Architecture is endlessly fascinating; it’s easy to pinpoint what decade a house was built in, and sometimes even who the architect was or what school they’re from. Even those who aren’t interested in what a Bungalow is or why Victorian homes have that name will still have a very strong opinion about what they like and don’t like, and usually won’t care who built it.
What throws a wrench in all this are the houses that don’t fit neatly into any category. Custom built homes that are created at the whim of the designer, and sometimes a whole lot of input from the homeowner are sometimes the most stunning to look at. Of course, it can be easy to pinpoint the decade they were built in if the interior remains unchanged – color, tile work, and flooring are good indicators.
But when you find something you just really, really like because of how unique it is, it becomes a secondary concern. For some homebuyers, the allure of something completely different is a better use of money than something that may just ‘fit in.’ Luckily, Sonoma County embraces the expression of all things extraordinary, so anyone who wants to stand out has an excellent chance of finding just the right house here. Scroll through the gallery to see 8 unique, custom houses on the market now…
8 Unique and Custom Homes Recently Listed in Sonoma County
23570 Fort Ross Rd, Cazadero - $725,000
1 bed 1 bath 1,100 square feet. Year built: 1977
Exterior. (Photo courtesy of Vanguard Properties)
Located on 40 acres (really, 40) this house does have a style associated with it - it's a Navajo Hogan-style home with a 20 foot high rounded ceiling. However, the inside isn't at all like a traditional Navajo home. Click to see...
Interior. (Photo courtesy of Vanguard Properties)
Built in 1977, the inside of the house is completely modern. It's listed as a utopian place to use as a secluded getaway from daily stresses. My first concern would be the heating bill. However, the my worry is unfounded: this house is completely off-grid and powered by solar and propane. Scroll to check out the view from the top of the stairs...
Overview. (Photo courtesy of Vanguard Properties)
The biggest hurdle would be for a homeowner who's afraid of heights. This is the view from the upper loft - not for the queasy. Click to head somewhere closer to a downtown...
3664 Primrose Ave, Santa Rosa - $695,000
2 beds, 1 bath, 1,921 square feet. Year built: 1979.
Exterior. (Photo courtesy of Century 21 NorthBay Alliance)
This unique house is all about the angles. At first glance, it looks like it may have been going for A-frame, but then the plans changed. It's a fully custom home; click to see what the interior looks like...
Interior. (Photo courtesy of Century 21 NorthBay Alliance)
The interior is the best example of how angles are basically, well, everywhere in this home. But this house does have another special piece that may make it even more attractive to a potential buyer. Scroll to see what it is...
Guest house. (Photo courtesy of Century 21 NorthBay Alliance)
Tucked away in the yard is a one bedroom guest house. It's not as interesting as the main house, but it can be used a a rental to help bring in revenue for the homebuyer. but there are more interesting homes to see, click to check out the next property...
377 Lakewood Ln, Geyserville - $890,000
4 beds 3 baths 1,807 square feet. Year built: 1970.
Exterior. (Photo courtesy of North County Properties)
This 1970's house has an asymmetric roofline that makes it feel like a good fit for the area. With 4 bedrooms, it's a good single family home, or a vacation property if that's what someone's looking for. Scroll to see how the roofline affects the interior layout...
Dining room. (Photo courtesy of North County Properties)
The roofline causes the interior to feel spacious, along with the sizable picture windows adding to the indoor/outdoor living aesthetic. The homeowners can choose to join a nearby private lake for summer activities. Click to see how this roofline comes in handy...
Living space. (Photo courtesy of North County Properties)
From the living room, you can see how the extra space makes room for an open hallway to the second floor rooms. But this house is one of the tamer examples, scroll to see something really unique...
4010 Susan Ln, Penngrove - $1,200,000
4 beds, 3 baths, 3,186 square feet. Year built: 1979.
Exterior. (Photo courtesy of RE ebroker)
This home is built on an interestingly shaped lot, and has an intersting collection of rooflines, patios, and places to relax all throughout. Scroll to see an example of what I mean...
Roof patio. (Photo courtesy of RE ebroker)
Here's a sweet little rooftop hangout - you can see that if you were up here, you'd be hidden by the roofline. Click to see another hangout...
Roof patio. (Photo courtesy of RE ebroker)
Here's another patio that overlooks the backyard and gives a panoramic view of the mountains. The interior's really neat, as well, but finding all these random rooftop patios was like going on a treasure hunt. Scroll to see what's unique in Petaluma...
15 Kent St, Petaluma - $899,000
3 beds 3 baths 5,618 square feet. Year built: 1930.
Exterior. (Photo courtesy of Sotheby's International Wine Country)
This early 1900s house? Loft? Business? is being sold as a single family home that's seen many different renovations. Here's the unique part - these images are all an architect's rendering of what the city's approved for it...you'd still need to hire a contractor. Click to see the back of the building with some computer additions...
Back exterior. (Photo courtesy of Sotheby's International Wine Country)
The brick and faded sign are all what's current about the building, while the doors, roof deck railing, and bright green tree are suggested additions. Scroll to see the suggested roof deck...
Suggested roof addition. (Photo courtesy of Sotheby's International Wine Country)
This modern roof patio would be a nice - and expensive - addition. Whatever the homebuyer does decide to do for a home, they're going to be starting with a one-of-a-kind space. Click to get to another property with zero computer graphics...
1471 Los Alamos Rd, Santa Rosa - $1,399,999
4 beds, 3 baths, 2,739 square feet. Year built: 1984.
Exterior. (Photo courtesy of Vanguard Properties)
This house is described as a 'custom country home with Craftsman architectural details', but I'm not really seeing the Craftsman yet. At all. What I do think will play out nicely on the inside are the numerous windows. Scroll to get a look inside...
Living room. (Photo courtesy of Vanguard Properties)
The chair, the floor, and (kind of) the fireplace are Craftsman-y, but check out that cool custom window following the line of the roof. Speaking of custom, click to see the kitchen...
Kitchen. (Photo courtesy of Vanguard Properties)
This kitchen is completely custom, and the woodwork and hardware used is Craftsman inspired, so I'll agree with the description as written. There's also a lot more neat, unique details throughout the home that make it a true one-off. Scroll for the next property...
23655 Vineyard Rd, Geyserville - $850,000
2 beds, 2 baths, 2,006 square feet. Year built: 1980.
Exterior. (Photo courtesy of North County Properties)
This house is a Lincoln Log Home, so though it's a 'planned' house, it's a unique house by default. It needs work, but a stroll through the interior shows why it's special. Click to go inside...
Living room. (Photo courtesy of North County Properties)
They're taking the log cabin part seriously; the railings are a neat rustic touch. Scroll to see another room...
Upstairs room. (Photo courtesy of North County Properties)
In case you wondered, this house is all about being, well, a log cabin. Exposed wood is everywhere. Click to check out the last property...
33250 Sea Forest Dr, The Sea Ranch - $1,350,000
2 beds, 2 baths, 2,876 square feet. Year built: 1991.
Exterior. (Photo courtesy of Kennedy & Associates)
This house has the best listing description - 'architecturally interesting.' But while it may be 'interesting' from the outside, the use of windows and sharp rooflines come together nicely throughout the interior. Scroll to see what I mean...
Living room. (Photo courtesy of Kennedy & Associates)
This high-ceiling, light filled living room overlooks the ocean. Besides the stunning views, it looks like a cozy place to sit on a cold winter day. Click to see another unique detail in this home...
Stairway detail. (Photo courtesy of Kennedy & Associates)
The Sea Ranch is a blend of both ocean and woodsy aesthetics, this detail of the what looks like one of the trees surrounding the house growing through the stairway is a one-of-a-kind addition.
