Architecture that becomes a flower
by Conrad Buedel
from Tahoe Digest Nov 2003
It looks like a simple New England home from the street. The home is ripe with a true mountain charm. Once you walk down to the impressive entrance, it becomes obvious that this entrance is unique and very special. The front door and surrounding windows have glass etchings and custom carvings to create a work of art depicting our Tahoe mountain scenery. From the inlaid marble floor of the mudroom to the magnificent great room, the home reflects a perfect marriage of wood and stone. The floors are made of Brazilian cherry wood and the vaulted ceilings are mahogany. The eye-catching support columns are also mahogany with polished and unpolished granite inserts. A massive granite fireplace stretches from floor to ceiling. The wall of windows brings the outdoors inside as well as providing excellent lake views. The formal dinging room shares the same wide open space with the great room, separated by a granite topped buffet counter. The kitchen is very striking with soaring ceilings and beautiful cabinets all custom carved with the home's pine cone theme. It is the envy of any gourmet chef and is set up for ultimate entertaining with a totally separate working kitchen! The second kitchen is fully equipped and features expansive storage in the mahogany cabinets that extend up to the ceiling. The inviting breakfast room has a built-in bench and French doors leading to the front gardens. The detailed woodwork is spectacular.
Architect Dennis Zerbel designed this fabulous home. He visited the sloping site prior to construction and wrote down the essence of his design. "A sense of peace and quiet that should be inherent with its architecture. An architecture that becomes a flower ... A simple residence, charming and gentle but bursting with complexity within its own shadow, light and detail." Zirbel did a perfect job of blending the home into the landscape. It appears smaller than 9000 square feet from the outside. He designed the home around three large nine trees. This is the focal point to a bank of windows that makes you feel one with nature. Numerous small individual fireplaces give the residence a warm and cozy mood. The different size windows and custom casework are distinctive. Contractor John Percival spent two years building this remarkable house. "It was a labor of love," he said proudly. He completed Zirbel's vision for the home in grand style. Sandra Kelly Interior Design added the incredible finishing touches. The attention to detail is amazing throughout the entire home. Every bathroom is a masterpiece. The ceiling in the home theater is brilliantly hand painted. All of the fixtures are unique and add special character.
The main level contains the master bedroom wing and a guest wing. A private staircase leas to an extra large office over the three-car garage. The lower level has a family room, office, wine cellar, home theater, gym, guest bedroom, small kitchen, laundry room, and a children's bedroom with custom hand carved bunk beds.
It would take many pages to describe all of the wonderful amenities in this amazing home. Every room is astonishing!
It looks like a simple New England home from the street. The home is ripe with a true mountain charm. Once you walk down to the impressive entrance, it becomes obvious that this entrance is unique and very special. The front door and surrounding windows have glass etchings and custom carvings to create a work of art depicting our Tahoe mountain scenery. From the inlaid marble floor of the mudroom to the magnificent great room, the home reflects a perfect marriage of wood and stone. The floors are made of Brazilian cherry wood and the vaulted ceilings are mahogany. The eye-catching support columns are also mahogany with polished and unpolished granite inserts. A massive granite fireplace stretches from floor to ceiling. The wall of windows brings the outdoors inside as well as providing excellent lake views. The formal dinging room shares the same wide open space with the great room, separated by a granite topped buffet counter. The kitchen is very striking with soaring ceilings and beautiful cabinets all custom carved with the home's pine cone theme. It is the envy of any gourmet chef and is set up for ultimate entertaining with a totally separate working kitchen! The second kitchen is fully equipped and features expansive storage in the mahogany cabinets that extend up to the ceiling. The inviting breakfast room has a built-in bench and French doors leading to the front gardens. The detailed woodwork is spectacular.
Zirbel did a perfect job of blending the home into the landscape. It appears smaller than 9000 square feet from the outside. He designed the home around three large nine trees. This is the focal point to a bank of windows that makes you feel one with nature. Numerous small individual fireplaces give the residence a warm and cozy mood. The different size windows and custom casework are distinctive. Contractor John Percival spent two years building this remarkable house. "It was a labor of love," he said proudly. He completed Zirbel's vision for the home in grand style. Sandra Kelly Interior Design added the incredible finishing touches. The attention to detail is amazing throughout the entire home. Every bathroom is a masterpiece. The ceiling in the home theater is brilliantly hand painted. All of the fixtures are unique and add special character.
