By Clyde Noel

Town Crier Correspondent

Barbara and Jerry Arden make the most of their rebuilt residence in Los Altos Hills

If ever a home reflected an owner’s need for style and comfort, Jerry and Barbara Arden’s rebuilt residence would qualify. The house in Los Altos Hills is a gem designed for adult living.

The home has a panoramic view of the East Bay, with landscaped gardens in the foreground. The Ardens’ secret garden, with its riot of colors, is visible from most of the rooms in the two-story home.

The Ardens purchased the 35-year-old house in 1992, then renovated and redesigned it in 1995. It went from 2,650 square feet of living space to 3,500 square feet.

“I called it debris creek, because it was full of weeds and bushes and the house needed updating badly,” said Barbara. “We had the entryway extended and added a master bedroom and bath on the ground floor.”

The master bedroom is Jerry’s escape. With three floor-to-ceiling double windows, it overlooks the gardens and the East Bay and yet provides a feeling of seclusion.

“You can see storms coming. When it gets windy and the lightning flashes, it feels like you’re in the middle of the storm,” Barbara said. “Jerry often travels to the Far East, so the master bath has an Asian influence. While you’re sitting in the tub, it’s still open to a garden view.”

The garden, built on three levels, is embellished with steps and two waterfalls. Arches lead from one area to the next. A bamboo garden provides a tropical setting and stone walls meander throughout the property.

The use of structures and plants focuses attention on the spectacular landscaping, done by Confidence Landscape. The garden won the Northern California and the State of California Landscapers Association awards for residential estates in 2001.

Although they have strong roots in Santa Clara County, the Ardens are both southerners. Jerry is a native of Texas and Barbara an Alabama native.

“When you grow up on a cotton plantation you know how to work, so working in the garden becomes second nature,” Barbara said. “I don’t mind getting calluses on my hands from working in the soil.”

As a centerpiece of the cultivated hillside, Barbara has a rose garden with blooms named after people she admires. The roses are hybrid and named after Barbara Bush (coral pink), Barbra Streisand (rich lavender) and Chris Evert (blushing orange).

“When I work at my desk I can see my favorite Chris Evert rose,” Barbara said. “From March to August I work a couple of hours each day on the garden. I’m the site manager for the Arden Gardens.”

The inside of the house is equally fascinating. Everywhere you look there’s something to catch the eye - the view, a painting, an artifact.

The kitchen is Mother Nature’s artwork, with black granite counters and a black granite island. The second-story dining room has the same dramatic view as the master bedroom.

Many of the wall paintings are oils done by Jerry. The rest of them are pleasant reminders of occurrences or paintings they both like.

With the judicious use of windows in the house, the gardens were developed to accentuate the views from inside and provide a transition to the magnificent view of the bay.

Jerry, the CEO of a high-tech firm, is also an artist and a golfer.

Barbara was a high school teacher for 25 years and is still consulting and working on a project at the Youth Career Exposition for the East Side Union High School District. She is also a golfer and tennis player.

The Ardens travel overseas occasionally, but they can’t wait to get home. The garden, with its wonderful display of nature, serenity and privacy, is their refuge.

The house is designed for adult living, but if there is anything missing, it is an art studio for Jerry. When he retires, that will probably make an appearance.

The Ardens open their garden for group and private tours when the seasonal flowers bloom. There have been weddings on the property, and the Foothill College horticulture class visits the garden each school quarter.

As you step into the entryway, you feel welcome. Each room beckons you to sit down, relax and chat a bit.