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Dolezal’s master bedroom has a southeastern exposure so he hung golden sheers and painted the room a dark gold for shimmering, sun-filled awakenings each morning.
Banner image above: The dining room is surrounded by gun metal gray cabinetry to showcase the red transferware collection. Custom leather seats surround a square walnut table below a spectacular chandelier by Murray’s ironworks. At the end of the hallway hangs one of Dolezal’s most treasured art pieces: an original oil of Elizabeth Taylor as Maggie, the Cat
La Paloma — Spanish Colonial Retreat
It’s virtually hidden and if you don’t know where to turn you’ll miss the country road entrance off the main highway. But once you enter the gravel driveway surrounded by lush tropical plantings amidst a rambling old English garden, you know that you have entered the personal sanctuary of someone who specializes in beautiful environments.
Casa Paloma is the private home of interior designer Douglas Dolezal. For the past four years he has been transforming his Spanish Colonial home and overgrown gardens into a breathtaking retreat using only one basic rule as his guiding principle: Create visual interest and the element of surprise everywhere. "I wanted this home to have some character," says Dolezal. "It needed a sense of age, patina, and personality. I envisioned an Argentinean horse ranch where each generation would add something new to the home, bringing a gravitas of style built from years and years of living."
Dolezal achieved this through color, texture, water, and opening the house to the elements. He used the juxtaposition of styles mixing modern with vintage, continental with antiques, elegant and formal with comfortable lodge to bring a sense of wonder and panache to a previously hum-drum habitat.
In typical Spanish style, every room faces the courtyard so Dolezal opens the doors and lets the ocean breezes in year round. He painted the walls a spicy cinnamon red, which he carried throughout the living room. "When the sun shines, the courtyard and living room glow. And at night with blazing fire and candle light, I have the perfect ambiance for entertaining." An incredible host, guests enjoy evenings at Casa Paloma where Dolezal created four intimate conversation nooks rather than one immensely impersonal living space. "Someone once said that there are only two things you will remember when you get old — the books you read and the people you meet." To that end, the center of the living room features an enormous table upon which resides an arrangement of art books, many of which are special gifts from friends. There is always an abundant flower arrangement bursting from a favorite clay pot and loads of custom cushion ottomans underneath that can be pulled into use in a moment of need.
Dolezal cleverly selected modern art to fill the room where one would expect to see something more traditional. "This is the room’s surprise," he says, "I wanted something to contrast against the classically continental furnishings." Two of his favorites are "Blue Horse," an acrylic by Joe Andos, and "Woman on the Red Line," original oil by John Sanders. They work with such furnishings as his red linen velvet sofa by Michael Taylor and the carved 19th century Chinese dragon table. He injected a bit of the lodge or gentlemen’s club feel through the use of vintage animal heads and drum light fixtures.
The interesting contrasts continue in the dining room, where Dolezal custom designed gun metal gray cabinetry with French grates to showcase his red transferware collection. Some of the pieces date to the early 1,700s and he believes treasures like these should be used rather than hidden away. Another twist is the unexpected use of a square walnut dining table. "It fit the room and enhanced the architecture. I don’t think a round one would have had the same visual impact." Speaking of impact, Dolezal isn’t afraid to make bold statements as evidenced in his selection of the oversized modern chandelier with neoclassic detailing from Murray’s Ironworks.
Dolezal’s master bedroom has a southeastern exposure so he hung golden sheers and painted the room a dark gold for shimmering, sun-filled awakenings each morning. First and foremost he wanted this room to feel comfortable. He purchased the bed from ABC Carpet and Home when he was in New York and the bedding from Bagni Volpi, a luxury bedding line made outside Florence Italy. A pair of lamps made from architectural balustrades sits atop two Jacobean nightstands. Dolezal chose mountain grass instead of traditional carpeting for a cleaner, more rustic look on the floor.
No where can one see the heart of Dolezal more than in his home office. He has surrounded himself with his many life passions. The custom English bookcase houses the "references that inspire" including art, design and garden books easily accessed by the rolling library ladder. His iron trestle table desk is from Idaho and a massive 19th century William and Mary leather chair awaits anyone who cares to spend a few comfortable hours working or reading. Dolezal’s saddles are displayed as art while not in use and a bust of Dante’s lover, Beatrice, rests on an 18th century walnut chest.
Through creative genius and the loving hands of Douglas Dolezal, Casa Paloma has transformed from eyesore to a visual masterpiece — a non-traditional Spanish colonial with spunk. (858/759-1744, www.dolezaldesign.com) — Jodi Murphy, photography by Vincent Knakal
Ankasa brown and yellow decorative pillows, imported muga silk and cashmere throw, Ann Gish crushed silk napkin, Kim Seybert beaded and shell-embroidered placemat, and a rectangular ceramic base with faux daffodils from Seaside Home in La Jolla; yellow cucina fresca Vietri pitcher and cream and sugar containers from Nestlife in La Jolla; and green leaf dish made in Portugal from King and Company in La Jolla
Warm Up To Spring
Bring some warmth into the home this season with a host of green, yellow, and orange goodies new around town. Here are some local favorites. — Alicia Garcia
Flowers In Wonderland
On April 11-13, Quail Botanical Gardens will host Flowers in Wonderland with The San Dieguito Garden Club. Guests are invited to see the White Rabbit and Alice as they journey down the rabbit hole into a spectacular fantasy of flower designs. On Saturday, April 12, from 12-2 pm, there will be some children’s activities including a treasure hunt and flower arranging. Admission is free for flower show participants; general admission costs apply for non-show-participants and adults are $10, seniors are $7, and children under 12 are $5. Flower show entry forms are available at Quail Botanical Gardens. Entries are open to non-professional horticulture and floral design exhibitors. Judging will be by accredited judges from the National Garden Clubs, Inc. (858/ 755-3284, www.qbgardens.org) — Jane Shiomi
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