Tea Time, Updated

Ted Ross and Eric Jensen’s friends call their new home "the venue." Because of its open floor plan and proximity to California's Capitol Building, the 4,300-square-foot loft-style home has been the site of a number of political fundraisers and events. But before it was a home to Ross and Jensen the building was home to the Jewel Tea Company.

Built in 1937 as a warehouse, Ross and Jensen bought the property in 1999. It was the huge brick walls and original skylights that drew them to the place. They decided to keep that spacious, open feeling. They knocked down all the interior walls and even removed a 20- x 35-foot section of the roof to create an atrium. The original cement floors and exposed wooden beam ceilings are reminders this is an old building despite the updating.