admin
Suna Lock’s Santa Cruz home brings together historic character, personal keepsakes, and thoughtful changes made over time. Located on Walnut Avenue among the downtown Painted Ladies, the house reflects a long-standing appreciation for the neighborhood and a hands-on approach to making a home feel personal.
A historic Santa Cruz home on Walnut Avenue
Lock first admired Walnut Avenue during visits to Santa Cruz in the 1980s. She and her family bought the house in 2005, the year her daughter Erica was born. Although the exterior is striking, the interior is made up of well-proportioned rooms with 12-foot ceilings and large double-hung windows.
Many original features remain, including the fireplace and chimney, which, according to Lock, endured two major earthquakes. Details like these can give an older house a strong sense of place. When updating a historic home, it can be useful to identify which original elements are in good condition and worth preserving before planning changes.
A meaningful keepsake with a story
A small broken clock on the mantel is one of Lock’s most treasured possessions. It was originally a retirement gift from the Bradford Dyers Association in the UK. While visiting her father in Jerusalem, she spotted it in a shop filled with assorted old items. At the time, she was studying textile design and was drawn to the object and the journey it might have taken.
The clock was priced at the equivalent of $20, which felt like a considerable amount then, so Lock left it behind. Months later, her father sent it to her as a Christmas present after returning to the shop to buy it. The story shows how a home can feel more personal when objects are chosen for the memories and meaning attached to them, rather than for appearance alone.
Room-by-room changes and a DIY bathroom
The house has changed considerably over the years. A major project involved remodeling the kitchen and opening it to the dining room. The floors were also stained black, replacing their original yellow-oak tone and giving the rooms a more dramatic look.
The bathroom was renovated as a do-it-yourself project on a very small budget. Lock salvaged the sink and medicine cabinet from the city dump, found glass tile through Craigslist, and sourced the floor tile from a local reclamation yard. She completed the work during evenings and weekends. Reclaimed materials can help reduce renovation costs, but it is sensible to check their condition and measurements before building them into a plan.
Her approach is a reminder that a renovation does not need to be completed all at once. Prioritizing essential work, reusing suitable materials, and setting aside time for each stage can make a small-budget project more manageable.
Gardens around the corner lot
The house sits on a corner lot, with gardens surrounding it. A flight of stairs leads to the front door beyond a wooden deck, creating a welcoming approach to the entrance. When planning an outdoor space, it helps to consider how people move from the sidewalk to the door and how paths, steps, and seating areas work together.
What makes Suna Lock’s Santa Cruz home distinctive
From preserved architectural details to a family keepsake and a resourceful bathroom renovation, this Santa Cruz home reflects the owners’ evolving needs and tastes. Its mix of historic features, practical updates, and personal objects offers a useful reminder: thoughtful choices and a clear sense of what matters can help a home develop naturally over time.
