A Home Unlike Any Other
BY JOSHUA PRICE
Year Built 2010 • Lot Size 3/4 Acre
Square Footage 5,500 sq. ft.
Bedrooms 5 • Bathrooms 5 Full + 1 Half
Garage 3 Car
Behind the private gate on Placerita Canyon Road lie many different homes. While some are older than others, some are simply works of art; a place that is as breathtaking every time you come “home” as it was the first day you saw it.
Welcome to the home of Keith Davis of Davis Plaster. This custom home, completed in 2010, has a story as interesting as the home itself. “My brother and I originally bought this property,” says Davis. However, after his brother dropped out and they decided to split the property, Keith was allowed to move freely with his dreams. Designing the house, from the architecture to the construction, and even down to purchasing each unique element to it, Keith took a hands-on approach from the beginning. “I wanted this house to be exactly as I saw it in my head; I wanted it to be mine.”
Flanged by an open fence, the front yard sets the tone for the house. While some of the pilasters are wrapped in sumptuous cream plaster, others are faced in raw flagstone, each capped with concrete and a lovely finial – a bronze light fixture. The velvety grass is punctuated obliquely by olive trees and one stately oak, each surrounded by various lilies, rosemary, flax, and lavender. Crape myrtles dot the front planters. “I wanted the house to be very natural,” muses Keith. The house, faced in more plaster, is covered in terra cotta tiles, even punctuating the tower. The house harkens to old Italian villas, and the orange of the terra cotta offsets the copper rain gutters and matching downspouts.
The front portico is set daintily with outdoor furniture, while two bronze fixtures hang serenely overhead to provide lighting. A large wrought iron cathedral door, inset with rain glass, proffers entry to this home. Within, an impressive staircase, wrapped in wrought iron and dark hardwood, serpents up to the second story. Reclaimed tile, over 200 years old and imported from France, covers the floor.
Inside the expansive living room, dark wood beams peak through the ceiling, offering support and a natural beauty. Keith loves music; as such, his guitar collection hangs from the walls, while a drum set sit resolutely at the entrance. A large couch and coffee table, offset by other reclaimed old world furniture, dot the room and create a relaxing atmosphere in front of the custom sandstone mantle. At the bar, an inset tile backsplash and marble countertops are offset by more dark wood of the bar stools and shelving, while the stainless fixtures add a modern touch.
The kitchen and family room blend seamlessly together with the formal dine, creating an exquisitely open “great room.” Again, a sofa provides ample space to stretch out while viewing the TV. The dining room ceiling is a nice touch – reclaimed brick, again, some 200 years old and imported from France, line the area, bejeweled by canister lighting, the focal point being a beautiful chandelier. However, distressed hardwood creates a sense of drama to the area. The rich kitchen cabinets, fronted in seeded glass, are contrasted beautifully by the luxurious cream marble countertops, a juxtaposition fitting of this home.
Down the hall, at a separate wing of the house, sits the office. Venetian plaster smolders up the walls and across the ceiling in a warm red. Open fretwork beams peak below the plaster, while an estate-sized desk sits expectantly below, its leather top covered in pens, papers, and other items expected of a working area. On the bookshelf sits a vast collection of tomes, while knick knacks adorn the display case opposite.
Walk upstairs and generously sized rooms await, befitting of any retreat. A large bed becomes the central focus of the room, as luxuriously earthen linens and silks daintily rest upon the sumptuous bed. Ambient lighting warmly bathes the room, provided by the brass and crystal wall sconces, or above by the antiqued fan.
A large his-and-hers master bath beckons one further in. Supply dark wood at the two bathroom cabinets contrasts exquisitely with the creamy marble counters and travertine floors; a separate vanity, exclusively for the primping and preening of a queen, is highlighted by simple arches. A large tub sits opposite, lit dimly by another antique chandelier of brass and crystal. Most of the light spills in through the surrounding windows, allowing the bather to glimpse down upon the reveling in the pool and adjoining yard.
Outside, various outdoor settings provide places for guests to relax and mingle. “We have a lot of family over a few times a year, so it works,” explains Keith as he continues the tour. A large fountain in the center of the outdoor dining area has a cutaway path leading to the larger water element of the yard. The Grecian pool, surrounded by grass, is a refreshing respite from daily activities, while four fountains spray playfully from the four corners. A covered outdoor kitchen, again with tables for guests, makes the chef an active participant with their guests while crafting culinary wonders.
This home, the brainchild of an artist, is functional on multiple levels. Natural, organic, vintage, this home is as much a work of art as it is a home; it is as much for entertaining as it is for relaxing and unwinding from the hustle and bustle of daily life. It is a home…befitting of a king.
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