The Santa Barbara Rancher…
where gracious interiors and nature softly collide
"Heaven is beneath our feet
as well as over our heads."
…Thoreau
2,300 SF of Extraordinary Renovated Space on 0.23 Acres of Artfully Landscaped Property
3 Spacious Bedrooms . 2.5 Baths
Cook’s Dreamy Kitchen with the Right Amenities
Airy Family Room w/Gas Fireplace and Plasma TV Wall Hookup – Access to Deck &Gardens
Cozy Living Room with Fireplace - Access to Gardens, Fountains
Family Room/Living Room/Dining Room/Patio All Unite for Amazing Entertainment Space
Large Laundry Room with Expansive Capabilities/Storage
2 Car Garage
Wonderful Luxe Flourishes Throughout
As its current owners completed an intensive 6-month renovation lavishing this mid-century property with only the finest in design and materials, the end result reflects the cherished tradition we recognize as pride of place. This circa 1950 Orinda home was in need of an intervention. With great integrity, 201 Orchard Road has been transformed from the ground up into a bright, roomy dwelling that suggests understated elegance and great comfort.
Its charm suggests the alluring ambience of a Santa Barbara Rancher…simply irresistible and soul-satisfying. This gracious home is surrounded by melodious fountains and professionally-designed gardens that will enchant, offering both indoor and outdoor opportunities for rest, family life, work, play and privacy.
A seamless floor plan unfolds on one convenient level. The formal living room serves as the home’s rotunda, directing flow to foyer, kitchen, dining room, family room, rear patio and gardens. Or, to the private bedroom wing where you will also find bathrooms, laundry room and linen closet. The living room’s original wood-burning fireplace has been updated with a new stone veneer and hand-hewn solid-cherry mantels. The fireplace truly serves as a remembrance of times past.
Overlooking tranquil, meandering gardens, the gleaming kitchen is the heart of the home and will surely please any serious cook, for it is a working showpiece. Flanked by dining room and family room, the kitchen is part of an extraordinary space that defines entertaining, for guests will effortlessly circulate amongst the bright, airy commons areas like patio, gardens, living room, dining room, and kitchen. Materials used include all new white finishes combined with mocha, espresso and tan marble counters and stainless steel appliances creating a professional caterer’s environment. There is a Kenmore 5-burner Cook Top serviced by a Pot Filler that delivers water directly to the stovetop with a mere twist of the faucet avoiding heavy lifting, plus an ultra-sleek Kenmore Elite Ventilator Hood. Dual Bosch Ovens & Dishwasher, plus Kenmore Refrigerator, Prep Sink in the bar area, an Apron-Front Farmhouse Sink and under-counter Wine Chiller round out this well-equipped kitchen.
Perfect for dinner parties, intimate dining or a buffet table at your first housewarming party, the dining room adjoins the kitchen and features a charming glass chandelier. This classic square room, replete with expansive windows, offers verdant views of the gardens plus a sculpturally delightful old tree.
The family room, with vaulted ceiling, also adjoins the kitchen and provides access to the captivating patio area and lush, fairytale gardens. A new gas fireplace is featured, and the room is pre-wired with HDMI cabling for state of the art video and audio. Yards of glass, added around the living room, master suite and family room, seamlessly blend the lovely interior with the flora found in this park-like setting.
The bedroom wing features 2 bedrooms with one full bath, powder room, laundry center accessing garage, and linen closet at the forward end of the wing. The master suite, with vaulted ceiling, private garden, decking, and luxurious bath, is at the rear of the wing affording privacy for all rooms. The master suite bath features separate tub, shower, and commode. The soaking tub is equipped with air-jets and two vanities, allowing for ample counter and storage space.
Inspired by an award-winning landscape architect, gardens surrounding 201 Orchard are divine. From the storybook flagstone path that leads to the front door finished in red, to the fully fenced side and back yards, 201 Orchards outdoor living is only matched by the careful consideration given to the experience enjoyed inside the home. The rear garden offers a hand-built wood deck, adjoining a stone patio area, fountains, seating areas and extensive new mature landscaping. A fully installed irrigation system is timed to keep the garden green. A side yard offers grass for play, putting or sunning. Throughout, the new gardens are opportunities for scents, savoring and relaxation. There are places in this yard for reading, playing, grilling or just a good afternoon nap.
The home features the style and design of understated elegance. Bronzed metal finishes, single panel farm-house doors, accent moldings, imported travertine and marble materials and engineered wood floors in the public areas all foster a calm, beautiful classic living experience. The color pallet, materials, finishes, fixtures and features were selected by a local interior designer whose work has appeared in national publications, the San Francisco Chronicle and others. Having collaborated with the project’s builder, L J Wilson Construction, Orinda, on a previous assignment, 201 Orchard was an ensemble effort. Materials were selected for quality and functionality, respected brands such as Kohler, Kenmore Elite and Bosch were a must, as well as easy to match paints from Benjamin Moore. Wood floors are durable, Berber carpeting is 100% nylon for easy care and comfort.
With the support of his longtime crew, a popular Orinda builder, Larry Wilson, L J Wilson Construction, rebuilt the home himself. The renovation plans, drafted by a local architectural firm, Nielsen Architects, called for a heavily engineered foundation and seismic protection as well as ample new power, water, cooling and heating systems. No expense was spared in the construction of this home, quality wood and materials were procured from local vendors and the home’s systems (which include central air, heat and hot water on demand) were installed by local service companies.
The design is clear, classic and simple, highlighting the views, gardens and new surfaces throughout. The only elements missing are you and your precious possessions.
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