Visit a Modern Country Home on an Almond and Sweet Potato Farm
Using a designer found on Houzz, a California couple adds square footage and creates welcoming, hardworking spaces
Mitchell Parker
September 29, 2020
Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative trends, breaking news, industry analysis and humor.
Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative... More
Cindy Souza didn’t feel like her home reflected herself anymore. She and her husband, David, built the house on 20 acres in Atwater, California, in the 1990s. The architecture leaned somewhat contemporary, but over the years the couple, who farm 500 acres of almonds and 700 acres of sweet potatoes, tried to make the home a little more country. That resulted in layers of outdated colors and an overall heavy style that Cindy grew tired of. “It wasn’t me anymore,” she says. “I didn’t want to bring friends over. It wasn’t comfortable.”
She wanted to freshen up the style, add more square footage and create a more welcoming home overall that could handle the tough and dirty days of farm life. For help, Cindy searched Houzz for an interior designer in her area and found Wendy Glaister in nearby Modesto. “We hit it off and she saw my vision,” says Cindy, who used Houzz ideabooks to communicate her style preferences to Glaister.
The pair worked together on renovating the kitchen, updating all the interior paint and furniture and designing an 800-square-foot addition that includes a new laundry room and master bathroom. They selected durable materials that hold up to tracked-in soil and, when possible, chose furnishings made by people who, like Cindy and David, have a family-owned backstory.
She wanted to freshen up the style, add more square footage and create a more welcoming home overall that could handle the tough and dirty days of farm life. For help, Cindy searched Houzz for an interior designer in her area and found Wendy Glaister in nearby Modesto. “We hit it off and she saw my vision,” says Cindy, who used Houzz ideabooks to communicate her style preferences to Glaister.
The pair worked together on renovating the kitchen, updating all the interior paint and furniture and designing an 800-square-foot addition that includes a new laundry room and master bathroom. They selected durable materials that hold up to tracked-in soil and, when possible, chose furnishings made by people who, like Cindy and David, have a family-owned backstory.
Photos by Nick Klein, except where noted
Watch now: Tour this newly renovated farmhouse on Houzz TV
House at a Glance
Who lives here: David and Cindy Souza. David co-founded and runs D&S Farms, which grows sweet potatoes and almonds
Location: Atwater, California
Size: 3,200 square feet (297 square meters); three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an office
Designer: Wendy Glaister Interiors
General contractor: Rui Esteves
Farming is in Cindy and David’s blood. David’s grandfather grew sweet potatoes in Portugal’s Azores region and then in the Central Valley of California in 1917. David’s father grew almonds and had a dairy in the area. Cindy’s father raised cattle. When the couple met in 1974, David was hauling hay for Cindy’s father on his farmland.
The couple married and had a son, David John. They lived in a mobile home on David’s parents’ ranch and planted a few acres of sweet potatoes to earn some extra income while David worked on a nearby almond farm. A few years later, the Souzas bought their first house and worked 5 acres of almonds on the property.
After that, David and business partner Mike Duarte started D&S Farms, growing almonds and sweet potatoes. Today, David farms 500 acres of almonds and 700 acres of sweet potatoes, while Duarte manages the packing shed. “Sweet potatoes used to be a Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter crop,” Cindy says. “And now it’s gotten so popular that we’re busy year round.
“Farming is very rewarding,” Cindy adds. “It’s a hard job because it’s 24/7, you’re at the mercy of the weather, the market, but it is rewarding. You feed people. You provide jobs for people. And we’ve had some of the same employees for 45 years. Their kids have worked for us. They’ve put their kids through college.”
Watch now: Tour this newly renovated farmhouse on Houzz TV
House at a Glance
Who lives here: David and Cindy Souza. David co-founded and runs D&S Farms, which grows sweet potatoes and almonds
Location: Atwater, California
Size: 3,200 square feet (297 square meters); three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an office
Designer: Wendy Glaister Interiors
General contractor: Rui Esteves
Farming is in Cindy and David’s blood. David’s grandfather grew sweet potatoes in Portugal’s Azores region and then in the Central Valley of California in 1917. David’s father grew almonds and had a dairy in the area. Cindy’s father raised cattle. When the couple met in 1974, David was hauling hay for Cindy’s father on his farmland.
The couple married and had a son, David John. They lived in a mobile home on David’s parents’ ranch and planted a few acres of sweet potatoes to earn some extra income while David worked on a nearby almond farm. A few years later, the Souzas bought their first house and worked 5 acres of almonds on the property.
After that, David and business partner Mike Duarte started D&S Farms, growing almonds and sweet potatoes. Today, David farms 500 acres of almonds and 700 acres of sweet potatoes, while Duarte manages the packing shed. “Sweet potatoes used to be a Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter crop,” Cindy says. “And now it’s gotten so popular that we’re busy year round.
“Farming is very rewarding,” Cindy adds. “It’s a hard job because it’s 24/7, you’re at the mercy of the weather, the market, but it is rewarding. You feed people. You provide jobs for people. And we’ve had some of the same employees for 45 years. Their kids have worked for us. They’ve put their kids through college.”
For the renovation, Cindy wanted to create lasting function and style so she wouldn’t have to make any future changes to their forever home. On the exterior, she and the renovation team, which included contractor Rui Esteves, added a new entry with a stone-covered portico and large arched walnut door.
The stone-covered bump-out to the left of the entrance is new. The window looks out from Cindy’s new walk-in closet, which was formerly the couple’s master bathroom.
If you look closely at the roof above the bump-out, you can see tile threaded together. Everything to the left of that demarcation is the new 800-square-foot addition, which contains the new master bathroom, laundry room and a closet for David. “It doesn’t sound like a lot, but it really changed how we live in the house,” Cindy says.
The window in the stone-covered bump-out on the far left sits over the bathtub in the new master bath.
Watch now: Go inside this modern-day farmhouse
The stone-covered bump-out to the left of the entrance is new. The window looks out from Cindy’s new walk-in closet, which was formerly the couple’s master bathroom.
If you look closely at the roof above the bump-out, you can see tile threaded together. Everything to the left of that demarcation is the new 800-square-foot addition, which contains the new master bathroom, laundry room and a closet for David. “It doesn’t sound like a lot, but it really changed how we live in the house,” Cindy says.
The window in the stone-covered bump-out on the far left sits over the bathtub in the new master bath.
Watch now: Go inside this modern-day farmhouse
The walnut door opens to an entry, living area and kitchen. The ceiling shows where walls once cut off the entry from the rest of the spaces. Glaister removed the walls to create better flow.
Brick adds warmth and texture around antique-style lighting and furnishings. “I wanted an old-world look,” Cindy says.
Glaister consciously chose lighting that doesn’t have a lot of glass so dust from the surrounding almond orchards doesn’t settle and get trapped. The entry chandelier features chickenwire. “Anyone who lives in the country knows that glass is not your friend,” Glaister says.
She and Cindy worked with The Gallery Finesse in nearby Turlock to furnish the home with new artwork. The paintings are mostly by Belgian artists and depict farm scenes. “I just loved them because they’re peaceful and farm-related,” Cindy says. “I can sit and look at them all day. They’re so soothing and remind me of the small farm I grew up on.”
All the artwork features custom lighting as well. “It changes the space dramatically,” Cindy says.
Find a designer in your area
Brick adds warmth and texture around antique-style lighting and furnishings. “I wanted an old-world look,” Cindy says.
Glaister consciously chose lighting that doesn’t have a lot of glass so dust from the surrounding almond orchards doesn’t settle and get trapped. The entry chandelier features chickenwire. “Anyone who lives in the country knows that glass is not your friend,” Glaister says.
She and Cindy worked with The Gallery Finesse in nearby Turlock to furnish the home with new artwork. The paintings are mostly by Belgian artists and depict farm scenes. “I just loved them because they’re peaceful and farm-related,” Cindy says. “I can sit and look at them all day. They’re so soothing and remind me of the small farm I grew up on.”
All the artwork features custom lighting as well. “It changes the space dramatically,” Cindy says.
Find a designer in your area
In the kitchen, the Souzas kept the layout generally the same but updated everything else. Cindy wanted things to be easy to clean, inviting and durable. “But still look pretty,” she says.
An alder island base in a walnut stain anchors the space. Its color ensures that scuff marks from grandson Corbin’s cowboy boots won’t show. “And those leather stools and black honed granite countertop can handle anything,” Glaister says.
The perimeter countertops are quartz. The brick from the entryway wraps around to add warmth and texture to the kitchen.
An alder island base in a walnut stain anchors the space. Its color ensures that scuff marks from grandson Corbin’s cowboy boots won’t show. “And those leather stools and black honed granite countertop can handle anything,” Glaister says.
The perimeter countertops are quartz. The brick from the entryway wraps around to add warmth and texture to the kitchen.
Cindy loves to bake, especially brownies for Corbin, his favorite. The new BlueStar range was an important selection for Cindy and kicked off many other design choices, including the custom hammered hood. The backsplash is handmade, hand-painted tile.
The couple chose all-drawer storage for the lower cabinetry. Glaister measured Cindy’s pots and pans to make sure the biggest would fit. “There’s no wasted space,” Glaister says.
Slim drawers on the two towers store spices.
The couple chose all-drawer storage for the lower cabinetry. Glaister measured Cindy’s pots and pans to make sure the biggest would fit. “There’s no wasted space,” Glaister says.
Slim drawers on the two towers store spices.
A microwave, paper towel holder and storage occupy one end of the island.
The floors are French white oak that were wire-brushed by hand. Cindy chose the light color so dirt wouldn’t show. “During harvest, when a year of dust shakes from the leaves, you can’t saddle someone to a dark floor,” Glaister says.
The floors are French white oak that were wire-brushed by hand. Cindy chose the light color so dirt wouldn’t show. “During harvest, when a year of dust shakes from the leaves, you can’t saddle someone to a dark floor,” Glaister says.
The team converted a former laundry room off the kitchen into a butler’s pantry. The space includes an extra sink so Cindy can cut flowers from the property and work on cooking projects throughout the day and not make a mess in the main kitchen area.
Watch now: See how David and Cindy Souza renovated their California farmhouse
Watch now: See how David and Cindy Souza renovated their California farmhouse
The original architect for the house designed the structure with lots of angles, which posed a challenge for Glaister. To deal with the angles, including in the great room shown here, she painted all the walls, ceiling and trim the same green-gray paint (Pashmina by Benjamin Moore). “There was so much happening in that space that we said, ‘Let’s go calm,’ ” Glaister says. “People love that color. It’s like an exhale.”
The length of the room presented another challenge. With furniture arranged at the far end around a TV cabinet, Glaister was left with a hole near the entry and kitchen. “I was praying for inspiration on how to fill that hole,” she says. “I wanted people to feel connected to Cindy in the kitchen and not have to sit at the dining chairs.”
She had an epiphany and decided to place two sofas back to back with two lamps on a console between them. That created two separate but connected seating areas. Near the entry and kitchen, two swivel club chairs join one sofa and a coffee table to create a seating area where guests can hang out and chat with Cindy while she’s in the kitchen. “It almost feels like a lobby in a nice hotel,” Cindy says.
The length of the room presented another challenge. With furniture arranged at the far end around a TV cabinet, Glaister was left with a hole near the entry and kitchen. “I was praying for inspiration on how to fill that hole,” she says. “I wanted people to feel connected to Cindy in the kitchen and not have to sit at the dining chairs.”
She had an epiphany and decided to place two sofas back to back with two lamps on a console between them. That created two separate but connected seating areas. Near the entry and kitchen, two swivel club chairs join one sofa and a coffee table to create a seating area where guests can hang out and chat with Cindy while she’s in the kitchen. “It almost feels like a lobby in a nice hotel,” Cindy says.
The area near the TV cabinet features numerous seating options in various durable performance fabrics and leather. “She wanted it to be cozy and comfortable, and for people to feel relaxed and not have to worry about messing things up,” Glaister says. “You can seat 12 people and safely social distance in this house.”
The arched opening leads to the master bedroom and new addition.
The arched opening leads to the master bedroom and new addition.
Being in a family-run business, Cindy likes to support people in similar circumstances. She buys from family-run businesses whenever possible. The alder pedestal dining table, for example, is from Tritter Feefer, a company started by a husband and wife and named after the nicknames of their grandchildren.
“It’s difficult circumstances right now, it’s tough for a lot of these companies to keep going, so anytime I can support a small family business or even a big family business I try to do that,” Cindy says.
“It’s difficult circumstances right now, it’s tough for a lot of these companies to keep going, so anytime I can support a small family business or even a big family business I try to do that,” Cindy says.
Soon after the couple started the renovation, David was diagnosed with cancer and spent a long time recuperating from treatment. A calm and soothing home became important to the Souzas, especially in the master bedroom, where David spent his convalescence. (He’s now in remission.)
Glaister used the same relaxing gray-green paint here, and added blackout curtains and a king-size bed for comfort.
The arched brick-lined pathway on the left leads to the new master bathroom and laundry addition.
Watch now: Take a virtual tour of David and Cindy Souza’s home
Glaister used the same relaxing gray-green paint here, and added blackout curtains and a king-size bed for comfort.
The arched brick-lined pathway on the left leads to the new master bathroom and laundry addition.
Watch now: Take a virtual tour of David and Cindy Souza’s home
A large soaking tub the couple saw on Houzz sits in a bump-out between two alder vanities. Two crystal sconces on paneled mirrors flank the tub. A crystal chandelier hangs overhead. All the hardware is encrusted with Swarovski crystals. “I wanted it to feel a little girly,” Cindy says. “I wanted a little bling in the house.”
The countertops and backsplashes are marble. The floors are Carrara marble over radiant heat. “I still can’t believe when I walk in that this bathroom is mine,” Cindy says.
The countertops and backsplashes are marble. The floors are Carrara marble over radiant heat. “I still can’t believe when I walk in that this bathroom is mine,” Cindy says.
Photo by Mark Verschelden
The large shower, 6½ by 11 feet, features heated floors and bench, water-jet-cut mosaic accent tile and Statuario marble slab walls.
The large shower, 6½ by 11 feet, features heated floors and bench, water-jet-cut mosaic accent tile and Statuario marble slab walls.
The bathroom connects to Cindy’s walk-in closet, on the right, which was formerly the master bathroom.
Photo by Mark Verschelden
The spacious closet features lots of white cabinetry and paneling, marble floors and countertops, an island, a makeup area, a window seat and lighted shoe racks. “Everything is behind cabinets so it looks neat all the time,” Cindy says. “It’s probably my favorite part of the house.”
The spacious closet features lots of white cabinetry and paneling, marble floors and countertops, an island, a makeup area, a window seat and lighted shoe racks. “Everything is behind cabinets so it looks neat all the time,” Cindy says. “It’s probably my favorite part of the house.”
Photo by Mark Verschelden
Glaister created a new closet for David. It features alder cabinets, a custom bench and plaid wallpaper.
Glaister created a new closet for David. It features alder cabinets, a custom bench and plaid wallpaper.
The new laundry room, also off the master bathroom, features white cabinets, marble floors, black leathered granite countertops and a brick accent wall. The Souzas can enter the home through a back door that opens into the laundry room. “They can come in and put dirty clothes in the laundry and walk through to the shower,” Glaister says.
The tall, slim cabinet doors conceal an ironing board and TV. Chicken-wire-lined doors enclose a stackable, commercial-grade washer and dryer.
“Everything’s just comfortable and cozy and I just feel like it was always meant to be like this, like home,” Cindy says.
Watch now: Visit this renovated farmhouse in the latest episode of Houzz TV
More on Houzz
See a retired Houston couple’s renovated forever home
Get design ideas
Find architects and interior designers near you
Shop for your home
The tall, slim cabinet doors conceal an ironing board and TV. Chicken-wire-lined doors enclose a stackable, commercial-grade washer and dryer.
“Everything’s just comfortable and cozy and I just feel like it was always meant to be like this, like home,” Cindy says.
Watch now: Visit this renovated farmhouse in the latest episode of Houzz TV
More on Houzz
See a retired Houston couple’s renovated forever home
Get design ideas
Find architects and interior designers near you
Shop for your home
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Hello Nicole! I'm so happy you enjoyed the people, story and home. Thank you for your sweet wishes and blessings to you and your family as well.
What a lovely place to live. Great job!
Thank you! They're amazing people.