House & Garden Tour
By Jennifer Hamilton

Beveled-glass mirror, sensual shadows and twinkling chandeliers


House & Garden Tour
Sun, May 24, tour departs at noon 
Biblioteca Pública
Insurgentes 25
US$15 or 150 pesos
Breakfast at Café Santa Ana starts at 9am

1. One of the first homes in Atascadero 50 years ago, light now emanates through every room after months of remodeling the house and huge garden.

Plants, flowers and a cantera fountain border the entry path. The master bathroom sports an outstanding beveled-glass mirror, made locally as were most of the lighting fixtures, iron work and beveled glass. All bedrooms open onto a flower-filled front patio or garden. The studio has sculpted concrete walls, exquisitely shaped lamps, golden-hued colors and special jewelry shelves. An oversized aviary in the garden was designed for many birds and the fountain was made locally by hand. An Aztec sculpture on the wall of the garden was in the foyer of the original house 50 years ago. It was carefully taken apart, then reassembled outdoors piece by piece. 

2. This elegant home overlooks the historical orchid gardens founded by Stirling Dickinson in 1934.

 Built around a majestic tree that reminds the owners of the joys of living in nature, the trunk is ever-present on all three levels of the house, while the branches provide a canopy of sensual shadows during the day. Its design embraces nature while incorporating the best styles of Spanish Colonial architecture with a touch of ancient French Provincial Gothic. Although the house seems to have been there forever, its interior offers several modern conveniences. The new owners wanted to respect the original integrity, but pushed the design to more contemporary appearances. A fountain built at the entrance added tropical ambient sounds. A wall in the main living room was opened to accommodate a 10-foot window paired with an equivalent-size mirror on the opposite side of the room, allowing light and warmth to enter. A cantera wall fire chimney allows flames to shoot up, warming the room and enhancing the modernity. 
Tibetan rugs, chenille sofas and a cebrano table all give a touch of modern design with a feeling of worldliness added by old pieces such as a Moroccan antique tea pot collection, highlighting the ideals of harmony and nature in the values of these two well-traveled women. Design and décor provide equilibrium between past and present.

3. This tranquil, serene home was built on the property originally owned by famed philanthropist and educator Stirling Dickinson, whose famous home and orchid gardens once occupied this site.

The original front door was retained and what remains of Dickinson’s greenhouses can be seen still from the many terraces. Arches abound, with tragaluces adding light to every room. Ceiling beams, floors, mantels and doors are all antique, with cantera brick flooring, as well as twinkling chandeliers. The kitchen has double copper sinks, a center island, impressive tile-work behind the stove and wood cabinets hand-carved locally. Recessed lighting illuminates stone stairwells indoors and out. The master bedroom contains a four-poster bed carved locally, fronted by a carved wood chest. Downstairs a baptismal font dominates a guest bathroom, which leads into a spare bedroom and entertainment area.