Editorial Note
Patty and Mike Stone have recently completed building their home and we went to meet them in their stunning, thoughtfully designed home to learn how they are settling in and what drew them to The Preserve. The first image below was taken by the Stones and graciously shared with us.
Patty and Mike Stone fell in love the first time they drove through The Preserve gates. “We wanted a little bit of nature – well a lot of nature,” Mike said, with a laugh. The wild, untouched beauty drew them in and the promise of 18,000 acres protected in perpetuity made them stay. Relocating across the globe from Australia, the pair wanted a property with an ocean view. The first time Patty visited their property on Chamisal Pass, the pink glow of Peñon Peak in the sunset enchanted her. Instead of the Pacific Ocean, they enjoy expansive views of Peñon to the north and Halls Ridge to the south. Sometimes the marine layer stretches deep into the valley and the rich blanket of fog surrounds the peak, they lovingly refer to it as ‘Peñon Peak Island’, complete with the fire tower resembling a lighthouse. An early riser, Patty spends her mornings on The Preserve enjoying the golden glow of the sunrise beside Peñon Peak. Stunning views of this landmark are enjoyed from around the home, most spectacularly from their outdoor living room. It is fitting that they named their home Taronga, an Aboriginal word meaning “beautiful view.” The views from Taronga transform throughout the day as the sun-cast shadows morph across the landscape creating dramatic depth.
Mike and Patty’s fondness for nature and the outdoors is exhibited in their architectural choices. They describe the design as “very Aussie” in the way they merge their indoor and outdoor spaces. Even the materials used for their home have a rustic quality that complement the rich tones of the mixed oak and madrone woodland that frames their views. Accessible binoculars and sun hats in the outdoor living areas convey the high use of these spaces and their fondness of the sweeping vistas.
The seamless transition even invites the occasional wildlife into their home – recently a gopher snake mistook their home as part of the ecosystem. They are unphased and even delighted by their wild neighbors, enthusiastically sharing the few stories they have collected since they moved in at the beginning of the summer.
Mike and Patty are settling into the community quickly. They love “resort living in a nature preserve” and can be found enjoying the Golf Course and hiking the trails. Mike recently completed the Community Emergency Response Team training and is proud to be engaged with the community in such a meaningful way.
By Lindsay Cope