Once you find this place, you can't help but think you might need a secret password to get in. It's only open three days a month and it's easy to drive right past without noticing. Move It Elsewhere is in an unassuming warehouse at 350 Lincoln Avenue in San Jose, just past San Carlos Street. When it's open, a sign dangles out front: "Estate Sale," it says.

    It's a consignment store, actually, filled with used furnishings, pots, china, and patio furniture that owner Suzanne Comaroto acquires from her moving business. She moves senior citizens into retirement communities _ and she has an answer for what to do with all their belongings.

   "Their kids don't want their stuff so I opened this consignment store," Comaroto said.

     She sells it for them _ and gives them a commission. That means for three days every month, the public _ that's you and me _ get to take a look at antique dining room sets, Asian armoires, mid-century buffets, and costume jewelry.  That's 15,000 square feet to wander through, mind you. (Don't miss the second floor filled with odds and ends.)

   During last weekend's opening, customers seemed to be leaving by the armload. Prices are set to sell _ "50 percent off everything" the sign says.

   The next opening is Sept. 21, 22, 23rd. For more information go to moveitelsewhere.com.

Walking up to this lovely tudor cottage on Michigan Avenue in Willow Glen, I just had to ask myself: Did the owners time this Open House to coincide with their apple tree in the front yard being fully laden with ripe fruit?

    It set the tone as I walked up the front steps, alongside a darling patio with comfy outdoor furniture. I could enjoy a glass of wine there, I thought, and chat with neighbors as they walked their dogs down the narrow street lined with sycamore trees.

    Inside, I was surprised how this cottage, that looked so small and quaint on the outside, could feel so spacious and light on the inside. The walls had been opened up in all directions _ to the living room and dining room and even kitchen.

   The house, 2,600 square feet offered at $1.5 million, had been fully renovated in the last two years, and it showed. The kitchen in particular was lovely, with cherry cabinets. There was also a back stairwell that went up to a workout room. From the family photos on the walls, it was clear this couple used the equipment _ regularly.

     The bedrooms were downstairs with the master and family room on the back, with French doors opening out to the small, but charming, backyard.  As I was about to leave, I overheard some lookiloos _ a.k.a. "nosy neighbors" _ remark that the house was "nicely done." I agree.

    For more information, contact Valerie Mein at vmein@interorealestate.com.

Irving Tamura of Tamura Designs has a long history of setting a California outdoor ambience for Sunset Magazine. Tamura has been featured in numerous Sunset Idea Houses, including this one in San Jose. His office in a remodeled carriage house is on The Alameda in San Jose's Rose Garden neighborhood. Lookiloos had a chance to catch up with Tamura to ask his advice on starting a garden plan:

Lookiloos: What are the do's and don'ts when starting a landscape plan?

Irving Tamura: Here's my list of the Do’s.
1.Start with a theme (the big idea). Italian Tuscan country garden, Butter fly garden, French formal etc.

2. Start collecting photos from magazines, take picture of gardens that you like that connect with your theme.
3. Start to educate yourself on the style of garden. The resources are endless through the internet.
4. Study the areas that you are landscaping as far as sun, shade, wind, privacy issues (screening), vistas to preserve, sound issues.
5. Make a list of features you desire in the garden. Water features, pool, patios, arbors, vegetable garden, outdoor kitchen, fire pit, lighting _ the list could be endless.
6. Develop a master landscape plan that pulls together all the landscaped areas.

   

The Don’ts
1. Don’t sacrifice comfort and functionality for aesthetics.

Contact Irving Tamura at his San Jose office at 408-279-0296.