Palladian Villa Demeter

James Beauchamp Alexander (Beach) was stationed in Northern Italy during World War II where he worked and lived surrounded by Palladian Villas. After the war, he studied at the Royal Academy in Copenhagen and their focus was also on Palladian architecture. 
You can be forgiven if you haven’t heard of the Italian Renaissance architect, Andrea Palladio, even though he is considered one of architecture's  most influential  historical figures. He lived in Veneto, the Venetian region of Italy, and designed much of what we think of as “Venetian buildings.” His style, while influenced by Greek and Roman architecture,  is now called the Palladian style of architecture. It is  grand and formal, based on  symmetry and balance and usually features large arched windows, domes like temples, pediments, and Doric columns. They often have large Loggia (porches) or porticos held up by columns. 
When Thomas Jefferson was a US ambassador to France, he became aware of Palladio’s designs so when he returned to the United States he remodeled Monticello into a Palladian style dwelling. The White House is also Palladian, as is the Jefferson Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial. 
After the war and college, Beach returned to Sonoma county and designed his obsession, a Palladian villa. He called his creation “Villa Demeter”. What better Goddess for Sonoma  than the goddess of the harvest and agriculture? She looks down from the roof flanked by cherubs . Notice that the house is very symmetrical from the front and has a pediment and an arched Palladian window/door. It feels so very Italian in the sun. The soaring ceilings, French doors, and slate floors  keep the home  naturally cool. The indoor/outdoor living is fabulous with doors all the way around the house opening onto decks, patios or plinths. The views into the acre yard are spotted folly-esque with statues, birth baths and a spectacular koi fish pond with water lilies. Along one edge of the property is a seasonal stream. Live oaks, pomegranate, oleander, limes and jasmine are just some of the vegetation around the property. There is also an artist studio and a Lutyens bridge to a Orientalia gazebo decorated with bats, seen as good luck in many Asian countries.  
The living room has columns, a wood burning fireplace, and slate floors. There are two bedrooms, ensuite. The primary bedroom has a French stove and a relief of Swedish King Karl XII.  There is a laundry off the master. 
The kitchen has been renovated since its construction with fresh white cabinets, Carrara marble and open shelves. 
There is a butler’s pantry for dry goods between the kitchen and dining room. The dining room has a spectacular antique French ormolu chandelier and walls of shelves for all your curios. 
Villa Demeter is available for the first time since its construction and really cannot be missed.