Home & Garden - Ranch & Coast

The home’s rear wall of glass doors vanishes to reveal a fully-furnished, fireside living area outdoors and lagoon-style pool by Mission Valley Pools complete with cascading waterfalls Old World Masterpiece Pass through an arched stone entry into a timeless masterpiece created by acclaimed builder Richard Doan in Rancho Pacifica, a gated Carmel Valley community. "Richard has built a lot of homes in Rancho Santa Fe over the last 20 years. His quality and his name sell his homes," says listing agent Jana Greene of Prudential California Realty, stepping into a soaring 22-foot-high foyer crowned by a red alabaster chandelier. Famed for constructing spacious homes with open, well-proportioned floor plans, Doan combined the best of California outdoor living with Tuscan elegance and charm in this 11,340-square-foot home situated on a one-acre view lot. "The challenge when you do a house this size is to do proportions correctly, but also have it feel cozy and comfortable," observes architect Mark Radford, AIA. "We always like to have the inside carry into the outside with lift-and-slide doors, walls of glass that disappear into the walls." From the home’s entry area, guests are treated to a breathtaking vista straight through an expansive central great room. Beyond, a rear wall of glass doors vanishes to reveal a fully-furnished, fireside living area outdoors and lagoon-style pool complete with cascading waterfalls. Asked what he likes best about his newest creation, Doan replies, "The casualness of it. There is no formal living area. This is a family house — open, comfortable, and warm." Wood trusses, beams, and skylights add warmth and light in a 24-foot-high ceiling crowning the great room. Gold-toned travertine floors, golden granite counters in the adjoining kitchen, and a half dozen fireplaces add both elegance and warmth. Other Old World detailing includes studded wooden doors and forged iron vent covers throughout. "One of our favorite features is the kitchen fireplace," says Greene. Like in castles of yore, an arched stone fireplace rises behind a massive inlaid table in a dining nook off the kitchen. A huge island, hammered copper sink, and mural of a Tuscan rural scene add Old World ambience in the kitchen. Walk through a butler’s pantry off the kitchen and pass through more stone arches to access a formal dining room at the front of the home, where a solid ironwood table with three-inch rope-edge detailing provides ample room to serve up a feast for guests. Furnishings and artwork throughout the home have been provided by designer Susan Spath, including many custom pieces created to suit the home’s massive scale. "I have a very distinctive style in these homes," Spath says. "Big, chunky, and oversized — very elegant but casual. We actually oversized some of our already oversized pieces for this home." A cut velvet chaise, chenille sofas, and carved wood and leather coffee table add grandeur to the great room, which opens onto a game room complete with pool table, bar, and stone wine cellar. Spath also designed wood framing to dress up the game room’s plasma TV — one of many in the home. "We have really great original artwork," says Spath, citing an oil painting titled Dragonfly in the foyer as an example. The foyer also features a table with a trio of carved turtles at its base. A library off the foyer includes solid walnut paneling, bookshelves, and coffered ceiling as well as a large desk. chairs and a leopard-print ottoman beside a cast stone fireplace provide a cozy space for reading. A dedicated home theater room features theater seats in gold leather, soundproofed upholstered walls, and a 120 inch projection TV. Custom gold silk draperies adorn an array of towering, arched topped windows in the master bedroom. Bronze and gold silk Quiltano bedding by Anachina adds elegance to a carved Maitland Smith bed with iron finials leather and copper inlays. A lavish master bath includes his and hers bow-front vanities, elevated spa-tub with garden view, and stone shower with arched entry. Tropical plants and scented candles add to the ambience. The home also includes four additional bedroom suites as well as an ornate powder room. "This suite would make a great nanny’s room," co-listing agent Rachael Rittmueller says of a bedroom/bath beside a laundry room. In addition, there is an attached guest house with full kitchen and private poolside entry. Santa Barbara stone pavers add sparkle to a poolside deck and elevated spa. The outdoor living area also features a fully equipped outdoor kitchen, fire pit, separate seating area, lawns, and lush tropical landscaping. "Coming here always makes me feel like I’m in a fancy resort hotel in Hawaii," Greene said of the property, which is listed at $11 million. "The sunsets are gorgeous." The home’s welcoming ambience has just one drawback, she concluded. "We serve lunch for broker caravans here. They literally sit here admiring everything — and don’t want to leave!" (619/708-4756, www.janagreene.com) — Miriam Raftery Indina bamboo and cotton bath towels in celadon, green, and sand, Legna Italian lyocell sheets, and green soy and cotton robe from Everett Stunz in La Jolla; Scandia Down cotton modal bath towels in ivory, bamboo wastebasket, sisal washcloth, and faux stone-shaped green tea, ginger, and mint soaps from Martha Smith Fine Linens in La Jolla; vintage bamboo chair and 19th century Chinese bamboo figures from King & Company in La Jolla; and hyacinth basket from Pier 1 Opulent Organics Bamboo, organic cotton, and soy are everything you could want in towels, sheets, and even robes. The towels have the luster of silk and the feel of cashmere — unbelievably soft to the skin, breathable, hypoallergenic, and durable. Being naturally absorbent, they wick away moisture. Bamboo is fast growing and needs no pesticides or chemicals to grow, so it’s earth friendly too. And both bamboo and organic cotton are created from sustainable resources. Indulge in a luxurious bath experience with faux stone green tea and mint soaps. It’s like bringing the spa home naturally. — Lynn Hoaglin, photo by Vincent Knakal Branch coral necklace and scarf from Cut Loose in Solana Beach; Italian bowl, silk roses in vase, and frame from Birdcage at Greenwich & Charles in Solana Beach; and Chinese lacquer boxes from Solo in Solana Beach Classic Coral Look chic this spring with touches of beautiful coral. Designers are using this seasonal hue to add flair to your wardrobe and home. Coral jewelry and scarves brighten skin tones; and silk floral arrangements, pottery, frames, and stacking boxes will complement both neutrals and vivid color schemes in your kitchen or living room. — Lynn Hoaglin, photo by Vincent Knakal Mid-Century Revival Mid-century homes — especially those designed by prominent architects — continue to be a hot commodity in San Diego. If you manage to score one, though, you might get stuck with a lot of expensive renovations. Not so in Mission Hills, where mid-century style and modern convenience go hand-in-hand at Nakhshab Design & Development’s recently unveiled Revival properties. Two of the three single-family homes are modeled after a 1965 design by iconic architect Homer Delawie; the third is the original Delawie, fully restored and renovated. The two present-day additions are situated on a hillside, which was undeveloped until now because of the steep grading. Nakhshab’s engineers came up with a unique multi-level design for the new homes that complements the hilly lot and the Delawie-designed dwelling. This is one case where three’s company, not a crowd. (www.revivalcollection.com) — AnnaMaria Stephens J Gallery Recently opened in Del Rayo Village, J Gallery showcases unique high-end gifts made by artists and artisans from around the world. Leigh Timmons, director of Timmons Galleries in Rancho Santa Fe, began this new venture in honor of her late husband, Jay. "Jay was a renaissance man, designing furniture, getting patents, acting, promoting, and collecting art as well as owning a large manufacturing business," says Timmons. This mix of talents and interests is reflected in the vast selection of items that J Gallery has to offer. All of the furniture and jewelry are one-of-a-kind, and many of the furniture pieces and antiques were made in Indonesia and Thailand. The store also features a body care line from England called Abahna. (858/756-0039, www.timmonsgalleries.com) — Rina Van Orden
		The game room is complete with pool table, bar, and stone wine cellar

		Furnishings and artwork throughout the home have been provided by designer Susan Spath

		A cut velvet chaise, chenille sofas, and carved wood and leather coffee table add grandeur to the great room

		A dedicated home theater room features theater seats in gold leather, soundproofed upholstered walls, and a 120-inch projection TV


		Area rugs help define space The Rug Revolution Over the last five or ten years, homeowners’ desires for tile and hardwood floors in their living spaces has increased the demand for large area rugs that provide both function and design. For homes with open floor plans, rugs are essential for establishing boundaries while retaining an open and spacious feeling. With the trends in modern and traditional area rugs right now, you can find all colors, textures, and patterns to unify your space in style. As going green has gained momentum, eco-friendly indoor/outdoor rugs made from natural fibers including hemp, jute, aloe, cactus, linen, and banana have gained popularity with customers, says Adi Pourfard, owner of Aja Rugs in La Jolla. These unique fibers create natural carpets that feel similar to those in your house, but are stain-resistant and can be hosed down and air-dried. Fashionable contemporary design now includes elegant repeated patterns and textures in gray, ice blue, pink, bronze, and chocolate brown. "Shag rugs are back in style," says Gary Garcia, area rug manager at Coles Fine Flooring in San Diego. These lush ‘70s rugs can be made from wool or synthetic shag and have multi-textured piles using combinations of cable yarn and thinner yarn to give it a patterned look perfect for modern spaces. Another hot modern trend — leather rugs complement leather furniture and add an original look to any room, says Pourfard. Transitional rugs have greatly increased in popularity over the last few years as they work with both traditional and contemporary styles. These rugs often contain simple geometric, floral, or vine patterns without an in-your-face modern design that can provide style and flexibility. "With transitional rugs, you’re not locked into a specific look," says Garcia. When examining traditional rug trends, hand-knotted Oriental Peshawar rugs from Pakistan and Indo-Peshawar rugs from India have become very chic, with soft colors and tightly sheered, low-pile heights. Coles also sells fashionable power-loomed Karastan rugs that appear handcrafted but cost about half the price. Mitchell’s Floor Coverings of Solana Beach carries Karastan rugs, along with a substantial selection of other styles. Aja Rugs specializes in fine antique Oriental and Persian rugs as well as rare collectible rugs from all over the world. "We also offer lifetime full value exchange to our clients, which gives the customers flexibility to change their rugs in case they move into a larger or smaller home, or if they change the style of their home all together," says Pourfard. — Rina Van Orden

		Beautiful Backyards With summer on its way, it’s time to turn your backyard into paradise. Saddleback of San Diego offers a wide selection of luxury outdoor furniture made from high-quality long-lasting materials including cast aluminum, all-weather outdoor wicker, and teak wood. The company carries top name brands of outdoor furniture in styles sure to meet anyone’s design needs. "I love helping our customers turn their outdoor areas into their own private resorts," says co-owner Lyle Echoff. In case the store doesn’t have exactly what you’re looking for in its extensive inventory, the showroom offers the opportunity to custom order furniture frames and fabrics to match any style or color scheme. The store also sells fire pits, gas logs, screens, and fire tools to complete your backyard retreat. (858/292-7385, www.saddlebackofsandiego.com) — Rina Van Orden

		Fanciful Florals Flora &_Ambience co-owner Gloria Brader has over 30 years of experience in sophisticated floral design, and at the Cedros Design District store, she customizes permanent arrangements made of silk flowers and greenery, and preserved materials. "We really focus on the floral design and we tailor the arrangements to what people want," says Ken Brader, Gloria’s husband and the store’s co-owner. Along with botanical arrangements, the store also carries a selection of silk trees, preserved spruce topiaries, eclectic furniture pieces, and Italian pottery. (858/259-6730, www.flora-ambience.com) — Rina Van Orden