This spacious but simple Wine Country home functions as an ideal escape for a San Francisco family. Place in the center of a 40-acre vineyard site, the home has a layout that combines natural materials and plenty of sun in a warm but minimalist environment. The family “simply wanted the home to be simple and appropriate to its site,” says the architect, Nick Noyes. “They weren’t interested in making a statement — they always wanted just a cottage.”

in a Glance
Who lives here: This is a holiday home for a San Francisco family of 4
Location: Healdsburg, California
Size: 2,400 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths

Nick Noyes Architecture

Two wings — one for bedrooms, along with another communal — are linked by aluminum doors along with a custom made sunscreen. The L shape of the two wings generates an outside courtyard. The client, a landscape architect, planted trees to color the courtyard during the California Wine Country’s hot summers.

Nick Noyes Architecture

An open kitchen, living and dining room make up the communal wing.

Nick Noyes Architecture

The customers’ family owns a lumber mill in the Southeast, therefore Southern yellow pine plywood with an exposed grain covers the walls of the home. Southern yellow pine, finished with a whitewash and sealer, constitutes the hardwood flooring.

Nick Noyes Architecture

Simple Shaker cabinets, Caesarstone countertops and Ann Sacks backsplash tiles complement the home’s timeless and laid-back appearance.

Dining table, chairs: antique; bar stools: Emeco

Nick Noyes Architecture

Nick Noyes Architecture

Aluminum storefront doors contribute to the particular sunscreen, which shields the hallway out of harsh sunlight. This side passage also contributes to the bedroom.

Noyes had the sunscreen made from recovered grape stakes from the vineyard.

Nick Noyes Architecture

A custom mustard exterior color functions as a bridge between the surrounding greenery and the standing-seam aluminum roof.

Exterior paint custom by color consultant Helen Eging

Nick Noyes Architecture

The exact same yellow pine plywood runs throughout the home’s bedrooms, providing the upstairs spaces a warm glow. Each piece of plywood was carefully selected from the family’s mill and treated with a transparent, matte sealer for subtle protection.

Nick Noyes Architecture

In cabinets, the plywood contrasts with all the high-gloss white ceiling, beams and built-ins.

Nick Noyes Architecture

Passive solar techniques keep the open home comfy during weather extremes. Overhangs and a trellis on the southern side of the home colour the living room in summer, and plenty of windows bring in the breeze.

Nick Noyes Architecture

A continuous line of clerestory windows under the eaves of the bedroom allows in even more natural lighting.

Though the home appears comparatively isolated, it was constructed in close proximity to some family compound on the home, so the owners could visit with other relatives when they stay here.

Builder: Brian Horick Builders
Photographer: Cesar Rubio

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