East Bay Pastoral

As soon as they saw this beautiful location, our clients knew this was the perfect spot for building their forever home. Encircled by golden hillsides populated with native oaks, this expansive site sits nestled in a valley, with a seasonal creek flowing through, providing plentiful opportunities for outdoor living for the family and future grandchildren. The valley floor was large enough to fit the home, as well as spaces for multiple activities including swimming, putting & chipping greens, bocce ball, basketball, firepits for evening hang-outs, quiet reflection, entertaining, and gardening.

With a passion for other mediterranean climes around the world, as well as inspiration from landscapes in the California wine country, the clients envisioned a vineyard and retired-orchard olive trees with wizened and gnarled trunks to add a sense of history. Dozens of new native oaks of varying species and sizes and shrubs native to surrounding chapparal area were planted as a part of the design in addition to an extensive edible garden filled with fruit trees and raised vegetable beds. We focused on low-water-use plant selections wherever possible, and the project benefits from use of a well, a significant percentage of permeable paving at driveway, and a large biofiltration planter, which slows down and filters stormwater from roof and paving, before joining the drainage system.

One of the most rewarding aspects of working on this complex, multi-year project was collaborating with the greater team. The architect, interior designer, home builder and all the skilled artisans; landscape contractor, pool contractor, vineyard expert, stone mason, water feature creator, putting green specialist… the results of this wonderful synergy speak for themselves.

Design Team: David Thorne, Kristina Kessel, Alexis Davis Millar & Nadja Kuhner

Landscape Contractor: Leisure Escapes Inc.

General Contractor: Branagh Development

Interior Designer: Maria Tenaglia Design

Photographer: Paul Dyer Photography

Architect:  Talon Design Group

Pool: Alta American Pools

Sculpture: David Harber