Set near the apex of this hillside community, this singular home was a study in how to magnify the character of this inimitable property. With a view that stretched to the Pacific Ocean, set against a foreground of vegetation, the key to the design for this property was to enhance the existing structure, open the home as much as possible, all the while simplifying the detailing – allowing the serene backdrop to become a part of the interior of the home. This concept of openness was magnified by creating a strong, stone clad, front façade. This strong datum facilitated the privacy of the owners but also helped to magnify the experience as one first penetrates the deeply recessed entry. Once through this portal the guest is greeted by full height windows that frame a unique sculptural pine. This ancient tree is reminiscent of a carefully tended Bonsai, perfectly sculpted, to form the foreground to a perfect view. This distinctive pine also acts as the fulcrum about which the house is organized. An outdoor deck off the main living room, dining room, and kitchen to the right of the tree, with an extended deck and private spa off the master bedroom to the left, the statuesque tree offers a serene feeling over the entire home as its bows frame the view, while offering a visual queue to the ocean breezes that embrace this special home daily.