Karinya Napa Valley

As featured in the Wall Street Journal…

Karinya: a word originated from the Australian aboriginal culture and simply translated “peaceful home.” Gently resting on a dramatic view promontory within 41 +/- acres of natural woodland and exquisitely crafted landscape, Karinya’s very presence is in harmony with Mother Nature, whispering peace and calm within and outside the walls of its elegant and refined structure. The creation was a project of pure love and respect among a brilliant design/build team: Signum Architecture, Cello & Maudru Construction, Shawback Design, and Jack Chandler Design landscape, with the owner’s inspiration at the helm. The 8,837 +/- sq ft residence was built to last using natural materials with an eye to continuity, a connection with light and nature, an axis to the views, and a design that speaks quietly with subtle simplicity.

Bianco Avorio limestone, à la the Getty, is used throughout, but with three different carving techniques to forge variations of texture and interest. The grain of white oak cabinetry and doors are meticulously bookmarked to their surrounding trim. Steel beams form strength and line. Integral color Venetian plaster glows in the reflection from walls of Reynaers doors, windows and clerestory. Speakers and outlets are hidden. Hardware is disguised. All major systems are controlled via smart phone. At Karinya, design and function mindfully coexist to create an exceptional, purposeful living experience.

The arrival takes one through a unique “disappearing” gate into an inviting circular motor court, then to a broad courtyard with sound emanating from a spectacular granite rock water feature, past large scale million-year-old “earth pearls”, forward to a dramatic glass entry and through it to breathtaking Napa Valley views across the infinity edge pool and limestone terrace. The home’s great room connects living, dining, cooking, family and music rooms in a clever L configuration with two distinct, yet coherent living spaces. From the kitchen, the spacious dining and living areas step down ever so slightly, almost floating, and shaping an awareness of the room’s impressive size, while retaining a comfortable human scale.

The luxurious primary suite occupies a wing of its own, offering big views, pool access, both his and hers dressing rooms and baths, an outdoor shower, infrared sauna with chromatherapy, a massage room with separate exterior access, and gym/yoga room with windows and mirrors perfectly aligned to frame beautiful forest views on every wall.

The home’s thoughtfully conceived floor plan provides space for most every need, including a fabulous outdoor barbecue kitchen and pizza oven, a gorgeous custom lighted 2,000 bottle wine library with separate temperature controlled areas for white and red wines, a large project room with a vast array of built-in storage, two offices with built-in cabinetry, an acoustically designed media/theatre room, 2 powder rooms, mud room with high pressure hose for dog washing, laundry room, 3-car garage, and a full guest apartment with its own living room, view deck, two lovely bedroom suites, and a host of additional creature comforts.

In addition to the main residence, the property also enjoys a charming 1-bedroom A-frame second dwelling with kitchen, loft, and wrap-around view deck, a nearby bocce court, a richly prolific vegetable garden, and an extensive string of hiking trails.

As each day comes to an end and the skies are aglow with the western sunset, one might reflect and ask, what has Karinya gifted me today? The answer: a peaceful home, the generosity of nature, and the abundance of Napa Valley living.