Seaside Retreat in Inspiring Bolinas: An Artist's Vision

What do you get when you combine the unconventional attributes of seaside Bolinas with the finely cultivated vision of an artist? Well, you get The Sea Dragon Estate.

Sea Dragon’s aesthetic is an intriguing balance of the rustic and the refined. Think of slabs of bay laurel embedded in burnished concrete floors, big live-edge timbers, rusted patina corten steel and walls of glass. The experience is a treat to the senses. But for the owner, it was a vision that evolved over years until at last her final brush strokes were made.

"As a painter I was drawn to the spirit of freedom, creativity, and community that exists in a very unique way in Bolinas. Design ideas I had thought of for years were at last given the opportunity to come to life. Much of that freedom of expression I attribute to the feeling that is Bolinas,” says the owner, a landscape artist.

She worked with a team of designers and builders to create this unique family compound and retreat. Like any artist with a big canvas, the owner and her team tried and tried again with different designs and materials to get the experience just right. They integrated materials from around the world as well as local treasures. The estate blends stone and wood features from West Marin, Bali, Afghanistan, South Africa, as well as Kansas City and Pt. Arena.

“Everything on the estate has been carefully thought out and integrated to represent a design and function that are complementary to the rural feel and natural beauty of Bolinas. Of course a new owner will naturally take this special place in a new direction – and I’m excited with that prospect as well. I hope this remains an open canvas for the next resident,” says the owner.

The Sea Dragon is a place for gathering family and friends. It’s not hard to imagine a wedding, summer solstice party, or big family get-togethers. The large stone patio off the living room is meant for entertaining. Like an amphitheater, the patio is semicircular and nestled into mature landscaping. Soft night lighting surrounds the area. A hand crafted gas fire feature is at the far end, and an adjacent caterer’s kitchen makes entertaining large groups easier. 

The setting itself is peaceful and pastoral. Situated on 18 acres above the Bolinas Lagoon, the property has views of protected Bolinas Ridge across the water. Trails provide a walking path to various picnic spots and link together the fishing pond, horse barn, bunkhouse, art studio, main house and guest quarters. The lower portion of the property abuts the iconic Star Route Farm.

The infrastructure for the Sea Dragon estate while virtually unseen, is state-of-the-art and brilliantly conceived. A future owner may put in a pool, expand the equestrian use or do any manner of changes to make it their own. Whatever direction Sea Dragon takes, the thoughtful planning behind the infrastructure will be a great asset going forward.


 

From Glen Williams of McGuire Real Estate