In 2003, a professional couple relocated from St. Louis to Sacramento. They expected to settle in Land Park or Curtis Park. With two days to explore neighborhoods, tour homes and make a decision, they relied on their real estate agent’s guidance.
The last house they visited was in Arden Arcade. It changed everything.
“The price difference for what you get here was so significant,” recalls the homeowner, who asked that their name not be published. “We suddenly realized we could have a much larger house, a bigger lot, a swimming pool—and even a guest cottage—for less than what we anticipated elsewhere.”
That discovery became a long-term home in a neighborhood with an agricultural past. The property was originally part of a 1945 olive ranch subdivision, with modest houses set among rows of trees. Few olives remain, but a distinctive row still lines the lane.
Over time, the original structure evolved. In 2003, the home had three bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms and a newly updated kitchen. Two decades of thoughtful improvements began with two new bedrooms, a third bathroom and an attached garage.
Now the footprint forms an “L” shape that organizes the home into two zones. One wing served as the children’s domain. The other anchors quieter adult spaces.
Between them sits the home’s heart—the kitchen, dining and family rooms. The kids are grown but the layout still supports independence and connection.
At the center of the “L,” a concrete patio shaded by wisteria climbing over a wrought-iron pergola creates a sheltered outdoor room. It’s a transition space between indoors and garden.
A major addition in 2007 expanded the living space. Landscape and patio improvements followed in 2011. In 2019, the primary suite was remodeled and a bedroom converted into an office.
Dining room and powder room renovations with Nar Design Group came in 2020–21. The most recent project by Nar Design was in 2024, transforming the kitchen into the centerpiece.
“We’ve touched every part of the house except one room,” the homeowner says. “Now we can never move. It’s exactly the way we want it.”
The kitchen and dining areas are where the family lingers. Designed for everyday meals and frequent entertaining, the remodel improved the flow and expanded the space.
One key move was incorporating an underutilized lower level next to the kitchen. The redesign created gathering zones so friends can linger while meals are prepared. A galley-style workstation sink adds flexibility and efficiency.
The remodel aligns with the home’s broader design story. Working with Nar Bustamante, the homeowners emphasized natural materials, bold color and layered lighting that balances drama with practicality.
The kitchen became the final chapter in a theme that runs throughout the house.
The primary suite reflects ocean tones and calm coastal references. Moving east, the hallway and family room incorporate colors and artwork inspired by the Central Valley and American River. The dining room shifts toward a mountain palette. The kitchen completes the journey with desert influences—warm textures, strong lines and light that changes through the day.
“All of California is represented in one home,” the homeowner says.
The backyard continues the sense of flexibility and welcome. The pool supports summer gatherings. The guest cottage is an asset for extended family and friends.
The household includes the couple, their grown, graduate-student offspring and several well-loved cats. Family dinners are a near-daily ritual. The kitchen-dining area anchors routine and celebration.
After more than two decades of stewardship and creative evolution, the house reflects changing needs and a long relationship between architecture and family life, shaped room by room, season by season, project by project.
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