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Inside Mega Dream Homes:
An Entertainer's Wish Come True |
The renowned Ken Ronchetti was both
the architect and the interior designer
for this spectacular, seamless oceanfront
estate in Del Mar, California. His wife, Mary
Kate Ronchetti, a specialist in fabrics, assisted
with the interiors. The contemporary 10,000-square-foot estate is situated on 120 feet of
ocean frontage and is an enclave of five
structures. The buildings include a family
residence, a health spa, a theater, greenhouse,
and two guesthouses. There's a sculpture
garden, pool, stadium-sized tennis court, and
complex sea walls, designed in conjunction with
oceanographic engineers from Scripps Institute
and constructed with fiberglass, rebar, and
concrete in a continuous glass wall. All buildings have disappearing glass walls, which
create a tropical feel, melding the interiors with
abundant landscaping designed by Yasuda
Landscaping. The landscaping includes specimen
palms and bonsai. Ronchetti used the finest woods
and stones, including mahogany and clear fir
cabinetry, lattia ceilings, imported limestone
flooring, classic oak sandstone patios, and Getty
stone accents. All floors have radiant heat.
With four bedrooms and 5.5 baths, the main
residence is an entertainer's dream because it is
surrounded by patios with access to the beach.
On the oceanfront patio, a 10-person Jacuzzi
overlooks a firepit with seating for sunset views.
While offering complete privacy, the estate is still
within walking distance to the Del Mar Village for
dining and shopping.
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| ABOVE, TOP: Overlooking the tennis court,
the 2,800-square-foot spa includes a
living room with two fireplaces, kitchen,
gymnasium, therapy whirlpool with a
water feature, sauna and steam rooms
that accommodate up to 10 people, and
his-and-her shower and dressing rooms. |
| ABOVE,
MIDDLE: The kitchen in the main house has
granite counters and lattia ceiling made of wood
from Nogales, Arizona. Like all of the kitchens
in the estate, the cabinets are made of clear
fir with hand-distressed mahogany detail. All
appliances are top of the line, and there is a
commercial hood for cooking. |
| ABOVE: In the main house living room, as in every
room, all furnishings were
custom made to scale
and design for the estate
and feature exotic woods
and fabrics. |
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| RIGHT: With a fireplace and media center, the family room
overlooks the 10-person Jacuzzi and ocean to the west; the
pool and interior courtyard to the east. A hidden pocket door
(and there are others throughout the house) can make this
room private from the main living room.
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| BELOW: With its own private garden, master bedroom
highlights include a built-in limestone bureau and a built-in
mahogany bureau. The wall behind the bed features Getty
stone accents, quarried for the Getty Museum. |
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| ABOVE: Informally known as the
"Buddha Bedroom," this peaceful
and charming guest room in the
main residence overlooks the pool
and interior courtyard of the home.
The statue sits atop the pool
waterfall. Photo by Mary E. Nichols. |
| LEFT: The master bathroom features
an exotic sculpture, palm garden,
and limestone drawers and sinks. The
wall behind the spa tub is accented
with Getty stone. |
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Story by Jacqueline Shannon
Photography by Roberto Zeballos except where noted
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