The Pleasant Valley terrain is similar to that of Italy with its rolling hills, oaks, pines and vineyards. During my travels there, I was impressed that Italy seems to have perfected lifestyle as a fine art, particularly in the wine growing regions and culture. I was inspired to design our California home around a subtle Italian farm theme with a timeless and open feel to it.  I envisioned the entire property reflecting beauty and sustainability, with house, gardens, vegtable garden, vineyard, winery, and landscaping inspiring a creative lifestyle with Renaissance values.  All this while envisioning a relaxed  gathering place for my family – or any configuration of guests to enjoy the serenity that comes with residing in an elegant, pastoral setting.

During the design phase, attention was given to natural lighting, the four seasons, a casual yet active family lifestyle, color flow, and transition from indoor to outdoor living. The original property had three mature oaks and two pine trees. I immersed myself in accumulating knowledge about native plants, local climate and terrain, and planted and nurtured hundreds of trees, drought resistant and deer-proof shrubs and plants. Years of hard work paid off – the result was an enchanted forest and garden which engulfed us in a beautiful setting with each season. 

The structure was steel frame from which I designed the placement of open areas, rooms, doors, windows, walls and interior structures. I designed built-in furnishings, cabinetry, lighting, deck, storage and functional structures. With the exception of one bedroom there were no square or rectangular rooms – each area was open and angular. The 10’ ceiling and extensive windows wash the home in light and provide beautiful views.

Water supplied by the public district utilizes the agricultural rate due to the ½ acre
vineyard. The agricultural rate not only reduces the cost, but also doesn’t restrict usage during times of drought. With R30 wall insulation and argon-filled low-E Milgard windows, the house remains cool in summer and warm in winter, with minimal utility load. As for the wine-making, see that story here.
 
Much of my time during the build was spent selecting natural materials, beginning with stonework, masonry, travertine, marbles, granite, ceramics, pine, oak, redwood (deck),
and cedar. The skills of the finest local craft and trades were used to bring these
materials to life.

I designed the exterior and interior. The interior included window coverings, custom curtains, selected fabrics, furnishings and upholstery. From conceptual design to final outcomes, the entire process took eight years. Two years for the house, two years to build out the original manufacturing, office and studio spaces for our businesses (basement), and four years to landscape two acres.  In 2022, I remodeled the kitchen area, and removed the curtains and furnishings. We painted and added wood floors and temporary furnishings (as shown in realtor photos) as well as replaced the deck for the house sale. It looks brand new!

The 48-panel solar system was installed in 2013 and has provided 100% of home and winery electrical needs.  

Family memories are rich with local trails and hikes, picnics, outdoor sports, boating, regular treks to Tahoe and the Bay Area, hundreds of local wineries, golf courses, lakes, summer camps, historical locations, and local cultural events – the Sierra Nevada foothills offer a sublime country life experience with a diverse array of laid back activities.