Home in the Cherry Orchards

Instead of cherry pies, this family saw their dream home among the Morada cherry orchards...

by JAMIE MENAKER

Michael and Anne Richardson had been living in Morada for almost seventeen years when they first stumbled upon the location for their dream home. Bike riding with their two children, Amy, now 23, and Nate, now 14, they happened past a cherry orchard soon to be split to make space for three new homes. Already enamored by the Morada area, and intrigued by the idea of living surrounded by cherry trees, the Richardsons signed on the dotted line, and wasted no time putting together an impressive team of architects, builders, and interior and landscape designers.

The resulting home, a single-story California Mediterranean, is over 5,000 square-feet nestled within two full acres of fruit trees. Although impressive in stature, the home is inviting and warm.

Design choices were made first for the comfort and enjoyment of family and friends, and second for the home’s aesthetic. Running fountains on either side of the entryway doors are echoed in the same water feature on a larger scale in the backyard, the first view you see when you enter the foyer. This is a theme carried through the home, the recurrence of small details to give a sense of peace and completeness. Even the congruence of contemporary and traditional details is echoed so often in the home that it becomes comfortable.

The centerpiece is the open-floor-plan great room: kitchen, living room, and dining room in one. The meeting spot for the whole home, the kitchen is anchored by thick granite countertops and a large walnut wood-topped island at its center. Bar stools line the kitchen counter (perfect for the time the Richardsons hosted a sushi chef in their home), and the ceilings are lowered in this area of the home for a more intimate feel. Forgoing the dark wood characteristic to many of San Joaquin’s Tuscan homes, the cabinets are glazed antique white with peep-through glass panes, and reach all the way to the ceiling to eliminate clutter. A walk-in wine fridge, all stainless steel appliances, and a domed, circular dining room are all elegant touches. In the dining room, a rustic table is paired with dramatic Hollywood chairs and an antique iron chandelier.

From the great room, visitors have a few choices: head into the “man room” as Anne likes to call it, down the hall to the bedrooms, or straight out the floor-to-ceiling iron and glass doors imported from Mexico to the stunning backyard, pool, and outdoor living space. Outdoors, the wall around the yard only reaches one-fourth of the way up, so the homeowners are still able to enjoy the surrounding orchard.

In the “man room” are a full bar, pub table and chairs, stained concrete floors, and impressive 300-year-old wood ceiling beams from France. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors bi-fold to open the wall completely onto an outdoor kitchen and living area, a perfect space for the gentlemen to barbecue and enjoy. “It’s simple,” says Anne. “The room isn’t a focal point of the house, but it still looks nice and serves its purpose.”

Back down the hall, past a study and guest room with hardwood floors (the majority of the house is tiled), sits the master bedroom. Plush carpeting reigns here, with a separate hallway before you actually enter the room, meant for privacy.

Icy blue parlor chairs and pillows, a marble fireplace, and antique touches complement the natural lighting coming in from the large windows. In the attached bathroom are his and hers walk-in closets, an open walk-in shower with double showerheads, and antique gold touches throughout. Also off the bedroom is an enormous laundry room with two washers and dryers, and the piece de resistance—a private outdoor courtyard with hot tub.

“When the right team is assembled, beautiful results are accomplished,” says architect Chris Schrimpl.