A 16,000 square foot Florentine style villa built in the 1920s situated on 28 acres and just 45 minutes south of San Francisco.
With a little revamping, remodeling and redecorating (lots of redecorating) in mind I would take this California estate. Certainly. I would.
The villa has 7 bedrooms, 6 baths, 2 half baths, a pool, a tennis court, beautiful park like grounds and more.
This mansion is for sale. It is listed at $20 million…yes I said $20 million…by Sotheby’s International Realty.
I would get rid of all of the weird paint colors on inside and replace with a mixture of whites, subtle greys and taupes for wall color. I would definitely do a high gloss dark blue library (see last week’s post) and a few other smaller rooms in richer surprising colors.
I like the bones of this home though overall. I think it could be really grand.
This estate has a lot of European history to it actually! European history smack dab in the middle of California? Yes. Apparently the original owner had a passion for Florence, Italy and imported signature pieces of architecture from there back in the 1920s including the marble floor and staircase, as well as the onyx and breccia marble columns from a prestigious villa, wrought iron gates and grille work, together with marble fountains and statuary. Other parts of Europe also provide architectural inspiration with leaded and stained glass windows were purchased in England, France and Italy. Brass hardware, as well as bronze and crystal light fixtures, were purchased in France.
I like a regular home with a little history to it…I absolutely love a mansion with a lot of history to it. Sold (if only I had 20 million dollars just hanging around…if only).
What do you think of this multi million dollar listing? Like it, hate it, see potential or would you take it as is? Do weigh in.
Happy Monday!
xo
Coco
Photos: Sotheby’s International Realty
For some reason it just doesn’t do it for me…but I do love that pool and the veiw…wow.
It’s clearly an amazing property, but it’s just too big. Nothing cozy about this mansion.
I love your plans for the place…it has beautiful bones and that property??? Stunning! Now, if only I had $20 mil kicking around….
I’m with Dianne and Rachel- it just doesnt do it for me either. I love the property and the house on the outside. If I had the money to buy it, I would redecorate the inside to make it more cozy, while maintaining the architecture and the character. I’d call on you to help me do that!
Has potential–it needs window treatments to soften all the hard surfaces though!
Stunning! But I would never want to live there.
20 million! whew! You should check out this listing… we started it at 50 million and now its dropped to 16ish 🙂
http://beacham.com/propertysearch/propertyDetails.php?id=4170119&db=FMLS
I’m just popping off the check my lottery ticket!
Best,
Liz
The bedrooms must be enormous to have only 7 in that monstrosity!
I would be scared alone at night there. But I would certainly be happy for invite to dinner and pool party.
Although there are some really beautiful details in the house, the pool is totally worth it… I would pay 20 million to lay by that pool with that view forever!
Having wandered around a few palatial houses where my home would fit inside their living room footprint and despite all the opulence and beauty, the overwhelming size left the space feeling void of life. Back in my little house, it was homey and welcoming; being alone in that huge place would not be dissimilar to being stranded on an empty, however gorgeous, island. “Be it ever so humble….”
Wow! That is decadence! I think a staging would have really warmed up the mansion and added luxury and show off the scale and opulence. Thanks for sharing Coco.. Lovely to be inspired by you eye and talents!
An enormous waste of resources!
I’m thinking once they built the house, there was no money left for furniture. A piece scattered here and there (that looks terribly uncomfortable at that) does not sell me at all on this one.
i wouldn’t mind living in this little chateau! 😉
If someone gave it to me…I wouldn’t turn it down! 😉
I love the look of it for a party or a huge event. But, other than that it’s not something I’d pick for myself. I need it a little cozier and warmer. But, it is beautiful!
xoxo
Lila Ferraro
I would live by the pool…what a view!!
Coco, you should “PhotoShop” it, at least a room or two, to show a transformation to your liking.
I’m not really a mansion person…..I don’t like large and fancy. Having said that, I love the room with the deep aqua ceiling. Hate the red and pink. Thanks for sharing it though. There is nothing like having a peak into other homes-big or small.
It sure has huge potential…too formal for me at the moment…but a great place nonetheless…I’ll keep that honeysuckle chaise…thanks for sharing.Hope to see you on my blog sometime soon!! xx meenal
I think it could be a great house if you shared it with lots of family and loved ones….But, I dont think I could with them all!
I lurve the opulance, the (extremely) high ceilings, and the period furniture, but as a “home” I could not confidently take it on….but then, that’s why the Interior Designers of this world exist huh. Truly an amazing property Coco : )
I could live in this fabulous home as is. However, I would eventually change the red walls.
Karen T.
Obviously its very beautiful and the grounds are lush..not as impressed with the interiors which was a bit of a surprise. Intersting and I am sure some lucky buyer will have a field day making it their own!
Too grand for my taste! i grew up in a huge house where as a child I used to play Hotel…I guess ever since, i prefer houses where i actually enjoy every room. Love the architecture and the pool though.
Wow! It’s heartening to read the comments. I feel that I am not alone in disliking H-U-G-E.
My feeling is that people can, and do, live in normal-sized houses quite comfortably.
A house this large just makes me fear for the upkeep, plus it seems soooo big that one would rarely use the house in its entirety.
The only way I can see myself in a house like this is if I had three or four children — something that would NEVER happen.
Love that pink chaise!
I agree, not too cozy but great bones. I could sit outside all day and look at the view. Inside I would be lost for weeks trying to find my way around.
Well, I have an issue with red walls in the dining room! I think that is very passe’! I do love the pool though. With everyone downsizing, smaller and cozier is the way to go now. This place is just way too big.
I love the decor, but like some people say, I wouldn’t want to live in it…I prefer somewhere cozy and personal..this one is beautiful and grand, but lacks abit of warmth 🙂
first of all it’s surreal but definitely would take it- paint colors would have to go but it for sure has potential. I would LIVE by the pool!
I’ll take the view, the pool and the chaise, please!
The exterior is stunning, as is. I agree, for me, this would be too large of a home to live in. I would love to see someone turn it into an amazing boutique inn.
The exterior is lovely however the interior just feels a bit cold and uninviting. I don’t think I’d ever want to live in a home of that size. Elegant yet cozy, warm and inviting is more my style.
I’ve actually been to this house for professional reasons. It is quite amazing. I don’t think I’d want a life that included the services necessitated by living this way- even the driveway is 2 miles long. TWO miles. The weather is even different in several microclimates from the bottom to the top with deep shade of redwoods to a hilltop vineyard. It was a treat to see it, regardless. Nothing like this will ever be built again.