More than a house

Dr. Thom Christensen had to have a narrow field of vision. When planning the Deerfield Meadow Show House in Fremont, that is.

“We were presented with a terrific neighborhood — but narrow lots,” said Christensen, president of Christensen Corp. Property Management.

“We wanted it to be different. An idea house — an improvement on what people usually do,” he added.

Christensen and his wife, Barbara, were familiar with the space restraint of a lot only 67 feet wide and 120 feet long.

“We lived in Seattle, Wash., and Sacramento, Calif.,” Barbara said.

Barbara, a registered nurse, also helped design a senior housing project.

These days the couple splits time between California and Nebraska.

“We had five remodels in (previous) homes,” she added.

But when it came to design, the Christensens were open-minded.

“It’s a home to answer a challenge,” Thom said.

“The way you do anything is the way you do everything. We sweated details,” Thom said with a smile.

With Christensen Corp. as general contractor, Thom and Barbara brainstormed.

With the same thoroughness of his internal medicine practice, Thom diagnosed the needs of the potential Deerfield Meadow homeowner through information gathering and local surveys.

“We ended up with eight houses that fit the lot and met the criteria,” Thom said. “We gravitated toward this one.”

The open floor plan includes the great room, two bedrooms, fireplace, flex room, guest bath and up-to-date kitchen — all on the main floor.

They cooked up a few surprises, too.

The granite-top kitchen island moves.

“You can have a much larger dining area — flexibility with the great room and kitchen,” Barbara said.

“We turned it over to Alfred Petersen Construction — the cabinet maker came through beautifully,” Thom said.

Other space concerns were solved innovatively.

They wanted two sinks in the guest bathroom.

“We were about three inches short of that concept,” Thom said.

So a trough sink with two faucets was installed.

The master bath has an all-in-one washer/dryer.

“It becomes a laundry hamper that washes clothes,” Barbara said.

Besides wise use of space, environmental issues were considered. Energy Star appliances were used. And a high-efficiency HVAC system/solar tube lighting is used in the home.

“We insulated well. We did it green,” Barbara said.

There are three gas fireplaces in the home.

“Wood fires are prohibited in the Bay Area,” Thom explained. “We like the smell and crackle — but it’s not necessary.”

The plan is also artistic and flexible.

Indulgences include eight-foot high doors.

Solid teak floors.

The stairway.

“Not your usual rails. We made it an art feature,” Barbara said.

The lower level also includes a full kitchen, bedrooms and rec room. A storm room serves as a wine room.

“The second bedroom is set up as an exercise room,” Barbara said.

A boat garage is currently an art gallery.

The Christensens describe the finished home as casual and elegant.

“Thoughtfully contemporary,” Thom said. “To me contemporary mean smooth, hard surfaces. This is softer by integrating stone and wood.”

Fremont area talent was used in building and decorating.

Abe Krasne’s Home Furnishings provided furniture.

The exterior is low maintenance.

“The Centurion Stone has been mistaken as real stone,” Barbara said. “It’s flexible — very forgiving.”

Besides sophisticated, the home is safe and secure.

An alarm system and video camera surveillance were installed.

The concept home is not yet on the market.

“It’s not for sale now — probably in the spring,” Thom said.

It is currently a venue for art and music — for the community.

“It’s idyllic,” Thom said. “The whole neighborhood can use the lake. Kids swim and boat. Those who fish enjoy it — there is always something to catch.”

The Christensens have created a living space with wide appeal.