Forestville is a good place for a weekend day trip to the Russian River or a relaxing hike through the redwoods. It’s been off my radar for a while, in terms of listings, because the houses tend to be more like vacation cabins or fixer-uppers.
Then came this estate. It’s located on 21.85 acres and has zoning that will allow it to be, well, whatever the home buyer wants it to be. Single family home, vineyard, wine production, vacation retreat, farm, artist’s colony…it’s possible to do any of these things here, and it looks like the current owners already have.
The yard is a study in organization and carefully planned areas to relax in, from a pool with a waterfall to an area to relax by a pond. But inside is a study in eclectic tastes – of only the highest order. From marble floors to custom woodwork, it may be difficult to decide if you’d rather spend the day outdoors in the sun, or inside trying to find all the unique additions. Scroll through the gallery to see which you think you’d prefer…
Artistic Forestville Estate Newly Listed at 5.9M
123 Nolan Ct, Forestville - $5,999,000
3 beds, 3 baths, 2,914 square feet. Year built: 1991
View from above. (Photo courtesy of The Lucero Group at Vanguard Properties)
From the aerial view, you can already tell this estate has a lot going on.
The vineyards are surrounded by redwoods, and the blue of the pool looks inviting even from this height. Click to get closer...
Exterior. (Photo courtesy of The Lucero Group at Vanguard Properties)
Getting closer, you can differentiate the main house from the guest house/workshop and
see the carefully planned flagstone patio. Scroll to get an even closer look...
Front exterior. (Photo courtesy of The Lucero Group at Vanguard Properties)
At ground level, the home doesn't seem especially sprawling, though 2,914 square feet is sizable for a 3 bedroom house. The interior has a lot going on, so before heading inside, let's take a look at the yard. Click to head to the first outdoor seating area...
Pond. (Photo courtesy of The Lucero Group at Vanguard Properties)
I can't say with any certainty whether this is a koi pond or not, but it does look like a relaxing area to sit and chat, or read. Scroll to see what else is going on in the yard...
Outdoor dining area. (Photo courtesy of The Lucero Group at Vanguard Properties)
This solid picnic table has a vine covered pergola over it, making this a picturesque are a for an outdoor lunch, or, if you wanted to rent the area out, an intimate wedding reception area. Click to see a couple more areas before heading inside...
Pool. (Photo courtesy of The Lucero Group at Vanguard Properties)
The pool is just as blue up close, but there's something even better that we haven't seen yet. Scroll to take a look from the other side...
Waterfall. (Photo courtesy of The Lucero Group at Vanguard Properties)
The pool looked 'okay' from the other side, but when you step in from this side, it has its own grotto complete with a custom waterfall. But we've spent too much time outside, click to head into the main house...
Front entry. (Photo courtesy of The Lucero Group at Vanguard Properties)
Stepping into the front entry, there's a lot going on. The round tile work evokes Victorian wood marquetry, as does the custom foyer table. There's elaborate gold leafed candlestick holders looking a bit Rococo, an Arts & Crafts entry to to the living room, and rustic (maybe Shaker or Amish) wood chairs. It's a lot, but it does look cozy. Scroll to see more...
Sitting room. (Photo courtesy of The Lucero Group at Vanguard Properties)
This sitting/music room also has a lot going on, in term of art-decades, but as you'll see, the whole house does. We'll leave it at that moving forward. What is a nice custom addition is the wood door. Click to see more...
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Guest room. (Photo courtesy of The Lucero Group at Vanguard Properties)
This guest room is a good contrast to the entry and sitting rooms. The clean lines and sparse furnishings create a good setting for the original paintings on the walls. We're seeing an art theme throughout the home. Scroll to get a surprise with the master bedroom...
Master bedroom. (Photo courtesy of The Lucero Group at Vanguard Properties)
I wasn't going to talk about art - but if you like the High Renaissance (think Michelangelo and the 1500s) you will love this bedroom. Besides the Sistine Chapel ceiling, the bed would have made a member of the Medici family proud. Click to see the master bathroom...
Master bathroom. (Photo courtesy of The Lucero Group at Vanguard Properties)
Okay, last time (mostly). Because it's being referenced by the small statue, the intricate marble tile work throughout takes this back to about 33 b.c. and the Roman Baths (thermae) of that time. Scroll to head to the living room...
Living room. (Photo courtesy of The Lucero Group at Vanguard Properties)
The Spanish stone tile always makes a room feel casual and welcoming. It even works with the Persian rugs and the Greek bust on side table. When a home has been built (fairly) recently (1991) there's a chance for the architects/designers/and homeowners to pick and choose. Click to check out the kitchen...
Kitchen. (Photo courtesy of The Lucero Group at Vanguard Properties)
We're going to start seeing a lot more of the custom woodwork soon, the islands in this ultra-casual kitchen are just the start. Scroll to see another view...
Kitchen. (Photo courtesy of The Lucero Group at Vanguard Properties)
From this side of the islands, you can tell there's a lot happening in the great room, architecturally. Click to check it out...
Great room. (Photo courtesy of The Lucero Group at Vanguard Properties)
Cathedral ceilings, a loft to sky gaze in, plenty of natural light and custom windows. There's no big screen TV or media room; scroll to find out why...
Library. (Photo courtesy of The Lucero Group at Vanguard Properties)
...you can wander down the spiral staircase and hole up with some books. Or, you can sit at the desk and get some work done and then...read some more books. My kind of place. We have a few more rooms to check out- click to see them...
Guest room. (Photo courtesy of The Lucero Group at Vanguard Properties)
This en-suite guest room is another fine example of custom woodworking. You can't tell from this photo, but there's a fresco on the angled part of the ceiling. Scroll to see the bathroom...
Guest bathroom. (Photo courtesy of The Lucero Group at Vanguard Properties)
This bathroom looks less decorated than the other rooms, but if you look at the floor in the shower, you can see that they did sneak some custom tile work in. In this case, it does keep it in with the look and feel of the house. Click to see where you'd go when you're finished reading that novel from the library...
Billiard room. (Photo courtesy of The Lucero Group at Vanguard Properties)
Of course there's a game room. But again, this is dedicated to games that aren't dependent on electronics. You may wonder what else does this home have in store for the creative types? Scroll to find out...
Studio. (Photo courtesy of The Lucero Group at Vanguard Properties)
This art studio is a painter's dream come true. It also gives a good look at why art and design is referenced so often throughout. But there's one last thing to consider before we head out. Click to see what it is...
Chicken coop. (Photo courtesy of The Lucero Group at Vanguard Properties)
From art, to reading, and fine wine - there's still plenty of room for a small farm. There really is no better breakfast treat than fresh eggs.
