With multiple fireplaces, the romantic ambiance of the French country was skillfully carved out

Fanciful French
Formerly Bing Crosby’s Rancho Santa Fe estate, this newly renovated country home features French elegance set against pastoral and equestrian views, mature landscaping, and coveted privacy offered within five acres of green. The home feels secluded while remaining ever so close to the couple’s first home in Laguna Beach. When Kelly and Duane Roberts began thinking about what they wanted in a second home, Aspen, Colorado seemed to offer everything, but it was just so inconvenient. The couple recognized that getting to and from their second home needed to be as relaxing as the time they would spend there, as it was intended to be a place to bring friends and family. Already living on the coast, they desired a getaway that held the tranquil setting and afforded privacy.

When they were first introduced to the Bing Crosby estate, there was no question in Kelly’s mind; she just had to have it. "Our properties are like children to us," Kelly explains. Taking the time to bring the home to her own vision, she used the next year and a half to elevate it to its current state of grace. The original old adobe walls, heavy wood beams, and accentuated tongue and groove wood ceilings give the home a pleasant, quaint, and cozy feeling that new construction can’t imitate. Keeping the key structural features intact, including some of the original wood floors, Kelly and her designer, Diane Johnson of Diane Johnson Design, introduced a new layer of detail and ornamentation to the home with architectural artifacts and antiques brought back from France. Every unique piece was hand picked and chosen with the specificity of radiating key elements of the home’s renovation, with attention and care given to each room.

From the summer of 2005 to the fall of 2006, Johnson, a member of the French Heritage Society, made monthly trips to France in search of the perfect fireplace mantels, chandeliers, textiles, and anything else needed to complete the home. Owner and designer communicated during these trips, exchanging images and stories about each item to ensure that the perfect piece was found. With multiple outside fireplaces and five interior fireplaces, the romantic ambiance of the French countryside was skillfully carved out, right down to the toile de Jouy. The qualities of this French influence fit seamlessly into the limestone flooring, and finish off many of the rooms.

In the main house, low angled ceilings terminate at the crest of picture windows with white panes, overlooking the outdoor patios, verandas, fountains, and main courtyard featuring a pool and outdoor eating area. Pale quintessential French country yellow paint and cedar-lined rooms meet the high-beamed ceilings of the guesthouse. Here, alternating large doors of solid wood stand in juxtaposition to glass French doors, lining the airy main guest house front room that stands on the highest point of the land and humbly completes the picturesque central courtyard with white brick columns of the original adobe character.

The Roberts are no strangers to properties with a historical disposition. They are the proud owners of The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, a recognized historical landmark, located in Riverside, California. When the Roberts found the Mission Inn, the city of Riverside had plans to demolish it and turn it into a parking garage. Now in its second phase of renovations, the Mission Inn has been rehabilitated, bringing the original eclectic design elements out while adding a contemporary twist to "eccentric chic." — Lauren Bender, photography by Vincent Knakal

The guest house stands on the highest point of the land

Linen pillows by Ankasa, Jan Barboglio ironwork candleholder, Juliska palm plate, and monkey salt and pepper shakers from Seaside Home in multiple locations; brown urn and wood accents from Le Dimora in Rancho Santa Fe; and hand-scraped quarter-sawn white oak flooring in herringbone pattern with chocolate espresso finish from Merino Home in The Forum at Carlsbad

Chocolate & Cream
Give your living spaces their just desserts with a palette of rich brown and frothy white. Brown, like black, adds punctuation to any space and looks decidedly crisp against white walls. Elaborately carved wood pieces, along with creative ironwork, are easy ways to incorporate deep espresso finishes into your interior. Here, a few pieces define Rancho Santa Fe style. — Tanja Kern, photography by Vincent Knakal

Michael Smith book and air freshener from Seaside Home; faux rock candleholders from Le Dimora in Rancho Santa Fe; and canister by Victoria & Richard, and hand-stamped Venetian drapery sheer, from Merino Home in The Forumat Carlsbad

Grass Roots
Nature, freshness, life — the color green means many things, but in the home it represents relaxation. Soft greens help you decorate for today and tomorrow by transitioning smoothly from one season to the next. Green is especially appealing in handicrafts. Hand-stamped textiles, like these drapes made in Italy, or hand-painted containers, add significance to spaces and should be passed down between generations.
— Tanja Kern, photography by Vincent Knakal

Seaside Style In The Ranch
This month, home decor authority Sheryll Jackman will bring her flair for interiors to North County with the opening of another Seaside Home. Located in Butera Living’s former space, the new store will bring high style and concierge design services to busy residents. Expect a chic assortment of designer furniture and bedding by Baker, Ralph Lauren, Henredon, Anichini, and Sferra, among others. "I thrive on taking risks and purchasing collections that really emit that one-of-a-kind ‘wow-factor,’" Jackman says. "Not everyone is willing to spend extra money to get the exclusive on a new, up and coming line. But that is exactly what propels Seaside to the next level — I like to be the first to have the finest pieces in my store." The store will be the first Seaside Home location with an electronic bridal registry, and Jackman says she plans to host a variety of trunk shows, design seminars, and guest speakers there. (760/436-4022,
www.seasidehomersf.com) — Tanja Kern