Approached by driving a long, hand-set pavered drive way, and accessed by the circular drive-around with handsome central fountain, the Main House features 5 large and exceedingly comfortable bedroom suites, an upstairs as well as a main level Family Room, Formal Entry, Formal Living Room, Formal Dining Room, Executive Office, Personal Library, gorgeous Kitchen adjacent to casual dining and Family Room, as well as Billiard/game room! On a level of its own is another entertainment paradise–an 8+ person theatre, entertainment center, powder room, and stone-clad wine storage and tasting room! The attached Guest House is extremely spacious offering a Living Room with beam-accented, vaulted ceiling, Kitchen with stainless steel appliances, a large Bedroom Suite and Bath–the equivalent of a “second Master Suite.”

“Clos de Lavande” is serenely sited far off the road, up a long, gravel-covered cement driveway lined with olive groves, fruit orchards, a seasonal creek, masses of flowers in season, and a hillside of lavender.

Authenticity is the hallmark of this estate.  All floors are antique–terracotta floor tiles salvaged from100+ year old Provencal homes, antique wood set in authentic pattern, and/or old Abbey stone flooring throughout. All windows, shutters, and interior doors were custom-made in France by the restorer of Versailles! Antique fireplaces (one from 1600), antique locks, French lighting fixtures, antique trumeaux (mirror and painting) above fireplaces, antique roof tiles laid in the “genoise” style (set upon a regulation roof) and myriad indoor and outdoor fixtures from France are gracefully woven throughout this exquisite property.

Hand forged wrought iron gates at the entry open to a courtyard with a hexagonal stone fountain. Just past the fountain the home’s tall rustic wooden entry door stands in the center of a massive stone surround dating to 1650. The Main House, formed as a “U” around the entry courtyard, offers 3 bedroom suites with sitting rooms, a hand made cherry wood library, a French country kitchen with butler’s pantry and linen/crystal closet, a breakfast room, a family room, both formal living and dining rooms, and an art studio (optional 4th bedroom in Main House). The Master Suite enjoys dual baths and dressing rooms, and in addition to the secondary baths, there are 2 powder rooms. Additionally, the Main House offers a refrigerated wine room, flower room (with 18th century cabinet and zinc sink) and an oversized 3-car garage with attic above.

The French country kitchen marries the charm of Provence with the efficiency of of today’s appliances and conveniences. A pizza oven inspired by the fireplaces that typify country kitchens, open shelves, a single-basin country sink, warm Jerusalem limestone counters flanked by ochre and white custom tiles from France, and Civil war era reclaimed rustic beams overhead emphasize the country feel of this unique room . The kitchen centerpiece is an oversized table/center island constructed of London plane wood (sycamore) which is a self-healing wood. Matching sycamore chairs complete the setting. The adjacent Breakfast Room with walls of hand-forged French window/doors enjoys broad views of expansive lawns, gardens, orchards, and the privately sited Guest House. The long, narrow pool/spa and fish pond are edged in limestone coping stones that once lined roadsides in Provence.

The Guest House presents a full bedroom suite, a living room and a full kitchen. Interior and exterior fireplaces and the same authentic finishes as the Main House are enjoyed here. The surrounding Certified Organic Gardens produce olives, citrus, deciduous fruit, vegetables and, of course, enchanting stands of lavender and roses!

All interior walls are plaster with bullnose corners; crown moldings and graceful archways adorn all rooms and hallways. Cross enfilade construction, multiple ceiling heights, 8 fireplaces,and gracious 10′ doors and windows that open to views of the garden keep the spaces warm and inviting. Outdoor loggias enjoy fireplaces, limestone floors, and beams over 100 years old. State of the art conveniences include 5 HVAC zones, 3 tankless water heaters, surround sound, interior sprinklers, security system, computerized irrigation.

The property has been featured in San Diego Home and Garden, the Union Tribune, Country French Decorating, Dream Kitchens, and is in the 2010 spring edition of Outdoor Rooms.

Ideally sited upon a premium lot in a superb location in incomparable Fairbanks Ranch! Sweet single level, approx 4500 sq. ft plus 3-car garage. Needs to be finished! Remodel in progress—needs kitchen and some work in baths. Call for details! Home offers 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths (unfinished), formal living, formal dining, office, kitchen (unfinished) opening to indoor family room. Vaulted ceilings with exposed beams, flooring of limestone, hardwood, and quality wool carpeting. Outdoor family room with fireplace and beautiful wrought iron railing/gates opening to pool/spa and exceptional gardens with privacy and view!

Improvements already made to this property include:

• Conversion to salt water pool with state-of-the-art technology for self-filtering and new remote controls

• New HVAC New furnace, AC, and extra large capacity water heater

• New Security System, including interior and exterior motion sensors, cellphone back-up

• New chimney caps

• New insulation in the attic

• Extensive electrical rewiring

• Stone floors, limestone “seagrass” installed in many rooms

• New Master bath with large, all stone walk-in shower

• New toilets throughout

• New draperies and Roman shades inside and on the outside Family Room

• Satellite controlled, low-flow irrigation system covering entire 1.03 site

A must see! Absolutely immaculate Laing Luxury Villa. The best lot available. Custom paint and window treatments throughout. Your buyers will love this one! Gourmet kitchen with stainless steel Thermador appliance package, walk-in pantry and wine refrigerator. Formal Dining Room with access to the side yard and patio for indoor/outdoor entertaining. Large Family Room with hardwood flooring and wood beams. Oversized Master Suite provides viewing balcony, fireplace, soaking tub, his and her vanities and a large walk-in closet outfitted by California Closets. Secondary bedrooms are all ensuite. Large “Easy-Turf” yard for low maintenance and personal putting green. Back Patio area had built in B-B-Que and endless golf course views. No luxury has been spared. Truly a great home!

Originally $4,500,000, NOW $3,495,000.  Not replaceable at this price.  Seller in escrow on another property and extremely motivated. MUST SELL!!!!

MAIN RESIDENCE FEATURES INCLUDE: Renovated/remodeled with exceedingly good taste and style throughout all interior spaces. Wide-plank hardwood flooring, Carrera marble, slab granite, designer light fixtures, beautiful natural light from an abundance of French doors, skylights, and windows; gorgeous cabinetry, handsome hardware and fixtures, steam bath, spa tub, customized closets. A/C (3 units), security system, phone system, indoor/outdoor audio system, DLS, 3-year new concrete shake roof, water softener system, 4-car garage with tremendous storage and epoxy floor.

EXTERIOR AMENITIES INCLUDE: Private entrance gates; property is fully fenced and enjoys automatic irrigation Concrete and gravel circular drive to porte cochere entry Extensive outdoor lighting throughout entire property Beautiful pebble tec finish pool (with auto cover) and spa, solar assisted Abundant concrete and flagstone patios and walkways, lawns and privacy hedge rows Exceptional drainage

HORSE FACILITIES INCLUDE: 5-stall Barn, nearby washer/dryer 2-stall portable barn (not permitted) Office/Tack room with full bath 3 grass paddocks 5 sand paddocks 6 pipe corrals with electronic fly control Cross ties and wash area with HOT and COLD water!! 12000 sq foot jumper/dressage arena with exacting footings and underlay Professional design skateboard ramp! THIS ESTATE/EQUESTRIAN FACILITY IS UNIQUE BY EVERY DEFINITION!!!