This property is one-of-a-kind. It's beautiful, private, serene, filled with vintage charm, totally functional for relaxed modern living, and perfectly located. The house is rich with history, lovingly renovated to preserve its character. It was originally built in 1903 as a retreat for Catholic women, both nuns and lay people. The main living spaces were prayer rooms filled with pews, the nearby cottage housed the Mother Superior, and a Stations of the Cross path ran through the woods behind the house. Half a century of prayer and meditation have left its impression: calm permeates the house and its surrounds.
The house itself has been lovingly renovated to retain as much historic character as possible. There are so many lovely, unique touches throughout: antique windows with their original wavy glass, claw foot tubs, the 1950's Wedgewood stove, the comfy front porch swing, the cottage garden. The house has large, light-filled spaces and 10' ceilings throughout. BIg windows look out onto a sea of sunny green: gardens, old oaks, woodland and redwood groves. There are two wood-burning fireplaces, a hot tub and an outdoor fireplace.
The house is on a gated property at the dead end of a small street, so there's no traffic and absolute privacy. There are two rental cottages in the compound but they are a good distance from the house. The property couldn't be more conveniently located: walking distance to Kentfield town center, 5 minutes from HWY 101, 20 minutes from the Golden Gate Bridge, 30 minutes from San Francisco, 40 min. from wine country, smack in the middle of the prettiest part of Marin and close to everything. It's in central Marin, known for it's consistantly mild, sunny weather and out of the Mill Valley fog belt.
The Retreat is recently redecorated top to bottom with the highest quality custom furnishings, excellent beds, fresh paint - and feels absolutely clean, open and fresh.
Best of all - there are so many spaces to gather! This property is perfect for a family vacation, business retreat or friends getaway. We've never lived in a house that's better for hosting. Start with a glass of wine on the deck, move to the dining room for dinner, gather in front of the fire in the living room, and move to the outdoor fireplace for a jam session. Movie night is covered with a full-wall projection system and surround sound. Downstairs can be for the kids, Scrabble at the game table or reading a book by the fire. (It's not good, however, for parties or events as parking is limited to two spaces and nearby street parking is very limited.)
The 4000 sf main house has 5 bedrooms and sleeps 8 comfortably in real beds. Below the main house is a one-bedroom garden apartment with its' own entrance, that comfortably sleeps 3, available as a separate rental. Rent just the main house or both. The entire 5000 sf house can comfortably sleep 11 people in proper beds.
Parking for two guest cars is included in the rental. Rent the Garden apartment as well and you get an additional parking space.