Diversionary Theatre > Better Homos & Gardens

Special Events

Diversionary Theatre will hold their first home and garden tour, “Better Homos & Gardens,” on Saturday, April 24. There will be a daytime tour of five homes and gardens in the North Park and South Park neighborhoods, and a Garden Party in the early evening with food, music and more. Proceeds from this "fun-raising" event will benefit the artistic programs of the theatre. The event is sponsored in part by the Peggy Walkush Team at Ascent Real Estate.

This self guided tour will feature five distinctly different homes in the historic North Park and South Park neighborhoods. These early 20th century homes have been tastefully updated preserving unique features, such as Batchelder tiled fireplace, box beam ceilings, coved ceilings and rich mahogany and gumwood built-ins while incorporating a modern flair. Be inspired while strolling through a picturesque garden with dry river bed, complete with a beached pram of a boat, flowing into a small coi pond. The mature trees, winding paths and perennial gardens are sure to captivate. Contemplate the design details of a 1930s Spanish home infused with Asian stylings, custom Kirei wood floating cabinetry and a floor-to-ceiling Zebra wood faced fireplace. Canyon settings with terraced patios, ponds and mature foliage provide a peaceful backdrop for the wonderful homes that gracefully couple the old with the new.

The garden party will be held at the home of Seth Krosner and Phil Johnson in the University Heights neighborhood. Partygoers will be treated to garden-themed food and drink - Mosaic Wine Bar is providing wine and champagne, and Twiggs Bakery is providing scrumptious desserts. Painter Julie Warren will have original artwork on sale, Jeffrey Wynne will have original jewelry on sale, and Diversionary will announce their 2010-2011 season of plays and musicals. Diversionary will celebrate their 25th Anniversary Year during the next season.

Diversionary Theatre was started in 1986. The mission of the theatre is to produce plays with gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender themes that portray characters in their complexity and diversity both historically and contemporarily.

The tour and garden party will be held rain or shine. Tickets for the event are: Home and garden tour (10am-4pm) - $25 advance, $30 day of event; Garden Party (4-7pm) - $35 advance, $45 day of event. A combo ticket is available for both the tour and the party - $50 advance, $65 day of event. Space is limited at the Garden Party.

Advance and day-of-event tickets are available through the Diversionary Theatre Box Office at 4545 Park Boulevard. Tickets are available on line at www.diversionary.org or by calling the box office at 619.220.0097.

Better Homos and Gardens – Saturday, April 24

Proceeds to benefit Diversionary Theatre

Home & Garden Tour: 10am-4pm. $25 advance, $30 day of event

Garden Party: 4-7pm. $35 advance, $45 day of event

Tour and Party Combo ticket: $50 advance, $65 day of event

Advance and day-of-event tickets at Diversionary Theatre: 619.220.0097

Day-of-event tickets also in North Park at Ascent Real Estate, 2900 North Park Way from 9:30am-2pm.

The event is sponsored in part by the Peggy Walkush Team at Ascent Real Estate.

Wine and champagne by Mosaic Wine Bar

Desserts by Twiggs Bakery

Homes & Gardens (10am-4m)

Home of Rob MacDonald & Tad Bratten

It is rumored that, in 1928, Vincent Safranek built this Spanish Eclectic style home for his daughter, Sylvia, and her husband Milo Vanek. Both father and daughter exhibited their good taste in the selection of mahogany arches the frame the windows and the Batchelder tiles on the fireplace. Rob MacDonald and Tad Bratten, present owners, have put considerable energy into the homes since purchasing it in 1996 – Tad bringing his design eye as an architectural draftsman and Rob applying his considerable green thumb. They created striking tile designs in the bathrooms and kitchen and used simple, elegant wood built-ins and shelves to augment the décor. Many pleasing details are drawn from the principles of the Arts and Crafts Movement, Spanish style and even Feng Shui. Downstairs, they recently completed the transformation of a badly aged suite of rooms, converting them into a Den with fireplace, bedroom and bath. The odd shape of the back room, which has a step jutting out of the wall, posed a challenge. The owners made it into a bedroom, using a wooden platform for a bed with a little seat alongside. Again, the use of quality wood enhances the space and the room has taken on a decidedly nautical theme. Surprises abound in the details of this house. The owners have also channeled their considerable creativity into the terraced back yard, turning it into an elegant and tranquil setting that takes full advantage of its proximity to Balboa Park. The garden has a dry river bed, complete with a beached pram of a boat, flowing into a small coi pond. Mature trees, winding paths and perennial gardens guide the visitor along the three terraces. They have taken a wonderful house and improved upon it, enhancing its original, historical qualities while smartly adding their own personal touch.

Home of Peggy Walkush & Jan Tisdale

It took considerable convincing by Peggy Walkush before her partner Jan Tisdale would agree to purchase this North Park home. Moving from their remodeled Hillcrest craftsman to a considerable fixer-upper in North Park was not Jan’s idea of fun! Peggy discovered the home while showing property to a client and was captivated by the gorgeous mountain views (three sets) off the back deck, large back yard and open air basement that ran underneath the 2,000 square foot home. The front portion of the home is a 1930s era Spanish bungalow; in the 1960s the former owners added on an expansive family room and master suite with wood beamed ceilings. Peggy and Jan embarked on an extensive six-month remodel prior to moving in, gutting most of the home. They transformed the home into an Asian-inspired contemporary masterpiece. In the living room, they replaced a worn brick fireplace with a floor to ceiling zebra wood façade. They refinished the original oak wood flooring in the original portion of the home and added bamboo flooring in the addition. In the family room they designed a custom built-in entertainment area and bar made of environmentally friendly Kieri wood. Jan, a culinary school graduate, led the design of the kitchen. She selected muted Avonite counters, espresso stained cabinets, glass tiled backsplash and stainless steel island for a work surface. A glass tiled shower-for-two graces the master bath along with a large soaking tub and floating dual vanity with vessel sinks. Peggy and Jan transformed the downstairs unfinished basement into “The Tiki Lounge,” a Polynesian-themed game room where frequent karaoke parties are held.

Home of Shari Simon and Lori Waller

This Old World Spanish eclectic home sits on a large corner canyon lot in the Altadena neighborhood of North Park. An elegant, curved picture window and bubbling fountain invite you in. Designated a historic home under the Mills Act, history has been preserved by the owners in many respects – the original light fixtures in the entry way and living room, the beautifully maintained oak wood flooring, and the fireplace featuring tiles by Ernest Batchelder, a leading designer of the American Arts and Crafts movement. Old meets new in the kitchen and bathrooms as original archways, tile and fixtures are tastefully complimented with contemporary design elements. The kitchen features granite counters, two-toned antiqued cream and burgundy cabinetry and Amtico flooring. French doors open off the kitchen to the expansive deck and canyon setting. The peaceful backyard features a huge Jacaranda tree, in ground bubbling spa and cobble stone terraces with orange, lemon, guava and tangerine trees. A statue of the goddess Quan Yen gazes over the meditation garden. Set on the edge of the canyon is a 750 square foot bungalow the owners had constructed in the same style as the main residence.

Home of Vance Walker

In 1912, a small tract of land far from downtown was named “Burlingame.” The developers Joseph McFadden and George Buxton demarcated their “Burlingame” with rose-colored sidewalks. Architectural control was maintained through the use of consulting architect William H. Wheeler. Located within the tract is an eclectic mix of over two hundred unique and interesting homes. This home is of the Prairie Style and was designed by William H. Wheeler. The home was built in 1912 for Dr. John L. Taylor at a cost of $5,000. Purchased in 2001 by Vance Walker, he knew immediately that he loved this wonderful home. The home’s originality was evident nearly 90 years after being built. This home had all its original windows, doors, door hardware and some of the light fixtures. It needed a total rework and he thought he had the time for it, but found himself quickly over his head. The home went through a complete renovation in 2002. Most all of the windows have been completely rebuilt, all the walls re-plastered, and all the original Douglas fir wood was stripped of paint and re-stained. Updated electrical work proves challenging for these old homes, but it has everything for today’s needs including central stereo, cable and internet in every room, including the garage. Great for entertaining and dinner parties, Vance tried to retain the downstairs Living/Dining Rooms as turn-of-the-century rooms with traditional antiques. The fireplace has been completely re-built to its original condition, as much as he could determine from old pictures. Past owners have stopped by often and shared their stories about the downstairs rooms. They have reminisced about the weddings, dancing in the dining room, dinner parties, and Thanksgiving dinners given for WWII sailors. Vance tries to add to the home’s history as much as he can. Upstairs the original maple floors were given their last chance of luster. The den was the original master dedroom, but without any chance of a master bathroom attached, Vance changed the room to a den. New bookshelves were added, along with a sink, den refrigerator, microwave for popcorn and built-in Humidor. The master bedroom has become a suite with the addition of the sunroom. The prior owner built the sunroom on top of the garage and it has been incorporated with a newly re-built deck. Outside, the landscaping is growing despite challenges with foundation work and French drains. Complimentary bites throughout the day by Farm House Cafe.

Home of Ron Oster

This home is number 843 on the Historical roll of San Diego County. The home was built in 1924, and was a beauty from day one. It has been called Mediterranean revival. It was built with love, lots of Australian Gumwood and Batchelder fireplace. Other than a kitchen remodel in 2000, the house has stayed in its original condition. River rock was used for the foundation and a retaining wall around the entire house. The arches in front of the house also suggest Mission Revival style. The legend is that the original owners were from the Midwest, and lived in the craftsman cottage next door – the wife missed the brick homes and wanted something more substantial, so of course that's what she got. Sitting high on the hill, there are great views and breezes that surround this beautiful Morley Field Home.

Garden Party (4-7pm)

Home of Phil Johnson & Seth Krosner

The Garden was laid out 75 years ago, with new gardens developed within, in a Mediterranean style. There are several different pocket garden settings all connected in a rambling old property with a 1930's Spanish Revival hillside home, rebuilt, renovated and added to in 2009. Much attention has been paid to color, geometry and integration with the house, so that all rooms focus on or open to the garden. Detailing includes Spanish tile from Seville, Morocco, and Californian reproductions of 1920's-30's patterns, as well as period ironwork and building features. The garden opens from a small gated entrance garden into a formal Spanish courtyard with tiled fountain, cypresses, pepper trees, citrus, oleander and bougainvillea. This leads to a long canyon vista through a rustic California native hillside with trails, river rock benches and stonework. A small Japanese style garden with fountain accompanies. Through this garden is reached a formal Mediterranean terraced hillside, with box hedges, jasmine, bougainvillea, cypresses, geraniums, and olive, eucalyptus and sapote trees. A cactus garden accompanies with a large double canyon view. This leads to a small shaded decomposed granite courtyard and potted garden w/ herbs and flowers and a tile mural from Jerusalem. Within the house is a peaceful tiled courtyard with an old fountain and new tiled planter, with roses, rosemary, jasmine, hibiscus and succulents. Upstairs is a roof deck with views and tile and architectural features. The house dates from 1936, with all the social spaces and front facade being new with the renovation, which theowner researched and designed over eight years. Everything was designed, fitted and styled after the California Spanish/Andalusianstyle of the 20's and 30's,with antique or reproduced fixtures. Great attention was spent on authentic colors in paint, rugs, and interior tile installations. Antique and historic tiles are set into the building throughout.