sunnyland house tours

Sunnylands Historic House Tour

In groups of seven, visitors on the Historic House Tour are taken on electric shuttles from Sunnylands Center & Gardens to the former winter home of Ambassadors Walter and Leonore Annenberg.  A midcentury masterpiece with Mayan influences, the 25,000-square-foot residence was completed in 1966.  Famed architect A. Quincy Jones designed the home, which interior designers William Haines and Ted Graber decorated in the Hollywood Regency style.  Guides on the 90-minute tour also inform guests about the rare paintings, sculptures and other works of art on display in the home, as well as the world-famous 20th-century entertainers and politicians who visited the estate.  It is recommended that visitors see the 20-minute movie, “A Place Called Sunnylands,” prior to going on the tour.  The movie is shown free to the public every hour and half hour at Sunnylands Center & Gardens.  Art exhibitions, walking tours, and other activities at the Center also are free. Sunnylands is now a high-level retreat center where global leaders and prominent experts meet to find solutions to real-world problems, promote peace, and better serve the public good.  For more information, go to  sunnylands.org .

Things to Know

Guests should arrive at least 15 minutes prior to scheduled tour start time. Drive time from downtown Palm Springs to Sunnylands is approximately 25 minutes. The shuttle will depart promptly from Sunnylands Center & Gardens at the tour start time in order to maintain the schedule for all ticket holders. There is no other way to access the tour. Late arrivals cannot be accommodated. Free parking is provided at Sunnylands Center & Gardens. Guests on the house tour must be at least 10 years old. However, children of all ages are welcome at the Center & Gardens. No food or drink other than water is allowed on tours of the historic estate. Bags or purses larger than 12-by-14 inches are not permitted. No pets, other than service dogs, are allowed at Sunnylands. Tours require guests to walk or stand for more than an hour. This event has handicap parking available and is wheelchair accessible. Sunnylands is a smoke-free environment. This event is organized by  Sunnylands Center & Gardens .

Event Check-in Location  

Sunnylands Center & Gardens, 37977 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 View Map

Photo Credits:  The Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands.

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Touring Sunnylands Center & Gardens

Sunnylands Center & Gardens, the former Annenberg Estate, is a marvel that has hosted presidents, royalty, and celebrities alike. It was built in 1966, and the vision of Walter and Leonore Annenberg. Designed by the renowned architect A. Quincy Jones , the estate was a winter retreat for the couple, where they could entertain the most influential figures of the time.

Sunnylands first opened to the public in March 2012. Upon entering the 15-acre site, a winding driveway takes visitors through a desert art garden to the glass facade of Sunnylands Center. The spacious, contemporary building houses a rotating art exhibition, café, gift shop, and multimedia offerings that detail the history of Sunnylands and its founders.

Sunnylands Gardens

The Office of James Burnett and horticultural consultant Mary Irish designed the landscape. Inspired by the Annenberg collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings, the gardens reflected the importance of these paintings to the Annenbergs, who bequeathed the collection to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1991.

Burnett’s signature designs are habitable and sensitive, with shade, quiet, and natural elements that appeal to the senses. Twin reflecting pools filled with river stones flank the center’s rear windows and patios. To the west, a labyrinth winds through rows of Wedelia ( Sphagneticola trilobata ), creating a contemplative and quiet space.

Over 70 species of native and arid-adapted plants from North and South America, Africa, and the Mediterranean are displayed in the nine-acre gardens.

Sunnylands Cafe

Light lunches and snacks are served at the Sunnylands café while you enjoy the best view in the Coachella Valley. The menu includes a selection of salads, sandwiches, and sweet treats. Specials include iced tea, the way Mrs. Annenberg liked it, and French press coffee.

A Hub for Diplomacy and Discussion

Over the years, Sunnylands has welcomed eight U.S. Presidents and countless world leaders.

In 1966, it welcomed its first guests, among whom was President Dwight D. Eisenhower. President Richard Nixon drafted his final State of the Union Address while visiting Sunnylands, and later, President Gerald Ford visited in 1974. Frank and Barbara Sinatra were married at Sunnyland in 1976.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Prince Philip visited Sunnylands in 1983.

In 1986, President Ronald Reagan enjoyed a New Year’s stay to ring in the new year. He returned in 1988, and it was at Sunnylands that he signed a free trade agreement with Canada.

President George H. W. Bush hosted an official White House dinner at Sunnylands for Japanese Prime Minister Toshikit Kaifu in 1990.

President Barack Obama hosted President Xi Jinping of China at Sunnylands in 2013. The next year, he greeted King Abdullah II of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and Sunnylands. In 2023, U.S. envoy John Kerry and his Chinese counterpart, Minister Xie Zhenha, issued a Historic climate change accord at the property.

The Historic Golf Course

Dick Wilson, a highly regarded golf course designer in the 1950s and ’60s, designed the Sunnylands course in 1964 in a parkland style. Golf course designers Tim Jackson and David Kahn, responsible for the course’s 2011 restoration, used painstaking research into Wilson’s original concept and created greens that average 8,000 to 9,000 square feet, allowing for a double-looping, 9-hole, par 72 course. Moreover, the course’s irrigation system was upgraded for efficiency and environmental sustainability, and roughly 60 acres of turf grass was removed to reduce water use.

The Sunnylands course is unique for its distinctive landmarks. A magnolia tree sits on the seventh hole, given to the Annenbergs in 1972 by President Richard Nixon, who kept a set of clubs on the property. The gift was cut from a magnolia tree planted on the White House grounds nearly 200 years ago by President Andrew Jackson. On the fifth fairway is a 30-foot Kwakiutl totem pole. A visiting Canadian official suggested the piece in 1976, and the Annenbergs then commissioned it from Canadian First Nations artist Henry Hunt. The golf course is not open to the public.

The Annenberg Legacy

Walter Annenberg, born to a Jewish family in Milwaukee, was a man of many facets: a businessman, investor, philanthropist, and diplomat. He transformed Triangle Publications, which included The Philadelphia Inquirer and TV Guide, into a media empire. His philanthropic efforts were monumental, with significant contributions to educational establishments and art galleries.

Leonore Annenberg, Walter’s wife, was equally influential, known for her gracious entertaining and support for cultural and patriotic causes. Together, they established the Annenberg Foundation in 1988, which continues to support various educational and cultural initiatives

Health & Wellness

Tai chi is offered every Saturday at 10 am from November through April. The 60-minute sessions, held outdoors in the gardens, are open to all ages and experience levels. Participants should dress comfortably. Sun protection and water are suggested. Admission is free. Reservations are not required.

Sunnylands Yoga offers a beginner to intermediate experience. Every Friday at 10 am from November through April, 60-minute sessions are held on the Great Lawn.  These session are open to all age and experience levels.

Purchase Tickets

Historic  home tour.

Guided 90-minute tour | $55 per person | 7 guests per tour

Explore the Annenbergs’ historic winter home—a 25,000 square-foot midcentury modern masterpiece. Walk through the spaces where history took place, including extravagant New Year’s Eve parties, nationally and globally important meetings, and intimate moments spent with the Annenbergs’ family and close friends.

Guests ride an electric shuttle to the house; walk and stand for a sustained period inside the home.

Advance ticket sales are online only (no phone, email, or in person purchases). Tickets go on sale on the 15th day of each month starting at 9 am Pacific time for the following month’s tours.

The minimum age for tour guests is 10 years. There is no waiting list for sold out tours.

Open-Air Experience

Guided 45-minute shuttle tour | $28 per person | 7 guests per tour

Take a guided shuttle ride throughout the 200-acre estate. Learn about the Sunnylands landscape, outdoor sculpture, nine-hole golf course, and sustainability efforts. This tour brings guests to the doorstep of the historic house but inside access is not permitted.

Walking is not required on this tour; passengers must be able to board a shuttle.

Birding on the Estate

Guided 90-minute shuttle tour | $39 per person | 7 guests per tour

Join an experienced local birder for this birding tour on the estate. Discover the variety of birds that prompted the Annenbergs to dedicate 25 acres of the estate as a sanctuary for resident and migratory birds.

This tour does not include access to the historic house. Offered November – April.

Historic Walk

Guided 60-minute walking tour | $26 per person | 12 guests per tour

Meet a knowledgeable guide and take a leisurely walk onto the estate. This one-mile walk focuses on the history of Sunnylands, the Annenbergs and their guests, midcentury modern architecture, and design.

This tour includes close-up outdoor views of the historic house. It does not include access to the house interior. Offered November – April.

It is open Wednesday through Sunday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. Admission and parking are free, and tickets/reservations are not required. No pets. No smoking.

37977 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage

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Presidents, celebrities, and even royalty have entered through the front doors of Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage. The 29,000-square foot estate, built in 1966 by U.S. Ambassador Walter Annenberg and his wife, Leonore, has hosted the likes of Frank Sinatra, Nancy and Ronald Reagan, and Queen Elizabeth II and is still considered a neutral meeting place for diplomats and world leaders today.

Note: Sunnylands will be on summer hiatus from June 3 through September 10, 2024. All sections will be closed to the public during this time.

Nothing combines history, architecture and the outdoors quite like Sunnylands. Visitors can step inside this modernist time capsule and marvel at the inspiring midcentury modern design, serene garden spaces and breathtaking views. When not in use, the estate welcomes visitors by guided tours only, while the Center & Gardens is open to the public at no cost. 

Featuring free and family-friendly activities, including yoga on the Great Lawn and outdoor movie screenings , occur throughout the year—be sure to check their Schedule of Upcoming Events to see what's happening soon. And thanks to Sunnylands’ central location in the valley, it’s just a short drive from many Greater Palm Springs hotels and restaurants for when you’re ready to travel back to the present. 

Take a house tour of this historic property and learn about the influences behind the building’s stunning architecture and interior design, from the pink pyramid-shaped roof and Mexican lava stone walls to color-themed guest rooms where even the bedside bowl of jellybeans match.

From November to April, you can take a peaceful birding walk around Sunnylands. Bring your binoculars and see many of the year-round residents such as the vermillion flycatcher and also try to spot the several bird species that migrate here during the spring and fall. 

More To See

Explore 9 acres of meandering pathways, reflecting pools and lush desert flora as you take a peaceful nature walk around this historic estate. Fans of fine arts can check out the latest rotating art exhibition, located inside, then grab a light lunch at the café (the patio offers unparalleled mountain views!).For more information on Sunnylands, see here.

Behind this iconic pink wall lives many a story. Ones of love, life, generosity, presidents, parties, charity, hope, and peace. The beginnings are simple, the middles - extraordinary, and the ending…well luckily there isn’t one yet, because this story just...

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Sunnylands: A Midcentury Modern Home with a Place in History

Written by judy karnia, california | destinations | travel | united states, wander with wonder contains affiliate links and is a member of the amazon services llc associates program. if you make a purchase using one of these amazon links, we may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. see our disclosure policy for more information..

Sunnylands is a midcentury modern architectural treasure near Palm Springs that has played a key role in world diplomacy over the years. Read on for more about this Southern California oasis. 

In the desert of Rancho Mirage, California, near Palm Springs , Walter and Leonore (Lee) Annenberg created a magnificent midcentury modern home that would also serve as an important retreat center for world leaders. More people have become aware of the estate since The Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands opened it to public tours.

A lovely garden with cacti and Palo Verde Trees is free to stroll in. A café offers lunch with a stunning view from the patio. Guided tours of the house showcase the midcentury modern architecture and diverse artwork while educating about the estate’s mission. The historic private retreats continue a few times each year as well. I enjoyed touring the home and learning about this interesting piece of California history.

Sunnylands garden filled with native desert plants. Photo by Judy Karnia

What's in This Article:

Who Were the Annenbergs?

The career of Walter Annenberg developed from a successful publisher and broadcaster to a diplomat and philanthropist. As editor and publisher of The Philadelphia Inquirer , he created Seventeen magazine in 1944. Nine years later, he created TV Guide and promoted educational programming on television. Annenberg also founded university communications studies programs and became an enthusiastic supporter of the arts. After a stint as Ambassador to the Court of St. James in Great Britain from 1979-1974, he continued to be active in public life.

Leonore Annenberg joined her husband in her devotion to public life. She served as Chief of Protocol for President Reagan in 1981 and as Chairman Emeritus for the Foundation for Art and Preservation in Embassies. She earned awards for her philanthropic work and founded the American Friends of Covent Garden in London.

In 1966, the Annenbergs completed Sunnylands and began hosting presidents, intellectuals, and celebrities. The power couple welcomed eight presidents, from Eisenhower to Obama, to participate in meetings or to utilize the estate to work and relax. They aimed to “address serious issues facing the nation and the world community” through intimate, solutions-based dialogue. The year before Walter Annenberg’s death, the couple established the Annenberg Foundation Trust in 2001 to continue bringing world leaders together and to educate the public about this work.

Visiting the Estate Today

During an overnight stop in Palm Springs, I visited Sunnylands because it sounded like a lovely garden. Fortunately, one spot on the house tour remained open, and I grabbed it. I had time for lunch before it started and enjoyed dining on the patio overlooking a broad lawn with a backdrop of the towering San Jacinto Mountains.

View of the San Jacinto Mountains from Sunnylands Garden. Photo by Judy Karnia

The Café offered a few salads and sandwiches, and I ordered the Field Greens Salad and green tea. A timer with three mini hourglasses signaled when to push down the press on the kettle depending on how strong I wanted my tea. I relaxed and watched visitors taking photos of the cacti and Palo Verde trees mirrored in the reflecting pool next to the patio.

Lunch on the patio of the Sunnylands Cafe. Photo by Judy Karnia

The Gardens

Except for the summer months, the nine acres of the gardens are open and free to the public. Visitors can stroll among more than 70 species of plants, including native California plants along with plants from North and South America, Africa, and the Mediterranean that can tolerate the arid climate.

An expanse of lush, closely-cropped lawn centers the gardens. A rectangular pool lined with smooth stones on either side reflects a line of Palo Verde trees. These rest in a larger rectangle of squat cacti that resemble pointy poufs arranged in neat rows. From here, a sidewalk encircles the lawn past all types of cacti and agave plants set amongst various trees.

Labyrinth in Sunnylands garden. Photo by Judy Karnia

Benches are placed strategically to offer a quiet place for rest and contemplation in the shade. One bench has an engraving stating that it was a gift to the President of the People’s Republic of China from President Obama in 2013.

Commemorative Bench in Sunnylands garden. Photo by Judy Karnia

Tour of the Annenberg Home

I hopped onboard a golf cart with six other visitors and our excellent tour guide at my appointed tour time. As we drove through a pristine golf course, our guide explained that only official guests of the home are allowed to golf here while they are visiting.

A two-story tall bronze pillar fountain surrounded by stones and grass centered the enormous circular driveway at the front of the house. A pink roof, designed to resemble the color of the sunsets, peaked over a wide, cantilevered overhang. The tall white doors set deep within two white walls beneath a white grid were iconic mid-century modern California.

Entranceway of Annenberg home. Photo by Judy Karnia

The doors opened to a vast entry where the deep grid on the underside of the eave extended to the ceilings inside. Pink marble floors set off groups of low, long, elegant sofas with a chair on each end, perfect for initial gatherings at a party. On the walls, digital reproductions represented the masterpieces by artists such as Renoir and Monet that the Annenbergs had donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. A square atrium with Rodin’s Eve surrounded by pink flowers set off the reception area from the formal living and dining rooms. A large part of the 25,000 square feet of the house designed by architect A. Quincy Jones is an open plan lavishly decorated by interior designer William Haines.

The Colorful Bedrooms

Walking into the master bedroom, the magnificent view across the lush grounds to the mountains beyond stole the show through the two complete walls made of glass. I wasn’t sure if this sight would draw me out of bed or make me want to spend all day lying in bed gazing at it. The pale yellow bedding and upholstery atop a wall-to-wall yellow carpet were more California chill than opulent mansion.

View from the outdoor patio of Annenberg home. Photo by Judy Karnia

The guest bedrooms also chose a pastel color and stuck to it, including the adjoining bathrooms. I could appreciate the design choice without being fond of the outcome. Each room had a matching serving tray, which the kitchen used to coordinate breakfast. I enjoyed seeing a list in each room of who had stayed there, such as Princess Margaret, Hillary Clinton, and Barbara Walters.

Other Highlights of the Home

The living room resembled an art gallery with paintings on all the walls and sculptures on every surface. Impressionist art and Asian art seemed to be favorites of the couple. A few groupings of couches, chairs, and coffee tables offered plenty of space for after-dinner chats. More wall-to-wall windows showcased the beauty around the home.

Other highlights through the house included the Room of Memories that brimmed with photos of the Annenbergs with American Presidents and world leaders, as well as letters and cards from many of them. The dining room held an elaborate crystal chandelier and some of the couple’s collection of fine porcelain table settings. The visitors center of Sunnylands exhibits many of these dishes that the couple used regularly when hosting.

Queen Victoria pattern on one set of porcelain dishes at Sunnylands. Photo by Judy Karnia

A game room sported a more relaxed feel with a mix of yellow to red fabrics and less formal furniture. The modern kitchen was spacious and well-equipped to host large gatherings. A series of deep, wide drawers in one wall was labeled with the number and type of china they held.

The guided tour of the house is the only way to fully experience the opulence and mid-century design of Sunnylands. The guide did a great job of explaining the history and ongoing work. It was moving to imagine the gatherings that occurred throughout the years and continue bringing thought leaders together.

Sunnylands Retreats

The Annenbergs established and then passed on to The Annenberg Trust Foundation collaborative retreats with small groups of influential people. The goal is to discuss workable solutions in facilitating global cooperation, civic and democratic engagement, food security, and global health. The retreats build understanding and consensus by placing people with different viewpoints in an intimate, confidential setting with open discussion. The Sunnylands website lists the meetings that have been held each year as well as descriptions of the outcomes.

Rose Garden of Sunnylands home. Photo by Judy Karnia

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Visiting Sunnylands

Touring the magnificent Annenberg home and spending time in the lovely garden was an incredible experience. Even more impressive was how the Annenbergs and the Trust bring together world leaders and provide a space for discussion and collaboration. This gem is worth adding to a visit to Palm Springs. We invite you to explore Wander With Wonder  for more things to see in Palm Springs or elsewhere in Southern California .

Architecture | History | Palm Springs | Southern California

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For Friday the 13th, "The Silence of the Lambs" house is open for tours

By Christopher DeRose

Updated on: September 13, 2024 / 7:57 PM EDT / CBS Pittsburgh

PERRYOPOLIS, Pa. (KDKA) — It's been 33 years since the Academy Award-winning film "The Silence of the Lambs" came out, but this weekend, you can get a thrill and maybe even a chill by touring one of its legendary filming locations.

While western Pennsylvania has had many great movies filmed in and around its region, no film has won more awards or has had more acclaim than 1991's "The Silence of the Lambs," the story of a young FBI cadet who enlists the help of a calculating cannibal killer to catch a serial killer named Buffalo Bill.

Chris Rowan, a professional art director for film and TV, has owned and operated the Buffalo Bill house in Perryopolis as a themed Airbnb and as a "The Silence of the Lambs" museum since 2020. On rare occasions, like this weekend, he opens his movie home to the public.

"The thing that people seem to love most about Buffalo Bills' house is the attention to detail and that they are actually walking in the steps of where one of the most iconic films of all time was made," said Rowan.

Rowan acts as a docent for each tour, walking people through the history of the house and its parts in the film. There are plenty of ways for guests to get pictures and videos and even reenact a favorite scene or two, like Agent Clarice Starling drawing a gun on Bill in the dining room or being trapped in a recreated well in the house's basement.

These tours, which cost about $69 a person, attract people from all walks of life and from locations both near and far. Mark Smith and his wife drove all the way to Buffalo Bill's house from Toronto, Canada.

Smith says that "The Silence of the Lambs" was the first movie he and his wife saw when they first started dating and in an odd way, he says this house is kind of sentimental to them.

"I really enjoyed the fact that we could see the house and you could drive by it and you knew exactly what it was and where you were," said Smith. "I really liked seeing the train tracks over here and you could actually get a sense of the scene in the movie where it all came out. So, it is just a really an enjoyable experience."

Tours run about two hours in length and will be available this Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 14-15 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., 1 p.m.- 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday.

Rowan will also be offering tours on Halloween weekend, Friday, Oct. 25-27 as well. For tours and ticket information, click here .

Chris DeRose is a reporter for KDKA-TV. He has been a reporter, producer, host and actor for over 15 years, starting his professional career in Chicago back in 2007.

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Architect Heather Wilson Bridges Past and Present in Her Charleston Home

This thoughtful restoration is an ode to simplicity.

Styled by Eleanor Roper

Written by Fiona McCarthy

Photographed by Brie Williams

Architect Heather Wilson was drawn to the purity and simplicity of her 150-year-old Charleston home, and her renovation focused more on paring back than embellishing. An Apparatus fixture illuminates the dining area, with tables and chairs from Sawkille Co. Art by Chris Groves; rug, Merida.

While the windows were original to the house when Wilson bought it, the front door was not, so she replaced it with a more fitting Dutch version. (That’s her friend Brad Neece, creative director at local boutique Worthwhile, on his bike.)

Plaster walls (painted in Benjamin Moore’s Vanilla Milkshake) and original waxed floors add subtle sheen to the front hall. The concrete sculpture is from Pidgin, a favorite shop in upstate New York.

Texture reigns in the living room, furnished with a Verellen sofa slipcovered in a slubby linen blend, a wavy-glass mirror made by local artisan Bob Hines, and a sleek coffee table from Black Creek Mercantile & Trading Co. Walls are coated in luminous Mineral Paint by Domingue.

Limited by the kitchen-slash-dining room’s small footprint (just over 300 square feet), Wilson decided to tuck the necessary functional appliances (read: anything stainless steel) and open storage into an adjoining pantry. “It’s a hardworking little room,” she says. The painting is by David Ryden.

Charleston-based Hostetler Custom Cabinetry created the sleek kitchen cabinets, which feature an integrated Wolf range that blends in seamlessly. “I wanted it to look as furniture-like as possible,” explains Wilson. Minimalist suspension lights by Juniper; painting by Paula Rubino; stool, Sawkille Co.

A rust-colored velvet chair from BDDW injects warmth into the primary bedroom. The bed is by Sawkille Co.; the woven-straw water buffalo trophy is by Javier Sanchez Medina.

Original timber framing was discovered beneath the walls of Wilson’s daughter’s attic bedroom during the renovation.

The third floor’s former attic layout required Wilson to get creative: Each bedroom has its own half-bath, with a shared shower off the hall in between.

A photograph by Brie Williams rests on a stair landing.

Wilson worked with landscape designer Sheila Wertimer to plan the backyard’s transformation, which included the addition of a new pool.

F rom the outside, Heather and Thaddeus Wilson’s 1850 home strikes a rather serious pose among the otherwise pretty clapboard houses surrounding it on the streets of downtown Charleston . With its neat, flat chocolate-brown brick and white pointed façade, with chimney pots and sash windows aligned in perfect symmetry, its external austerity belies the charm that awaits inside.

“When my daughter first saw it, she cried because she said it was the ugliest house she’d ever seen,” laughs Heather Wilson . “Because it has no real front and it has no porch—and porches are a big deal around here—you have to go through the side. But then, all of a sudden, you see the porches and the magic of the place. It’s like a secret.”

Bought in late 2018, the property consisted of a main house as well as carriage house, connected by a large internal courtyard and garden, much of it paved to provide parking for tenants who were renting each house separately. “We quickly renovated the carriage house and lived in that while we took time to fix up the primary house,” recalls Wilson of her family of five—including three children, Pierce, Street, and Willy, as well as two dogs—camping out for six months in the open-plan space, now used as a place for the kids to congregate or friends to stay.

Wilson was immediately drawn to the main house’s intimate scale and its downtown locale. “My husband grew up in Charleston, so when the kids were little, we moved to a neighborhood called the Old Village that’s a little bit more suburban,” she says. “But we both missed downtown, and when I saw the property, I immediately saw its potential. I love how small and straightforward it is. There’s no wasted space, there are no hallways,” she enthuses. Best of all, “nothing structural had been done to the property, so it was still basically in its pure original form.”

“I like a very strict palette where less is better and a room feels interesting via texture, not contrast.”

Wilson has left old beams visible and painted the exposed brick walls soothing shades of white; the old beaten-up floors have been stained dark brown “to hide a hundred years of wear and tear,” and the showers were finished in waterproof plaster in lieu of tiles. In the garden, a pool has replaced the asphalt, overlooked by an old shed transformed into an office and gym. The laundry room, now in the carriage house (which also has one bedroom and bathroom), is reached via the garden. “People think that’s odd, but I think it’s great,” Wilson beams.

For every project, Wilson likes to set “house rules,” she says. “My last house had a more contrasting light and black palette, so I was militant about there being no black anywhere in this house,” explains the architect, whose residential design practice focuses largely on clean-lined modernity while staying in step with the local vernacular. So here, a mix of cloudy and oyster whites, dark browns, a touch of mocha, and a pop of peach imbues every room. “I like a very strict palette where less is better and a room feels interesting via texture, not contrast,” says Wilson, who is as influenced by her New England roots (she was born in Boston) as she is by her love for Southern architecture, gleaned from studying at Tulane University in New Orleans.

Beautifully crafted pieces bring the touch of the human hand, from the watery-effect mirror in the living room by Charleston artist Bob Hines and the dining table by Hudson Valley makers Sawkille Co. (where the family spends much of its time eating, entertaining, and working) to lighting by Apparatus and Workstead. “I want to see the imperfections in things made by people, not machines,” says Wilson.

As a result, when you “tumble” through the front door, Wilson says, you feel instantly relaxed. “That’s the goal, anyway,” she adds. “I am constantly making sure we don’t have extra things we don’t need. It’s true that you are able to think and exist in a much more peaceful way when there’s less chaos and clutter, visually and otherwise. I wanted the house to feel like a vacation.”

THIS ARTICLE ORIGINALLY APPEARED IN VOLUME 13 OF FREDERIC MAGAZINE.  CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE!

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Suzdal and Vladimir tour

Suzdal is one of the most visited "Golden Ring" Russian town. Being a powerful city in the past, it preserves the layout and the spirit of a typical old Russian town.

Suzdal used to be one of the major cities of Medieval Russia and it has survived in virtually its original form. There are no modern tower blocks there, instead the center features vast flowering meadows and a river. It is the perfect place for taking photos, tasting traditional food, drinking mead or just breathing fresh air. There is a big choice of hotels in the town - from low-budget hostels to four-star hotels (which are still very inexpensive, compared to Moscow and other European capitals). The main highlights of a visit to Suzdal are:

Suzdal's Kremlin with its Cathedral for the 13th century

The Saviour Monastery of Saint Euphymius with its impressive fortress-like walls, picturesque location and colourful murals.

The Museum of Wooden Architecture , where you can take a look inside restored peasant houses.

... and the town itself with its numerous churches, wooden houses, hills and river.

Suzdal is a centre of mead production. Mead is a low-alcoholic drink made with honey and is one of the oldest kinds of beverage in the world. There is also a pottery in the town, and souvenir-hunters can buy woolen shawls, nesting dolls and wood and ceramic knick-knacks at reasonable prices.

Car or minivan transfer from Moscow to Suzdal and back is also an option. It takes 3-4 hours one way.

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Local history and eclectic architecture on view at Short North Tour of Homes & Gardens

Lovers of local history and architecture can go behind the scenes this weekend to view and learn about the extraordinary array of homes that characterize the Short North neighborhood.

Attendees at the 49th Annual Short North Tour of Homes & Gardens will get the chance to visit private residences and outdoor spaces in Italian Village and Victorian Village, from grand Queen Anne-style mansions to whimsically decorated loft condos.

Pricey penthouse: A look inside Short North penthouse listed for $1.5 million

On Saturday, a preview tour will be given followed by a rooftop party at Hubbard Park Place, 797 N. Wall St. Guests can get a sneak peek at the homes from 4:30-7 p.m., then return to Hubbard Park Place to party from 7-10 p.m.

Partygoers will enjoy catered hors d'oeuvres, an open bar, treats from Short North businesses, live music and free admission to Sunday's home tour.

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Tickets for the preview and party are $125 at shortnorthcivic.org/home-tour .

The tour of homes and gardens starts at 10 a.m. Sunday at the Goodale Park shelter house. This is a self-guided, walking tour, but if you prefer to ride, there will be shuttles on the tour route; look for signs near each home.

Participants can visit the homes in any order they wish, going at their own pace. Tour stops will be identified by banners.

Tickets for the tour are $25 at shortnorthcivic.org/home-tour .

The homes tour and preview party are Short North Civic Association’s annual fundraising events with proceeds supporting Screen on the Green, Goodale Park Music Series, Neil Avenue planters, streetscape medians and community projects.

Stops on the tour will include:

Thurber Towers

645 Neil Ave.

Owners : Donna and Bruce Siple

The Siples' apartment, full of funky, eclectic delights, includes vintage toys, Art Deco vases and glassware, Mona Lisa images and serigraphs by Zap Comix illustrator Robert Crumb. A collector of plastic items since childhood, Bruce Siple has thousands of toys, picnicware pieces, bottle caps, broken taillights, colorful vinyl records and other items, many of them displayed on a 17-by-9-foot wall.

Limited-time discount: Trans-Siberian Orchestra to offer $50 tickets for Dec. 26 concerts. Here's how to get them

1309 Neil Ave.

Owners : Joe Pimmel and Nick Rediger

Constructed at a time when most homes in Columbus were built using brick, this Victorian boasts a rusticated stone front. Brick was readily available and affordable, while stone was a luxury that had to be imported, dressed and sized. This made it a symbol of prosperity.

775 Park St.

Owners : Beth and Rob Vogt

This classic Queen Anne home, built in 1888, is noted for its asymmetrical façade and large front window. The house sold in 1891 at a sheriff's sale and was used by Ohio Medical College before being converted into apartments in the 1960s. The Vogts bought the home in 1990, renovated it and had the original porches duplicated from an early photo.

47 W. Third Ave.

Owners : Seth Lawton and Reid Sprite

There's an air of grandeur surrounding this example of Italianate elegance with Victorian flair. The house sports elaborately carved stone lintels over its windows and doors and an intricate 2-story bay window on the side.

Giving back to community: Painter Odili Donald Odita adds vibrant art to Columbus Crew Way

59 W. Third Ave.

Owners : Nat and Kate Shepherd

This residence, built no later than 1887, is also an Italianate structure with Victorian influences. At some point, the house was divided into two units before being reunited many years later.

141 E. Third Ave.

Owner : Eric Harter

Located in the heart of Italian Village, this 1890s industrial brick structure features an unusual sawtooth roof design with four rows of north-facing clerestory windows. In the late '90s, the building was converted into three residential condos. Among Harter's avant-garde décor are a vintage camera collection and interactive sculptures.

21 W. Second Ave.

Owner : Kaufman Development

Green|House in the Short North is a unique blend of modern residential space with nature and wellness. Perks of living in this midrise include an elevated pool deck with hot and cold plunges, a rooftop meditation terrace and a wellness corridor with a sauna and treatments by wellness providers.

Bonus Stop: Mikey's Late Night Slice

Historic Oddfellows

1030 N. High St.

Owner : Mike Sorboro

The Oddfellows building is a landmark in the Short North neighborhood. Each item on the wall was hand-picked by bar owner Sorboro to fit the space. Mikey’s Late Night Slice is on the patio side of Oddfellows. Tour attendees will be treated to slices at half price.

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Sunnylands is in a desert environment, home to a variety of plants and wildlife. While you are here, be aware of your surroundings, watch your step, and help children explore safely. Visitors are encouraged to be prepared with water, hat, and sunscreen.

Throughout the season, guests are welcome to stroll the gardens, relax on benches, or listen to prerecorded audio for a self-guided walk through the gardens (personal mobile phone or tablet is required).

Sunnylands is a smoke-free environment. Pets are not allowed.

For further information, please visit our page of FAQs .

Public Hours of Operation

Sunnylands is open Wednesday through Sunday, 8:30 am to 4 pm, unless noted otherwise in a yellow notification bar at the top of this website.

Sunnylands is closed to the public each summer from early June through mid-September.

Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day.

Admission and parking are always free at the Center & Gardens (public access to the adjoining historic estate is limited to ticketed tours only).

Group Visits

Sunnylands Center & Gardens: groups of 20 people or larger are asked to complete a free registration form prior to visiting the Center & Gardens.

Historic Sunnylands estate: tour ticket sales to the historic estate are limited to seven per transaction. Group tours are not available. See Tours & Tickets .

Code of Conduct

• Stay home if you’re experiencing signs of illness, such as fever or flu-like symptoms.
• Frequently wash or sanitize your hands.
• Obey all posted signage, conditions for entry, and staff instructions.
• Please be respectful toward our staff and other visitors at all times.

Safety Measures

Sunnylands will monitor attendance to make sure the Center & Gardens does not become overcrowded. Outdoor hand-sanitizing stations are available to guests. Frequently-touched objects, such as door handles, will be routinely disinfected.

• Accessibility

Sunnylands is dedicated to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all visitors. For detailed information on accessibility at Sunnylands, please  click or tap here .

Lockers are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis.

Parking is free. Carpooling is encouraged. EV charging stations are available.

Pets & Service Dogs

Pets are not allowed at Sunnylands. State and federal laws require the admittance of dogs that are trained to provide a service to disabled guests. Emotional support animals are not covered under the law. You will be asked if your dog is a service animal and what service it provides. Service dog owners must keep their animals restrained and controlled. Pet water fountains are not provided. Under California law, it is illegal to endanger the health of an animal by leaving it in a car unattended.

Photography

Visitors are welcome to take photos and videos of Sunnylands Center & Gardens and when touring the estate’s grounds for their personal use. However, staged photos (wedding, engagement, graduation, school teams, etc.) are not allowed as it disturbs other guests. Violation of this policy may result in your being asked to leave the premises.

Tripods are not allowed inside the Center, within 15 feet of the outdoor café seating area, or in vehicle pathways to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all guests.

Photography is not permitted in the historic house. This no-photo policy is in place to enhance the visitor experience and to ensure guests look closely at and thoroughly enjoy Sunnylands’ art, architecture, design, and sculpture.

Commercial photography and videography require special permission, as does aerial photography, including the use of drones. The personal or commercial sale of photos of Sunnylands is strictly prohibited.

While guests are invited to picnic at Sunnylands, large coolers, ice chests, grills, and alcohol are not permitted. Café tables are reserved for patrons.

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the Sunnylands property.

Smoking & Vaping

Sunnylands is a non-smoking facility. Smoking and vaping are strictly prohibited.

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A place of history, hospitality, and diplomacy in the California desert.

Wednesday through Sunday, 8:30 am to 4 pm

760.202.2222 [email protected]

37977 Bob Hope Dr. Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

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McConnell Mansion Historic House Museum

Located in Moscow's historic Fort Russell neighborhood, the McConnell Mansion (at 110 South Adams Street ) is an architectural and historic landmark. William J. McConnell, leading merchant, prominent Republican, and Idaho Governor from 1887 to 1893, built the house in 1886. On the main floor of the house are historic rooms interpreted in different time periods from 1900 to the 1930s. The second floor contains the restored master bedroom and exhibits, including hands-on activities for young visitors. During warm weather, visitors are invited to relax and enjoy refreshments in the backyard garden. The Museum Store carries books on local history, notecards from area artists, and more.

Staffed by a corps of volunteers, the museum is open Tuesday through Friday, and some Saturdays dependent on volunteer availability, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and for special events. Please call or email to verify Saturday hours. 

© 2024 by the Latah County Historical Society.