Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma

Fallbrook Woman's Club presents Velvet Cat Home Tour

FALLBROOK — The Fallbrook Woman’s Club is presenting its annual Velvet Cat Home Tour on Saturday, October, 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The tour includes a sprawling Southwestern estate, a tree house, an “upside-down house” and a charming Mediterranean-style home with a “forever” view.

The Southwestern Estate

The stunning two-acre walled estate of Kris and Ray Hamblen is a monument to the couple’s design, architectural and innovative capabilities. The main house of almost 3,500 square feet boasts a dramatic open floorplan with 14-foot ceilings.

Textured walls in palettes of warm earth tones, concrete painted floors, plywood ceilings with heavy beams, artifacts of Kachina dolls, pottery, animal hides, wall hangings and other collectibles reflect the Hamblens’ love of Southwest culture.

A 2,500-square-foot workshop (the original house) is Ray’s domain, where he restores vintage cars. Car enthusiasts can view the cars the day of the tour.

The tree house

Every child dreams of having a tree house, and like something out of a fairytale, at the end of a country lane in Fallbrook, there is one. A charming little green cottage, built in the 1920s, nestles in the branches of two large oak trees.

When the owner was a little girl, she used to climb one of the trees and enter the house through a trapdoor cut into the porch. Today, she enters up a ramp that leads to the front door.

Above a spring-fed stream that meanders to the nearby lake, Rancho de Mil Sopresas (“Ranch of 1,000 Surprises”) enchants at first sight.

Upside-down house

Every square inch of this country house, built in 1973 and remodeled in 2001, is used to its full potential.

The original leaded-glass windows and fireplace surround from England, as well as other artifacts, were designed to reflect a mixture of formal European and warm French country influences.

This architectural mix has created a charming ambience that allows the owners an opportunity to showcase their many collections and talents.

One of the most unusual features is the Irish pub. The brick floor appears to have been in place a hundred years. The bar panels, polished to a fine patina, are made of pews from an old English Church.

Around the border of the ceiling, in old English lettering, a remembrance has been handwritten for a member of the family.

Chattels’ house

This Mediterranean-style home is a gem in a setting of avocado groves. The imposing tower-like front entry with red tiled roof and wrought iron gates leads into graciously decorated rooms and comfortable ambience.

The dramatic slate entry continues into the house and out into the serpentine pool surround. The circular spa is composed of stacked slate and forms a restful waterfall.

A sunken outdoor kitchen with refrigerator, sink and BBQ define the patio entertainment area. A large parrot statue stands guard over the black-bottom pool and spa.

This home houses three generations in harmony. The husband’s mother has a separate house and stained glass studio off the patio, the wife’s father has a private suite and patio and the daughter has departed from traditional design, decorating her bedroom and bath in Hawaiian style.

For advance tour tickets, call Kathleen at (760) 728-6010. Tickets are $15. Day-of tickets will be available at the Fallbrook Woman’s Club at 238 West Mission Road.

All ticket holders will pick up maps at the club the day of the event, which is being organized by Kathleen Gerard, Karen Feyler and Phyllis Audiss.

Cookies and other homemade goods will be available at the club’s Edible Pleasures Shoppe. Proceeds benefit the club’s philanthropic and scholarship funds.

 

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