CENTRAL COAST CALIFORNIA • NORTH SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY • WEST PASO ROBLES HILLS

Hilltop Perch in Paso Robles, CA.

Doug and Judy wanted family togetherness in the countryside.

Their main home in Laguna keeps them close to the coast, but for this second home, they imagined something different — a retreat surrounded by stillness, golden hills, and sloping vineyards. A place where family could gather, evenings would stretch long, and the wine was never more than an arm’s reach away.

Designed for connection and solitude, this layout separates the home into distinct wings with a private suite for Doug and Judy on one end, and guest rooms for their boys and visiting friends on the other. It’s perfect for hosting without sacrificing quiet. Early in the process, we worked through what we jokingly called “Tinder for Architecture.” Judy’s eclectic Houzz board spanned at least five different styles, so we created ten unique design concepts; each a different “face” of the home. In true analog fashion, Doug and Judy sat on opposite sides of the room, sorting them into yes, no, and maybe piles. What emerged was a style that blended modern and prairie sensibilities: long rooflines, vertical windows, and a composition of larger hip-roofed masses connected by flatter-roofed masses — or as Nina calls them, “pods and nodes.”

After studying multiple site location options, we designed their new home atop a stunning hilltop off Peachy Canyon Road in Paso Robles, where the Santa Lucia Mountains roll into view from every angle. The final floor plan shaped the home into an “H” layout - creating outdoor spaces that are protected from both wind and sun in all seasons. During summer months, the northern patio is covered by natural shade from the building and shields the afternoon winds. And the southern patio captures tons of sun to warm up the space in the winter months providing a cozy outdoor space when the hills begin to turn green again. The overall result? Privacy is given both to the primary bedroom and the guest rooms wing, entertaining spaces are thoughtfully located, and views of the natural beauty enter the home via expansive glazing. It’s the kind of plan that quietly does a lot of work behind the scenes giving Doug and Judy plenty of options for hosting, lounging, and sunset-watching.

Family togetherness & quiet solitude delivered.