Sometimes the opportunity arises to create the truly original and, in many ways, magical. This Craftsman Mansion in the back-country of Poway, California was one such opportunity.
The design and execution of this project was a constant evolution created by the close cooperation between our team at Expanding Horizons, our client and Joseph McCarter with his incredibly talented team at J.W. McCarter & Associates
Massive Outdoor Fireplace and Flagstone patio overlooks the Tennis Court
The exterior walls of the mansion were faced with boulders at the base, then progressively smaller natural rock that was all sourced from the site when the basement was excavated.
Here is the front of the Outdoor Fireplace at night as seen from the Central Courtyard
Front Entry illuminated at night
Looking out from the house at the Outdoor Fireplace Area
Reminiscent of a Medieval Castle, a massive Flying Buttress was added to the side of the Carriage House
Details of the interior Courtyard.
This Wine Cellar was located in the basement. Expanding Horizons did the Castle Walls, the Idaho Quartzite Floors and the exposed aggregate Vaulter Ceilings.
Closeup of the Castle Walls
This restroom in the basement also included the Castle Wall Finish
Castle Walls surround spiral staircase from basement up to the Dining Room
Undulating inlaid pebble-work simulates the wave motion of the ocean
Up to 6′ diameter boulders anchor the walls of the front of the Carriage House
Massive rock and brick pillars support a trellis off over a bedroom patio. The paving was a combination of Idaho Quartzite and inlaid pebble work
Built-in Bench seat of curving, 3″ thick Red Mountain Flagstone with bull-nosed face
Bench flows up out of the Landscaping and then back down on the other side
Gate pillar is almost eight feet across at the base and over ten feet high
Primary Entrance into the Foyer from the Courtyard
Stylized Oak Tree inlaid into the brick wainscoting on the back of the mansion was created from Beach Pebbles, Cobalt Glass and Amethyst (for the leaves of the tree)
Windswept Tree inlaid into back-rest of bench near fire-pit.
Fire-pit of various natural materials overlooks swimming pool and the San Pasqual Valley beyond
Swimming Pool with Nautilus detail in pool floor and more as seen illuminated in the evening
This solid rock building with a Green Roof houses the Swimming Pool Equipment and survived the October 2017 wildfire that burned right up to it unscathed.
This Stylistic ‘Tree of Life’ Was carved into the brick face of this fountain and created from Amethyst, Jade and Petrified Wood
Closeup of the undulating Pebble-work on the face of the landing
Courtyard Fountain flows water out of another Flying Buttress
Closeup of Bench shows details of the backrest and cap
One-of-a-kind Custom Made Tiles face these steps to the second floor
Close up of the Front of the Carriage House
Outdoor Kitchen and Pizza Oven and swimming pool in background
Bryan Morse is the former Director of the Gardens and CEO of Alta Vista Botanical Gardens in Vista, CA. He is an Environmental Artist-Contractor with over fourty years experience in custom landscape design and construction.
Morse's projects have been featured in numerous articles in Magazines and Newspapers, on HGTV, the National Conservancy's Spring Tour and on the Spring Tour of the San Diego Chapter of the Landscape Architects Association.
View all posts by Bryan Morse
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