The dramatic hillside drop into the canyon provides both privacy and sweeping views

Casa Del Canyon
Located on a quiet street off Mount Soledad Road, this California mission-style home offers a few surprises and one very big secret, which is a good thing for keeping neighborly envy at bay. While many homes in the gated community enjoy the view of Rose Canyon’s lush perennial north side vista, few have the privilege of such an ideal backyard; skillfully designed by local landscape architects to capture the views of downtown and the peaceful stillness of one of San Diego’s deepest and widest canyon ravines, the size and angle of the plot make it difficult to remember that you are so close to everything.

The secret of the backyard isn’t just the size, although it is larger than most in the area. It isn’t the maturing fauna, fastidiously planted and cared for, nor is it the intimate seating and entertaining areas finished with terracotta fire pits and a wooden pergola embedded with brightly colored bougainvilleas. The secret is actually the coveted privacy that is afforded by the dramatic hillside drop into the canyon that edges the far south side and curves around to create the unique shape. The terrain continues with a terraced slope, rising even higher to the west, creating a naturally protected triangular-shaped yard without need for encumbering fences.

The ideal setting carries into the home as the all-day southern sun exposure fills each of the main living quarters with natural light. The split-level living room with a soaring two-story ceiling opens to the back patio through a series of large windows and glass doors. The living room is afforded both a formal and open spatial quality, highlighted with antique accents and special objects collected over the years. Many of these unique furnishings, such as the hand-painted French screen used around the mahogany dining room table, are artifacts acquired from the Marin County Designer Showcase. The current owners relocated from Northern California when the house was completed in 2001.

The living room is an articulated open floor plan that connects the dining room and entertaining area with the entrance foyer and main staircase, finished with a custom-designed hand-forged iron railing, ornamented with silver leaf appliqué. At the top of the stairs, another surprise awaits. It peeks out from behind the wall with circular steps that extend into the main corridor of the upstairs wing. As the curving ironwork borders the interior balcony overlooking the living room below, a circular music room with special acoustic qualities is revealed.

A perfect setting for personal piano practice and an ideal stage for formal entertaining, the quaint round music room transforms the balcony into a theatrical podium, easily igniting both floors with melody.

Past the acoustic bay, the upstairs wing branches off in either direction within another circular space. The master bedroom suite, complete with fireplace, custom alcove wall details, and a full-amenity bath, including a Jacuzzi tub, opens to a private balcony that looks out over the canyon. The private rooms on the other side open to the front balcony that offers views of the distant city lights. All bathrooms in the house are complete with combinations of stone and honed marble as well as porcelain and glass tiles.

Green Lagoon Granite countertops dominate with earth tones in the kitchen, complementing the travertine floors that run through the first level. A five-layer fused glass dining table, designed by a local artist, picks up the green accents in the marble as the sun pours in. The large kitchen opens to an informal dining area divided by an island partition while connecting to the family room, finished with a fireplace and southern exposure windows. Both kitchen and family room offer access to the backyard and covered patio with ease, making the decision to stay indoors harder. This property is listed on the market by Roy Warfield with One Source Realty. (619/296-9055, www.onesourcerealty.com)
— Lauren Bender, photography by Vincent Knakal

Kirei board trays, recycled glass decanter set, and all-natural soy candle from Migrate Home in the Lumberyard in Encinitas; bamboo plates from Smith & Hawken in Fashion Valley; cotton kitchen towels from Mistral in the Cedros Design District; wood block rug from West Elm in Mission Valley

Eco-Chic
Take your appreciation for the outdoors to another level this summer by decorating with accessories that look great and do good for the environment. Sustainable materials, like bamboo or cork, make an eco-friendly fashion statement as tableware or flooring. All-natural soy candles burn cleaner than traditional wax candles. Surrounding your loved ones with organic fabrics creates a healthier home environment because they’ll be breathing in fewer dyes and chemical finishes. Not only will your place feel better, your conscience will be at ease, too.
— Tanja Kern

Malie Kauai and Red Flower bath products from Bergamot Spa + Boutique in Leucadia, ultra-absorbent Turkish and satin-stitch towels from Restoration Hardware in University Town Centre; shell accessories from Tommy Bahama in Fashion Valley, resin starfish from Pottery Barn in University Town Centre, natural sponges from Mistral in the Cedros Design District, Tessera iridescent glass tiles in Moroccan Desert by Oceanside Glasstile in Carlsbad

Home Spa
Nothing can really beat a day at the spa; it’s the best place to be massaged, scrubbed, and buffed into a better — and more relaxed — version of you. You can bring that sense of tranquility home by outfitting your master bath into the ultimate spa experience. Get bold with lustrous glass tiles that breathe elegance into the space. Sit back and relax in a large soaking tub sprinkled with luscious bath salts. Envelop yourself in luxury with plenty of fluffy towels. It’s a great excuse to pamper yourself silly. — Tanja Kern