Garden Paradise • Kiss/Hollander House
You enter these beautiful grounds through a decorative gate. Colorful flax, grasses, euphorbia and calla lilies line the driveway. Two water features create a peaceful ambiance for the weary traveler. As you enter the inner garden gate, you will find a hidden oasis of roses, hydrangeas, westringias and leucospermums. As a surprise, matilija poppy, gladiola, tulips and cineria supply the garden with seasonal accent. This constantly changing, gorgeous garden is lovingly tended by Elizabeth Barclay.
As you approach this beautiful home, designed and decorated by Sharon Kiss, you will note the elegant water feature and the graceful sculpture by the antique Japanese front door. As you step inside you will first be struck by the panoramic floor to ceiling view of the ocean and then by the extraordinary art collection housed within. You will note the antique Italian limestone mantle, with its sculptural contemporary fire feature, the vaulted space and exposed beams of clear first growth redwood. The floors throughout the entire home are Mirabau wood, an eco-friendly farmed African hardwood. The library, with its floor to ceiling bookshelves, has a wall of vignette windows. The powder room has a figured burlap wallcovering featuring Chinese characters and a clear glass freestanding sink, floating on a granite slab.
The kitchen is a true cook's kitchen. It received the prestigious Subzero/Wolfe award in 2005 and will be featured in a 2008 publication naming it as among America's 50 best kitchens. There is an art gallery stretching along the east wall that features sculpture niches, special angled skylights and halogen lighting.
The large master bedroom has two separate his and hers bathing and dressing areas. Her bath has a large jura limestone shower and a Japanese soaking tub. The mid level is a separate guest wing with two bedrooms, a living room and a small kitchen/dining area. The lower level comprises his office, her studio, a media room, a wine cellar and a quest suite. You will want to allow plenty of time to enjoy the beauty both inside and out of this remarkable property.
Garden Tour Reception – June 20
The Little River Inn will host a reception on Friday, June 20th, from 5 – 7 pm, to preview the Garden Shop and a special showing of small paintings by the Plein Air Artists of Mendocino depicting the gardens on the Tour.Garden Shop
On June 21, 10 am - 5 pm, browse the Mendocino Art Center's Garden Shop, featuring a one-day sale on Mendocino Maples' gorgeous Japanese maples, Descanso Nurseries' beautiful hydraengeas, plus some surprises!
Banner Art/Cafe Beaujolais Gardens
Photo Credit: John Birchard
Kiss garden photo credit: Marty Roderick
