From a craftsman cottage to a mid-century ranch, from an artist’s retreat to a down-sizer’s dream, the recently held 2022 Art of Design: Home & Garden Tour to benefit the Carnegie Arts Center in Turlock showcased some uniquely designed homes in some of Turlock’s historic neighborhoods.

N. Berkeley Avenue

This homeowner wanted the small home to feel larger, so she used color to accomplish it. The walls and ceilings were painted light and neutral to give the appearance of being larger. For continuity and a calming presence, the whole-house color scheme is two colors: gray tones and shades of lime green. An accent color, sunny gold, adds “pop” to the living room and master bedroom. 

In 2019, the original combination bathtub/shower was replaced with a curb-less shower. Glass was used to create a shower wall, bringing light into the room and a feeling of openness. A new vanity, mirror,and light fixture completed the bathroom remodel.

Murphy Drive

The homeowners at the Murphy Drive home have embraced the Southwest architecture with furnishings and objets d’art that reflect their love of the West. They design and make furniture, paint, set tile, lay pavers, maintain a small raised-bed vegetable garden,and thoroughly enjoy the home’s courtyards, which they have designed and created.

Arbor Way

This California Ranch style home was built in 1946 and for years the current owners toiled with yard maintenance. Then they were inspired by a landscape that utilized climate-appropriate plants, architecture and space, color, and the use of local crushed granite, and worked to transform their yard. The homeowner  made ceramic sculptures based on cactus forms to add to the landscape design. The sculptures are large, but now almost disappear between the huge cacti. Drought resistant trees like the Palo Verde were added to the front yard. 

The back yard was started as a nature, relaxation area, but is also a workplace for the homeowners, who are artists. The pool became a cactus garden; the small lawn became an area for the chickens. Fruit and shade trees were added as well as a ceramic studio, housed in a yurt. The yard is an open gallery for art pieces.