Sonoma's oldest adobe gets a moody, modern revival
Andrew Mariani, the driving force behind Scribe Winery, isn't one for letting history gather dust. He’s resurrected a piece of Northern California’s past—an 1847 Sonoma adobe, once home to a rather unruly mayor—transforming it into a design-forward guesthouse and a uniquely intimate event space. The project, a collaboration between Mariani, designer Leigh Salem of Post Company, and architect Robert Baumann, is a masterclass in blending the profoundly historic with the strikingly contemporary.
A delicate dance between eras
The core challenge, as Mariani puts it, was finding a “language to juxtapose” the building's raw, 19th-century character with a modern sensibility. It wasn't about erasing the past, but rather, illuminating it. The landmarked status of the adobe imposed strict limitations, ruling out any direct alterations to its original structure. This constraint, however, spurred a remarkably creative solution.
Post Company’s design hinges on a discreet, U-shaped wing, virtually invisible from the street, that houses two bedrooms and three bathrooms. This addition doesn’t cling to the adobe; instead, it’s connected by a long, narrow skylit seam, a subtle yet significant architectural gesture that preserves the integrity of the original building while expanding its functionality.
The original adobe now serves as a captivating dining room, the heart of the space. A colossal, vintage dining table sourced from Round Top, Texas, anchors the room, drawing guests into an atmosphere of understated elegance. Vintage chairs, originally from a Dutch church and procured through Amsterdam Modern, complete the scene, adding a layer of European charm.
“Our approach was to treat the historic section with as much reverence as possible,” Mariani explains. “The minimum intervention, really, to preserve its essence.” The result is a space that feels both deeply rooted in history and refreshingly modern.
Details that whisper history
Beyond the main dining room, the property unfolds with deliberate restraint. The living area showcases a curated collection of furnishings—a Shoppe Amber Interiors sofa, Frama’s coffee table and daybed, and a striking lounge chair from San Miguel de Allende—all carefully chosen to complement the adobe’s rustic texture. Even the structural beam is integrated with a long skylight, allowing natural light to flood the space while protecting the original adobe walls.
A narrow staircase leads to a tucked-away attic lounge, a hidden gem that reveals the home's history in its rawest form. Original framing remains visible, a testament to the building's age, along with layers of newspapers—centuries-old insulation—embedded within the walls. The kitchen, featuring Plain English cabinetry with its distinctive hand-painted finish, offers a subtle nod to enduring quality, playing off the surrounding history.
The courtyard, accessible from the new wing, is a study in understated California cool. Clean lines, steel-framed windows, and aged cedar siding create a distinctly modern aesthetic, offering a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living. It's a space designed for effortless entertaining, where guests can fully appreciate the interplay between the old and the new.
This isn't merely a renovation; it's a poignant reminder that the most compelling designs are often born from constraints. The adobe’s storied past—witness to the Bear Flag Revolt and the transition of California from Mexican to American governance—is now framed, not overshadowed, by a design that celebrates its legacy. The building itself, a silent observer of history, now hosts a new chapter, a testament to the enduring power of thoughtful preservation and modern design.