The so-called “Williams-Sonoma House” — once owned by W. Howard Lester, the late president and CEO of the kitchenware brand — has recently hit the market. The three-bedroom, four-bathroom residence with a pool, spa and guest cabin on nearly 9 acres adjacent to Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen is listed for $9,250,000.
The updated circa-1975 home has an exciting take on modern farmhouse style beginning at the exterior. The board-and-batten cladding is painted a wonderfully farm barn-red. In the 6,018-square-feet of living space are grandly sized French doors, wood floors and vaulted ceilings.
Natural light and white walls give an airiness to the open floor plan, but the look is accented with a whimsical, if not gutsy, use of color. Accents in plum, red, forest, teal and sunshine yellow provide pleasing visual surprises throughout the space. The decor maintains all the tranquility of the typical neutral-palette farmhouse, but without the predictability.
The great room is divided by a plum-hued raised panel wall with a fireplace. Dual red credenzas give a bold balance to the look. A hint of red is pulled into the adjacent dining area via a geometric glass pendant.
The kitchen has classic styling with marbles, tin tile ceilings and an ornamented hood. A lemony yellow on the cabinets gives the space an impossibly sweet vibrance.
More sunshiny yellow extends into the trim work of the main bedroom — an inspired choice given the use of brick around the fireplace and stained-wood slatted walls, which are typically paired with neutral colors.
Bathrooms each have their bold accents — brick-red cabinets in one, deep green and sage in others — that enliven the classic marbles and traditional fixtures with shaded sconces.
The park-like grounds include a pool and spa and several spots for al fresco dining, including one under an ancient oak tree. Hiking trails provide an opportunity to explore the lush acreage. The property’s pond can be enjoyed from the home’s deck and crossed via a footbridge. A modern and rustic creekside cabin can provide accommodations for some very lucky guests.
For more information about this home at 1500 Morningside Mountain Road, contact listing agents Daniel Casabonne, 707-494-3130, 707-939-2222, or Gina Clyde, 707-529-8504, 707-935-2288, Sotheby’s International Realty – Wine Country – Sonoma Brokerage, sothebysrealty.com/eng/sales/detail/180-l-1188-q9kd7b/1500-morningside-mtn-road-glen-ellen-ca-95442