Sponsored: Tech meets nature in amazing outdoor venues
by Monica LanderElena Licari is always in competition with herself and is continually motivated to do better. Whether ripping a hole in the roof of a burning building or navigating a real estate transaction, she relies on her tenacity and philosophy that “sure will” will get things done.
This top-producing South Bay Realtor with the Joe Velasco Group and San Jose firefighter with Engine 31 is armed with her family’s deeply-rooted work ethic. Refugees from Ukraine living about 70 miles from Chernobyl, her family fled the oppression of communism and settled in San Jose. Her grandfather, a World War II veteran, put himself through dental school, and her parents worked tirelessly to continue to pursue their careers in nursing and engineering.
Elena joined the SJFD in 2006 and a few years later met Tony Licari, owner of ALL Construction, and joined him on what would be her first renovation project. It was an eye-opening experience. She fell in love with him, and the idea of real estate became her second calling. They said, “I do” after a six-month courtship and will celebrate their fourth wedding anniversary in December.
Remodeling homes is a bonding experience for them, and they both have the desire and passion for taking care of people, and in this case, creating a home that makes people happy and secure.
This powerhouse couple’s latest project transformed the ordinary into the extraordinary when they took a classic Craftsman-style home and created a contemporary design. The three-year project beautifully harmonizes with the spectacular 2.76-acre property in one of Los Gatos’ most picturesque and coveted neighborhoods.
Boulder Oaks Estate located at 17203 Deer Park Road at the corner of Shannon and Kennedy, just completed, retained the “good bones” and original footprint of the home’s more than 5,000 square feet of living space on three levels.
They moved it into the 21st century by removing walls, opening up the living space, raising the ceilings, and adding oversize windows to illuminate the rooms in natural light. Glass stair railings appear to “grow from the ground” with no visible brackets and a seamless, transparent look. There are 32 commercial-grade solar panels.
High-tech options include a full home automation system. With a touch of a button, every light, fire pit, and waterfall is activated with multiple scenes programmed. Amazing outdoor venues rival the amenities of a five-star-level resort.
To call this structure a home is an understatement. It is instead a piece of modern art with every detail strategically planned to optimize its function and a soothing appeal to the eye and the mind.
What you see is Tony’s affinity for straight lines and crisp square edges in a fresh palette of muted tones. A sense of harmony and peacefulness are achieved.
Despite achieving this almost Zen nature, a lot of energy was invested in this project to make it a “grand and highly functional estate.” This home features five bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, including the sumptuous master suite and a junior master, and seven bathrooms.
Gorgeous sleek finishes include a fabulous gourmet kitchen with flush-mounted cabinetry imported from Spain, bookmatch Calcutta dual waterfall islands, professional-grade Thermador appliances, and dual kitchen faucets over an oversize farm-style sink.
Spa-inspired bathrooms reach a new plateau of luxury in the master bathroom with a curbless wet room (15 feet across) that includes dual steamers, a soaking tub, five showerheads, and a penetrating island into the glass-enclosed shower. Four surround-sound speakers add to the spa experience, as do the multicolored LED lights in the floor-to-ceiling glass.
His-and-her vanities face one another with a “vanity surprise,” a custom retractable mirror between them.
A fabulous lower-level game room includes a stunning 1,500-bottle capacity temperature-controlled and glass-enclosed wine room, dual flat screens, state-of the-art movie theater with a 130-inch screen, and a fiber optic ceiling that lights up like a night sky.
The living and family rooms are equally impressive and feature 5-foot linear gas fireplaces with floor-to-ceiling Porcelanosa tile and granite surrounds.
Tech meets nature in the amazing outdoor venues. Rocks quarried from the site were used for the natural rock walls to create a Yosemite look. Three outdoor kitchens capitalize on the property’s microclimates and elevation offering sunny, shaded, expansive, and intimate options for entertaining. Multiple fire pits, a hot tub, custom lighting, and water features fill the outdoor venues with energy, including the 55-foot-wide waterfall with tornado fire features and flames that dance on top of the water.
Outdoor amenities include a multi-sports court, a putting green, a 550-foot zip line and a natural walking trail. An electric golf cart to easily access the property is also included.
Elena and Tony appreciate the value of teamwork and collaboration in their respective professions. They give credit to an elite team of professionals for its contribution to this project, including architect David Kuoppamaki, electrical contractor Brian Rhodes of Cross Rhodes Electric, and Tony Ramos of Cuzco Glass Inc. Although Tony Licari was the mastermind behind the design, he had a lot of help from Lydia Lyons of Lydia Lyons Designs.
Real estate broker Tom Khorram and real estate coach Lorna Hines are two important mentors in Elena’s life, in addition to Joe Velasco, team leader of the Joe Velasco Group of Los Gatos Compass Realtors. “Elena is also grateful to her fire crew for their support.” After joining the Velasco Group, she soon became one of their top performers ranking in the top 7 percent of Santa Clara County Realtors. She has already reached that level so far in 2020. Elena also represents other high-end sellers and buyers in prestigious areas such as Los Altos, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Saratoga, and up the Peninsula.
Passionate about working with buyers and sellers, she is proud to be able to work with a full-service team that provides staging, photography, videography, and even a lifestyle video describing the neighborhoods and communities.
“I love helping and working the communities that I live and serve in,” she says. Despite the shelter-in place orders, she has managed to close five other high-end deals in the Los Gatos and surrounding area in the past few months.
Because of her schedule as an engineer with the fire department where she drives the truck or engine and operates a pump, Elena can manage both professions utilizing some of the same skills.
As a firefighter, she says, “Many decisions are split-second decisions, not to mention all the life or death situations” requiring a quick yet smooth assessment of the situation. Her ability to prioritize her next move, stay calm, and anticipate obstacles, she says, are necessary when fighting a fire and come in handy when working with her real estate clients. While not a life-and-death situation, buying or selling a home can be an overwhelming process for many, says Elena. It also requires her to stay calm and make sure the transaction runs smoothly. Her life skills and poise ensure smooth and timely transactions.
Making people happy fuels and inspires this husband-and-wife team to continue to collaborate and bond further over future projects. What’s next?
They agree. “Live in the moment and let life unfold.”
Price: Call for price
Where: 17203 Deer Park Road, Los Gatos
Website: www.17203deerparkrd.com Shown by appointment only.
Listing agent: Elena Licari of The Velasco Group at Compass. 650-868-0069, realtor@elenalicari.com