Our 2011 Home of the Year, also featured on our cover, is the breathtaking Carlsbad beachfront masterpiece of Ted Viola, who collaborated with David Taylor Development and architect Scott M. Grunst to blend the “old world charm of Rancho Santa Fe with the disappearing walls of an island resort,” Viola notes. Its multi-level layout focuses on infinite ocean views with 90 feet of fully retractable doors that magically disappear. Indoor/outdoor living is captured at every level, expanding the livable area to over 9,000 square feet. With five bedrooms, four full baths with glass-encased stone showers, and two half baths, this stunner also boasts six massive fireplaces, four steam rooms, a sauna, pizza oven, BBQ, library, and more. “It is an entertainer’s delight and has all the bells and whistles,” says Viola. “It’s also a must-see nature lover’s resort” with tropical but drought-resistant gardens of plumeria and other tropical trees.
The home’s main entry features a 50-foot-wide living and dining area, which opens up to the beachfront via 40 feet of retractable glass. A full gourmet kitchen offers a six-foot Viking range with custom stone hood, double griddle with six burners, two convection ovens, the list goes on. Venture past the wine room and up one level to the “mini-master,” where private floor separation offers seclusion.
Ascend the dark travertine slab staircase another half level to enter the master bedroom and exercise quarters, which also fully open to the ocean. There, two remote-controlled skylights automatically close if the air reaches a certain moisture level. (Concurrently, the thermostatically controlled floor heaters in the beach-level floor eliminate any unwanted moisture.) Expansive his and hers closets feature center islands (hers being much larger with a full-length triptych mirror). The master bath has everything from a heated hot tub for two and rain shower to a steam room with dual showerheads boasting individual pre-set temperature controls.
For the tech-savvy, Pioneer Pure Vision Plasma TVs abound, along with three separate theatre systems. Cable outlets are pre-planned in every room, including all tub areas and even the garage. The extensive sound system carries outside to the balconies with amazing quality.
The sandy beach is accessed through a personal gate, where daily changing tides reveal creature-filled reefs. Meanwhile, the pool and zero-edge spa cannot be seen from the beach or nearby properties. Synchronized lights provide multi-color palettes for evening ambiance. Or, turn off the lights and enjoy moonlit ocean views and the bright blue glow of constellations in the bottom of the pool/spa.
Viola notes, “I’ve lived on the beach on both coasts for over 35 years. I have worked in Hawaii for ten, and traveled throughout the Caribbean, gathering ideas for a beachfront home of my own. This is the culmination of my efforts.” The home is currently listed with Ken Moran of Cabrillo Mortgage. (760/521-8527, ken@cabrillomortgage.com)
To view a video of this stunning home, please click here.
