Native plants and succulents planted in round containers continue the Trulli theme.The outdoors offers views of the Cliffs that loom over Santa Paula Creek...a turn of the head provides a perfect view of the stony profile of the beautiful Lady of South Mountain.Rows of avocado trees are recovering from the January freeze but several Bonsai trees did just fine thank you under the protective reach of a magnificent oak.What could be a decorative bench “used to be above the front door,” a mosaic that Roy Sr. and a grandchild, Judy Weldon, designed and executed, a quail scampering through a tree bearing avocados and citrus.“I’m still deciding what to do with it,” Chris notes.The property holds family’s large collection of animals including dozens of chickens of rare and unusual breed including Top Hats...the fish pond is home to dozens of varied breed ducks.Palms, sycamores - at this time of the year several of the latter are hosting mistletoe - and Oaks shade the property, which requires comfortable walking shoes to explore.Near the Wilson’s at 915 Cliff Drive is the classic California Ranch home of Joni and Dr. Philip Snow, whose mutual love of color and antiques has filled the home with American and Chinese treasures, including Joni’s unique collection of Carnival glass.An entertainer’s delight hugs the high hillside at 722 Regent Court, home to Michele and Rod Johns, whose Spanish Mediterranean is rich with the eclectic art - beautifully highlighted by creamy white walls - collected by the couple.Alignment and balance are at the core of feng shui and reflect the state of mind and energy of the home of Yoshie and John Billig, at 590 Glade Drive, where John’s artistic modern designs and Yoshie’s love of Blenko glass are evident.Refreshing ice cream treats, Silent Auction, Spring Plant Sale and an Art Walk in the Oaks - including works by Santa Paula Society of the Arts members and other notable artists - will be located just outside the rustic garden of Lucinda and Dion Anderson at 1016 Holly Road.Tickets for this very special Tour are available for $20 each, $25 at the door on Tour Day.Tickets can be purchased in Santa Paula: Chamber of Commerce (200 N. 10th St.), Pamela’s (861 E. Main St.), Santa Paula Times (944 E. Main St.) and John Nichols Gallery (916 E. Main St.).Fillmore: Mirage (corner of Central Avenue and Santa Clara Street) and Fillmore Flowers (354 Central Ave.).Ventura: Adventures for Kids (3457 Telegraph Road).Ojai: Tottenham Court (242 E. Ojai Ave.).Tickets can also be purchased by mail: send a check payable to Santa Clara Valley Hospice, P.O. Box 365, Santa Paula, CA 93061...please enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope.For more information, call Hospice at (805) 525-1333.CAPTION: The Wilson Trulli House, Ventura County’s only example of the ancient Italian structures, is one of the stops on the April 22 SCV Hospice Spring Home & Art Tour of Santa Paula.
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Trulli House: Wilson’s dream is featured in SCVH Spring Home & Art Tour
April 11, 2007
Santa Paula News
It seems like another world when you enter the tucked away property of Yvonne and Chris Wilson and their young family living in Famille Wilson Casa Trulli, a circular stone house much like those that dot the Apulia region nestled in the heel of Italy’s boot.
This ancient cone design fascinated Chris’ grandfather Roy Wilson Sr. - who in spite of scant formal education became Ventura County’s first licensed architect - who never forgot the Trulli houses he saw on a long ago trip to Italy.Ventura County’s only Trulli House will be open to the public during the Spring Homes & Art of Santa Paula Tour to be held Sunday, April 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.All Tour proceeds benefit the nonprofit Santa Clara Valley Hospice/Home Support Group.Although Roy Sr. brought home a scale model of a Trulli house it wasn’t until 1973 that he started to work on creating three small structures of 320 square feet, expanded over the years, circle after circle, on the Wilson Ranch in the Oaks of Santa Paula.Some theorize that the Trulli houses of Italy could be 5,000 years old...Wilson’s dream garnered more modern exposure when featured in Los Angeles Times magazine in 1974.The exterior of the Wilson’s Trulli house - located at 999 Cliff Drive - is done in earth tones of soft gray, whites with touches of black and a rich, more contemporary green.From the front of the Trulli visitors can observe the second story courtyard balcony - not available for Tour Day viewing - which Roy Sr. would have found to be a perfect “hobo camp, says Chris.“He slept outdoors every night rain or shine,” and Roy Sr. would have loved being overlooked by the happy cat weathervane on a high cornice topping one of the copper roofs that has taken on the beautiful green patina of time.The roof finials are unusual but do not resemble the angel food cake pans Roy Sr. used as a mold.Inside, the cork floored entry and plastered walls are lined with works by famous artists and family friends...etchings by Cornelis Botke, oils by Douglas Shively and the works of others’ hug the curves of the home.There is the gentle arch of a vine-inspired banister leading to the second story, the creation of Chris, who scoffs when described as a metal artist.True to the Trulli tradition circles rule the house, including elaborate ceilings, one of wood that resembles a highly polished maze and the second in the kitchen that looks much like a stone beehive.River rock from nearby Santa Paula Creek hugs the fireplace in the comfy living room with a unique metal screen handcrafted by Chris.Wilson’s art is also evident in the kitchen where cabinets - some fronted with soothing water glass - glimmer from the reflected light of the black, white and gray granite counters. Adding to the natural flow of textures are additional cabinets holding inserts of contrasting eucalyptus.The entire sunny kitchen - light streams in from numerous windows that offer a view of the rustic property and an innovative angled skylight set in the stone beehive ceiling - sits serenely below an elaborate folk art chandelier of tubing bent by Roy Jr., Chris’ father.According to Yvonne, when she and Chris moved into the then tiny Trulli house in 1985 it had many challenges, but she is nonchalant about the unusual home.“I’m so used to it now,” Yvonne says.“It’s a work in progress,” notes Chris who constructed a “big addition” - several in fact - that now gives the family about 3,000-square feet of living space.Outside there are several circular courtyards floored with flagstone and French doors - also built by Chris - are oiled not stained.“...that’s enough,” says Chris rubbing the rich natural wood.The generous ranch property holds a unique entertainment area, a separate Trulli building filled with a massive aluminum Wolf barbecue and two restrooms.
