Just outside of the historic center of Healdsburg, California, is a 52-acre vineyard estate that’s lived as a private haven for nearly a century. It was originally part of a vast ranch owned by the actor Fred MacMurray, known for his roles in film noir classics like Double Indemnity and the hit TV show My Three Sons. It’s here that he would come to raise his family and escape the Hollywood life.
The ranch has changed hands a couple of times since, most recently when my dear friends and longtime clients purchased a portion of it, having outgrown a neighboring home we had designed for them nearly 15 years ago. The “wine country” life—defined by the rhythm of the vineyards, cycling along winding roads, sun-drenched afternoons by the pool, harvest celebrations—had become ingrained in their family traditions, but as their kids grew and began families of their own, they found themselves needing more room to spread out and give space to the next generation.
The appeal of this property was clear. Showstopping views stretched across seemingly endless vineyards with the Mayacamas Mountains painted in the distance. An irresistible sandy beach traced the meandering Russian River, and a series of houses and barns were ideal for a multigenerational family compound.
But while each of the structures was appealing in its own right, they were incongruous as a whole. For example, the Hill House (as the main house is now known) was well designed but felt somewhat out of place in the organic setting. A 21st-century addition, it was a bit too hard-edged and dominated the landscape rather than connecting to it. As for the 1920s ranch house, a recent renovation had stripped away some of the original details—or at least what I romantically imagined had been there…