A Modern Traditional Country Club Home in Northern California

Home Tours / September 13, 2023

A Modern Traditional Country Club Home in Northern California

“Walking into the kitchen, the space is anchored by the plaster range hood, wrapped in white oak trim. Chic cabinetry lines the perimeter with reeded glass uppers. Handmade Zellige tiles, brass fixtures, and modern accents give a compelling design that is functional and beautiful.”

“A standout feature of the kitchen is the dual islands. The smaller island is tucked into the middle of the kitchen and offers prep space for our client who loves to cook. The larger island provides seating for kids and guests. Our goal was to create a space for the host to cook and entertain simultaneously.”

“Bordering the kitchen, you find the dining room. To create cohesion between the two rooms, we used the same slab for the counters and continued the reeded detailing for the drawers using white oak cabinetry. A custom touch we added to combine our clients’ opposing styles was the tray ceiling. Tray ceilings typically lean more traditional, but we were inspired to make it contemporary by using simple detailing and strip lighting.”

“To complete the room, the dramatic, multi-light pendant plays into our clients’ love for more modern pieces.”

“In the living room, warm earth tones and layered materials were emphasized to create a neutral yet impactful aesthetic that is practical, intentional, and beautiful. The space is kept simple with a white oak media console, custom furnishings, and a Visual Comfort light fixture. The light fixture has both modern and traditional elements; the circular shape feels more traditional, while the elongated straight lights are sleek and modern. As you look up, your eyes are drawn to the white oaks beams that cross the ceiling.”

“One of our favorite rooms in the house is a small space with a large impact. The powder bathroom walls are coated in a dark, moody plaster, adding depth and character to the space. The centerpiece of the room is the large, stone sink that catches the eye and is reminiscent of an Italian villa. We love that the room creates a ‘wow’ moment for guests, it is unexpected but fits in seamlessly with the home.”

“Upstairs, the home office conveys the feeling of being in an old-world library, surrounded by hundred-year-old historical books. To keep the space more transitional, we used clean lines throughout the millwork.”

“The moody blue/gray color creates an aura of concentration and calmness, making work from home equally comfortable and productive.”

“The office has the best view of the home, with a private balcony that directly overlooks the fairway of the third hole. Year round, it is green and luscious.”

“Off the entry, guests are greeted with a place to gather and listen to their eldest son play piano. The music room sits opposite the dining and has the same tray ceiling detailing. The fireplace wall is adorned with white painted brick. We chose to do a full brick wall to add texture to the space and tie in the exterior siding. Flanking the fireplace are black built-ins made of steel. We wanted to keep it simple but still have contrast against the white brick. The built-ins have closed storage at the bottom, but we kept the top shelving open for our clients to showcase their cherished finds from international travel.”

“Each bathroom maintains a soft palette. Specifically, in the primary en suite, we paired a classic checkerboard pattern with clean lines, elevated finishes, and organic accents to make the space feel inviting and livable. The steam shower has floor to ceiling handmade Zellige tile and is encased by a 6-inch marble surround. The freestanding tub sits below the large window with a view of sprawling oak trees.”

“His and her vanities were designed with practicality and beauty in mind. Her’s includes a designated makeup area. The wood used for the cabinetry is white oak stained darker to give an authentic feel without yellowing over time.”

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Interior Design: Marin Design Co.

Photography: Stephanie Russo

Architect: Marshall Schneider, Schneider Design Associates

Builder: Nelms Construction

Cabinetry: Case 1

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Today, we’re touring a beautiful Country Club home just outside of Davis, California’s coveted El Macero neighborhood. The area has wide streets lined with mature trees and a strong sense of community. Most homes were built in the 1960s and 1970s, and almost every property is custom construction.

For this project, Marin Design Co.—a Davis firm lead by Marin Deen Wilson—pulled inspiration from the beautiful Northern California surroundings. Now, the home features modern elements, traditional details, and a dose of vintage furniture—resulting in a space that feels sophisticated and timeless. The design team tells us more.

Tell us about this home. What is unique about the location?
With the lot sitting right in front of the third hole on the golf course, it’s safe to say our clients fell in love with the land first. The Country Club Retreat was built on one of the last plots in El Macero that had not yet been developed. For the design we leaned into more of the modern style that you can find throughout the nearby homes: clean lines, black trim windows, and stucco. Brick surrounds the front entry and garage pulling in more traditional elements. While the neighborhood provided influence, it was important for us to bring more up to date design that fit the needs of our clients and stood on its own.

On that note, we’d love to know about your clients. Who lives here?
The family, with three young kids, were ready to plant their roots in a new home that was tailored to them. This included an in-law suite for the clients, to provide a private space for their guests and parents. They wanted an open concept with ample light that allowed the beautiful scenery to be the focal point of the home.

Our clients wanted a cohesive, one-of-a-kind design that was elevated and timeless. The couple had differing design styles, the husband leaning more modern and the wife wanting a traditional home. It was important to highlight their appreciation for modern and traditional design aesthetics while leaning into our design expertise to make their space feel balanced, lived in and comfortable for their family to enjoy for years to come.

What was your scope of work?
We wanted to create the perfect juxtaposition of old and new by intentionally blending design styles to provide a timeless aesthetic. Beautiful design is a coalescence of small details that are intentional and meticulously developed. We especially live by this mantra when it comes to infusing a new build or remodel with character and charm. Our scope of work included everything from construction design to furniture and styling. Being able to be involved from the beginning to the end provides us with a great appreciation for what we do and the clients we get to work with.

Did this project have any challenges?
Every project has its own set of challenges. In our designs, every detail matters. It’s our job to pivot when a problem arises so it’s important to stay flexible and be able to alter small details as needed.

One of the biggest challenges throughout this project was space planning and finding symmetry without compromising functionality. With the intricate structural design of the house, making sure every decision was well thought out was key in creating a cohesive flow that made sense. We wanted the range to be the focal point of the kitchen. This meant centering it on the back wall and designing a hidden pantry to maximize space and keep an open floor plan. To keep with the symmetry and character of the home, we heavily focused on clean, straight lines and removed any harsh angles or dead space to provide a refined, intentional design.

How long did the project take, and what did the client say when they saw the finished space?
Nothing beats the look on a client’s face after the grand reveal; especially when you have clients like ours! This almost 7,000-square-foot project took a little over two years and was a true labor of love. They wanted a space that was expansive yet intimate, luxurious yet livable, especially for their young family to grow and create lasting memories. We are so happy that we were able to deliver just that.

To say our clients were appreciative of this beautiful home is an understatement. They were pleasantly amazed that the design we created was able to interweave their two styles to feel cohesive, natural, and representative of who they are. Being able to design a personalized, one-of-a-kind home for our clients is something we’ll cherish forever.

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