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Located only minutes from the downtown Sebastopol farmers market, The Barlow Artisan Center, grocery stores, boutiques, and restaurants is a unique and special property we would love for you to see.
Featured in the Home and Garden section of the Press Democrat in September of 2003 for the masterful building techniques and celebration of early Spanish architecture as well as repeatedly gracing the Sebastopol Garden Tour, this home is the perfect combination of bringing the best practices from the past, into the present and preserving them for future generations.
Artfully designed and masterfully executed, this old world Spanish – Mediterranean style home captures the warmth and inviting spirit of an era gone by. Built with state of the art materials, every detail of this three bedroom, three and a half bath home was created to embrace the comfort, ease, grace, and poetic charm of early Spanish architecture.
The decorative details of this home are a careful selection of the best of a number of countries around the world. From a beautiful mosaic foil wrapped ceiling with recessed lighting in the front hallway, to stunning Portuguese and Mexican tiles, and arched doorways throughout, this house is a celebration of the beauty and art that permeates every culture. Every square inch of this home, both inside and outside, have been planned with care, designed with love, and built to last.
Designed by Karen McAuliffe and engineered by San Francisco architect, Michael Baushke of Apparatus Architecture, the house was completed in 2003 after a 4-year-long labor of love. Using an exciting new technique, called PISE (pneumatically impacted stabilized earth), McAuliffe and Baushke, created a home rooted in its ancestral traditions and embraced modern stability and comfort.
The walls are built using a type of construction known as pneumatically impacted stabilized earth (PISE). It uses the same materials as rammed earth but varies in the insulation method. The walls are built with crushed rock from a quarry in Glen Ellen and have all the environmental benefits of rammed earth, with the added advantages and the ability to use a great deal of reinforced steel.
The PISE technique is very new and thus not widely available, requiring sophisticated equipment and attention to detail over mix designs. As a result, the house features 18-inch-thick walls of crushed rock, cement and sand, with deep windows and the perfect insulation, and the complement of the tiled floors, the home rarely reaches beyond a comfortable 70 degrees in the heat of the summer. A five zone hydraulic radiant heat flooring system keeps the house warm and cozy during the chiller months.
The house opens onto a long gallery decorated with stained-glass windows and fully lined with glass-doored bookshelves and closed cabinets along the length of the wall. When open, the cabinets showcase a holiday spectacular in miniature. Intricately moving carousals, ice skaters, sledding children, and homes brightly lit from within, adorn these cabinets and come alive at the flip of a switch. Part of the family’s holiday tradition, this incredible homage to a winter wonderland is just one feature of this home that embraces the artisan spirit of celebration.
The tiled floors are especially unique – painted by McAuliffe herself in the style of a faux carpet – one of the many handmade details showcased throughout the house. The main gallery works as a divider between the two main parts of the house: the kitchen and office, and the living room and bedrooms to the north wing.
Thoughtful planning went in to the entire home starting with the building techniques and materials used but also in all that the property offers. Contained on approximately 4.14± acres of private usable land, this home offers lush landscaping, an established rose garden, a large koi pond, a fountain, and playful courtyard, a private patio off of the master bedroom, a glass enclosed greenhouse, and a 1,600± square foot permitted guest house all just minutes from the quaint yet thriving downtown Sebastopol.
The old world charm of this home continues throughout the living room in the pillow paver tiles, coffered mahogany ceiling, light fixtures brought over from Spain and the wrought iron/copper fireplace mantel accented in McIntyre tile work.
The true comforts of old and new envelop you as you gaze out the floor to ceiling mahogany, E coded, dual pane windows arched into a half moon shape, showcasing the extraordinary gardens, flowers, and pond outside. There are many architectural details that meld seamlessly with modern day conveniences such as recessed lighting, a hidden television, and automatic closure window treatments that give the home an air of comfort unknown to early Spanish architects.
Rooted in the tradition of creating welcoming and comfortable spaces to entertain family and friends the dining room is no exception. Although there are multiple spaces suitable for entertaining throughout this property, the dining room in particular holds a charm of its own.
The wrought iron and copper pueblo style fireplace trimmed in Portuguese tile, anchors the room with it’s welcoming flame. The ceiling built from solid cedar and beams of Douglas fir, provide stature and a grand presence to every meal under their protection while custom made light fixtures and sconces from Spain shed their warm light.
The kitchen features two separate sinks, alderwood cabinets, a maple butcher block, a five burner gas stove with custom Mexican ceramic tile backsplash, dishwasher, two microwaves, and a Kitchen Aid refrigerator. The eat-in style kitchen unites necessary storage space with charming decorative displays, open shelving, plate rack and additional counter-space.
A leather banquette and table is flanked by several custom, birch stained, alderwood hutches complete with a Miele built-in coffee machine. Two large desk areas supply ample space to take care of a multitude of tasks or hobbies while remaining in the comfortable kitchen.
Mahogany French doors open up to a covered patio with cedar ceiling and built-in barbecue area, perfect for anyone who likes to entertain.
An octagon shaped and enclosed sun room located just off of the living room provides a uniquely comfortable space for entertaining and relaxing year round. Bathed in natural light the large mahogany windows and five French doors that decorate this space fill your senses with the sights and peaceful sounds of the outdoors. McNear brick flooring in a pleasing circular design, PISE walls and a cedar ceiling finish out the space with charm and natural elegance.
Directly adjacent to the enclosed sunroom and tucked away from the rest of the living areas is a private master bedroom complete with large en suite and enclosed rose garden.
No detail was left undone in this thoughtfully orchestrated master bedroom. The slanted and arched mahogany trimmed ceiling, custom gas fireplace with Mexican tile hearth and French bi-fold doors with copper screen inserts that lead to a private rose garden and patio add to the relaxation and escape this master retreat provides.
Adjoining the bedroom is a complete master bath suite with Jacuzzi tub, separate tile shower and finished with Italian counter tops, a Mexican tile sink, wood cabinets, and a walk-in closet with cedar lined built-in organizer. All windows and doors have hidden screens installed for longevity and ease.
Located directly off the main entrance and the Mediterranean patio is a large guest suite and separate bath.
Overlooking the lush gardens and within earshot of the fountain, this additional bedroom or possible guest quarters is thoughtfully decorated with a cedar coffered ceiling, mahogany windows and shutters and the same pillow paver tiles laid throughout the home.
Approaching the entrance to this property is a wrought iron security gate with code box that opens to a paved circular driveway. Directly to the left of the two car garage is a separately metered and permitted, 1,600± square foot guest house. This spacious guest home is complete with hardwood floors, central heating, tile kitchen counter tops, electric range, separate shower and tub and laundry room.
A uniquely charming greenhouse enclosed in French doors and large windows, coupled with the multiple garden spaces available on this 4.14± acre property, the grounds provide endless possibilities for a promising gardener or outdoor enthusiast.
The utilities for the property are private well and septic. Recently tested by the owner the well pumped at an approximate rate of 20 gallons per minute. The entire home is equipped with a hardwired security system. Also included is a tankless gas, on demand, water heater powered by solar panels.
There is so much to this incredible property that just begs to be seen and experienced. Call us to learn more or to schedule a showing.
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