Description of House by Bill Barton (owner 2001-2020)

This is a one of a kind house, a work of art that was designed with clever and unique detail by architect Peter Retondo. 8 Ocean, built in the late 1970’s by highly skilled Sausalito boat builders, as well as, by renowned Bolinas elite stone mason George Gonzales, artist Kit Anderson and exceptional craftsmanship by David Moritz and extensive elegant wood finish and detail by David Whalen and Rob Rich.

As you approach 8 Ocean you will see that the property is bordered on the north by a Eucalyptus grove owned by Audubon Canyon Ranch that was once a massive haven for Monarch butterflies. The driveway is paved by beautiful mosaic of granite stone imported from China. The peripheral stonework in the parking area is the work of George Gonzales of Bolinas. The enclosure to the right exhibits his exceptional skill. He is the premier stonemason.

Follow the granite steps up to the beautifully landscaped enclosed courtyard. Large stones strategically placed lead you up to the Kit Anderson hand carved front door. The large stones continue into the house and extend 70 feet all the way to the edge of the master bedroom. These stones are a clever solar design with stones also embedded below the living room floor to further absorb solar heat. Sixty-five feet of floor to ceiling sliding glass windows angled to prevent reflection, along with the placement of the stones are a part of a natural solar design that keeps the home warm. The interior walls are inch and a half plaster without aggregates, Fresco and no paint, and were done by the fine craftsman from Bolinas, David Moritz, which are still in their original condition 40 years later.

Throughout the main rooms are unique driftwood post and beams, hand collected from the sores of the Gualala River, tented, fumigated and beautifully finished, before crafted into the house structure. The dining room table and kitchen are a remarkable display of elegant black walnut done by Rob Rich and David Whelan. These two men left their incredible mark in this home. It includes the black walnut sink that is in impeccable condition. The heated kitchen floor tiles were imported from Italy.

Off the kitchen is a lavatory that looks is if it could have been from a fine old schooner. The 3-bed sauna on the second floor is an incredible work of art with exceptional woodwork and an etched skylight. The adjacent office continues the detail with oak desktops and perimeter black walnut and dovetailed counter edges. Rich and Whalen did the stunning work.

The entertainment room in the downstairs features laminated counter tops everywhere, and hewn beams reminiscent of being below on a schooner. Tom Donofrio of Bolinas did all the laminated wood counters throughout the house. The house has storage capabilities everywhere, some quite secret.

The master bedroom’s “lady’s” closet has 14-foot high ceilings with copper clothes racks that lower from the ceiling to the floor, so you have double level of clothes, as well as a built in vanity, drawers and secret compartments.

Walk over the retractable bridge and view the 3-area property. To the left is an extensive garden, sky lighted studio 15’ by 11°, deck with a hot tub and another lavatory with a Peter Pan etched glass door, stained glass window and skylight, copper sink and secret door. In front of the house near the bluff are two areas for cliff side cocktails and dinner.

The yard in front of the home was designed for rainwater to flow back towards the house rather than towards the cliff edge. The property to the west did not have this feature and approximately 140-feet sank in this past year’s heavy record setting rains. That problem has been brilliantly rectified by the design work of 3 of Marin County’s finest geo-technicians. The wall and French drain which runs along the entire 140 feet was done by Powerhouse, and the tiebacks expertly finished by California Dirt. It is expected this will be a 40 plus year fix.

The breathtaking views and the unique microclimate of this home are incomparable. Often when it is blowing 30 knots on Bolinas Bay and out on the Pacific, this property has less than 10 knots. Even on foggy Bolinas days this property seems to more sunshine than expected. It is a truly special place to live. Other features on the property are: From the master bedroom, climb the hand hewn sailor’s ladder to the loft and another ladder through a sliding ship’s hatch to the Ipe wood “whale watch” that offers the most incredible ocean views. A Swedish Reis wood stove in the living room. Extensive gardens with over 100 varieties. A tool shed, and bike storage shed.