Ivy clings to the plaster walls and wraps around the gentle arch of the front courtyard while nearby, Bougainvillea, a splash of vibrant color, climbs to the tile roof.
Quintessential designer Mark Becker captured the rich patina of an early California style with decorative ironwork, hand-trowelled plaster walls, exposed beam ceilings, recessed niches, and indoor/outdoor living. Multiple wood-trimmed French doors beg to lay ajar like an open invitation to the amazing outdoor venues. The half-acre property at 14 Los Dedos Ct. was a blank canvas on which this gorgeous custom home was designed and completed in 2004, a two year collaboration between Becker and a long time Orinda family, who wanted to create a fabulous family home for their four active children.
The Santa Barbara style Spanish Colonial spans over three levels with about 4,400 square feet of fabulous living space, and expansive rooms to gather and entertain. There are five bedrooms, four and a half bathrooms, an executive office, formal living and dining rooms, an eat-in chef’s kitchen, and family room. A lower-level bonus/home theater with a drop-down movie screen could also be an ideal in-law or guest bedroom with its nearby en suite bathroom, private entrance, and loggia.
Master craftsmanship is evident throughout the home. It features hand honed hickory hardwood floors, French limestone paver patios, custom-designed cabinetry by Rand Moeller of Napa, custom stained Sierra Pacific windows, and hand-hewn rustic doors. A warm floor heating system, a six-zone music system with custom indoor/outdoor speakers, and six fireplaces are also featured.
Just off the spacious foyer is the formal living and dining rooms. A dramatic exposed beam vaulted ceiling soars in the living room that is anchored on one side by a plaster fireplace with a wood-beam mantel. Three French doors open to the backyard loggia and view of the oaks that dot the property.
The formal dining room also has a fireplace, an exposed beam ceiling, and a pair of French doors that open to a front courtyard, an outdoor dining area privately tucked among lush foliage.
Behind a pocket door is the executive office beautifully appointed with custom cabinetry and desk, a fireplace, and front-facing garden view windows.
More custom cabinetry wraps around the chef’s kitchen that has a view of the pool on one side and double French doors that open to the backyard loggia and yard. A Wolf professional gas range, convection oven, and new microwave, SubZero refrigerator and wine refrigerator, and new dual Bosch dishwashers are featured in addition to an island/breakfast bar, granite counters, and a stone-tile backsplash.
The spacious family room also has a vaulted, exposed beam ceiling, fireplace, and large picture windows, including French doors that open to a Juliet balcony overlooking the landscape and mature trees.
The master suite is one of five bedrooms located on the upper level. This room features a dramatic double coved ceiling, fireplace, and private balcony. Custom cabinetry, dual vanities, an oversized soaking tub, and large custom tile shower enhance the master bathroom that also has a walk-in closet.
Four additional bedrooms include three with private balconies. They share two full bathrooms, including one with a tub/shower combination.
The inviting outdoor spaces create pockets of tranquility under a canopy of mature oak and shade trees. Flagstone pavers wrap around the pool that has an automated cover, a waterfall feature, and an adjoining Jacuzzi. A built-in gas DCS range and fireplace are also nearby.
French limestone pads off the rear loggia transition to an expansive lawn and garden. An additional loggia and patio with a vine-covered arbor create a private retreat just off the bonus room.
Additional features include a deep setback and park-like front landscaping, and a spacious laundry room/mudroom with adjacent work center containing two SubZero refrigerator drawers. There is also a security alarm system, split zone air conditioning system, copper downspouts and gutters, and fire sprinklers.
Located just east of the Caldecott Tunnel, Orinda is surrounded by rolling hills and has top-rated schools in the Orinda and Acalanes school districts. Los Dedos is one of Orinda’s most sought after streets—an idyllic flat cul de sac where children can walk to neighboring homes and ride their bicycles. Near the historic Orinda Country Club, this property is also close to freeway access, the Orinda Village, downtown Lafayette, and the Lafayette and Orinda BART stations.
Price: $3,490,000
Shown by appointment only
