A SENSE OF PLACE
There are certain aspects of a place that truly contributes to the overall feel of a moment in time. Often times, these characteristics are associated with first impressions and experiences that trigger emotions as you move about a property, taking in all of the details at each turn.
First impressions can frame an experience, and the first impressions at the property on Westside Road does truly impress. As you arrive at this special place located in the iconic Russian River Valley you are immediately captivated by nature. Here nature has been allowed to coexist within the spaces of the home and structures. Nature takes priority here, whether it’s the bees, butterflies, insects, birds or people, you are embraced by its beauty, its elegance without manipulation and pure grace.
As we walk around the grounds, nature continues to turn on all of your senses. You will see multiple structures that are unique but all perfectly incorporated into the overall sense of the place and the feel of the natural landscape. Continuing through the gardens, which have been designed and nurtured by world-renowned naturalist and gardener, Kate Frey, has created a place of ever-changing color, life, and beauty. From the majestic oak grove, the abundant manzanitas, the orchard and vegetable garden, this is a place to refresh and restore your sense of being.
Walking up to the main home on the property, you will see the surrounding natural landscape is brought right up to the entryway of the building. This home was designed by Dimitri Vedensky and was inspired by the pueblos in Portugal, with its stucco exterior and inner courtyard defined by the moss-covered stone walls and surrounding majestic trees. The graceful water feature in the courtyard invites you to the entrance of the home. Entering the main home on the property, you will see the architecture is detailed and the flow of the home invites warmth and incorporates the outside aspects of the property.The spacious floorplan with its high ceilings and warm wood floors flows from the public rooms to the quiet spaces of the library and office. The home is ideally suited to entertain family and friends with four large bedrooms, each with an en-suite bath. The master bedroom, located on the upper floor, is a delightful retreat with sitting room, his and her closets and spacious master bath. The “meditation” room off the master suite is a special place to relax with views of Mount Saint Helena. From every window in the home, nature is on display creating visual art to inspire. There are large overhangs on both the front and back sides of the home, which allow for places to sit and enjoy the views. As we make our way out of the main residence, back into the outdoor spaces, the property beckons you to explore the other spots on this property that have their own treasures worth finding.
Just steps away from the main residence is a studio with a full bath, high ceilings and a wall of windows allowing abundant light to fill the space. There are many flexible ways to use the space. It has its own private patio with stone accents nestled in a manzanita grove.
As we continue to walk throughout the property we will reach the open-air pool house designed by architects Joe Kennedy and Claudia Cleaver includes a full kitchen, covered sitting area with fireplace, infrared dry sauna, shower, changing room, and attached deck. The in-ground saltwater pool with flowing water feature and stone work perimeter exudes a spa-like retreat. In addition, there is a pizza oven and storage room.
A short walk away from the pool house, through the Manzanita grove, in a secret spot, is the yurt - a quiet spot to basque in the views of the Russian River. The round structure with screened windows, front door, bamboo floors and attached deck is magical place to meditate, spend the night in nature or as a yoga space.
We then move deeper into the property and come across a rustic barn. The barn was completely restored from the interior, preserving the wonderful character of the exterior. Inside it houses the panel for the solar connections and the water treatment system. There is ample storage for equipment, including a tractor, 4 wheel mules, trucks, and miscellaneous farm tools. There is foreman’s office and a generator, which will automatically start should the power go out and shut off when the power is restored.
On this property the artistic additional and unique elements create this personality. Adjacent to the pool house is the “gathering circle” with pebble mosaic sunburst stone floor and overhanging oak limbs, making it an enchanted place to sit and gather.
Throughout the property, as you walk in, through, and out the living structures and the natural landscapes, the personality that time and living has added to the property is what draws you in and keeps your senses raptured. Love is put into properties through time, added to by the layering of owner, family and friends that all culminates to an experience unlike anything.