From Vision to Reality: A Timeless Rancho Santa Fe Dream Home Comes to Life

It was love at first sight for Melinda Davala Sarkis, a Boston transplant who, with husband Craig Stockmal, was looking to put down roots in Rancho Santa Fe. At the end of a private road near the village, the couple found the perfect site: a three-acre property with sweeping views of the Ranch all the way to the coast. “Creating is in my blood and this piece of land is truly one of a kind in Rancho Santa Fe Covenant,” she says. “Although I was open to renovating an existing property, being introduced to this land was truly a gift and offered the perfect opportunity to bring my vision to life.” 

Sarkis, a real estate professional with Coldwell-Banker Realty in the Ranch, had built a long and successful career with the company on the East Coast. But after a fire in her apartment building upended her life, she headed West looking for new opportunities. In a case of serendipity, she ran into Stockmal, the founder and owner of an ecommerce software company, whom she had known in Boston, at a Trader Joe’s in Newport Beach. They later decided to build a life and home together in Rancho Santa Fe.

“My vision was to create a modern sanctuary that beautifully marries the past and the present. I wanted the exterior to have an old-world European charm, blending seamlessly with the natural surroundings, but the interior to feel modern, clean, and timeless,” she explains. “I envisioned a space that would act as a blank canvas — almost like a museum — where curated art and furniture would take center stage. My goal was to design a home that feels both personal and timeless, with a sense of balance and serenity. I was also deeply inspired by Lilian Rice and all that she built and represents in the community.”

The couple hired builder Paul Munsch of Munsch Homes to turn that vision into reality. “I cannot say enough about his expertise and the dedication of his team,” she notes. That team included architect Mark Radford, and Mike Smith of PLSA Engineering who helped navigate approvals with the Rancho Santa Fe Art Jury. “As for the design, that was my role. I poured my heart into every detail, from the finishes to the furniture, to ensure the home reflected my vision,” she adds. The “passion project” took about two years, with Sarkis on property nearly every day. The results are spectacular.

Sarkis describes the home’s architectural style as “European elegance with modern minimalism.” One of her favorite features is the massive front door, a statement piece designed in collaboration with Jeff Jensen of Jensen Doors, inspired by a door she saw in Italy that dates to the 1800s. It opens onto what she calls “the runway,” a walkway paved in porcelain stone with water features on both sides, and leads to an open living room and kitchen framed by dazzling views through floor-to-ceiling glass doors that vanish with the push of a button. The patio has a sleek 80-foot infinity pool, a see-through stone fireplace surrounded by lounge seating, and an alfresco kitchen complete with Stockmal’s pick — an EVO grill — which is not only functional but a conversation piece at parties.

Although the house has five bedrooms, Sarkis notes that it “lives like two” because only two of the rooms are used as bedrooms. The other three function as his-and-her offices and a casual television room, all of which can accommodate overnight guests. “I didn’t want ‘extra rooms’ sitting empty,” she says. All serve a purpose.

An attached casita with its own patio is just steps from the outdoor cold plunge pool, a spa with waterfall, and firepit. There’s also an outdoor-indoor shower, infrared sauna and steam room, and gym. “It’s like having my own mini Rancho Valencia at home,” says Sarkis with a smile. Stockmal outfitted the gym with world-class equipment and added a golf simulator in the garage. His most practical contributions? The house has two washers and two dryers to meet not only daily needs but all those wet towels from guests.

Sarkis has a practiced eye for what works, filling the home with accessories and memorabilia she has collected during extensive travels around the globe, including Europe, India, and Southeast Asia. “I’ve been fortunate to not only learn from the architecture, art, and culture of these destinations but also to bring pieces — both literally and figuratively — back with me. These experiences were the inspiration for so many aspects of the home, from its overall aesthetic to the curated details that make it unique.” Some of her treasures date to the 1960s when her father, then an officer in the U.S. Army, was posted in Africa. “Everything,” she says, “has a story.” 

Sarkis also delighted in collaborating with local artisans. “The home truly reflects the incredible talent and craftsmanship of our local community,” she emphasizes. For example, she worked with John and Brittany La Rue of Indigenous by La Rue to design four custom wood furniture pieces, including “a shark bite” dining table made of acacia wood from Java. Sarkis not only selected the piece of wood being held at a Vista lumberyard but helped design the table with see-through resin inserts on the corners to make it look as if, indeed, a shark had needed a snack.

An artist with Lisa Desantis’ firm Artofwalls Inc. faux-painted the walls surrounding the living room fireplace with a limestone wash to mimic the porcelain stone counters in the kitchen. Marie Cunning of Andrew Morgan Furniture provided custom furnishings. Entrance pots are from The Madd Potter in Encinitas. The list goes on. “I used the process to connect with the community,” notes Sarkis. “In doing so, I found a sense of belonging and deeper roots in this amazing area. Homes can be more than just physical spaces — they can be bridges to new relationships and experiences that enrich our lives.”

The project, however, was not without its challenges, including last spring’s abrupt closure of Pirch, the high-end kitchen, bath, and appliance chain which left customers and employees scrambling to find other options. Sarkis had spent a year working with a Pirch representative to select appliances, plumbing fixtures, and more. “It was heartbreaking for her not to receive credit for all her hard work, but we pivoted quickly and found alternatives,” she notes.

Working with the Rancho Santa Fe Art Jury was another challenge. “Not because they were difficult,” she says, “but because their standards are understandably high to preserve the integrity of Rancho Santa Fe. I learned to respect the challenging process as it ultimately helped ensure the home honored its surroundings.”

“Building a home requires patience, decisiveness, and the ability to handle unexpected challenges,” says Sarkis. “You need to know what you want — or better yet, hire someone who can guide you. Be prepared to pivot when things don’t go as planned, but above all, stay focused and trust the process.” In the end, she learned there was so much beyond her control. That’s why she named the home Regalo de Dios, which means “Gift from God” in Spanish. 

“The greatest compliment I receive is when guests walk in and say that while the home is modern, it feels cozy and inviting,” says Sarkis. “I feel beyond grateful for the opportunity to bring my dream to life in such a special place as Rancho Santa Fe, on a piece of land that feels truly magical. This home represents not only my style and vision but also the love and thought that went into every detail.”