181 Lombardy Lane

Sleepy Hollow Country Estate

This home’s design is contemporary, yet it evokes the peace of country life in Napa’s wine country.  The home, adjacent to Orinda Downs, was fully and thoughtfully remodeled from the studs over the past year on a .32-acre lot.  The property’s classic design was created with fire and earthquake safety in mind and minimizes maintenance costs. 

Enter the home either from the 2-car garage through a mud room, or through the beautiful new front door and foyer.  Both entrances lead to the open-concept Great Room.  The beautifully appointed chef’s kitchen, with Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Bosch appliances, a spacious Dolomite island, and quartz perimeter counters, leads seamlessly to the adjoining living room (under an elevated ceiling with recessed lighting) and the spacious dining room (which easily seats 8-10) and wet bar with a Sub-Zero beverage refrigerator.  The butler’s pantry alongside (with granite counters, and a Fisher & Paykel double-drawer dishwasher to supplement the kitchen dishwasher, built-in microwave, custom cabinetry, and sink) enhances storage and guest service. 

A bedroom (with en-suite bath) and a media room (which could be configured as a den, gym, office, playroom, or sitting room) lie on one side of the home; the other 4 bedrooms (one now decorated as an office) and 3½ more baths are found at the other end.  The principal suite is particularly noteworthy, with an elevated ceiling, garden views on two sides, back yard access through floor-to-ceiling sliding doors, an oversized closet that will accommodate anyone’s wardrobe, and a bathroom with heated Italian porcelain flooring, double sinks, walk-in shower, and solid-surface soaking tub.  A laundry with oversized Electrolux washer and dryer is conveniently located nearby.  French oak hardwoods grace the home throughout.

Indoor-outdoor entertainment is easy, because of the newly landscaped back yard.  Residents and guests will survey elegant mature trees alongside:  redwoods, oaks, and more.  The grassy play area adjoins the deck with two entertainment areas:  a dining area seating eight (adjacent to the outdoor kitchen with Summerset grill, rotisserie, sink, refrigerator, storage cabinets and granite counter), and a separate seating area, also seating eight, for cocktails and conversation.  There is ample space to add an ADU or pool (although the Sleepy Hollow Swim & Tennis Club is close by.)

Some of the home’s best features are invisible or nearly so.  The home is solar-ready with an upgraded panel and dual-system energy-efficient heat pumps.  The house is pre-wired for Smart Home Automation, WiFi, network, hardwired internet, surveillance, and centrally landed wiring for a pro-grade AV system.  The eaves under the roof use Vulcan fire-stopping continuous soffit vents to keep out embers and pests.  No foliage immediately adjoins the house, again for fire safety.  Irrigation may be controlled by one’s smartphone, and a smart-water feature allows for emergency shutoff to prevent water damage.  All work related to the remodel was designed for seismic protection.  Drought-tolerant foliage, including Swan Hill olive trees, is used throughout, to minimize water use.  The home’s siding uses Hardie board cement, arguably the most fire-resistant siding possible.  Both the home and the landscaping are designed to minimize maintenance time and expense.

One need not leave for the countryside for a relaxing weekend; this rebuilt jewel offers the comfort of a Napa Valley spa without leaving home.