Spectacular unobstructed views of the Bay, Bridge, Alcatraz, San Francisco skyline and the rolling hills of Marin greet you from almost every window of this stunning Provençal Villa located in the acclaimed Middle Ridge neighborhood of Mill Valley. Built in 2000, this exclusive 5 bedroom, 5+ bath estate was thoughtfully designed by architect Jorge de Quesada to provide a classically elegant backdrop for today’s active lifestyle. Perfectly positioned on over half an acre with flat lawns and an award winning garden there is unmatched sense of privacy just minutes from the shops and restaurants of downtown Mill Valley. A curved stone staircase leads from the charming entry gate to the private front lawn and on to the grand hand carved front door. A gracious formal entry and wide hall opens out to the main living spaces of the home and out to the view beyond. The Venetian plaster walls and soaring ceilings provide an open airy feeling to the living room and country chef’s kitchen, while three sets of oversized French doors lead onto the Jerusalem Limestone patios and bring in the panoramic views. The chef’s kitchen is the focal point of the warm welcoming great room and features a range-top and double wall ovens, two dishwashers, marble counters and sinks with Waterworks fixtures. The tile backsplash behind the range pays homage to Monet’s Giverny kitchen. A fireplace offers up a cozy sitting area to lounge and watch television or curl up with a book. There is ample space for a farm table for casual dining. In addition to a well-appointed formal living room, the main level of this estate includes an office, stunning library/den with faux tortoise detailing, butler’s pantry, powder room, and a wonderful indoor/outdoor flow allowing the spectacular setting to envelop every space. A wide staircase leads up to the four main bedrooms of home. There is a spacious master suite complete with private balcony and French doors showcasing the views. The suite features his and her baths complete with walk – in closets, and steam showers. In hers there is a sumptuous soaking tub positioned to make the most of the view. Two additional bedrooms share a bath while the third is en-suite. The laundry room features a second set of stairs leading back to the butler’s pantry, garage and outdoor areas. The lowest level of the home includes a legal second unit complete with kitchen, spacious walk in closet, private entry and patio area. In addition to interior access to the second unit there is a spacious exercise room, the potential for a poolside kitchenette, second laundry room, and secure storage area primed to become a state of the art tasting room/wine cellar. From the main level the spacious entertaining patio leads you out to the magnificent grounds and pool area. Designed by Steve Stucky, the gardens were featured on the 2007 Mill Valley Outdoor Art Club tour. A level lawn leads to the focal point of the grounds; the iconic “Crags Head” outcropping favored by hikers as far back as the 19th century. The perfect place to stop for lunch and take in the spectacular view. The Century old Sonoma Olive trees and lavender plantings add a Mediterranean touch to the two lawn areas that also include an antique fountain, and a charming custom Barbara Butler playhouse. Inspired by Provence and built to exacting standards this charming villa provides an elegant yet welcoming environment designed to meet the needs of today’s active lifestyle while staying true to its Continental roots creating a warm and inviting space ready to call home.

Casual yet elegant library custom designed for this Hamptons house. This library has a casual yet elegant feel attained by layering deep comfortable sofas with custom made footstool in lieu of a coffee table, antiques from Morocco, Cambodia, Burma and France.Sofas and footstool by Interieurs. Custom library and wall panels .Lighting design by Francine Gardner Photo:Fred reugg

Our La Cañada studio juxtaposed the historic architecture of this home with contemporary, Spanish-style interiors. It features a contrasting palette of warm and cool colors, printed tilework, spacious layouts, high ceilings, metal accents, and lots of space to bond with family and entertain friends. --- Project designed by Courtney Thomas Design in La Cañada. Serving Pasadena, Glendale, Monrovia, San Marino, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, and Altadena. For more about Courtney Thomas Design, click here: https://www.courtneythomasdesign.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.courtneythomasdesign.com/portfolio/contemporary-spanish-style-interiors-la-canada/

Imagery Intelligence, LLC

fabulous photos by Tsutsumida

Located on four acres in rural Santa Margarita, The Jacobson Residence is a contemporary early California/Spanish-influenced family home. Designed for a couple and their two young children, this large home aims to capture the views of Santa Margarita Valley while complimenting the rural setting. Architecturally, the Spanish influence is characterized by the stucco finish, turreted entry, tile roof and iron work details throughout. At just over 4,900 SF the interior layout includes enough space to meet the needs of the parents and children alike. A large great room and kitchen feature vaulted ceilings with exposed beams, arched doorways and travertine floors. For the children, an 800 SF play room, located on the second floor opens to a balcony overlooking the back of the property. The play room, complete with its own bathroom and exterior entry, has the flexibility to later be converted into a guest apartment. The expansive rear patio backs up to acres of lush grass and the Santa Margarita countryside. The outdoor fireplace and large French doors leading into the house, make this space ideal for entertaining and enjoying the views.

Upstairs loft family/game room overlooking downstairs great room.

Bosc d’en Pep Ferrer es el topónimo tradicional de una parcela de gran extensión ubicada junto a la playa de Migjorn, en la costa Sur de la isla de Formentera. En ella hay una lugar que desata el deseo de habitar una onírica panorámica donde el horizonte solo queda recortado por la bella silueta de la Torre des Pi des Català, erigida en 1763. El proyecto se gesta en la dualidad entre lo telúrico y lo tectónico. Lo pesado y lo ligero. Tierra y aire. Lo artesanal y lo tecnológico. Esfuerzo a compresión y resistencia a tracción. La roca, que aflora superficialmente en el lugar elegido, se ha esculpido como si de una escultura se tratase, ofreciendo un vacío que recuerda a las canteras de piedra de ‘marès’. Una espacio materializado con una sola piedra. Monolítico. Megalítico. Estereotómico. La intervención acoge una vivienda para una familia sensible con el medio ambiente, cuyo programa se reparte en tres módulos ligeros construidos en seco y el vacío generado por substracción de materia en la planta inferior. Esta disposición longitudinal da lugar a sucesiones de vacío-lleno, patios, pasarelas de conexión, visiones transversales y al descubrimiento por sorpresa de un espacio esculpido por el tiempo: una cueva natural en el patio de acceso principal, que durante las obras se integró al conjunto.La estructura es fácilmente inteligible y se manifiesta en tres estratos con niveles de precisión ascendentes: en la planta inferior se hace evidente la inexistencia de muros de contención añadidos al sustrato rocoso, así como la aparición una pequeña estructura de hormigón que regulariza el nivel superior de dicha planta y constituye la plataforma de apoyo de la planta baja. En la planta superior, como si de una maqueta a escala real se tratase, el montaje biapoyado de la estructura se hace evidente desde el interior, donde se ha dejado vista en la mayor parte de los casos, convergiendo en un solo elemento (paneles de madera contra-laminada) varias funciones: estructura, cerramiento y acabado. La nobleza de los materiales utilizados y de sus uniones ha estado presente en el proceso de proyecto y ejecución. Bajo criterios de bioconstrucción han primado los de origen natural y si era posible del propio lugar: roca esculpida, grava de machaqueo de la propia excavación, piedra caliza capri, madera de pino y de abeto, paneles de algodón reciclado, mármol blanco macael, pintura al silicato de alta permeabilidad, etc. Esto ha revertido en unos cerramientos higroscópicos y permeables al vapor del agua, que permiten un ambiente interior más agradable y sano, a la vez que necesita de menos aportes energéticos para un correcto funcionamiento. A nivel ambiental, la propuesta incorpora sistemas bioclimáticos pasivos de probada eficacia en este clima, así como la autosuficiencia de agua gracias a un aljibe de gran volumen que reaprovecha el agua de lluvia.

Esta parcela plana en esquina goza de orientación Sur y su mínima pendiente permiten diseñar sin prácticamente condicionantes de partida. Tomamos la decisión de agrupar los espacios de la vivienda en un volumen de dos plantas para así mantener el máximo espacio exterior posible para su disfrute en los días de verano y dejar el espacio suficiente para, en un futuro, situar una piscina. Para maximizar la iluminación natural interior y la ventilación cruzada situamos un patio central que tiene la misión de extender el horizonte visual y crear en el usuario una percepción de amplitud mucho más allá de los límites de los espacios interiores. Esta técnica de arquitectura pasiva, juntos con otras implementadas en el diseño, minimiza el consumo energético y maximiza el confort interior de la vivienda.

Vista del salon; paredes de ladrillo macizo original, techo de hormigón pintado de blanco y ventanas encuadradas en marcos.