My family loves Ramona CA. The wide open spaces...warm, dry air...wind in the trees, and babbling creeks running through it all.

This 100+ acre property, in particular, is a special place where I spent about three years (over the course of more than a decade) working on various building projects.

Having been instrumental in the renovation of the main house many years prior, I was more than happy to serve in the same capacity on the ground-up construction of a caretaker's home and custom two-story barn to replace those lost in the California Wildfires of 2006.

So, when there came an opportunity to expand on this ranch's charm with a sprawling arbor among the orchard and shady oaks, I was thrilled to be invited back for that project as well.

If you get invited to do a creative job in a beautiful spot in between big builds (especially for a special repeat customer), you always say, YES.

Partnering up with long-time friends and builders, the Arbor project was a true collaborative undertaking. We worked together to create a casual, inviting space that was a Napa Valley-like winery experience for the grown-ups.

The Arbor was also conveniently located next to the orchard for guests to enjoy berry-picking, and the horse corral that doubled as a dirt track for the kids, so they could be watched over on their electric 4×4’s.

The family regularly holds huge events with live music, art exhibits, and down home cook-offs. But, there needed to be a better place to sit beyond the usual camping chairs.

The custom arbor had to be long enough for at least a dozen picnic tables. The owners wanted the columns wrapped in stone, swings on either end, and electricity + lighting for night-time gatherings under the stars. We also built a nearby storage building to match the arbor to hold gardening + party supplies, and help simplify event clean-up.

Later, I was involved in building a guesthouse on the hillside for weekend stays followed by custom wood bridges over the creek, and a simple, rustic outdoor theatre for bands + kid’s performances near the arbor. I’ve included a few photos of those as well.

To see the barn project, CLICK HERE.