To access this Healdsburg, California home, you have to travel up a private three-mile dirt road. “When you reach the property, you feel as though you are on top of the world,” says interior designer Monika Kaplan. “It is situated on a spectacular 240-acre mountaintop parcel located above the Alexander Valley. From the house and pool deck, you have a 360-degree, unobstructed view of the valley and the Mayacamas mountain range.”

The property was purchased in 2019 as a second home, serving as an escape for a busy tech and finance couple. “It was unfortunately destroyed during the 2019 Kincade fire,” Monika shares. “But the couple loved the location and property and were determined to rebuild.” The homeowners reached out to Monika’s firm, Monika Kaplan Design, and Dotter + Soljfeld Architects, which proved to be a creative and collaborative team. 

It was important to consider fire-resistant building materials, without compromising on great design. The structure consists of a combination of stucco, Shou Sugi Ban siding, and rolled steel. These elements were brought inside as well. “We pulled rolled steel into our interior palette to reinforce the exterior material and bring the outside in,” Monika explains. “The front door, fireplace surround, and kitchen range hood are all rolled steel.”

For the interior style, Monika was tasked with creating more of a feeling than a look, as the couple wanted an escape from their demanding and busy work lives. “They wanted a calming space that was easy to entertain in,” the designer says. “And of course they wanted the views to be front and center. A gorgeous pool perched on the edge of the terrace defies gravity with its infinity edge disappearing into the spectacular view. Large floor to ceiling windows and sliding doors span the length of the great room leading to the pool terrace, blurring the lines between inside and outside.”

They minimized the palette and materials to create a layered and inviting space. For consistency, all millwork and cabinetry are crafted from oak, while doors and windows have trimless edges with recessed baseboards throughout keeping the walls clean and modern. “This provided a perfect backdrop for the natural wood doors and hand cast Sun Valley Bronze hardware,” the designer explains. “We used hand-crafted tile and natural stone almost everywhere to reinforce this natural and organic sensibility. With the furnishings, we focused on furniture shapes that are low with soft curves and often organic in shape—always keeping in mind the views and the importance of keeping those front and center. We used layers and texture to warm the space and ensure it was inviting. The focus was on creating an environment where you want to sit with a glass of wine (or cup of coffee) and take it all in.”

The location was the highlight and also the greatest challenge. “It presented significant logistical challenges throughout construction,” Monika recalls. “From the delivery of materials and cajoling of subs and artisans to make the trek to the ongoing road maintenance required due to downed trees and mudslides during the winter months—the location presented challenges to the very end. Even at installation, furniture, lighting, and art all had to be prepared and packed with the knowledge it would be jostled along the way. We had more than one sub show up at the base of the mountain and call to say they were going to pass on the job.”

It took a year to design and nearly two years for construction. “The clients are absolutely thrilled with the result,” the designer tells us. “The team—architect and interiors—exceeded the clients’ expectations for the property and delivered a sustainably built, and aesthetically modern and calming environment for them to escape to.”