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[Oznell]

It's in San Rafael, California.  I can already hear people protesting --  "too many stairs"!   Too many for me too, but as an historical remnant, love.

Homeowner and designer Holly Snow Hollenbeck feels it's a cross between shingle style, and "castle"!  Love that craggy stone work, turret and arches, which also remind me of the Richardsonian Romanesque architectural style, which I always associate with Chicago, for some reason...

She's planted the gardens with her favorites, roses, magnolia and boxwood.

I adore rugged stone like this, so strong and "baronial" looking...

The house was built in 1906 by a shipping merchant for his wife, and dubbed the "Villa Julia", named after her.  It's exceptionally light and lively inside, for the era.

Holly envisioned a feminine palette of blushes, aubergines, balanced by a bit of blue and gray, and the occasional accent of sharp mustard.

She loves vintage, especially high-style furniture of the 60's and 70's. But she insists on keeping all the original early 20th century architectural features-- the picture moldings, the French doors, the leaded glass book cases, the handsome coffered ceilings.

Her curvy, pinky-peach mohair couches are luxe, pulled up to the fireplace.  But all of her fabrics are kitty and doggy scratch proof!

This little guy is so sweet and ravishing, and he's allowed right up on the couch...

Geometric rug ( which echoes the pair of 70's mirrors seen in picture #4), and modern double coffee table, cool.  There's that rugged stone, reappearing on the front of the fireplace...

The family room adds a deeper aubergine or eggplant color, to the existing pinks.  Makes sense, with 3 kids and pets hanging out here...  What do you think of the ombre'd effect of the tri-tone curtains-- I find that they "bracket" the room strikingly. 

She finds such interesting geometric mirrors, like this smoky one over the fireplace--

Her kids practise on the antique Steinway...

And Lucy the cat luxuriates in the sun that pours into the room--

Awwww...

Holly hunted for a cat tree that would at least sort of blend with her scheme, ha.

Holly has several collecting passions, among them art photography, and books.

The dining room is flooded with light as well--

I like the way each room has a different type of original fireplace.  The dining room one is elaborately carved.  Wild, pretty botanicals on the mantel.  The twin sideboards are burled, from the 70's.... neat brass "bubble" lamps. 

Spacious, light kitchen.   Anyone spot the bunny?

Holly is grateful that the previous owners created a divided island in the long room.

The turret room has that bay of curving windows, and a bit of an Art Deco feeling is reinforced by the ribbed cabinet, light sconces and bordeaux chair, bottom left. 

Small but splashy powder room--

Soothing bedroom--

Looking out onto the front lawns through that thick-walled, magnificent arch...

[JudyL]

Hmmmm, I like the outside, the arch, the cat and the dog.  That's about it.

[Citrine1]

The outside of the home is lovely, as are the grounds, but I'd be hard pressed to find anything on the inside that I like.  Her taste is so very different than mine.

[roeroe1005]

The house & grounds are beautiful.  

I'm not too crazy with some of the inside furniture/carpeting.  I could never do my "business" in that bathroom.  The wallpaper would give me a headache.

[faeriemoon]

The exterior and grounds are beautiful. 

[luvzchiz]

@Oznell   I'll take the pup which appears to blend well with his/her surroundings.  I'm sure there's a pink tongue to match.  

As you noted, the house has too many stairs, but at least there's no snow to shovel.  

Thanks again for sharing these unique abodes.  

[Imaoldhippie]

Lovely house and lovely lady, and cute doggo!

[kaydee50]

I like the dog.  Nothing else is my style or taste.

[Bonkers1]

Love it not too cluttered.

[CANDLEQUEEN]

I love the outside, the floors, the Master Bedroom is really pretty and I love all of the windows.

Most of the decor is not my style or taste, but it is a lovely home.

There is something about the separate islands in the kitchen I don't care for either. It seems like a disconnect to me.