbecue shaded by a large wooden arbor.From the raised vegetable gardens, a second raised patio area, riots of kaleidoscopic flowers including those spilling from half-barrel planters, birdbaths and a stately Chinese elm, it’s obvious that David’s profession is also his avocation.