September 1, 2020 By Ken Fulk Veranda
Just outside of the historic center of Healdsburg, California is a 52-acre vineyard estate that’s lived as a private haven for nearly a century. It was originally part of a vast ranch owned by the actor Fred MacMurray, known for his roles in film noir classics like Double Indemnity and the hit TV show My Three Sons. It’s here that he would come to raise his family and escape the Hollywood life.
The ranch has changed hands a couple times since, most recently when my dear friends and longtime clients purchased a portion of it, having outgrown a neighboring home we had designed for them nearly 15 years ago. The “wine country” life—defined by the rhythm of the vineyards, cycling along winding roads, sun-drenched afternoons by the pool, harvest celebrations—had become ingrained in their family traditions, but as their kids grew and began families of their own, they found themselves needing more room to spread out and give space to the next generation. The appeal of this property was clear. Showstopping views stretched across seemingly endless vineyards with the Mayacamas Mountains painted in the distance. An irresistible sandy beach traced the meandering Russian River, and a series of houses and barns were ideal for a multigenerational family compound.
But while each of the structures was appealing in its own right, they were incongruous as a whole. For example, the Hill House (as the main house is now known) was well designed but felt somewhat out of place in the organic setting. A 21st-century addition, it was a bit too hard-edged and dominated the landscape rather than connecting to it. As for the 1920s ranch house, a recent renovation had stripped away some of the original details—or at least what I romantically imagined had been there.
Working with a small team led by Project Manager Milton Nolan and Senior Designer Brian Anderson, we set out to leverage the unique characteristics of the diverse buildings and create a more holistic vision of the property, starting with better anchoring Hill House to its surroundings. We added dense, mature tree ferns along the perimeter and fast-growing vines that would literally attach the house to the land (and offer a sense of privacy) and replaced a troublesome koi pond that forced an awkward flow at the entry with a lush palm court. The exterior of the house was coated in a cool, soft white the color of old bleached stone.
Inside, we gave the place some real soul by repurposing the family’s treasured pieces from the last home and adding a mix of bespoke, vintage, and artisan finds. We covered the walls in the dining room in a hand-painted mural emulating rammed earth. Natural materials such as stone, steel, and wood combined with soft suedes, Belgian linens, and luxe velvets to add warmth and comfort.
In the ranch house, we wanted to bring back a sense of Old California. For this, we teamed up with our friends and frequent collaborators John Ike and Carl Baker of Ike Kligerman Barkley Architects. To add heft and authenticity back to the interiors, we replaced Sheetrock walls with board-and-batten, and used wide-plank reclaimed wood where thin-strip oak had been. The exception is in the large farmhouse-style kitchen, which has antique brick floors and an authentic Hoosier cabinet. A flip-up window reminiscent of a roadside diner allows the family to pull up a chair from the outside and join the kitchen conversation.
Each of the six bedrooms was given its own “movie,” as I like to say, meaning a narrative thread inspired by famous films, plays, or photographs that helps define our creative direction. To further our vision of an American pastoral set in the 1940s through ’60s, we selected a backdrop of romantic wallpapers and vintage furnishings that would evoke the sense that this house had evolved over time.
When the sun is glinting on the golden vineyards and the river is sparkling in the distance, there remains no doubt that this place has been a special haven for generations. Protecting it and being good stewards of the land were always top of mind, even as the heart of our mission was to create a setting for family gatherings that would stand the test of time. With wedding plans in the works for next year and shared memories of sheltering there this past spring, it’s clear we accomplished what we set out to do.
This feature originally appeared in the September/October 2020 issue of VERANDA. Interior Design by Ken Fulk; architecture by Ike Kligerman Barkley; Landscape design by Blasen Landscape Architecture; photography by Douglas Friedman; Styling by Mindi Steiner; written by Ken Fulk.