Private areas and more public spaces for entertaining have been carefully orchestrated and designated in the various wings of the home

Make A Wish

Wishing Well Ranch of Rancho Santa Fe, built with the intention of capturing the early Californian Spanish Colonial style, reminiscent of a modern day Lilian Rice home, is one of a limited number of homes that has the privilege of holding the Holcombe family name.

The Holcombe family has been building homes in the San Diego region for two generations. Those who have had the privilege of stepping inside one of their creations understand that there is nothing else quite like it. What it takes to achieve the details and expression truly unique to a Holcombe home is more than achieving the sentimentality of stepping back in time to the romantic qualities of the old 1930s haciendas of the West.

Rigorous research and craftsmanship have been applied to each detail, and unlike so many attempts to recreate a time gone by, the Holcombe homes achieve a clean, modern streamlining and proportion that speaks very directly to the needs of today.

The wood accents of Wishing Well Ranch are a perfect example of how artifact and time can be treated with authenticity and respect. A Holcombe design intentionally avoids a forced distressed look with new wood, distinctly emphasizing the contrast between old and new through specific finishes and material treatment. A high- polished finish is applied to all newly crafted custom wood details, celebrating rather than blurring the line of age and craft. Each detail reinforces the truth of the material or found object, rather than attempting to turn something into what it’s not. By avoiding craftsman trickery, found in so many other examples, Wishing Well Ranch captures a historical style without relying on imitation.

Imported antique Mexican, hand-tooled, mesquite, and other hard wood doors, dating back over a century, have been used throughout the home. So as not to take away from the natural beauty and rustication these special pieces hold, each reclaimed item has been treated as functional art, reinforced with copper where needed, and finished with handcrafted wrought iron hardware, consistent with the level of refinement found throughout the home. The ceiling treatments, from old mission style to formal post and beam, have been given special attention, down to the custom corbels made on site.

Entering through the grand antique doorway into the zaguan, a hallway that separates the outside and the inner sanctuary and courtyard, historically found in architecture of the Southwest and Mexico, a sense of fortification and interior welcoming is delineated from the carefully planned landscaping of the ranch outside. The walls, covered with hand-troweled interior cement, are double framed to allow for an inviting thickness, reminiscent of old adobe. Deep coves, built-in shelves, and storage that give a true sense of permanence.

The axial nature of the main house circles around a central courtyard; additional courtyards have been placed around the periphery. Each room off the expressively wide formal circulation hallways has it’s own scale and character, with different vantage points, ceiling heights, and indoor-outdoor relationships. The accordion doors and custom windows finish the fenestration with charm and individuality, setting a unique mood to each space. The kitchen, with a swooping skylight, was designed as an open floor plan, connecting two island divides to seating areas and a central gathering place for family and friends. Private areas and more public spaces for entertaining have been carefully orchestrated and designated in the various wings of the home.

The pool, finished with rock quarried on site, is placed on the higher elevation of the estate, taking advantage of the view above the roofline of the main house, extending out to Rancho del Lago. The guesthouse, located just above the pool, is complete with all amenities and offers a playful movement of rooms that connect the inside to outside deck and veranda areas.

While the 9,100 heatable square feet that constitute the main house and remodeled guest home have the sense of having rested on the 4.66 acres for decades, construction was actually completed just three years ago. The barn, part of the estate’s equestrian facilities, originally built in the ’60s, has been remodeled to include a full kitchen for outdoor entertaining and a guest room complete with custom built-in bunk beds, ideal for children’s sleepovers. Anchored around mature landscaping, including the classic pepper trees of old California, this estate, listed on the market by Kramer & Martin Real Estate, offers an ideal setting for years to come. (858/756-2398, www.ranchandcoastproperty.com) — Lauren Bender, photography by Roberto

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Left: Western bath accessories, including waste can, tissue box cover, and vanity set, towels, and suede pillows from Cowgirl Collection in the Cedros Design District.

Upper right: Lavender-scented relaxation wrap from Leaping Lotus in the Cedros Design District

Lower right: Provencal tablecloth, French soap, lotion, and scented drawer liners from Mistral in the Cedros Design District

Guest Room Garnishes
It always feels like vacation when you enter a well-appointed hotel room — the crisp sheets, fresh flowers, and personal spa amenities envelop you in relaxation. Help your holiday houseguests feel like they are staying in a five-star bed and breakfast by livening up the guest room with a few attractive accoutrements. Make the bed with a fresh collection of cozy pillows and a cozy down-filled comforter, or spruce up the look with whimsical accessories. Bathrobes and fluffy towels are a must, and by all means, don’t forget the mint on the pillow. — Tanja Kern