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As seen on HGTV's House Hunters on Vacation!
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This extraordinary “top of the world” panorama exerts a hypnotic pull on you to experience its stunning 180 degree views, and the infinity pool and broad entertainment terrace are accessible from every room in the main house. A separate guesthouse and a wine cave carved into the mountain offer privacy and room for unique celebrations. All this, and only 10 minutes to the center of the town.
Exterior
There are views, and then there are views that transport you. This “top of the world” location has an incredible panorama that stretches from the Sonoma Valley to Mt. Tamalpais and Sausalito, and includes the blue waters of San Francisco Bay, and the City skyline.
But mountain top vistas don’t mean isolation. The charming town of Sonoma is only 10 minutes away, with its lively mix of restaurants, shops and wineries. However, with 20 acres of land, and more than 5,000 square feet of well-appointed living space, an infinity pool and spa, a separate guesthouse, and a wine cave carved into the hillside, you may find it difficult to tear yourself away from the luxurious comforts of California Dreamin'.
Enter the sculpted metal gate and wind past the hillside of native grasses and trees. Your first glimpse is of the waterfall spilling over the edge of the infinity pool, making a bold visual statement. Reaching the main house, the low profile and soft umber tones of the home create a unity with the surroundings. The angular design allows unobstructed sight lines from every location on the plateau, and its orientation ensures spectacular views from every room.
With exterior walls of floor to ceiling windows and doors, California Dreamin' treats the outdoors as an essential element of design, and a broad overhang protects the home from direct sunlight, allowing daylong natural light to infuse the interior. Each room has its own access to the terrace and pool area through 10-foot high glass doors.
This easy flow from inside to outdoors draws guests to the broad entertainment terrace with its unobstructed vistas. The oversized furniture is handcrafted with room for two on the lounges with their colorful patterns and whimsical pillows. Lay back and let the ever-changing skies put you in a true wine country state of mind.
When the mood strikes you, plunge into the brilliant blue infinity pool. After a few laps, pause at the edge and let the hypnotic feeling of floating in space wash over you. Decide to extend your outdoor stay and create a simple and delicious meal on the outdoor grill. There is a pass-through window to the kitchen for ease of preparation. Rinse off the suntan lotion at the outdoor shower, and there’s also a full bathroom with a shower.
You’ll find yourself enticed outside day and evening as the sun makes its way to the western horizon. The magnificent blues and golds of the sunset eventually give way to the cobalt blue of night, and a million stars flicker overhead as you luxuriate in the in-pool spa, while warm breezes ripple the waters.
Interior
Located in a coveted community known to residents as “The Loop,” California Dreamin’s “top of the world” setting gives the home astounding views that are an integral part of its design. California Dreamin' was built to compliment its surroundings and to capture the incredible vistas from all areas of the home. Built on a long axis, the 5,100 square foot main house has 10-foot tall windows and glass doors that give each room an outlook of its own.
As you enter, the casual elegance of the home is apparent in the use of fine materials and artisan details. The expansive open arrangement with its wall of windows encompasses the kitchen, a dining area and a large, comfortable living space. Handsome concrete floors are hand-stained to accentuate the original art and custom-made furnishings, and all floors have radiant heat.
A dramatic honed granite fireplace anchors one end of the space, and its two-sided hearth is shared by a small den/reading room. High ceilings and low voltage lighting create a sense of scale that matches the panorama. A comfortable L-shaped sofa faces the fireplace and the terrace, its textured fabric edged by end tables of shaped metal and matching coffee table.
Across the hall is a large media room with a dark chocolate corduroy couch whose middle section makes into a bed. Set up for TV or gaming, this room also has a full bathroom.
In the dining area, three 60” by 60” wood tables can be used individually or combined to seat 20 guests. A conversation counter divides the room from the kitchen and allows informal dining or a place to watch the cook whip up appetizing meals. The kitchen is outfitted with commercial grade appliances in stainless steel. A six-burner gas stove with pot filler, two ovens and plentiful counter space with two sinks, will be the delight of any cook or professional chef. The sleek kitchen has flush cabinets with a textured metal laminate surface, concealing the dishwasher, compactor and storage areas.
There is an alcove with a wet bar and a second kitchen and pantry with a door to the front drive for caterers or bringing in food or supplies. This kitchen is fully equipped with a four-burner range, refrigerator, a microwave oven and a large center island with skylights overhead, dishwasher and an enclosed laundry. Ringed with deep counters, the room is set up for efficient food preparation.
A hallway leads to the master suite, past a guest bath. The sumptuous master is an intimate retreat where you can indulge your senses. The room’s corner position gives it views that start with the peaceful hillside and continue on to the San Francisco Bay. Though nearly all windows on two sides, it is completely private.
A small deck offers a lovely place for morning coffee or a Mimosa in the fresh, clean air. The custom-made king bed with its rich fabrics and fine linen looks to the west and the room receives muted natural light during the day. As the sun goes down, the sublime rays of blue, gold and pink are shot through the skies, lighting up the cloud formations.
Evening is the time for a glowing fire, its romantic flames framed by a unique window built into the design, allowing the view to continue behind the flickering fire. And with a master bath of spa-like proportions, the chance to immerse yourself and unwind is irresistible. As you relax, notice the gorgeous blue and white wave-like patterns in the marble that surrounds the jetted tub and the glass wall tiles that pick up the tones. The theme is repeated in the open shower. There are two individual vanities with custom concrete tops and a separate toilet.
A glass door in the hallway opens to the terrace and pool. Similarly, the home’s two other bedrooms, which are on the other side of the living space, have access to the outdoors. Each spacious bedroom enjoys a slightly different angle to the home’s vistas, and both are furnished with artisan-made beds, seating areas and baths with custom concrete vanities and richly patterned marble walls and showers.
Across the courtyard from the main house are the guest quarters with an indoor garage. This 800-square-foot guest home is self-contained, with a full kitchen, granite counters, commercial grade four-burner range and oven, microwave, refrigerator and dishwasher. The open plan offers an eat at island that divides the kitchen and living space. Sage green walls and hand-stained concrete floors help create a serene getaway, heightened by the warmth of a gas fireplace in the living room. The bedroom is the essence of tranquility, with a custom king bed and windows that look out upon a green, forested hill, dotted with ferns and oak trees. The bath is done in a rich granite with the shower over a ceramic tub. A sheltered patio facing the courtyard is perfect for an al fresco meal or just enjoying the sun.
If you follow the hillside around the courtyard, you come upon the entryway to the wine cave. Metal-clad doors open into a man-made cave with a tall, arched ceiling. The cave curves around to an opening at the far end, enclosed by a glass door and windows. The small outdoor area has a view framed by the shape of the cave. Imagine a wine tasting in this cool cavern, or a special dinner by candlelight.
California Dreamin' is a one-of-a-kind setting. You will want to fully savor all the experiences you can have here, and take the time to let the panorama lift you out of the ordinary and revitalize your spirit.
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