Brambleberry is beautiful and comfortable in all seasons.  Sunlight is abundant but changeful, and always interesting, year round.  At times after a rain the sun suddenly bursts through to highlight the varied grounds with an arresting, heightened vividness.  Just after sunset, by contrast, watch the soft alpenglow settle across the valley on Sugarloaf.

In winter, the day starts with spectacular early morning sunlight flooding the rear of the house.   Frost paints the vivid green fields a pale white.  The cool morning air is perfect for a brisk walk or an amble down nearby paths or Lawndale Road.   Ducks gather in the seasonal pond ringed by willow trees.  Often the only sound is the babble of the rushing seasonal creek.  Enjoy the views of Sugarloaf from the spa in the mild afternoon or luxuriate there in the bracingly cool evening in conversation and spectacular stargazing.  Enjoy a crackling wood fire at night in the living room.   The well insulated house is warm and cozy on even the coldest nights.

By springtime, clusters of daffodils are in bloom.  Early blooming trees brighten the landscape.  As the days grow longer and warmer the rains peter out.  Later in spring the trees burst into leaf, the wisteria along the veranda explodes in purple blossoms and the pool offers an inviting warmth.

Summer days are warm to hot, always dry (but sometimes cooled by early morning fog).  The fields beyond the lawns turn a sere brown; the pond dries up, the ground hardens.  The creek slows to a trickle.  Kids thrill to the freedom to romp about the property.  They play on the tree swings, ride bicycles, play ball and find their own “secret” places.  Adults can pass a languorous day relaxing on the beautiful grounds.  Nap in the two-person hammock.  Swing on the tree swings.  Frolic in the pool or seek shade on the veranda or under a tree for respite from the afternoon heat.  Picnic on the patio or by the pool.  Inside, the ground floor remains cool.  The ceiling fan draws refreshing cooler air upstairs.  On the hottest days, the air conditioning easily breaks the heat upstairs and makes for comfortable sleeping.  Outside, evenings are always pleasantly cool.  Succulent blackberries are plentiful, especially in late summer.

September and October are many visitors’ favorite months.  Summer crowds have dissipated.  The pool’s solar heat keeps it comfortable until about the middle of October.  The distinctive scent of the annual grape harvest tinges the air.  Apples, persimmons and pears ripen on the trees.  Groves of liquid ambers explode in riots of vivid fall color.

Local wildlife is abundant and visible year-round from the house and grounds.  Sit on the rear veranda and watch deer tiptoe across the corral at dusk.   At dawn see hares bound across the fields.  You’ll see ducks, geese, hawks, rabbits and other animals as well.  Small footprints on the veranda in the morning betray the occasional passing of the nocturnal fox.

This 2600+ square-foot wine country vacation rental has been thoroughly remodeled and updated, yet has maintained its vintage style with high-end fixtures and appointments throughout.  Ceilings range from 9 feet to over 12 feet high.  Furniture, which includes numerous antique and period pieces, has been carefully selected for comfort and invites relaxation throughout the house.  Decorative touches include antique prints, oil paintings, winery art, Italian pottery and handmade treasures.  The house is equipped to delight the most discerning guests, with ample high-quality linens and bath and beach towels in addition to basic supplies.  Guests consistently comment that Brambleberry offers much more than one expects in a vacation rental.  The property is fully handicapped-accessible, with ramps, an elevator with indoor/outdoor access and an accessible full bath.

        

Downstairs

Designer Kitchen featured in Better Homes & Gardens with a dining nook seating ten+ overlooking the pool and rear grounds, state-of-the-art appliances including a massive six-burner Wolfe range with oven and separate Thermador convection oven, Asko ultra-quiet dishwasher and Amana stainless-steel refrigerator, extensive task lighting, granite counter tops, a marble baker’s counter and a center island ideal for gathering and high-end cookware, dishware and extensive equipment for gourmet food preparation and entertaining.

Dining Room and Office Nook conveniently adjacent to the kitchen.  An antique barn table seats six with additional seating available.  Hardwood floors are complemented by a beautiful Oriental carpet.  Built in cabinetry with handmade leaded-glass doors houses china, crystal and collectibles.  The office area, which overlooks the pool and enjoys a view of Sugarloaf, is ideal for a working wine country vacation, or just occasional computer use, featuring massive desk space, a computer with high-speed-cable internet connection, Wi-Fi, printer and fax.

Living Room/Family Room, large and gracious and warmed by a fireplace of local Napa stone, has comfortable two sofa seating with views of the veranda and grounds and built-in cabinets that boast an impressive collection of books, DVDs, videos, games, and toys for all ages.  The 60″ HDTV boasts access to numerous stations and streaming apps – including Netflix, HBO, and Xfinity On Demand. Immersive surround sound and the stereo system offer relaxation. The elevator, French doors leading to the covered veranda, a vintage round clawfoot game table seating four and a leather chair and ottoman tucked in a corner for reading (or napping!) highlight the end of the gaming area which adjoins the dining room.

Den with sliding doors for privacy has a custom mahogany sleigh bed with pull-out trundle, leather chair with ottoman and TV/DVD.

Mudroom, featuring a whimsical and vibrant color palette, has slate flooring and provides easy access to the front and rear yards.  Features Maytag Neptune front-loading washer and gas dryer, farm sink and counter perfect for washing produce from Farmers’ Markets and flower arranging, built-in cabinets with ample house supplies and outdoor balls and games, custom upholstered changing bench and storage nooks for beach towels.

Two half baths – one in the mudroom convenient to the pool and spa and one off the kitchen.

Wraparound Veranda evokes memories of rural Sonoma in times past and provides extensive space for entertaining and relaxation with comfortable Lloyd and Flanders wicker furniture in the rear, especially enticing in the morning sun; views toward the creekside bramble to the side; and a porch swing, rocking chairs and other vintage seating in the front from which to enjoy views of the grounds and the Valley’s golden sunsets.

Upstairs

Spacious, light-filled farmhouse rooms with large dormers and charming layouts have new double-paned Marvin windows with screens to enjoy summer breezes, air conditioning, forced air heat and new wall-to-wall carpet installed for comfort.

Master Bedroom is very spacious and has vineyard views.  It sleeps up to three, with a king four-poster with an exceptionally luxurious Aireloom handmade mattress and a twin bed in the alcove for family convenience.  By arrangement, a queen or double Aero inflatable bed can be made available for this room.  A comfy chair, Victorian marble-topped dresser with mirror and TV/DVD complete the furnishings.  Many guests have used the large walk-in closet as a quiet space for a baby sleeping in the Pack ‘N Play playpen.

The large Ensuite Master Bathroom has soaring 12+-foot ceiling and huge windows providing views of the expansive front grounds.  A freestanding clawfoot tub, an oversized shower (wheelchair accessible), Waterworks pedestal sink and toilet, cross-handle faucets, beadboard wainscoting, custom tile, elegant sconces and crystal chandelier provide vintage atmosphere.

Creekside Bedroom sleeps four with a comfortable vintage queen four-poster and a daybed with trundle.  A sofa, dresser and large walk-in closet (in which a second portable crib can be set up for baby to sleep) complete the room.

Sugarloaf View Bedroom, overlooking the pool, spa and rear grounds, sleeps two with a vintage queen four-poster.  This romantic and light-drenched room features an antique French walnut marble-topped dresser and mirror and soaring ceilings with stunning views of Sugarloaf through expansive windows.   At night, it is illuminated by an impressive Victorian painted-globe chandelier.

Guest Bathroom has been recently remodeled and has festive checkerboard tile, large marble counter with sink and shower over tub.

Hallway has linen closet, ceiling fan and additional air conditioning and forced air heating control.

Elevator access from hallway.

Grounds

Pool is estate-size and has new state-of-the-art equipment including automatic salt chlorination for a clean, silky feel and no chemical smell as well as an automatic recessed child-safety cover (with lock and key) that keeps it sparkling clean and warm.  The pool solar-heating system can be adjusted to your preference during the summer season – most guests prefer the pool to be “like a bathtub”, around 88-90 degrees.  The solar heat extends the use of the pool in the shoulder season.   The solar system can be supplemented by gas heat, by prior arrangement and at cost, in cooler months if desired.

Custom Stone Spa seats eight or more guests comfortably. It is brand new and has state-of-the-art equipment for safety, cleanliness and ease of use, including indoor remote controls.  You may even select a colorful light show!

Outdoor Shower and Changing Room is conveniently located for a hot or cold shower after a swim, soak in the spa, bike ride or run.  Enjoy the trees by day and stars and moon by night in this open air but sheltered retreat.

Gas Grill can be rolled out from the rear veranda for cooking with a view.

Other Features include adjustable-height basketball hoop, two tree swings, Pawley Island hammock for two, picnic table, ample poolside seating, vintage corral with hothouse, “secret” redwood hollow for children’s play, apple, persimmon and pear trees and extensive brambles great for blackberry picking, an array of children’s ride-on toys, level grounds for exploring and wheel chair access and seasonal duck pond and creek.

Gated Entry for your privacy.  Custom stone columns topped by lanterns that provide a welcoming and romantic glow at night.