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D002_60_67_Wilkenson 2/2/10 2:36 PM Page 60 Grande Scale Award-winning San Francisco designer Kendall Wilkinson, known for her city chic penthouse apartments and cosmopolitan townhouses, took her design skills to a whole new scale when decorating a 10,000+ square-foot estate set amidst the rolling hills of an East Bay vineyard. PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID DUNCAN LIVINGSTON INTERIORS BY KENDALL WILKINSON OF KENDALL WILKINSON DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION BY JEFFREY M. WOODS OF BLACK MOUNTAIN CONSTRUCTION/DEVELOPMENT 60 GENTRY Design SPRING 2010
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A dramatic wall of windows in the living room frames views of the vineyard and rolling hills surrounding the estate. 62 GENTRY Design SPRING 2010
The undulating drive up to this extraordinary estate provides sweeping vistas of a vibrant vineyard and, at its heart, a European-style manse of stunning proportions. It has a little of everything, notes interior designer Kendall Wilkinson, from a car barn for the owner s Ferrari collection to a proper English library. Wilkinson s client, a successful software executive, has discerning tastes and a love of European antiques. He also owns a chateau-style home in Woodside that he had decorated by the legendary designer John Saladino. But the owner s dream was to find a piece of property where he could plant excellent grapes. He found his dream property in Alamo and set about creating a lush vineyard estate. Jeff Woods of Black Mountain Construction/Development brought the owner s vision of a rambling manse to life, while Wilkinson was tasked with designing every inch of the home s vast interiors. The client wanted a European feel, but he didn t want this home to be as formal as his home in Woodside, recalls Wilkinson. With a treasure trove of furnishings by Saladino at her disposal, Wilkinson selected a quarter of the homeowner s existing collection of furnishings (reupholstering a few) and utilized them throughout the new home. Working with the Saladino pieces The client wanted a European feel, but he didn t want this home to be as formal as his home in Woodside, recalls Wilkinson. SPRING 2010 GENTRY Design 63
D002_60_67_Wilkenson 2/2/10 2:36 PM Page 64 The light and airy dining and family rooms are separated by a series of elegant arches and columns. Wilkinson employed a sunny palette of golds and greens throughout the space. 64 GENTRY Design SPRING 2010
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The library is the client s place to rest and relax, a real place of respite, she notes. and the client s extensive art collection, Wilkinson set about creating color schemes for the home. A royal aubergine takes center stage in the living room, contrasted by warm golds. We added a pearlescent glaze to the walls that sparkles in the evening, notes Wilkinson. A crystal chandelier was imported from England and the large limestone fireplace hails from France. The dining room and family room are divided by wide arches and beautifully wrought columns. A deep golden hue covers the dining room walls while a softer butter cream envelops the family room. Magnificent French-style draperies that would be equally at home at Paris Plaza Athenée frame the rooms windows and views out to the spectacular pool. The dining table and chairs were by Saladino, recalls Wilkinson, but this dining room is larger than the client s Woodside estate, so we had two additional chairs reproduced to match and reupholstered all of them in a delicate golden stripe. The family room is centered on a limestone hearth topped by a contemporary oil painting with bold colors. Wilkinson created a seating area with two oversized sofas upholstered in a dramatic floral facing a pair of generous bergères covered in a soft woven chartreuse. Above the space hangs an apple green glazed wooden double chandelier by Niermann Weeks. Just off the dining and family rooms is a charming breakfast room with an octagonal table and a trompe l oeil ceiling. The kitchen beyond is filled with spectacular walnut cabinetry and a massive center island, perfect for entertaining or for a catering crew to utilize during large parties. One of Wilkinson s favorite spaces in the home is the library. The library is the client s place to rest and relax, a real place of respite, she notes. Again, walnut paneling is key here. The room is only 13 by 15 feet, but it s very tall, stresses Wilkinson, who hand picked the walnut throughout the space to match perfectly. The coffered ceiling, beautiful Oriental rug, and European crystal chandelier all add to the room s warm and inviting ambiance. The master suite opens to a private balcony overlooking the vineyards and includes a spacious sitting area. Wilkinson employed a soothing blue throughout to provide a restful environment. An antique sleigh bed is flanked by a demi-lune side table and a petite chest of drawers. A pair of antique gilt lamps rests on each. Elegant silk shades and drapes can be used to block out unwanted sunlight or opened to showcase the views. The master bath features walnut cabinetry and a walnut and marble diamond-patterned floor, while an antique French chair sits beneath a dome-shaped ceiling with hand glazing and an antique crystal ceiling fixture. All who know Wilkinson will attest to the fact that she is both a perfectionist and a multi-tasker extraordinaire balancing a busy career, thriving design shop, and growing family with aplomb. That same perfectionism and ability to multi-task on a grand scale are evidenced throughout this fabulous project as well. 66 GENTRY Design SPRING 2010
The breakfast room and library (opposite) are decidedly traditional in feel. Wilkinson filled the rooms with rich woodwork, antiques, and European crystal chandeliers. The master bedroom (this page) has an intimate scale for such a large home. A beautiful coffered ceiling, sumptuously upholstered furnishings, and soothing colors make the room a true retreat. SPRING 2010 GENTRY Design 67