SOUTH BAY DIGS | Digital Edition Online

70 DIGS.NET | 8.20.2021 M A R K E T S W E E T D I G S | 5 LO W E R B L A C K W AT E R , R O L L I N G H I L L S perfect for hosting starlit dinner parties and sunny gatherings that move afterwards to drinks and conversation by the outdoor fireplace or the blazing fire feature. Rounding out this fresh-air playground is a dedicated pool deck you reach by crossing the tidy green yard—yet another area that can switch from a sophisticated gathering space for adults, to a kid-friendly party zone. There's a free-form pool with a thrilling water slide that's sculpted in stone, and steps away, a bubbling spa where you can soak over uplifting views of the hillside. A highlight of this area is the sunny pool house that also func- tions as a full-fledged guest house, complete with a bathroom and a fresh white kitchen. In scale with the spacious lot, the main residence is an elegant, custom-built ranch home of approximately 8,000 square feet, spanning 8 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms. It's an airy, sunlit house with glossy hardwood floors that play against vaulted ceil- ings, and there's an endless number of skylights, big windows and glass doors to keep you connected to fresh air and nature. This fusion with the outdoors is by design; architect Roger North of Robinson-North Architects, whose work is plentiful in the area, designed the home. "Because the owner built it for themselves," Dyer explains, "the finishes and woodwork stand out." Accentuating the warm charm of the home are custom wood features throughout the home, particularly in gathering spaces like the kitchen and living room, where hand-scraped hardwood floors and ceiling beams comple- ment custom cabinetry and built-ins, from the fireplace to the kitchen island. There's a master suite that occupies its own corner of the home—a bright bedroom opens onto an outdoor seating area, and the spacious master bath is where you can unwind in the soaking tub while gazing out the windows. From the walk-in closet, a place with high ceilings and custom wood displays, you can head down the circular staircase to stretch out in the gym or detox in the spa-sized sauna. Other sleeping spaces—all ensuite—are located in a separate wing, and there are additional places to gather and entertain on the lower level. Notable on this floor is a sprawling recreation room with a bar and a crackling stone fireplace. A wonderful entertainment space that's ideal for gatherings big and small, this level is equipped with a home theater with plush rows of leather seating, and a bona fide wine cellar. Situated behind glass and accessible via a keypad, the wine cellar is designed to easily browse and select from the hundreds of vintages that can be stored along its walls. "There's quite a bit of functionality with this property," Dyer points out. "It can pretty much be anything you want it to be." A large family house with separate maid quarters onsite, and lots of guest parking and storage for boats and RVs. Or an elegant horse prop- erty. A rustic ranch retreat with garden and livestock. And more. Adding to this flexibility is the fact that while this property feels like it occupies a world of its own, the real world is not so far away. "It is very much like living in the country but affords all the comforts of being close to the city," the agent says of the property, adding that it's also close to the main gate of Rolling Hills, "so it's easy to get in and out of the community." Shopping and dining are only about 5 minutes away by car, and the 110 Freeway, plus the sun and surf destinations of the Beach Cities can be reached in about 15 minutes. But life is good inside the gates of peace- ful Rolling Hills, and especially at 5 Lower Blackwater Canyon, where space, nature and sophisticated style are in abundance. "This house checks everyone's boxes when it comes to how you can enjoy it," Dyer describes, "and the different ways it can be used."

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