Added: Jun 16, 2010

From: jetsetgetaway

Duration: 0:34

A fantastic oasis in the Californian desert from its elegant Tuscan facade to its state-of-the-art kitchen. The Renaissance Estate is an experience like no other. Here is a private palace of marble, flying buttresses vaulted ceilings of stars and 16th century grandeur. This magnificent estate of 7 bedrooms and 7.5 baths is perfectly suited for a small corporate retreat or a large family gathering. Intimate entertaining spaces and a delicious variety of bedroom suites will delight you. This home is the ultimate vacation experience! * MAIN HOUSE: A striking formal facade presents a grand old-world Tuscan villa. The villa's charm lies in its mix of casual and formal elements combining simplicity with grandeur which makes entering this home like stepping back in time to a gracious elegant Europe.As you enter the home circular walls of meticulously placed limestone graced by two Italian antique Savonarola chairs greet the visitor. An elegantly curtained passage of gold velvet and Renaissance-inspired prints hide a spiral staircase that leads from the ground floor to a private retreat above. Custom designed Travertine flooring is hand chiseled into a Versailles pattern that runs from the entry courtyard through the bottom floor and out to the garden patios. As the house's structure combines the charm of more traditional materials with the space and light of modern architectural sensibilities, so too the decoration of the rooms mixes old and new to great effect. * GREAT HALL: This is the core of the home. At the very center of this space, set into the travertine floor, is an imported hand-carved floor medallion based on a German Renaissance rosette design. An oil painted mural executed in 15th century Renaissance style graces the pendentive dome ceiling; a strong rich palette of jeweled tones portray classical figures and painted landscapes and the "Joys of Life": music, dance, courtship, and family. Through the oculus sits a gold-leafed cupola with cobalt blue windows divided by hand carved marble columns. Four soaring arches frame the eighteen foot square space that is sectioned into several conversation zones. Comfortable, intimate seating flanks the enormous fireplace on either side along with an oversized leather ottoman. Two curved Renaissance-inspired couches covered in fabrics of gold, cobalt blue, and deep red beckon visitors to sit. * KITCHEN: The expansive kitchen with hand-rubbed antiqued walls in shades of burnt orange, old-world travertine floor and counter tops, and an abundance of natural light make this one of the most inviting parts of the house. A sweeping bi-level center island with a massive travertine counter top offers seating for twelve. A gilded domed ceiling echoes the shape of the center island below. The islands cook top is a commercial four-foot Tapan grill over which hangs a custom designed, hand forged copper and brass hood. A state-of-the-art pizza oven set in honey quartzite and 4" travertine adds warmth and ambiance to the setting. The cabinetry design incorporates rich natural wood with sand point finish. Hand-made bronze swirling acanthus leaf drawer and cabinet pulls were specially caste for the home. Other amenities include: Side by side Sub-zero under counter refrigerator drawers, 60" stainless steel Dynasty range and dual dish washers. * DINING ROOM: With a groin vaulted ceiling of cobalt blue and eight-point gilded stars, the dining room is done in a medieval castle decor. Heavy wooden furniture establishes a solid presence in the dining room featuring a hand-carved table and twelve crested high-backed chairs. An oversized, hand-carved wood hutch hugs the golden, hand-rubbed walls arched windows are trimmed with crimson velvet curtains and amber beaded fringe and a fresh water aquarium lined with cobalt blue glass tile finishes the effect. * LIVING ROOM: The walls of the main living areas are hand rubbed with inviting, warm golden tones. Large comfortable sofas covered in velvet and overstuffed chairs create a more relaxed environment. Eight specially designed forged-steel torches scale the wall as if in a medieval castle and bathe the room in a warm amber glow. Fabric covered groin vaults grace the perimeter of a deeply coffered ceiling supported by hand-carved, imported marble corbels. Light filters through the cobalt blue clerestory windows above, projecting a magical translucent blue light to the floor. Four ceiling fans drop from the 17-foot ceiling to stir a refreshing breeze, and a pair of bronze mythological figures stands guard over the home. A 10'x27' wall of hanging glass panels slide along a track and disappear from view, providing unobstructed passage from the Great Room into exterior pool area: pool, spa, gardens and a view of the golf course and the lake. Villa Location Located in Palm Desert and dramatically situated on the 18th fairway of a Golf Course, The Renaissance Estate is - created at http://animoto.com

Channel: Film

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