It’s not easy to feel like you are living in the country within commuting distance of a big city, but this residence achieves that illusion. A young family with three children acquired 3 acres of land with an unimpeded, sloping view; a meadow and variety of trees; a creek; and no other houses in sight. The husband, a Frenchman who works in finance, dislikes the suburbs and yearned for a home that would remind him of the countryside in his native land.
A cobblestone courtyard with two trees echoes European entryways, and can be furnished for events. From it one can see through the house, across the main living space to the outdoors through floor-to-ceiling glass doors, down amphitheatre steps and beyond to that long view.
The mostly single-story house spreads out on its ample site and bends to take advantage of different micro-climates. Near the entryway is a freestanding guest house with its own living room. A bedroom wing is connected to the great room but turns toward the densely wooded creek area. The master suite, two additional bedrooms and a playroom are housed in this wing, all with lush views.
Materials include concrete floors and warm wood siding.
A small lower story houses a media room, wine cellar and the client’s study. He can step away from his desk into the shade of a mature oak tree.
There are no lawns, only meadows with wildflowers in seasonal colors. There are many deer in the area.
