Peter Colussy and Willie Recht found a home in Curtis Park, in more ways than one.
Recht is CEO of the Jewish Federation of the Sacramento Region and Colussy is director for a public affairs firm. They have two French bulldogs, Daisy and Winnie.
In 2015, the couple purchased a home at Franklin Boulevard and Marshall Way. With each passing year, their appreciation for the neighborhood’s community spirit grew.
In 2019, on their daily dog walk through the tree-lined streets, they spotted a “for sale” sign at an attractive Spanish revival home on Curtis Way with views overlooking the park.
Once inside, they decided to make the move. “We loved our other home, but the bones of this home and the location were too much to pass up,” Recht says.
The new place wasn’t perfect. The couple found the interior somewhat tired and made plans to upgrade. Then the pandemic hit. Their plans needed modification because of supply chain issues.
“We did the remodel in two phases, which made it easier to manage and live through,” Colussy says. “We still had significant delays.”
The 2,200-square-foot home has four bedrooms, one used as a home office for Colussy, and two bathrooms. The couple love color and have made dramatic uses throughout.
The living room has views of the park through numerous windows in various shapes. The furnishings are stylish and eclectic. The art is either from their favorite local artists or purchased on international travels.
Off the living room is a study opened up from a former bedroom that features dark gray walls and a huge black and white painting of the state bear, a California grizzly. A cozy sectional sofa invites relaxation.
The formal dining room is dramatic with leafy green wall paint, a sleek contemporary dining set, and glass and brass light fixture. The room opens off the living room through a pointed archway. A generous window and carved wood door direct the space toward the side patio.
The kitchen uses soft yellow cabinets and natural wood with taupe accents. Counters have a mix of gray soapstone with maple butcher block on the island. A white faux bamboo dining set adds a crisp touch.
Upstairs the master bedroom and bath are warmed by taupe walls and textured carpet. A contemporary four-poster bed adds a graphic linear touch and creates a cozy “room in a room” feeling. The couple expertly planned a generous closet system using nooks and crannies of the roof dormers.
The bathroom and master closet have sleek, natural-finish walnut cabinets with a mini-shaker edge detail. The bathroom is accented with graphic wallpaper of black and white trees, a nod to the park across the street. A red Oriental rug adds a colorful accent. Transitional-style cabinet hardware is used throughout but in different finishes in different areas.
The small balcony and side yard facing the park get lots of attention. But there’s also a beautiful backyard barbecue, and patio and dining area dotted with greenery and cobalt blue potted plants.
During lockdowns, the couple invited neighbors over to maintain social ties. The dining room always stays busy as the affable couple offer one of the best dinner invitations in town.
As we sat in the living room, I asked what they liked best about their home. Recht and Colussy agreed: “Just sitting in this light-filled room with our dogs, and with the views of the park and neighborhood beyond. It just doesn’t get any better.”
The home will be featured in the 2023 Curtis Park Home Tour, returning this year after a three-year hiatus. Five homes and gardens will show the diversity of styles in Curtis Park on Saturday, April 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tickets are available at sierra2.org/event/home-tour or the Sierra 2 office at 2791 24th St. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 on tour day. The tour is presented by Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association. The event will include food trucks, live music, home and garden vendors, picnic tables and chairs at the north end of Curtis Park.
Cecily Hastings can be reached at publisher@insidepublications.com. To recommend a home or garden, contact editor@insidepublications.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: @insidesacramento.
