Bob Schaar builds his own custom home

Bob and Mary Schaar have faced a rough couple of years. They’ve had to rebuild their lives since the 2007 Rice Canyon fire incinerated their home and avocado farm.

Bob, a longtime resident of Fallbrook and the general contractor mastermind behind Schaar Enterprises, knew he wanted to remain in Fallbrook despite the devastation.

“Our home was completely destroyed,” he said. “It was burnt to the ground with nothing left.”

Two years later, Bob and Mary are now living in a newly constructed Spanish hacienda. Like every project he takes on, Bob poured his heart and soul into this one. Well, especially this one. “This was his vision,” Mary said.

Since he was 15 years old, Bob has been in the construction industry. He worked for a number of major developers and eventually opened his own business, Schaar Builders.

“We are custom home builders and we specialize in construction management,” he said, noting how their projects are generally large, upscale residences. “I am involved in every facet of the home.”

When someone hires Schaar Builders, they will receive Bob’s honesty, integrity and personalized attention. “Building a house should be fun for a client,” he said.

Bob has built homes in the Sierra Foothills, Hawaii and Cabo San Lucas. Now, Bob said, it’s time to reestablish himself on his home turf again.

Their new Spanish hacienda, and enclosed courtyard brimful of palms, offers a clear example of Schaar Builders’ talented work.

At first glance, the Schaar hacienda’s architectural curves look as if it’s constructed from adobe. Their elegant gourmet kitchen is highlighted with earthy hued granite, weaved travertine backsplash, hammered copper stove hood and black knotty walnut cabinets. Bob clearly tied in 21st century “bells and whistles” into an old world Spanish design.

Tall beamed ceilings can be found throughout the home. A lovely sweeping staircase with wrought iron railings leads up to the second floor.

Every distressed black knotty walnut wood arched door keeps the Spanish flavor alive.

The guest master suites project warm lines and the bathrooms offer traditional Spanish color palettes of blues, yellows, whites and greens.

Bob combined sophistication and luxury in their upstairs master bedroom. It begins with natural stonework, unobstructed views, fireplace, Jacuzzi tub, shower and more.

“I like creating custom homes because I like creating something that is special,” Bob said.

This sophisticated 4,200 square foot Spanish hacienda is a far cry from their previous clear redwood siding contemporary home. “Our other home was beautiful but it was really more suitable for the coast of Mendocino than for Fallbrook; I went with a Spanish hacienda because it was more fireproof,” Bob said.

Bob and Mary admit that things are starting to feel a little bit more like home. Unfortunately, not many personal belongings were taken during the fire evacuation. After Mary safely transferred her daughter, Skyler, and their five German shepherds to a safer location, she was unable to return. The authorities wouldn’t grant her access.

Bob didn’t evacuate right away. He remained, trying to defend their property.

By Bob’s side was his ranch manager, who is also the pastor at First Church of God, Tomas Rodas. “This was our whole life out here…it was everything that Mary and I worked for,” Bob said. “Every dime we ever made was invested into real estate and our farm, so I wasn’t ready to give up.”

Nearly 30 acres of groves were wiped out. But not long afterward, the replanting at Rancho Los Lobos began.

After the loss, Bob said it was difficult for him to dive into the avocado operation. “Tomas was the ‘boots on the ground’ person with his guys that put the operation back together again,” he said. “I could not have done it without him because I was just too depressed to do it because we took such a beating.”

Instead, Bob focused his energies into rebuilding the family home.

Bob and Mary said it was their faith, love for each other, family and friends that got them through the 2007 firestorm nightmare. Through it all, they say their marriage came out stronger on the other end.

To contact Schaar Builders, an entity of Schaar Enterprises, call (760) 723-2344 or visit

http://www.schaarenterprises.com.

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