Historic Restoration Venetian Court Capitola
In the Words of the Homeowner
Living the dream on the California coast is a beautiful thing!
That said, it’s important to have someone like Paul Thibault in your corner when the going gets… Interesting!
My Partner in This House
We purchased the iconic Pink Venetian, in Capitola, back in 2016. When I first walked in, to say, “I was captivated” is an understatement. It reached right in and took my breath away. Stunning. The ever-changing views framed in those windows still get me today.
Shortly after we purchased the house, I contacted Paul. I wanted to replace the windows and do some basic maintenance on the property. Because I’d worked with Thibault Builders a few years earlier, when Paul built our home in Mountain View, I trusted him to do the work.
Paul is incredibly patient. He leans into all the little pieces of the quotes to make sure everything is just right. Materials have the best warranties, service, and support over time, with parts and technicians who actually stick around and do not just disappear once things are installed.
I learned early on that when you’re with Paul, the relationship goes way beyond the GC relationship.
You’ve got to rethink your expectations – because what you have with him is so different. Paul does great work. I mean the BEST. To me, Paul is not just a general contractor, he is my partner in this house.
Good thing too. We had some surprises in store!
With any beachfront property nature happens, and you need to have a tight ship. In the years before we owned the house Mother Nature had not been kind and critical upkeep had been neglected. Let’s just say, when Paul started on the windows, he discovered that in order to weather the variety of coastal conditions typical in Santa Cruz county, our wonderful vacation home required more work than expected.
Fortunately, the BIG storms in our future would come AFTER Paul had rebuilt the beach and pier-facing walls and upgraded the windows. Paul took some walls down, adjusted certain load bearing walls, and installed a beam under the house to support and level the entire structure.
It is the BEST Place I’ve Ever Stayed in My Life!
With a total of 1865sq ft, it’s a little bigger upstairs than downstairs. We’ve had up to eight people stay with us comfortably at a time.
Nothing inside used to match. Paul elevated the interior living space to match the magnificence of this refined home at the beach. Everything on 2nd floor, except the bath, is new. The original fireplace was wood burning, so we put in a gas fireplace – tile, hearth, mantle, all new. New Hubbardton Forge light fixtures throughout. Needless to say, we had FUN on the project.
In the years since 2019, when the bulk of the work was completed, the most frequent feedback from guests who have rented our home, is this: “It is the BEST place I’ve ever stayed in my life!”
Visitors are mystified by the beautiful views and how the inside takes such good care of you. A rainy day is perfection. You hang out in the sanctuary of the living room, curled up with the fireplace all cozy, or enjoy coffee in bed, watching dolphins jump in Monterey Bay. The view from the kitchen is especially breathtaking. Look out THAT window and you’ll fall in love with the house. I did.
The original kitchen though, it was so tiny! The idea was to open things up, make it bigger and have the space be more functional. Mission accomplished. While it’s much smaller than our kitchen in Mountain View, it is so easy to work in. We treasure INCHES here, and this kitchen is well-organized, efficient, and beautifully installed – it’s a joy.
Life on the Beach Comes with a Little Water
Mother Nature is going to share and thankfully, now we’re protected. Once the work was completed, the structural integrity could handle both water and debris. The house is double-wrapped, watertight to driving wind and rain, resilient, and can take a real beating.
Paul’s craft was put to the test on January 5th 2023 when Capitola had one of the worst storms in 50 years. All the work Paul had done protected our home against rain, wind and even surf. While unfortunately, we had neighbors and businesses who sustained terrible damage, our repairs were minimal. While Paul was in town, we could not resist making a few upgrades downstairs – adding the barn doors, new tile counters, a kitchenette with a built-in sink, and removing the cabinet doors behind the bed in the guest room, replacing them with beautiful built-in shelving, accent lighting, and charging ports.
The Smartest Smart Home on the Coast
In that first year, before Paul worked his magic, there was always stuff to do and frankly, it was taking a toll. Now, regardless of what the Monterey Bay coast throws at us, the work Paul has done endures. We’re no longer fussing over fixes every weekend. Now, it is actually a “getaway” – a vacation home we can really Enjoy.
If you’re familiar with Capitola and know the location of the Historic Venetian Court, you know it can have its fair share of visitors. To give us the privacy and security we required with its proximity to the beach and pier, Paul installed one-way veneer on the new Andersen E-Series windows, Lutron smart window shades, and lighting, HIK Vision security cameras, and an alarm system with remote access. All 100% programmable and private.
Magic in the Moulding & Every Detail
Everything Paul touched turned into magic.
There’s something to be said for tight corners and phenomenal woodworking. The exterior moulding around the windows in the living room. The casement and crown. The kitchen cabinet details and under-cabinet blue/white lighting. The tile and island. Everything is meticulous.
One favorite thing. On the beach side, there’s the balcony outside the French doors from the living room. We love to grill, so, inspired by a rig he’d installed on one of his own trailers, Paul secured a barbecue to the railing. It saved us precious space and made the outdoor space even more enjoyable. Each October, when the Monte Family Foundation sponsors their off-season fireworks extravaganza, we have front row seats as we grill. Ah, beach life!
I was so lucky to meet Paul and have him build the Mountain View house back in 2011. Since then, it has been a collaborative partnership – one that, like our Pink Venetian, continues to stand the test of time.
Tell Us About Your Project
What’s in your imagination right now? Have an idea or question about building a new home or remodeling the one you have? We would love to hear about it. You are welcome to call us at the office – 408-866-6647. Or message us via the form below.