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140 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S U M M E R / F A L L 2 0 2 0 Mike approves: "I could play hand- ball in there." Another imperative was the Stones' desire for lots of light and volume, and they got that as well. In spades. With another big laugh, Mike says, "We have a ridiculous number of windows." Holdren's design takes full advantage of the mountaintop site's 2,100-foot elevation. "The lot offers diverse experiences from east to west," Holdren says. It looks over a rugged wooded canyon to the west while the eastern side affords views of the Salinas Valley with the Garland Ranch fire tower in the near distance. Great care was taken to retain as many of the site's original trees to maintain the natural feel of the land. Some of those trees are val- ley oaks, a deciduous variety that gives up a view of the Monterey Bay during winter their leaves are shed. Another tie-in to the natural environment is the home's red-trimmed windows, a reflection of the autumn leaf color displayed by the region's pro- lific poison oak. Mike and Patty resided in Australia for six years before settling into their new Preserve home this year, and the architecture the couple experienced in that country while living in Sydney and Melbourne helped inform the design of their new California home. "'Taronga' is an aboriginal word meaning 'beautiful view,'" Mike says. "It seemed appropriate in recognition of our time in Australia, and the Aussie al fresco feel of this house." The name also dovetails perfectly with the art the Stones collected over the years that currently graces many areas of the home. "Mike and Patty brought an extraor- dinary collection of aboriginal art. They provided photos and dimensions and that was very much a part of the con- versation," Holdren says. "It was won- derful to work with. In my opinion, the art ties the house together." Also from the Stones' Australian experience is the wide-open vibe to the entire home, especially the living room and adjacent kitchen and dining areas. East and west walls are made up of enor- mous, floor-to-ceiling windows that slide into wall pockets, creating a seamless transition from indoors to out. Adding to that feel is the fact Taronga's guest house is separated from the main house by a cozy outdoor sitting area. The arrangement provides privacy for both hosts and visitors. "Every guest we have says they've never slept better than they do here," says Patty Stone. A burbling fountain adjacent to the front door has at- tracted a family of frogs whose songs fill the evening air. Photo: Abraham and Paulin Photography Photo: Craig Holdren