Lake Tahoe, a rare gem indeed, set over a mile high in the Sierra Mountains. Natural events, first volcanic, then glacial dammed both ends of the valley that would evolve into a gigantic body of water, as deep as the desert floor that surrounds it. Limnologists, those who study lakes, attribute altitude (6240 feet at lake level) and the decomposed granite soil for the clarity of the water (99.9%) and its unique aquamarine hues.
The Washoe Indians, who lived by its shores for hundreds, if not thousands of years, called it Lake of the sky. It wasnt until 1840 that the first white man, Kit Carson, spied it from the pass, twenty miles south, that still bears his name. Gold rushers, settlers, loggers preceded the rich and famous who built retreats in the late 1800s. Aesthetically, early Tahoe Style favors Adirondack cabins of upstate New York. Its simple, functional lines still factor in modern renditions. Teaky Tahoe is fond of these initial roots. Its silhouette is derived from Adirondack shelters that to this day house hikers of the Appalachian Trail.
The woodwork, though seemingly rustic, is surprisingly complex. Shaker, Art Nouveau and Art Deco subtleties reward the careful observer. Cabinets, doors, steps, lanterns, hardware are all individually hand crafted and uniquely different, even one to another. Take for instance the staircase. Ten one and a half inch steel tubes twist in concert to make the ninety-degree turn upstairs. Each tube was hand extruded at a different pitch and angle to achieve the overall goal. The steps are made of two inch by fourteen inch cherry, capped in three-inch walnut. The ends are carved around the tubes. It is a masterwork of simple beauty, but a very complex design project that involved moving a door and fireplace, cutting out a rafter and creating a metal strut and escutcheon to support the landing and deck. Every element of the house has been thought through for efficiency and integration with the whole, for color, conformation, style and function. There is visual and functional consistency of rockwork: terraces, wainscoting, fireplace, chimney, entry, driveway, counters, cellar, and bathrooms. The same can be said for woodwork: finish details of rafters, beams, flooring, doors, garage doors, cabinets, decks, even the hand carved walnut and paduak knobs. Throughout, material, color, style, space, all blend.
There is suspense and intrigue: outside, roofline, terracing, landscaping, doors fend perusal. The entry, though staunchly imposing, invites you in and makes you wait for the surprise of light filled openness that awaits. Paneling, ship-rib structure, doors, oil lamps, dimpled strap hinges, fanning slab walnut steps, porthole skylights share a magically nautical motif, whose ideas stem from such disparate sources as Frank Lloyd Wright, Kenneth Grahams Wind In The Willows, N.C. Wyeths illustrations of Treasure Island and flourishes from Thomas Jeffersons Monticello.
Teaky Tahoe is simple and straightforward.
Its also magical and secretive.
It puts its back to the wind, but with open arms, welcomes you in.
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Photo Tour (in full screen mode)
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Property Features
2 Bedroom, 2 Bath, 2400 Sq foot Mountain Lodge
Private outdoor jetted hot tub
Cedar, mahogany, padauk, walnut doors
Cherry and walnut kitchen cabinets
Steel, cherry, walnut staircase
Views of Lake Tahoe, Tallac, and Crystal Range
Envelope super heat efficient passive solar design
Frank Lloyd Wright and Phillip Johnson features
Three granite terraces and granite driveway
Granite fireplace and chimney and entry
Teak floors and granite counters
2 story greenhouse and wine cellar
Adirondack style New York loft
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