WELCOME TO GLOWING LANTERN
Join us on a brief photographic tour of the home. Begin your journey below.
GLASS EVERYWHERE
The exterior of the house is quite striking. As you drive up the fairly steep driveway, the house looms large above you. You may first notice the large geometric shapes, the massive glass windows, the huge deck/carport, and the roofline that reaches towards the sky. And then you notice that it is not squared up to the align with the street as most homes are, but instead, turns to take in the view of Marion Mountain.
Then, as you start to look at the details, you begin to appreciate the nuances. The vertical wood that makes the house seem larger... The glulam beams that somehow float the deck and act as seating... The design of the light fixture above the front door... The attention to detail on the lighting... and so much more!
And if you arrive at night, you might even think to yourself...
"This house looks like a Glowing Lantern."
LIVING ROOM
Open to the kitchen and dining room, the massive living room is accessed by stepping down from the entry.
Anchored by It has massive steel and granite fireplace with a black flute, this main living space has massive windows and a huge vaulted ceiling. Multiple glulam beams are integrated in the room, exposing a bit of how the building is held together.
Two corner to corner glass windows, one absolutely massive, allow the viewer to feel like they are outside while being in the comfort of the indoors.
A small deck with stairs leading to the East is accessible through double French Doors.
Modern furniture from Cantoni, with tables that change height and shape, fill the room and complete the sleek look.
DINING ROOM
On the same level as the kitchen, the dining room is situated in front of almost 30 feet of glass and is open to the living and kitchen spaces.
Guests at the dining room table can look out to the front of the house, the back, or to the Kitchen. Glass sliders allow a breathtaking view to the back of the property and an exit to the cement patio with a wooden glulam bench.
A small wine fridge and bar area is located on the opposite wall. An integrated padded bench, a great place to read a book or watch the wildlife, is located above cabinets with a large picture window behind.
OPEN AND FREE
There kitchen is, first of all, quite large. It boasts two sinks, the main (and larger) one located on the island. It is filled with stainless steel appliances, including a large refidgerator, 5-burner range, double oven, dishwaser, and microwave. Ample soft-close cabinets leave plenty of room for storage.
The Island, adorned with a gorgeous massive granite slab that matches all the countertops, has room for four modern high stools that are great for having a quick snack or a glass of wine in the afternoon while engaging in conversation with the chef.
The window and screen that looks onto the deck can even be slid open to pass appetizers to the deck.
And best of all, the kitchen is open to the living and dining rooms, looking through the floating staircase. So the chef never feels disconnected with the happenings of the home.
MAIN BEDROOM
The Main Bedroom is the largest bedroom as is the only bedroom that faces Marion Mountian. It has massive windows that look north towards the mountain, and a trapezoidal corner-to-corner glass windown. When you approach the windows, you get a sense of how high up you are in the canopy of trees.
The room also has a small deck with an integrated bench, perfcet for sipping morning coffee, or reading a book in the afternoon.
The Main Bath (not pictured) has a two sinks, ample counter space, private WC, an all-glass shower, and a full jacuzzi bath tub.
THE LOFT BEDROOM
"The Loft" bedroom has two huge windows facing the east and south side of the property. And it has a trapezoidal windown just above the roofline that gives you a peek-a-boo view of the top of the mountain line and even Lily Rock from certain vantage points in the room.
But the main feature are the three wooden "win-doors" that open to the living room below. They can be open during the day get a grand view into and through the living room, and they can be shut for acoustical and visual privacy at night.
The room also contains a rocking chair (refinished) from the original house as well as modern furniture and low-lying Queen bed.
THE YELLOW ROOM
The so-called "Yellow Room" bedroom, named for the paint color, has a view of the back of the upslode of the property. All you can see through the windows is forrest.
The room also has a private 1/2 Bath and large walk-in closet.
THEATER ROOM
For decades, there was no televesion set at El JaMar. That was partially due to the fact that reception in the 1930's was non-existant, and that Idyllwild was a place to get away from the busy city life and TV. Eventually, with the invention of the VCR and two video rental stores opening in Idyllwild, a small TV and VHS player was added in the upstairs of the old house, giving the kids some entertainment while the parents played bridge and socialized downstairs.
But when the new house was constructed, having a way to watch movies and live sports became a priority, as the house was often used during holidays when important live sporting events take place. And with Brian Tweedt's involvement in the Entertainment Industry, and the dawning of the High Definition video age, it seemed like a good time to go all-in on a HD home theater.
The theater was upgraded in early 2020 to now include a 4K HDR projector, an 82" electrically retractable screen, and upgraded Dobly ATMOS sound system.
THE DARKROOM
The Darkroom was originally going to be a utility closet on the lower level of the house, but Brian Tweedt convinced his father Terry to add some additional plumbing, and thus the darkroom was born.
Brian is a passionate Black & White film photographer, and took two summer photography classes at ISOMATA (now Idyllwild School of the Arts) in the summer of 1991 and 1992. These photography classes were hugely influential on his career and helped develop his passion of the visual arts, and it only seemed fitting that he could continue his now-hobby of printing photos at Idyllwild.
A FUNCTIONAL PIECE OF ART
While a staircase is fundamentally a way to change floors in a home to most architects, this staircase is so much more.
In alignment with the open metal-grate stairs that bring you from the lower level outside, and connect the Main Floor to the Upper Floor, the staircase is located in the middle of the home. But a traditional wall to support the stairs in this location would severely impede the visual connection of the kitchen to the living and dining rooms.
So architect Dennis McGuire created a clever solution to the problem by "hanging" the stairs. Slender metal rods with threading firmly hold the glulam wood steps in a visually pleasing and slightly incomprehensible design that creates a "wow" factor as soon as you open the oversized front door. And a large glulam beam, with rope lighting hidden along the bottom (which creates a soft glow illumining the steps at night), acts as the base of the handrail, adding support and visual symbiosis with the other glulam beams in the home.
As Dennis explains:
(Quote coming soon!)
The staircase is a one of a kind masterpiece, and is not seen in any other McGuire designs.