(Source: Zillow)
(Source: NJC)
This home sits low, which in part makes it more challenging to photograph as a number of the facial features are obstructed by trees or other vegetation. Unlike the other two Sisters, this home is a bit hidden from view.
It features a number of trees in the front yard, as well as a semi-circular driveway.
What I like: the arched windows and doorways, with the dark wood trim. The height of the central hall. The elevated stone block tower which sits slightly off center. The alternating depths of the front contour. The texture and tone of the walls.
Perhaps the arched doors on the right side are a bit too large - I understand the need for the symmetry in shape and scale to the arched doorway in the stone tower. But maybe they could have been made a bit smaller. The trim around the arched doors - do I love them or hate them? I'm not sure. Is the right side maybe a tad too busy? Too much going on? I don't know. When I look at this home, I have blips of "ahh, very nice" and "hmm, too much?"
Also, I suppose on a more general note, the problem I find with the newer builds that pay homage to the classic Italian and Spanish styles is that they tend to over-ornamentate (I know its not a word, but I think you get the point). I think it was George Washington Smith, one of the great 20th century architects, that cherished the blank space, the expanse of white plaster on the faces of his homes. Architects today for some reason feel the need to fill all the empty space with knicknacks like oversized windows, decorative trim, columns, wrought ironwork, lamps, medallions, etc etc etc. I don't fault Ashai for this (as much) in this particular home, although I can see how one could make the argument. Architects of today take note: less is more. Less is more.
One other aside about Ashai. I remember reading an interview he did a few years ago where he was asked about his design philosophy. When he described how he approached designing one particular Italian-esque home, he started by saying something like "most of these homes in Italy aren't finished day one, they evolve, over time, in some cases, hundreds of years, and that's reflected in their design." In other words, what we think of today - for example this house - as a design planned and executed from day one, is really the product of a long, evolving response to changing family needs. A new child born? Add a new bedroom to the house. Threat of war and invasion? Let's add a guard tower. Invention of the car? Time to build a garage. So as Ashai does a verbal walk through of his homes, he talks about the "old part" and "new part" of the home. When he designs homes, you can often see, even in the case of this home, how the various parts of the house in some ways look disconnected - as if built at different points in time. I think it would be neat if, as he's describing his designs to his clients, he creates a story about the fictitious family that lived in the house, how they evolved over the years, and made changes/additions to the structure. A new build with a history!
Anyway, on to the backyard.
(Source: Bing Maps)
As you can see from the aerial photos, the backyard is quite spacious and has a pool that runs width-wise. The home also has an open central courtyard which faces the rear garden and pool area. Nothing spectacular to write home about, given what we've seen in the other two homes.
The current owners bought the property in 2003 for $1.5M then built the current home the following year. It was listed for sale for $6.0M in late 2008, then relisted in mid-2010 for $5.0M.
KEY STATS
Location: Lunada, PVE
Style: Italian
Year built: 2004
Architect: Tony Ashai
Square footage: 7,188sf
Lot size: 21,650 (103x225)
Style: Italian
Year built: 2004
Architect: Tony Ashai
Square footage: 7,188sf
Lot size: 21,650 (103x225)
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